After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!"   (Revelation 7:9-10, NRSV)

Where did the idea of "there is no salvation outside the church" get started? Surely not with this verse from the Book of Revelation. Who came up with that catchy phrase "know Jesus, know peace; no Jesus, no peace"? I don't know that either, but again, this vision of John's would certainly have a hard time being squared with that type of thinking, if you make a reasonable assumption that people from all tribes, nations, and languages would probably also have different spiritual beliefs.

What about Jesus' own statements, for example, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him. (John 3:36, RSV), or "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me."? (John 14:6, RSV).

Well, it's difficult to see how the vision of John would fit, unless one assumes that the entire world were in fact Christian. Is this what is implied here? "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you". (Matt. 28:19-20a, RSV) What about those we don't reach, or those who reject the message? How can someone disobey the Son if they haven't really ever heard what he's all about?

I have asked a lot of unanswered questions so far, but that's because people have been struggling with these issues for a long, long time. And they still are. But I think we could use the verse from Revelation, along with another word from Jesus: "I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd." (John 10:16, RSV) to possibly come to an understanding that we are not sole possessors of the truth, that we do not in fact know the ways of God when it comes to salvation, and that we can indeed work with others who do not confess Jesus as Lord, without looking at them as enemies.

The time for those outside the fold to recognize the Father, Son and Holy Spirit may happen in a way unbeknown to us. However, we who have been given the revelation of Jesus Christ therefore have a greater responsibility to foster conditions where the Kingdom of God would not be foreign, regardless of whether it arrives now, tomorrow, or in the distant future. While all peoples, nations, and tribes may not sing with one voice until time has been completed, perhaps a glimpse at that future unity will help us break down the barriers between humanity which are separating us today

Imagining the vision from John's Revelation may provide us with hope: "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night within his temple; and he who sits upon the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." (Rev. 7:15-17, RSV)

Father, forgive us for concentrating on the differences between us much more than we do the unity we all have in you. As we were all created in your image, help us to see the image of God in everyone, rather than seeing "the other". Help us to devise peaceful solutions to the problems we face, rather than resorting to violence against "the enemy". And help us look forward to that day when we will all be one in your presence. Amen

Contributed by David M.
Sunday September 3, 2006
Liturgical Year B Week 41