Question 1

Why does a loving, sovereign God allow injustice?

Accepted Answer

2 Chronicles 19:7“Fear the Lord and judge with integrity, for the Lord our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes.”Psalm 9:16The Lord is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds.Proverbs 6:16-19There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.Proverbs 17:15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—both are detestable to the Lord.Isaiah 59:14-15Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The Lord looked and was displeased to find there was no justice.Lamentations 3:36If they twist justice in the courts—doesn’t the Lord see all these things?Ezekiel 9:9-10Then he said to me, “The sins of the people of Israel and Judah are very, very great. The entire land is full of murder; the city is filled with injustice. They are saying, ‘The Lord doesn’t see it! The Lord has abandoned the land!’ So I will not spare them or have any pity on them. I will fully repay them for all they have done.”Amos 5:12I know the vast number of your sins and the depth of your rebellions. You oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.Micah 2:1-3What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. . . . But this is what the Lord says: “I will reward your evil with evil; you won’t be able to pull your neck out of the noose. You will no longer walk around proudly, for it will be a terrible time.”Habakkuk 1:2, 13How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. . . . But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil. Will you wink at their treachery? Should you be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they?Malachi 2:17You have wearied the Lord with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. You have wearied him by saying that all who do evil are good in the Lord’s sight, and he is pleased with them. You have wearied him by asking, “Where is the God of justice?”Injustice happens because God created human beings with free will. Thus, we have the freedom to choose good or evil, right or wrong. Since the first people sinned, every person is born with a sin nature, causing us to rebel against God. This results in people treating others cruelly. Injustice comes from people, not God. And to think that God condones injustice simply because it happens is contrary to his righteous nature and opposed to what Scripture teaches about sin. God sees every injustice, and he judges it to be sin.

Question 2

What will God do about injustice?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 10:18You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them.Psalm 12:5The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”Psalm 37:28The Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die.Psalm 94:20-23Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side—leaders whose decrees permit injustice? They gang up against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide. God will turn the sins of evil people back on them. He will destroy them for their sins. The Lord our God will destroy them.Psalm 103:6The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.Isaiah 10:1-2What sorrow awaits the unjust judges and those who issue unfair laws. They deprive the poor of justice and deny the rights of the needy among my people. They prey on widows and take advantage of orphans.Isaiah 29:21Those who convict the innocent by their false testimony will disappear. A similar fate awaits those who use trickery to pervert justice and who tell lies to destroy the innocent.Isaiah 42:3“He [the Messiah] will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.”Amos 5:11-12You trample the poor, stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent. Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses, you will never live in them. Though you plant lush vineyards, you will never drink wine from them. For I know the vast number of your sins and the depth of your rebellions. You oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.Micah 6:10-15“What shall I [the Lord] say about the homes of the wicked filled with treasures gained by cheating? What about the disgusting practice of measuring out grain with dishonest measures? How can I tolerate your merchants who use dishonest scales and weights? The rich among you have become wealthy through extortion and violence. Your citizens are so used to lying that their tongues can no longer tell the truth. Therefore, I will wound you! I will bring you to ruin for all your sins. You will eat but never have enough. Your hunger pangs and emptiness will remain. And though you try to save your money, it will come to nothing in the end. You will save a little, but I will give it to those who conquer you. You will plant crops but not harvest them. You will press your olives but not get enough oil to anoint yourselves. You will trample the grapes but get no juice to make your wine.”Habakkuk 2:9, 12“What sorrow awaits you who build big houses with money gained dishonestly! You believe your wealth will buy security, putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger. . . . What sorrow awaits you who build cities with money gained through murder and corruption!”Malachi 3:5“At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.Romans 2:5-6Because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done.Colossians 3:25If you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.2 Peter 2:9So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.God declares all injustice to be sin and judges it accordingly, punishing all who are unjust. Some begin to experience their punishment on earth; all unjust people will receive their full punishment for eternity. A just and holy God cannot allow injustice to go unpunished.

