Devo Week 6

The Parade of Nations - Image Bearers of Christ

As shared in Devotional 3, an explosion of diversity in language and culture occurred at the Tower of Babel. Now we consider the end of the story in Revelation 21:26. According to this picture of the parade of nations, each people group will carry a unique expression of the glory of God and will bring honor to the Creator, both now and in the New Jerusalem. This will be an unmatched glorious day as time will stand still.

Key Concept: the Glory and Honor of the Nations

The idea of image bearers is repeated throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The glory of God rested upon Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Jesus as the Redeemer came to restore the glory of God to humanity through His perfect sacrifice and substitution. We were created to bear and live with the glory of God as our covering, each people group.

The unity and diversity of our Creator are also important as we consider the uniqueness of the nations both in language and culture. Just imagine: all those receiving Jesus have a reserved seat at this Heavenly Parade. It may be the least and last groups we view first, like the Sawi waving their banner of Jesus as the peace child or the Akeu as the sacrificial buffalo. The Karen of Myanmar may follow with their story of the lost book about God. And finally the parade will culminate with the Jews proclaiming the fulfillment of over 300 prophecies specifically within their story. God sent His Son to redeem the world as He was incarnated among the Jewish culture, but also as a Messiah for all nations!

Each people group will testify to the many-sided wisdom of God deposited within their language and culture. What a blessed celebration to join God as He prepares us for this Parade of Nations! The image of Christ will be on display in all of its diversity, glory and honor for all to witness. Let us continue to join God on His mission as the glory of God fills the earth as the waters cover the sea. (Hab. 2:14)

Key Word Definitions: image (noun), bearers (noun)

1. image (noun)
-- a visual representation of something

2. bearers (noun)
-- one that bears: such as a plant yielding fruit

Excerpt from Devotional 6 with highlighted words:

"The parade of nations in the New Jerusalem will be no different, but it will be unlike any other. This parade will be in honor and praise of the beauty and wisdom of our God. Waving over each nation will be banners of God’s redemptive love through His Son. Representatives from every nation, all image bearers of Christ, will carry their own unique glory and honor of God."

Scripture: Revelation 21:26

"They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations." (ESV)