The AMI QT Devotionals from June 12-18 are written by Pastor Andrew Kim at Tapestry Church.  Andrew, a graduate of Eternity Bible College, is currently attending Fuller Theological Seminary.  He and Jessie were married in 2014.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

Revelation 7:9-12

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, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 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, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

In Revelation 7, we see a remarkable picture of heaven and the answer to the question, “Who can stand before God?” John is given an answer when he sees in his vision 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.” What’s important to recognize is that God’s people in heaven are diverse and multicultural. People from all over the world will be numbered among the redeemed.  You see, God’s desire is to reach every tribe and nation–whether poor or rich, first-world or third-world–God is seeking to save the lost.

A few years ago, I was reminded of this truth when I attended a missions conference. During one of the sessions, over a 100 people came out with flags representing each of their own countries. One by one they took turns coming to the center of the stage to read a Bible passage in their own language. This went on for more than 30 minutes! But in that moment, I was truly moved upon being reminded that God is a universal God; that He cares for every nation and tribe, even the ones I never heard of. He sees every person on earth- even those who are in the most remote of places and desires to save them. As I watched each person proclaim God’s word in their native tongue, I was compelled to ask God to give me a heart for the nations, to help me see beyond my own borders.

Today, let us ask God for a heart that longs for the nations to be redeemed, a longing that moves us to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Prayer: Father, You desire to see every person saved and brought into your kingdom. Grant me the same heart, a heart that desires to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. May my life’s goal be to bring the good news of Christ to those who truly need it. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Romans 12-13