No Other Name

I [John] 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. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10, NIV 1984).

My Musings – Ever hear the claim that Christianity is too exclusive? God started out with one man, who fathered a great nation. “And all nations on earth will be blessed through him.” (Genesis 18:18, NIV 1984). There could not be many until there was the one. But the one was not Abraham. It was Abraham’s seed. “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say ‘and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but ‘and to your seed,’ meaning one person, who is Christ.” (Galatians 3:15–16, NIV 1984).

Christianity too excusive? “A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language.” From the one “seed,” (that’s the exclusive part) came grace extended to “many nations.” No “nation, tribe, people [or], language” excluded (that’s the inclusive part).

“Salvation belongs [only] to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb [Jesus].” In other words, “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we [can] be saved.” (Acts 4:12, NIV 1894). That’s the exclusive part. Yet, “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:21, NIV 1894). That’s the inclusive part.

My Advice – Christianity too exclusive? The results speak for themselves. Only those who refuse to “[call] on the name of the Lord,” will be excluded. Don’t refuse.