Those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the Lord. Zechariah 6:15 

All nations will come and worship before you, for your judgments have been revealed. Revelation 15:4

God is the God of all nations and all peoples. We are very good at putting boundaries around God and sorting people into those we approve of and those we don’t. Labels are applied to all kinds of groups of people – whether or not those labels even apply at all. Or especially, whether they apply to any specific individual. I once had a classmate that was finally happy after he figured out which “box” I belonged in – he sorted all of us into our boxes.

In Zechariah the temple is being rebuilt. Lots of work and lots of supplies were needed. As work progressed it was so marvelous that people from far-off lands were going to come and help build the temple. Sometimes we get the impression that the people in the Old Testament felt God was just for the Israelites. This is a clear indication that people from all over the world were included among those who worship the one God.

Then we have Revelation – not the easiest book to understand. It too states that all nations will come and be there before God and will worship before Him. Heaven is not going to have separate accommodations for different groups. There won’t be any distinction among people, we all will be as one in front of God.

In Christ there is no east or west,
In him no south or north,
But one great fellowship of love
Thru'out the whole wide Earth.

God of all nations, we lament that we often create and worship our own kingdoms and temples here on earth. Grant that we may turn our talents and energies to your service until all have heard your name! Amen.

Chris Gabel

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party