What Does Heaven Tell Us About Racism?

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9)

Today’s big question: what does heaven tell us about racism?

“But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female’” (Mark 10:6). Jesus told the Pharisees that God made Adam and Eve at the beginning of Creation. This leaves no room for beliefs about a pre-Adamic race or teaching that the world had been around for millions of years.

The Lord’s statement also eliminates any basis for racism since all people are descended from our first parents. The Apostle Paul reiterated this truth when he told the Greek philosophers God made all men “from one blood” (Acts 17:26). 

The acount of the Tower of Babel explains another truth that is important for understanding the human race. God confused the languages of rebellious humanity so the people would obey God and scatter around the world. The resultant dispersion according to language groupings isolated portions of the human “gene pool.” Today, we see commonalities within the various people groups that spread out from Babel. This account shows once again that all people are related.

In His covenant with Abram, God said, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2; see also Genesis 15:18–21). One of the fulfillments of this promise was the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

All nations of the world are blessed through the salvation that Christ purchased for both Jew and Gentile. God’s plan of salvation culminated in Jesus Christ. Salvation is available to all who call upon Him in faith, regardless of people groups. Jesus told His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Today’s verse shows us the effect of God’s great grace—poured out on every tribe, tongue, and nation. If you have any hatred toward someone because of skin shade or ethnicity, you must know that your hatred is not shared by the Savior. Jesus died for all people groups.

What a glorious place heaven will be as we are gathered together with all believers, praising our glorious and victorious Savior in complete unity.

Today’s big idea: tell everyone everywhere about Jesus and His salvation—available to all who call upon Him.  

What to pray: ask God to remove anything hindering you from reaching out to the world with His message.