Four Heavenly Perspectives for Watching the Olympic Opening Ceremony

by Mike Santoro

Christians long for the day when Jesus will return. While some details in the Bible remain mysterious, we know that when Jesus returns, there will be a grand celebration to include all the nations (cf. Rev. 21).  So what does that have to do with the Olympics Opening Ceremony? While it is not a perfect comparison, the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics has some interesting parallels. When all nations gather in celebration for the Opening Ceremony, we can dimly see something like what we will experience when Jesus returns.

From our perspective as Christians, we can appreciate it even more from a heavenly perspective and enjoy it as a foretaste of a future glorious reality: the moment when the Kingdom of God will be fully consummated. We currently live in what theologians call the “Already and Not Yet Kingdom.”  Christ has already conquered sin and death through the cross, but the Kingdom of God is not yet fully consummated until Christ’s second coming.  

Here are four Heavenly Perspectives to help you enjoy the ceremony and long for heaven:

1. People from All Nations will Gather in One Place at One Time Near a Sea of Glass

When else do all the nations gather in a peaceful way?  It is only at the Olympics.  According to the International Olympic Committee, there are 206 nations participating in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and 10,500 athletes plus 300,000 spectators and 100 Heads of State and Government.  Nearly every nation in the world will be present.

So what will it be like when Jesus returns? Revelation 7:9 speaks of “a great multitude… from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne” of God; Jesus also speaks about the Son of Man’s second coming and, on his throne, “before him will be gathered all the nations” (Mt. 25:32). 

The comparison gets even more interesting this year because this year’s Opening Ceremony will not be held in a traditional stadium! For the first time in history it will be held within and around the beautiful Seine River in Paris. Each country will have its own boat and spectators lined along a 3 ½ mile stretch of water.

Does this sound familiar?

“And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal.” | Rev. 4:6

Doesn’t that sound breathtaking?  If you haven’t already, take a peek at this gorgeous image of the Seine River in Paris. Just imagine how much more glorious this will be in Heaven!

2. The Temporary Olympic Flame Vs. The Everlasting Light

As the iconic Olympic torch relay entered Paris for the 2024 Olympics, nearly 500,000 people participated in a 2-day celebration event.  The torch is lit every four years starting with a pagan ceremony in Athens, Greece as ten virgins gather to honor the sun god of Greek mythology and light the flame using a parabolic mirror to concentrate the sun’s rays to light the torch.  This flame is then physically and symbolically carried from Athens Greece on a journey through country to country representing global hope, peace, and unity until it reaches the host country and then through the host country all the way to the opening ceremony where the Olympic cauldron is lit for the duration of the games.

However, the Olympic flame that represents global hope, peace, and unity will be extinguished at the end of the 2024 Olympic games.  It is only a dim and temporary light.  Unlike the Everlasting Light of Christ, which is promised to remain lit for all time in the new creation and by His light all the nations will walk and the Glory and Honor of the nations will be brought into His light!

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. | Rev. 21: 22-26

And the light of Christ will be an Everlasting light! (See also Isai. 69: 3, 19-20)

Did you know that Paris has a nickname? The “City of Light.”  The nickname was given as it became the first European City to use gas street lamps in 1860’s and in the 1700’s it was known as a hub for the Enlightenment movement.   Therefore, as you watch this secular “City of Light,” just imagine the glory of the Everlasting Light of the City of God and with the King of Kings!

3. Self Achievement vs. Christ’s Achievement

There are only two ways to be present at the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony in Paris.  Either you are among the 10,500 highest achieving athletes in the world who earned their way into the games, or you purchased or received a ticket (currently around $3,000 each).  For the athletes to qualify, they must commit a lifelong dedication to the mastery of their sport that most cannot imagine. They are an elite and exclusive group of the highest achieving people in the world; by comparison most people fall short and will never be able to earn their way to the Olympic Ceremony.

However, the good news of the Gospel is that you don’t have to earn your way into the Kingdom of God. In fact, if you tried you would never be good enough! But rather you can receive the invitation to enter God’s Kingdom through Christ’s Achievement for you and for people of every tribe, nation, and language! (See Rev. 5:9-10)

Some of the best words in the Bible are “But God.” We have no merit to stand before God and there is no amount of lifelong dedication or achievement that could earn us honor in his eternal presence.  But God…made a way, the only way, through Jesus Christ. (Eph. 2:4-9) 

4. Pride in Each Nation vs. Praise to the Ruler of Nations

One of the many beauties of the Olympics Opening Ceremony is the unusually peaceful united gathering of all nations together in one place at one time.  But despite the unity of their collective competitive spirits and proximity, each athlete represents their individual country.  Both the athletes and the spectators are proud to see and represent their country and see their own country’s glory on display for all to see.

However, when Jesus returns, all Christians will not be present with divided prides for their nation on earth. Rather, all Christians will be united in praise toward the Ruler of Nations!

Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all nations!
Extol him, all peoples!
For great is his steadfast love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!

(See also Ps. 22:27-28, Rev. 15:2-4) 

When you watch the Opening Ceremony with these heavenly perspectives, we can pray and long for his coming again to be soon!

---

Note: you can watch the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony for Free online at NBCOlympics.com.  It will stream live at 1:30pm EDT this Friday, July 26, 2024.

---

Mike Santoro serves as an elder at Living Hope Church. He and his wife, Rachel, have three children and have been members for twelve years.