In the biblical book of Revelation, St. John is given a vision of heaven. That vision included a massive city made of gold, with foundations of precious stones and gates of massive pearls. The river of life sprung from its center and watered the tree of life that ensured there would be no sickness or death ever again, and there was no need for sun, moon, or stars because the glory of God provided perpetual illumination. It was a compelling vision, but one of the most interesting bits of the description is found in Revelation 7:9:
After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.
This was an astonishing detail because, for more than a thousand years, the people of God was essentially synonymous with one nation and culture, Israel. John, however, recognized that Jesus’ sacrifice negated political, cultural, and racial divides, and he realized the kingdom of heaven would therefore be thoroughly multiethnic.
If the kingdom of heaven is going to be multiethnic, and Christians are called to pray God’s kingdom and will come on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10), then we must strive to embrace people of different ethnicities as well.
As a multiethnic church, New Foundation Church embraces people who look different, dress different, talk different, eat different, pray different, and more. And together, we pursue Jesus and holiness as most important.