Every Tribe, Language, Race of People, and Nation
And they all sang a new song to the Lamb: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were killed, and with your blood sacrifice you bought people for God from every tribe, language, race of people, and nation. (Rev 5:9)
Jesus longs for all to be at rest in Him.
“Every Tribe” means our Indigenous people. Let us pray for them and sincerely try to help them as friends and neighbors and quit telling them what to do and who to be.
In a book called Murder By Decree, which is characterized by the author as “A Counter report To The “Truth And Reconciliation Commission,”” by Kevin Annette, it is stated on pages 6-7
“Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was a rapid,in house response by church and state designed to present their own self-serving narrative of their Indian Residential School Crimes. It was, by any objective standard, an elaborate misrepresentation of a monumental crime. For one thing, the TRC was created by the same institutions of Church and State that were responsible for the residential school crimes being investigated. This fact alone disqualified the TRC from the outset as any neutral or credible body. Indeed, the TRC only commenced its work after both institutions had legally indemnified themselves from any liability for those crimes. A manouvre which created an obstruction of justice under law.”
Another writer puts things in perspective like this, and this was written over 100 years ago:
The Vatican now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christ-like garments; but she is unchanged. Every principle of popery that existed in past ages exists today. The doctrines devised in the darkest ages are still held. Let none deceive themselves. The popery that Protestants are now so ready to honor is the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation, when men of God stood up, at the peril of their lives, to expose her iniquity. She possesses the same pride and arrogant assumption that lorded it over kings and princes, and claimed the prerogatives of God. Her spirit is no less cruel and despotic now than when she crushed out human liberty, and slew the saints of the Most High. {GC88 570.3}
Popery is just what prophecy declared that she would be, the apostasy of the latter times. [2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4.] It is a part of her policy to assume the character which will best accomplish her purpose; but beneath the variable appearance of the chameleon, she conceals the invariable venom of the serpent. “We are not bound to keep faith and promises to heretics,” She declares. Shall this power, whose record for a thousand years is written in the blood of the saints, be now acknowledged as a part of the church of Christ? {GC88 571.1}
The heart not given entirely to the control of Jesus Christ has a door open for Satan to enter, and the archdeceiver weaves about the soul ingenious apologies in performing its hidden purposes of evil. All these excuses and pretensions are seen of God, and are as spiderwebs in the eyes of Him who never slumbers or sleeps. Oh, how readily will the human soul find poor and wretched excuses to deceive and cover up its own course of evil, which it pursues. There is an exact judge who weigheth actions. He cannot be deceived, neither can He be mocked. He will one day strike off the covering, unveil the conscience, and sweep away these excuses as smoke. {CTr 171.3}
The same writer also states a strict caution against unwarranted bigotry and hate towards Catholics:
It is true that there are real Christians in the Roman Catholic communion. Thousands in that church are serving God according to the best light they have. They are not allowed access to his Word, and therefore they do not discern the truth. They have never seen the contrast between a living heart-service and a round of mere forms and ceremonies. God looks with pitying tenderness upon these souls, educated as they are in a faith that is delusive and unsatisfying. He will cause rays of light to penetrate the dense darkness that surrounds them. He will reveal to them the truth, as it is in Jesus, and many will yet take their position with his people. {GC88 565.2}
I am happy to know that Jesus will be the one to judge hearts. I have a Roman Catholic Cree Native that I pray with regularly. Anyone who loves Jesus will make for a good friend.
The Holy, educating Spirit of God is now speaking to “every tribe” and as the verse says:
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation, TRIBE, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Rev 14:6-7)
Christ is coming the second time, with power unto salvation. To prepare human beings for this event, He has sent the first, second, and third angels’ messages. These angels represent those who receive the truth, and with power open the gospel to the world. {7BC 978.11}
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev 22:17)
The last message of mercy as it is now going forth, is another and final utterance of divine longsuffering and compassion. Come, is the invitation it give. Come, for all things are ready. The last sound that will fall from Mercy’s lips on the ear of the sinner before the thunders of vengeance burst upon him, will be the heavenly invitation, Come. So great is the loving-kindness of a merciful God to rebellious humanity.
The Great Spirit will direct, counsel, and assist “every tribe” just like He does with all of us. When Jesus says “Come unto Me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest, (Mat 11:28) we can be sure that He is speaking also to “every tribe.”
The “blood Sacrifice of Jesus” (Rev 5:9) is for all who seek truth, peace, reconciliation. (see John 3:16-19)
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph 2:13)
Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world. He did not send him to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him. People who believe in God’s Son are not judged guilty. But people who do not believe are already judged, because they have not believed in God’s only Son. They are judged by this fact: The light has come into the world. But they did not want light. They wanted darkness, because they were doing evil things. Everyone who does evil hates the light. They will not come to the light, because the light will show all the bad things they have done. But anyone who follows the true way comes to the light. Then the light will show that whatever they have done was done through God. (John 3:16-21, ERV)
The wind is heard among the branches of the trees, rustling the leaves and flowers; yet it is invisible, and no man knows whence it comes or whither it goes. So with the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart. It can no more be explained than can the movements of the wind. A person may not be able to tell the exact time or place, or to trace all the circumstances in the process of conversion; but this does not prove him to be unconverted. By an agency as unseen as the wind, Christ is constantly working upon the heart. Little by little, perhaps unconsciously to the receiver, impressions are made that tend to draw the soul to Christ. These may be received through meditating upon Him, through reading the Scriptures, or through hearing the word from the living preacher. Suddenly, as the Spirit comes with more direct appeal, the soul gladly surrenders itself to Jesus. By many this is called sudden conversion; but it is the result of long wooing by the Spirit of God,–a patient, protracted process. {DA 172.3}
While the wind is itself invisible, it produces effects that are seen and felt. So the work of the Spirit upon the soul will reveal itself in every act of him who has felt its saving power. When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life. Sinful thoughts are put away, evil deeds are renounced; love, humility, and peace take the place of anger, envy, and strife. Joy takes the place of sadness, and the countenance reflects the light of heaven. No one sees the hand that lifts the burden, or beholds the light descend from the courts above. The blessing comes when by faith the soul surrenders itself to God. Then that power which no human eye can see creates a new being in the image of God. {DA 173.1}
if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17, Murdock)
My friends, when we feel poisoned by stress, pressure, pain, failure, or grief, the best antidote is to pray:
Father In Heaven, please restore in us the song of joy. Renew a right spirit in us, and restore unto us all a right spirit.”
It just so happens that Jesus desires us all to come to Him exactly as we are!
Humble people will get the land God promised, and they will enjoy peace. (Psalms 37:11, ERV)
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pet 1: 1-4)
Promises are estimated by the truth of the one who makes them. Many people make promises only to break them, to mock the heart that trusted in them. Those who lean upon such individuals lean upon broken reeds. But God is behind the promises He makes. He is ever mindful of His covenant, and His truth endureth to all generations {7BC 942.12}