Why do “the nations” still exist and “walk by its light” (Revelation 21:24) if all believers are supposed to be gathered together? Overview of the Question Revelation 21:24 states, “By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory.” This raises the question: Why do distinct nations still exist and walk in this light if all believers are gathered in the New Jerusalem? The following entry examines biblical context, relevant passages, and theological perspectives to address this question comprehensively. 1. The Immediate Context of Revelation 21 Revelation 21 offers a vision of the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1). The New Jerusalem comes “down out of heaven from God” (21:2) and is described with breathtaking imagery. The text emphasizes that the city is illuminated by the glory of God: “The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp” (21:23). Immediately following this statement, verse 24 explains that the nations walk by the city’s radiant light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it. The gates of the city “will never be shut” (21:25), implying free and continual access for those who are counted among the redeemed. 2. Old Testament Foreshadowing of Nations Coming to God Scripture from the Old Testament repeatedly anticipates a future where nations stream to the Lord’s light. Isaiah 60:3 declares, “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” In Isaiah 2:2, we see the prophetic vision: “In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; … and all nations will stream to it.” These prophecies prefigure Revelation’s depiction of nations gathering around God’s presence. Such passages reveal the consistency of Scripture: from the earliest prophetic writings to the final book of the New Testament, there is an expectation that peoples from every corner of the earth will come under the sovereignty of the Lord. 3. The Gathering of All Believers Revelation 7:9 describes a “great multitude” of believers “from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” This directly testifies to the worldwide scope of redemption that transcends nationality, ethnicity, or cultural distinction. While believers share in Christ’s salvation, Revelation still uses the phrase “nations” in the final vision. Rather than suggesting division among God’s people, it highlights that each redeemed people group retains aspects of their identity yet is unified in worship of the Lamb. This unity in diversity reflects God’s creative power and the global nature of His redemptive plan. 4. Why the Nations Still Exist 1) Biblical Diversity in Unity Scripture consistently teaches both unity in Christ and the continuation of diverse peoples. The term “nations” in Revelation 21:24 underscores the fullness of God’s redemption plan. Distinct peoples are not erased; instead, they are gathered into God’s presence, harmoniously bringing their “glory” and cultural richness to honor Him. 2) Fulfillment of Prophetic Promises The presence of nations in Revelation 21 is the culmination of literal prophecies like Isaiah’s, which foresee an eschatological gathering of peoples to worship God. These prophecies depict a unity of worship while maintaining distinct group identities—a tapestry of cultures recognizing and glorifying the Creator. 3) Perpetual Worship and Activity Revelation 21–22 illustrates an active existence in the new creation. The tree of life stands for “the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2). This enduring mention of nations suggests that in God’s final renewal, there remains an ongoing, flourishing life that involves cooperation, culture, and worship. 5. Walking “By Its Light” “By its light the nations will walk” (Revelation 21:24) connotes purposeful movement and continual fellowship with God’s glory. It implies that in the new creation, all people find their guidance and sustenance in the radiance of God’s presence. In the biblical mindset, to “walk” in light is to live under divine truth and goodness (see 1 John 1:7). Thus, believers from among every nation perpetually live in the unveiled presence of God, receiving unending truth and life from Him. 6. Harmony with the Concept of Being Gathered Though all believers are described as gathered around God’s throne, Scripture also frequently retains the picture of multiple peoples in that collective worship. Rather than a contradiction, this is a reflection of God’s design: a unified collection of diverse nations, “one body” in Christ (cf. Ephesians 4:4–6) but still expressing a multitude of backgrounds and histories. Just as the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20) envisions discipleship extending to every nation, so the final chapters of Revelation depict nations brought to perfection in the presence of the Lamb. The distinct peoples do not vanish; they are fully united in devotion and adoration, all partaking of the blessings of redemption in the new creation. 7. Practical and Theological Implications 1) God’s Glory Displayed in Diversity The existence of nations in the eternal order displays God’s multifaceted wisdom. Different cultural expressions, languages, and historical legacies will forever serve as testimony to God’s saving power. 2) Consistent Scriptural Narrative From Genesis to Revelation, God’s plan includes the blessing of all nations (Genesis 12:3) and culminates in their united praise of Him. The consistency of these threads throughout Scripture underscores the trustworthiness of the biblical record. 3) Illustration of God’s Sovereign Plan This vision shows that God’s sovereignty encompasses both individuals and entire nations. It reinforces the truth that God orchestrates human history toward a climactic restoration of creation, fulfilling every ancient promise. 8. Concluding Thoughts The imagery of “the nations” still existing and walking by the light of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:24 highlights the global reach of God’s redemptive plan. All believers are indeed gathered before God in eternal worship, yet they retain aspects of their corporate, cultural identity as a testimony to His creative genius. In this eschatological portrait, each nation’s unique glory is dedicated back to the Creator, bringing to fruition biblical prophecies that have long foretold the ingathering of all peoples. What appears at first as a paradox—the coexistence of a unified people of God and distinct nations—proves to be a tapestry showcasing God’s extravagant grace across time and geography. Thus, “the nations” in Revelation 21:24 do not contradict the gathering of believers but instead fulfill the grand scope of salvation as revealed from the earliest chapters of Scripture to its final vision. They walk perpetually in the light of the Lamb, engaged in unceasing fellowship with Him, testifying to the lasting splendor of God’s eternal reign. |
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