Loving the Nations 爱各国各族
Dexu Xia
Before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.
As the daughter of two loving and hard-working parents from Central and South America, I’m grateful they had the courage to be the first in their families to immigrate to the United States for better opportunities. They met as young adults in New York City, married, had my sister and me, and went on to run their respective businesses.
As a native New Yorker, I’ve grown up embracing my Hispanic heritage and have been fascinated with people of diverse backgrounds. For instance, I once shared my story of faith at an evening service at a multicultural church that meets in a former Broadway theater. Speaking to a multicultural group about God’s love is only a glimpse of what heaven will be like when we see people from different nations come together as the body of Christ.
In Revelation, the apostle John gives us this amazing picture of heaven: “Before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). God our Savior will receive the “praise and glory” and so much more He’s worthy of “for ever and ever” (v. 12).
Now we have just a glimpse of what heaven will be like. But one day, we who believe in Jesus will be united with Him and with people from different countries, cultures, and languages. Since God loves the nations, let’s also love our global family in Christ.
By: Nancy Gavilanes
How can you love the nations? How can you celebrate others and their cultures?
Dear God, please help me to love others well.
见有许多的人，没有人能数过来，是从各国、各族、各民、各方来的。—启示录7章9节
我那慈爱又勤劳的双亲来自中南美洲，他们是各自家族中为了更好的机会而移民到美国的先锋，身为他们的女儿，我很感激他们早年有这样的勇气。他们年轻时在纽约市相遇、结婚、有了我姐姐与我，然后继续经营他们各自的事业。
我生为纽约人，从小就接受我西班牙裔的传统文化薰陶，也欣赏来自各种不同背景的人。有一次，我在一个多元文化教会的晚间聚会中，分享了自己的生命见证。他们聚会的地方先前是百老汇的剧院。当我向这个多元文化的群体述说上帝的爱时，似乎窥见未来天国的景象，看到万国万民组成的基督徒肢体相聚在一起。
在启示录，使徒约翰为我们描绘了天国的美好景象：“我观看，见有许多的人，没有人能数过来，是从各国、各族、各民、各方来的，站在宝座和羔羊面前”（7章9节）。那时，拯救我们的上帝将接受应得的“颂赞、荣耀⋯⋯”，“直到永永远远”（12节）。
如今，我们只能窥见天国的景象。但是有一天，我们这些相信耶稣的人将会与上帝，以及来自不同国家、文化、语言的人，连结在一起。既然上帝爱万国万民，我们也要爱在基督里的普世大家庭。作者： 高言曦
你要如何爱万国万民？
你如何欣赏别的民族和他们的文化？
亲爱的上帝，请帮助我能够爱别的族群