Among the Innumerable Multitude

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” So says Jesus. But as Calvinists, we often want to qualify that. “Of course, Jesus, when you say ‘world’ what you really mean is the small, tiny remnant of the elect.” No, that’s not what Jesus says. And that’s not what Jesus commanded His followers either. “Go into the world and make a small number of disciples in each of the nations?” No, He commanded, “Go into all the world and disciple the nations…(the ethnoi…the peoples)”

And in Revelation 7:9 we see Christ’s mission accomplished: “a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues.” Heaven is not a small place. As the song says, “It’s a big, big house with lots and lots of room.” If you believe God is stingy with His love, then you may also come to feel He’s stingy with His forgiveness too. But, dear saints, your Father in heaven is far more merciful than you could ever imagine. And as His child, you are among the innumerable multitude that will stand before His throne clothed with Christ’s perfect righteousness at the last day.