Question 3

How should I respond when I am treated unjustly?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 17:1O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips.Psalm 35:24-28Declare me not guilty, O Lord my God, for you give justice. Don’t let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles. Don’t let them say, “Look, we got what we wanted! Now we will eat him alive!” May those who rejoice at my troubles be humiliated and disgraced. May those who triumph over me be covered with shame and dishonor. But give great joy to those who came to my defense. Let them continually say, “Great is the Lord, who delights in blessing his servant with peace!” Then I will proclaim your justice, and I will praise you all day long.Psalm 119:149In your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.When treated unjustly, we should pray and ask God for justice.Proverbs 20:22Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.Romans 12:19Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.When treated unjustly, we should not take revenge but wait patiently for God to work. We won’t always understand God’s timing, but we must trust it to be right.Proverbs 25:21-22If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.Matthew 5:39-45“But I [Jesus] say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.”When treated unjustly, we should return good for evil. This even includes demonstrating love to our enemies. We can begin by praying for the perpetrators. Praying for our enemies might not change them, but it will change us.1 Peter 3:14Even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.When treated unjustly, we should not allow fear and worry to overcome us, so we do not double the burden of injustice.Matthew 27:12-14When the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.Luke 12:11-12“And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”When treated unjustly, we should look to God for guidance as to when to speak and what to say.1 Corinthians 6:7Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?1 Peter 2:19God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.When treated unjustly because of our faith, we should be willing to endure the earthly injustice. We can be sure that ultimately justice will be meted out in heaven by God, the perfect judge. When we are victims of other injustices, the real test is how we react as representatives of Christ.Psalm 37:34Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.Isaiah 56:1This is what the Lord says: “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you.”1 Peter 2:12, 15Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. . . . It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.When treated unjustly, we should continue to live in obedience to God and his Word. Another person’s bad behavior is no excuse for us to disobey God.Genesis 45:4-8“Please, come closer,” he said to them. So they came closer. And he said again, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives. This famine that has ravaged the land for two years will last five more years, and there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.Psalm 101:1I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs.Proverbs 2:8He [the Lord] guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.When treated unjustly, we should allow God to work, look for God at work, and acknowledge God’s work.

Question 4

How can I keep from treating others unjustly?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 28:5Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely.Jeremiah 22:16“He [Josiah] gave justice and help to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him. Isn’t that what it means to know me?” says the Lord.Ezekiel 22:6-12“Every leader in Israel who lives within your walls is bent on murder. Fathers and mothers are treated with contempt. Foreigners are forced to pay for protection. Orphans and widows are wronged and oppressed among you. You despise my holy things and violate my Sabbath days of rest. People accuse others falsely and send them to their death. . . . They never even think of me and my commands, says the Sovereign Lord.”To keep from treating others unjustly, we need to know God and his commands. The more we walk with our just God, the less we will want to act unjustly.Psalm 7:3-10O Lord my God, if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice, if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause, then let my enemies capture me. Let them trample me into the ground and drag my honor in the dust. . . . For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God. God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right.Psalm 26:2Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.To keep from treating others unjustly, we should ask God to show us areas of injustice in our lives. As we see what God sees in us, every injustice will be revealed.Exodus 22:21“You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.”Deuteronomy 24:17-18“True justice must be given to foreigners living among you and to orphans, and you must never accept a widow’s garment as security for her debt. Always remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God redeemed you from your slavery. That is why I have given you this command.”To keep from treating others unjustly, we should be sensitive and empathetic to others, especially to those who are vulnerable to injustice.Job 31:13-4“If I have been unfair to my male or female servants when they brought their complaints to me, how could I face God? What could I say when he questioned me?”Ecclesiastes 8:5Those who obey him [the king] will not be punished. Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right.Ecclesiastes 10:2A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one.Isaiah 56:1“Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you.”Jeremiah 22:3“This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent!”Romans 13:7Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.To keep from treating others unjustly, we need to follow God and his right ways of living and dealing with people. We should do to others as we would want God and others to do to us.Exodus 23:1-7“You must not pass along false rumors. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand. You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice. And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor. If you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner. If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and help. In a lawsuit, you must not deny justice to the poor. Be sure never to charge anyone falsely with evil. Never sentence an innocent or blameless person to death, for I never declare a guilty person to be innocent.”Deuteronomy 16:19“You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly.”Proverbs 24:23Here are some further sayings of the wise: It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.Luke 16:10“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”James 2:1-10How can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? . . . For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.To keep from treating others unjustly, we should make no compromise with injustice and, as we live justly, show no partiality or discrimination.

Question 5

What should I do about injustice in my community and in the world?

Accepted Answer

Hebrews 13:3Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.Regarding injustice in our communities and in the world, we should not ignore those being treated unjustly. Instead, we should be advocates for those being oppressed and taken advantage of.Psalm 82:3“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.”Proverbs 31:8-9Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.Regarding injustice in our communities and in the world, we should speak out on behalf of those being treated unjustly. Silence concerning the injustice we can see is in itself unjust.Job 29:16“I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help.”Proverbs 24:11-12Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die; save them as they stagger to their death. Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and he sees you. He who guards your soul knows you knew. He will repay all people as their actions deserve.Isaiah 1:17Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.Regarding injustice in our communities and in the world, we should act on our convictions and do what we can to help those in need.Psalm 58:10The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.1 Corinthians 13:6It [Love] does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.We should rejoice when justice prevails. Injustice requires our mourning. Justice requires our celebration.

