every tribe and tounge and nation

One of my favorite passages in all of scripture comes from Revelation 7:9

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb."

Watching the coverage of the death of Pope John Paul II, this passage of scripture has been called to mind several times. News anchors have commented on how well behaved the gathered croud is. Estimates say that there were 4 million people in Rome to pay thier respects, and although I am sure that Italians and Europeans were disproportionally represented, this is a truely international gathering. I even heard one estimate that 2 billion people watched the funeral on TV.

As amazing as it is to see all the varied people who have gathered together in one place to offer prayers and priase to God. Imagine how much greater it will be when we are all gathered together with all of the saints singing praise to our God!