God’s Heart for The Nations | Revelation 7:9-17

Summary

In this message, TA walks us through two things that are revealed to us in Revelation 7: Heaven will be filled with the nations because Jesus has secured salvation for the nations; and God has eternal plans for the nations, therefore our earthly plans must involve discipling the nations.

• Heaven will be filled with the nations (Revelation 7:9)
  • “Nations” refers to people groups – groups of people with the same language dialect, location, and religion.
  • God is not partial to our nation, He’s passionate about every nation.
  • Seeing other believers worshipping and treasuring God’s Word in a different language and culture is a way to get a taste of what Heaven will be like.
• because Jesus has secured salvation for the nations. (Revelation 7:10)
  • How did Jesus secure the salvation of the nations? Revelation 5:1-14.
  • God is inviting us to see Jesus as the lion-like lamb and the lamb-like lion.
  • The great paradox according to one commentator: “The almighty King overcame His enemies as His enemies seemingly overcame Him. Jesus achieved victory not by the sword, but by sacrifice.”
• God has eternal plans for the nations. (Revelation 7:13-17)
  • For all of eternity, God’s people will experience His presence, protection, and provision.
  • The majority of the people of the world who have yet to hear the gospel live where there is a religion that is based on performance.
  • But a day will come where many of those people experience the joy of being washed clean by the blood of Jesus.
  • Salvation is something that is received as a gift, not earned by performance. Scripture is clear that salvation only comes because of God’s grace received through faith (Romans 3, Ephesians 2:8-9).
• Therefore, our earthly plans must involve discipling the nations. (Matthew 28:19-20)
  • While there is the greatest movement among the nations, there is also the greatest need.
  • There are over 3 billion people who have little-to-no access to the gospel of Jesus.
  • If God has eternal plans for the nations, Christians must disciple the nations.
  • Why should we focus internationally when we haven’t reached people locally? We can be confident that it is God’s plans and purpose to save at least one person from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Matthew 28:19-20).
  • God’s plans must inform our plans; may our actions match the Word of God.
  • Matthew 28:19-20 is viewed by some as the New Testament counterpart to the Cultural Mandate in Genesis 1:28.

Discussing and Applying the Sermon

• Pray regularly and fervently for the nations.
• Give generously and sacrificially to those reaching the nations.
• Engage the nations here in Dallas.
• Seek out an opportunity to go to the nations.
• Learn more about Watermark’s opportunities.
• Do you believe your heart aligns with God’s desires when it comes to sharing the gospel?
• Ask God to sync your heart with His, and then ask Him to use you to disciple the nations.
• What is your next step? Discuss with your community group.

Other Mentioned or Recommended Resources

• Additional Scripture: Revelation 7:9-17, Revelation 5:1-10, Matthew 28:18-20, Genesis 1:26-28
• Resources: The Joshua Project, Unreached of the Day app