How can we apply Psalm 87:4 to our view of global missions? Psalm 87:4 at a Glance • “I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who know Me—along with Philistia, Tyre, and Cush—when I say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’” • God Himself declares that people from once-hostile, far-flung nations will be counted as native citizens of Zion. • The verse is a literal promise that Gentiles will be fully grafted into God’s covenant people (cf. Romans 11:17–18). God’s Heart for the Nations • Genesis 12:3—All nations are to be blessed through Abraham’s seed. • Isaiah 49:6—The Servant is “a light for the nations.” • Matthew 28:19—“Go and make disciples of all nations.” • Revelation 7:9—A vast multitude “from every nation” worships before the throne. These passages confirm that Psalm 87:4 is not an isolated idea but part of a consistent, literal thread running through Scripture. Breaking Down the Verse • Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, Cush—symbols of power, idolatry, and historic opposition to Israel. • “Those who know Me”—God foresees genuine, saving knowledge among these peoples. • “This one was born in Zion”—no second-class citizenship; they receive the same standing as native-born Israelites (cf. Ephesians 2:19). Implications for Global Missions • Inclusivity is God’s design, not a modern innovation. • Hostile cultures are not obstacles but potential harvest fields. • The gospel redefines identity: birth, ethnicity, and past enmity cannot bar someone from full membership in God’s family. • Missions work mirrors God’s own proclamation—He is already naming peoples; we simply announce what He has declared. Practical Steps to Live It Out • Pray specifically for modern equivalents of “Rahab and Babylon”—nations or groups often seen as antagonistic to the faith. • Support missionaries who engage unreached or resistant peoples; consider how your church budget reflects Psalm 87:4 priorities. • Welcome internationals at home—students, refugees, workers—as fellow citizens-in-waiting of Zion. • Celebrate testimonies of believers from diverse backgrounds; let their stories shape congregational worship and teaching. • Teach children and youth that the kingdom is multiethnic from the ground up, rooting that conviction in passages like this one. Encouragement for Today Because Psalm 87:4 is literally true, we can step into global missions with confidence: God has already decreed that people from every nation will know Him. Our task is to join His declaration with joyful obedience, trusting that He will gather those He has called. |
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