To the Ends of the Earth

Jesus declared: “All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me, therefore, go and make disciples of all nations!” He then sent his disciples to announce his Lordship and Salvation to the “ends of the Earth.” The Era of Salvation commenced with his Death and Resurrection; therefore, his life-giving message must be announced to all men. The Son of God achieved salvation for his people!

God exalted Jesus to the Messianic Throne as promised in the Scriptures: “I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.” Therefore, he sends his brethren to announce his sovereignty and message throughout the Earth – (Psalm 2:8).

[Earth Photo by NASA on Unsplash]

Moreover, by bestowing the Gift of the Spirit on his Church, Jesus empowered us to proclaim his Good News to the world - “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judaea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the Earth” – (Acts 1:8).

This salvation is for men of every generation and nation without exception. Jesus died and God raised him from the dead so we would live no longer for ourselves but for Him. God loved humanity so much that He “gave his only born Son” so all men might believe and receive “everlasting life.” Moreover, Jesus gave to each of us the ministry of reconciling men and women to His Father by proclaiming His “Good News” – (John 3:16, Acts 2:36-38, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20).

Because of his suffering “for our sins,” God raised Jesus from the dead and “highly exalted him, granting him the name that is above every name,” – JESUS - the name that means “Yahweh saves,” for “he will save his people from their sins.”

The salvation promised by the God of Israel has become real for all men willing to embrace it. His Son is the “Ruler of the Kings of the Earth” who is “shepherding the nations” until the day they stand before him in “New Jerusalem” – (Philippians 2:6-11, Revelation 1:4-6, 7:9-17, 12:5-11).

His sacrificial death voided Satan's legal claim of Satan over humanity. His resurrection broke the iron grip of Death that held us all. This is a radical message of liberation from the tyranny of sin, Satan, and death that all men must hear – (1 Corinthians 15:1-6, Philippians 2:6-11, Hebrews 2:14-15, Revelation 1:6-8,3:21, 5:5-14).

ONE PEOPLE

God has “spoken” with eloquent finality through His Son. It is the Son alone who “achieved the purification of sin,” therefore, he sits “at the right hand of the Majesty on High places” as the Great High Priest who mediates salvation for his people – (Hebrews 1:1-4).

Salvation is available to all men “through the faith of Jesus Christ for all who believe, for there is no distinction.” The offer of life is provided to all because of the faithful obedience of the Son of God, the one who “died for our sins” when we were still “enemies of God” and “dead in our trespasses” – (Romans 3:21-22).

Sin is the Great Equalizer that condemns every man, woman, and child to bondage, decay, hopelessness, and death. Neither ethnicity, political power, nor economic status makes any difference. Death awaits us all.

Because of his Death and Resurrection, anyone may receive the forgiveness of sin and justification before God, whether Jew or Gentile, male or female, poor or rich; namely, “from the faith of Jesus Christ.” Death still occurs, but for his disciple, it will be reversed when he raises him from the dead on the Last Day – (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).

Considering his faithful act on our behalf when we deserved death, all that penitent men and women can do is respond to his generous offer by placing faith in Jesus and what God accomplished in him.

His Father is creating a new community composed of men and women from every nation who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, the ‘Ekklésia’, the “Assembly.” Every person who places faith in Jesus becomes a member of this holy community – (Ephesians 2:15).

No nation, civilization, or political ideology can claim Jesus or his teachings as its property. His Gospel is a message for every man, woman, and child; therefore, it crosses all national and cultural boundaries. His disciples proclaim one message for all men, whether “Jew or Gentile, bond or free, male and female, for all are one in Christ Jesus” – (Galatians 3:28).

His “Good News” is a universal message. All men have sinned. Everyone needs salvation and everlasting life. No one deserves it, but God graciously offers it to one and all through His Son.

Finally, salvation is provided on the same basis to every man, woman, and child, namely, from the faith of Jesus Christ. All we can do is respond with repentance and faith to this offer and the self-sacrificial act of the Nazarene who “gave his life as a ransom for many.”

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SEE ALSO:

• Spirit and Mission - (Jesus now dispenses the gift of the Spirit to his people, and it empowers them to carry out gospel proclamation to all nations)

• The Mission - (The mission of the church between now and Christ’s return is to announce the Good News of his Kingdom to all nations – Matthew 24:14)

• Message and Mission - (Jesus summoned his disciples to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God in every inhabited corner of the Earth – Romans 3:22-30)