And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall come forth to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. Revelation 20:7–8

Missions must begin at home, with our neighbor, and must reach out to the ends of the earth. All nations must hear the gospel of the kingdom, and, as far as possible, all men must hear it. This work will not end until our Lord returns. The church may never lose sight of its tremendous responsibility to disciple all nations.

Today we see that the doors of missions are being closed in various lands where the gospel was welcomed only a few years ago. No longer is the church able to send missionaries to China, Russia, or the satellite countries, Missions 80urished in many of these lands prior to the second World War. We wonder how long missionaries will be permitted to cnter and work in various other lands where we are now working. Where the doors are still open we should do all we can for the time may be short.

Does this phenomenon contradict the words of Jesus that this gospel will be preached to all nations before the end of time comes? No, there is perfect agreement. The nations which have closed the door to the gospel have heard. Not every individual in these nations has heard the gospel, but the nations have heard it. Some nations heard it years ago. Asia Minor, where Paul spent so much of his time, has paganized since that time, Some have spoken of our time as “the post-Christian era.” The gospel has come, but men and nations have turned from it.

Satan was bound in order that he might not deceive the nations. The period of time during which he is so bound we believe to be the New Testament era, the gospel age. Toward the close of this era Satan is loosed and he immediately comes forth to “deceive the nations.” To deceive the nations he must first rid them of the gospel. The gospel of the kingdom is Satan’s greatest enemy. Where that gospel no longer comes, where the lordship of Jesus Christ is no longer honored, Satan’s throne is established. All restraints are gone, Satan is loosed. When Satan is loose even all humanitarianism ceases. He gathers the nations together for war. Reference is made to Gog and Magog, spoken of in Ezekiel 38 and 39. The prophet referred to the great persecution of Israel by Syria under Antiochus Epiphanes. That was one of the most difficult periods in the history of Israel. It therefore serves admirably as an illustration of the time immediately preceding the end of the world. The battle will be between the unbelieving and Satan-controlled world and the people of God, the true church of Jesus Christ.

The closing of the doors to the mission of the church of Christ is definitely a sign of the times. It is a prelude to the end. In the past the doors of missions were closed at times and later they again stood open. It is very questionable whether that will happen again. There seems to be little hope that the gospel will again come to those nations which refuse to give it entrance today.

Paul tells the church at Corinth that a great door and effectual was opened to him. That is still true, We are still able to go to many lands with the gospel. We should make the utmost use of this opportunity. However, even then there will be many adversaries. These have multiplied. Our eyes should not be closed to the fact that many nations will not permit the gospel to come. As the church of Christ beholds this sign of the times it will redouble its efforts to bring the gospel wherever possible. The night cometh when no man can work.

         

           

Questions

1. What indication are there that we are living in the “post-Christian” era?

2. Will a proper view of the signs of the times increase our mission zeal? Are missions gaining or losing when we compare results with the growth of population?

3. Would you say Satan has been loosed in some countries today? If so, which? When the doors of missions close in some countries should we expect the other countries to follow that example soon?

4. What is the story of the persecution under Antiochus Epiphanes?