In the previous post we saw that the motivation for church planting in and engaging other nations outside our own is not primarily an act of benevolence, but an act of worship. This is principally because we want to participate with God in what he’s been doing since the very beginning. As we have been blessed in Christ through the gospel, we want to be used to be a blessing to all nations that God might be glorified among the nations.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:9-12)

This portion of Scripture is marvelous. It’s a tremendous scene of God’s victory over the entire world in Christ. We see all people and tribes and tongues singing the praises of Jesus. Oh, how we long for this day to come! But, be careful. This scene isn’t written to stir our sentimentality. This Scripture isn’t written so that the people of God can feel good about the end of the story. Instead, this Scripture is a testimony of God’s power.

There’s coming a final day when God will fully establish his reign. A day is dawning when we will no longer think, “wouldn’t it be nice if all nations joined in worshipping God”, but rather we’ll be gathered with them around his throne giving glory to the Lamb of God. It’s going to happen!

Engaging all nations is the action that best demonstrates our belief that God will do what he says he will do.

Engaging all nations is the action that best demonstrates our belief that God will do what he says he will do. When he promised to bless all nations through Abraham, we believe he will accomplish it. We cross oceans and borders because we know that God has the power to do what he says he will do.

Engaging other nations and peoples demonstrates that he is not just King in depth but in the breadth of the world. He will reign to the uttermost part of our hearts and to the uttermost part of the world. It shows that no king, no culture, and no power can withstand his reign. No one can stop his mighty reign, not just in judgment of all nations, but also in saving some from all nations. Reaching the nations glorifies and worships God because it heralds him as all-powerful saving Sovereign.

This is the second post in this series on Engaging Other Nations, here are the other posts in this series:

• Why do we Plant Churches Among the Unreached?
• Engaging other nations shows His Worth
• Engaging other nations shows His Supremacy

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