The Mission

Jesus tasked his disciples with announcing the same message that he preached to the people of Israel to every nation on the Earth, which he summarized as the “Good News of the Kingdom of God.” In the man from Nazareth, God’s rule was and is being established but in unexpected and paradoxical ways. By the day of his return, he will have established his complete sovereignty and subdued all his “enemies,” including “Death.” Until then, his Body is called to proclaim his message to one and all.

All men are invited to accept his offer of life while the opportunity remains. The day is coming when it will be too late. At that time, everyone who refuses his gracious gift will find his name is NOT “written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”

[Lighthouse Photo by Matthew Rumph on Unsplash]

Embracing his Gospel requires a complete reorientation of life. The level of commitment required to be his disciple is total. Nothing is more important than responding to his call to believe the “Good News,” take up the cross, and follow him WHEREVER HE LEADS.

By his death and resurrection, Jesus defeated all the forces that were hostile to God, including Satan, death, the “powers and principalities,” and sin. His resurrection and the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost signaled the commencement of the period known as the “Last Days” during which the Son reigns from the “right hand of God” - (Psalm 2:2-8, 110:1).

His victory over God’s enemies means the “ends of the ages have arrived” for the people of God. Even now, the “forms of this age are in the process of passing away.” Sin and death may continue for a time, but the decisive victory has been achieved already on Calvary.

The defeat of Satan was secured on a Roman Cross. Ever since the Son of God has been putting down all the “powers and principalities” that oppose him, and he will do so until all that remains is the unopposed rule of God - (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Hebrews 1:5-14, Revelation 1:4-6).

PROCLAMATION

Consequently, he has tasked his Assembly with proclaiming the “Gospel of the Kingdom to all nations” until the moment of his arrival “on the clouds of Heaven.” Since he now reigns, it is imperative for his followers to herald his victory throughout the Earth, providing every man and woman with the opportunity to repent and receive life and salvation:

• “Go and teach all nations…to observe all things whatever I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you even unto the end of the age.”

His disciples are his “witnesses,” envoys commissioned by him to summon all men to enter his Kingdom, and to preach “repentance and the remission of sins in his name among all the nations.”

Just before he ascended to Heaven, Jesus commanded HIS disciples to wait until “they received power after the Holy Spirit came upon them.” Thereafter, they would be his “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth” - (Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 24:45-48, Acts 1:7-9, 3:19-21).

This mission must continue until the “end,” the very day and hour when he appears. His followers are to announce his salvation and help others prepare for life in the coming age. Sin and death may persist in this life, but death will not have the final word.

THE ASSIGNMENT

None of this means that his saints must disengage from the world. Far from it! But HIS disciple is called to engage humanity by preaching his Gospel and living cruciform lives in service to others. Without his salvation and the completion of God’s Kingdom on Earth, the world will remain forever in darkness and without hope.

Before his death, Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. In response, the disciples asked WHEN that would occur, and what would be the “SIGN” of the “coming of the Son of Man.”

To the first question, he replied, Before the termination of the generation contemporary with him. To the second, he warned, No one EXCEPT GOD ALONE knows the hour, day, “season,” “seasons” or “times” of his return - (also, Mark 13:30-33, Acts 1:6-9).

The one factor that will determine “when” he will return is the completion of the Church’s mission:

• “This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole habitable earth for a testimony for all nations, AND THEN SHALL THE END COME” - (Matthew 24:14, 24:36, Acts 1:6-8).

Completing this mission is THE “sign” of the “end,” for the end of this age cannot come until this mission is complete. It is not optional but pivotal to the consummation of all things.

Based on the logic of Jesus’ words, the very fact that the “end” has not arrived is irrefutable evidence that the mission remains incomplete. He will not return until his message has been proclaimed to all the nations of the Earth, “AS A TESTIMONY.” Therefore, all who wait anxiously for his “arrival” must, above all else, PREACH THE GOSPEL!

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