Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come. Matthew 28:19; 24:14

Twice Jesus sent out his followers to spread the gospel of the kingdom while he was still with them. Shortly before he ascended he gave them the charge to go everywhere with this gospel.

What a charge is given these untrained men! They must be so enthusiastic about the gospel given them that they cannot remain silent, but will go through the whole world to proclaim it to others. They will have to ignore hardship and danger. They will have to leave their comfortable surroundings to make the Christ known. It looks like a hopeless task.

The church has been faithful to this assignment. At one time she was more “mission minded” than at another time, but her very nature is such that she cannot be silent. The true church must witness. Although the task looked hopeless, it is truly amazing that the gospel has been preached to almost aU nations. From that little band of eleven fearful men the church has grown, through missions, to a worldwide body. Despite, or because of, persecutions that church has grown. Not one of the disciples of our Lord could have foreseen that tens of thousands of men and women would give themselves for the work of the spread of the gospel in the following centuries. Millions upon millions are spent for this work in our own day.

Jesus also informed his disciples that, even though it seemed to be impossible, this gospel would be preached in the whole world, to all the nations. The work he charged them to perform will be completed. Nothing will stop it. Christ has come into the world to bring the gospel of the kingdom. All nations shall hear about his kingdom. This gospel exalts the lordship of Jesus Christ. How often we hear about the gospel of the kingdom in the New Testament. That is the gospel which Jesus preached. His followers must preach that same gospel. That gospel includes more than salvation. It makes known all the claims of the Son of Cod on the lives of men. That is the testimony to all the nations of the world. Jesus does not say that this preaching will Jead to the conversion of the nations, but it is a testimony to all of them. It leaves them without excuse. The nations and rulers may boast of their sovereignty but the gospel of tlle kingdom reveals that only the Christ is Lord of lords and King of kings.

Missionaries are sent out today not only by the true church but also by the liberal or modem or false church. These labor for the social and economic betterment of the people to whom they go. They do not preach the gospel of the kingdom. At best this is a humanitarian effort and the Christ is ignored in their ‘witness.’

The preaching of the gospel to all the nations is one of the things which must be completed before the return of our Savior. Notice: he does not say that this gospel is to be preached to all individuals -but to all nations. Not every individual in every generation will hear the gospel. In Revelation 20:3 we read about the binding of Satan “that he should deceive the nations no more.” Many individuals are deceived and continue to be deceived. Christ has paved the way for the spread of the gospel to all nations by binding the evil one. Satan cannot stop the spread of the gospel.

When this gospel has been preached to all the nations, “then shall the end come.” This task must first be completed. We are, therefore, able to tell the time on God’s clock by observing the progress of the mission of the church to the nations. It is a sign of the times. How late is it? The task has virtually been completed. How many nations are ignorant of the gospel today? How many nations have heard it in the past and have rejected it? Don’t look for such nations to hear it again. It is getting late, May the true church ever be faithful to its commission to bring the gospel to all nations. That church prays: “Lord Jesus, come quickly,” but the church must then be faithful to its own task in order that the promise of his coming may be realized.

         

           

Questions

1. What does the concept “gospel of the kingdom” include? Is this a “different” gospel? Is it a richer gospel than is often heard?

2. Of what benefit or harm is the mission work of modernism to the cause of Christ?

3. Can missions be successful though there are no converts? Explain.