A Parade of Nations

The 2024 Summer season Olympic Video games are being held in Paris, France, this 12 months. There are 329 occasions in 32 completely different sports activities. In all, 206 international locations will take part within the Video games, involving greater than 10,000 athletes-with almost 10 million tickets offered to spectators.

One factor is completely different this 12 months. Barring terrorist threats, the Opening Ceremony will not happen in a stadium however on the Seine River, flowing by means of the center of Paris. The river will host a colourful, 4-rnile flotilla of 160 boats gliding previous the long-lasting websites of Paris at sundown.

Donned of their nation’s teamwear, athletes will board their boats in an order dictated by Olympic custom. The Greek workforce enters first because the Video games originated with them. The host nation—France—enters final. In between, every nation enters in accordance with alphabetical order primarily based on the host nation’s language. The flags of the nations will flutter within the wind, and your complete world shall be watching.

I plan to be watching too, however over time whereas watching the Olympic parade of countries, my thoughts has turned to heaven. When Jesus Christ left this world, He commissioned His Church to take the Gospel to each nook of the globe. On the Day of Pentecost, there have been folks “from each nation below heaven” who heard the Gospel, every in their very own language (Acts 2:5-12). The author, Luke, was utilizing a literary gadget often known as hyperbole to specific the range of the gang. He was additionally pointing towards the scope of the mission earlier than the Church: to take the Gospel to a parade of countries on earth.

The message unfold from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and onwards. Within the two thousand years since then, we have seen Christianity nudge its approach into hostile empires, distant tribes, rural acres, and teeming cities, altering lives in every single place it goes.

Right now, ministries like Turning Point have technological tools unknown to prior generations. I’ve seen know-how develop, and I am amazed at our latest applied sciences in communication and transportation. My coronary heart swells right into a hallelujah as I see what the Church is doing right this moment. We’re privileged to be a part of it. What a time to serve Christ!

Because of this, in the future we’ll see a parade of countries enter the gates of New Jerusalem on the dawning of eternity. Revelation 7:9-10 says, “I noticed an unlimited crowd, too nice to depend, from each nation and tribe and other people and language, standing in entrance of the throne and earlier than the Lamb. They had been clothed in white robes and held palm branches of their arms. And so they had been shouting with an ideal roar, ‘Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”‘ (NLT)

Utilizing the descriptions given to us within the Bible, attempt to think about it proper now. A golden metropolis, shimmering with mild, its partitions tall and stately and its foundations made from valuable jewels. By its open gates cheered on by angels will come blood-bought folks from all of the ages, from all of the nations, waving their banners and shouting with reward and worship, so comfortable to be house, so comfortable to be in heaven!

Nationwide divisions shall be forgotten. Worldwide hostility shall be no extra. An environment of affection will rise into the clear air, and we’ll by no means cease having fun with each other’s presence. We’ll by no means tire of seeing our King.

We’ve got a component in shaping that future actuality. God has referred to as us all to be His witnesses, to take His message to the world. Jesus mentioned in Matthew 28:18-20, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go subsequently and make disciples of all of the nations, baptizing them within the title of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, educating them to watch all issues that I’ve commanded you; and lo, I’m with you at all times, even to the tip of the age.”

God has referred to as us all to be His witnesses, to take His message to the world.

I’ve taken that critically all my grownup life. My private aim is not simply to go to heaven. It is to take as many individuals with me as doable, which I belief is true for you too.

Let’s focus our hearts on the world and all Turning Level is doing—together with your assist!—to reach the globe. It is a good time to be globally centered!

This text was tailored from a difficulty of Turning Points devotional journal.