Question 6

What is racial injustice and what is my responsibility to address it?

Accepted Answer

Luke 10:33-37“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”Racial injustice simply means treating someone poorly and even terribly because of his or her race. In Jesus’ day, Jews despised Samaritans, considering them half-breeds and religious apostates, and they would avoid contact with them if possible. So for Jesus to make a Samaritan man the hero of this story was shocking because it shattered the racial stereotypes and prejudice of his listeners. Jesus was making the point that we should love our neighbors—anyone in need—even if they are not members of our own group. We can address racial discrimination and injustice by refusing to despise anyone based on their background, race, religion, or other distinguishing characteristic. So addressing racial injustice begins with our attitudes. Beyond that, however, we should also show mercy and help anyone in need. Addressing racial injustice also requires our right actions.Micah 6:6, 8What can we bring to the Lord? What kind of offerings should we give him? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves? . . . No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.More than our spiritual words and sacrifices, God wants us to “do what is right” and “love mercy.”Acts 10:28Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean.As a devout Jew, Peter knew that he should not associate with “unclean” Gentiles. But God revealed to him in a vision that no one is “impure or unclean”—all should receive the gospel message.We can address racial discrimination by reaching out to all kinds of people with the good news of Jesus and welcome them into our churches.

Question 7

How can I learn to recognize the racial injustices going on around me?

Accepted Answer

Numbers 12:1-13While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the Lord heard them. (Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.) So immediately the Lord called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “Go out to the Tabernacle, all three of you!” So the three of them went to the Tabernacle. Then the Lord descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle. “Aaron and Miriam!” he called, and they stepped forward. And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say: “If there were prophets among you, I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions. I would speak to them in dreams. But not with my servant Moses. Of all my house, he is the one I trust. I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the Lord as he is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?” The Lord was very angry with them, and he departed. As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy. When Aaron saw what had happened to her, he cried out to Moses, “Oh, my master! Please don’t punish us for this sin we have so foolishly committed. Don’t let her be like a stillborn baby, already decayed at birth.” So Moses cried out to the Lord, “O God, I beg you, please heal her!”Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses’ wife simply because she was Egyptian, so God punished them. Racial prejudice can take many forms—unwarranted criticism, discounting, overlooking, insults, false assumptions, distasteful humor, and so forth. We need to be sensitive about these prejudicial actions and refuse to take part in them.Romans 2:9-11There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.God “does not show favoritism” and neither should we. Racial prejudice and injustice is apparent when certain people get preferential treatment because of their race.

Question 8

In what ways might I be guilty of racial injustice?

Accepted Answer

John 4:4-8He [Jesus] had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.Jesus could have avoided Samaria, but he chose to go there and interact with the woman at the well. The disciples were shocked that Jesus was talking with a woman and a Samaritan (John 4:27). One way to recognize our personal prejudice and contribution to racial injustice is to consider the people we avoid. How do we feel when we see a person of another race? Are we acting like the disciples did in this passage? Instead, we should be like Jesus.James 2:8-9It is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.Another area of prejudice and injustice involves money and influence. James is addressing this issue in the early church. We can easily favor people we think might be able to advance our cause or help us personally. We can recognize this tendency for injustice by identifying those we tend to favor over others.

Question 9

What steps can I take to stand against racial injustice?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 1:27So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.The first step for standing against racial injustice is to remember that all people are made in God’s image. Every person has a fundamental dignity and worth.Romans 10:11-13As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Galatians 3:28There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.Colossians 3:11It doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.The second step is to realize that all people of every race and culture are welcome and equal in Christ.Leviticus 24:22“This same standard applies both to native-born Israelites and to the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God.”Psalm 146:5-9Joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.Jeremiah 9:23-24This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken!”The third step is to renew our commitment to doing what God wants, even when it may be difficult or costly.Matthew 25:34-36“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’”Mark 12:31“The second [commandment] is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”James 2:15-17Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.The fourth step is to reach out with compassion and love to those who are being oppressed and discriminated against.Luke 4:17-19The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He [Jesus] unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”Revelation 7:9After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.The fifth step is to rejoice that God’s people are from “every nation and tribe and people and language” and that one day we will be reunited and praising God together in his eternal Kingdom.