The Message
Jesus summoned his disciples to proclaim the Good News of his Kingdom to every inhabited corner of the Earth.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not about reforming society or political
systems. Christ’s message calls all men to repent and join a radically new
social order and political reality, namely, the Kingdom of God.
This message is contrary to the political ideologies of the present world
order. It subverts mankind’s philosophies and popular beliefs.
Responding to Christ’s
Gospel with repentance and faith is vital, a matter of life or death. The end
of the age is approaching when the existing order will cease, including all
governments except one, the Kingdom of God.
[Photo by Chinh Le Duc on Unsplash] |
Jesus has commissioned his followers to proclaim the Good News of this Holy Kingdom to all peoples of every nation, a promise of salvation for all men. It is a life-changing message that affects all men without exception - one way or another.
Jesus commanded his followers to
wait in Jerusalem until they “received power when the Holy Spirit comes upon
you.” They would then become “his witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea
and Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the Earth,” as prophesied
in the Scriptures - (Acts 1:7-9).
- “I will tell of the decree: Yahweh told me: You are my son. This day, have I begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession” – (Psalm 2:7-8).
As the Messiah of
Israel and the Heir of Abraham, Jesus inherited all things, including the
nations. He now possesses “all authority in Heaven and on Earth”; therefore,
he is sending his disciples as his heralds to announce Salvation and His Lordship
to the furthest regions of the planet. Every man and woman must hear the “Glad
Tidings of God’s Kingdom” while the opportunity remains.
According to Paul, believers receive the “righteousness of God” through
faith in Jesus. With God, “there is no distinction” or “respect
of person.” It is not ethnicity, nationality, or social position that
acquits anyone of sin before God. Every man stands or falls on the same
basis. No one has any justification for boasting of his or her qualifications
for or right to justification before the Creator of All Things.
FROM THE FAITH OF JESUS
Everyone who responds to the message
with faith is put in right standing with God and acquitted of the penalties for
sin that we all richly deserve. We are justified before God “from the
faith of Jesus Christ.”
There is no basis for self-confidence “since all have sinned and lack the glory of God.” Jesus died for all men when they were “yet enemies of God” to reconcile them with their Creator. This is the Word of the Cross that is alien to the beliefs and practices of this world - (Romans 3:22-30, 1 Corinthians 1:18-24).
The Apostle Paul appealed to his
monotheistic faith to support the proposition that all men stand or fall before
God on the same basis: “Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles
also, since God is one and will justify the circumcised from faith and the
uncircumcised through faith”- (Romans 3:22-30).
No man is advantaged or
disadvantaged before his Creator because of nationality, economic status, or
gender. As Paul wrote to the church of Colossae, “There cannot be Greek and Jew,
circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman, but
Christ is all and in all.”
– (Colossians 3:9-11).
Through Jesus, God is creating a
new humanity and a political reality that differs radically from the nations
and governments of this world, a covenant community, singular, composed
of men and women of every country redeemed by the blood of Jesus, the same
Jesus who “gave his life as a ransom for many.”
Our faith in and allegiance
to Jesus redefines and reorients every human relationship. The “God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” is shaping redeemed men and women
collectively and individually into the image of His Son.
The traditional distinctions
of race and social or economic status are inappropriate in this new community.
What we each have in common is the “faith of Jesus.” This salvation
is one message for all men. It is unique and infinitely superior to
all competing religions, philosophies, and political ideologies.
The mission assigned to us is to
proclaim this Good News in every inhabited corner of the planet. The completion of this mission is necessary before the return of Jesus. National borders,
cultural imperatives, and ethnic barriers will not prevent the “Kingdom of
God” from reaching its consummation - (Matthew 24:14, 1 Corinthians
15:24-28).
The day is coming
when the destructive works of the Devil will vanish, and sin, disease, and
death will be eliminated forever. This grand victory will coincide with the “arrival”
of Jesus when he will resurrect the dead, vanquish “Death,” reward his
faithful followers, judge the wicked, and usher in the reign of God in all its fullness
along with the New Creation - (1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
In the meantime, we are called
to proclaim his Good News about the Reign of God “to the ends
of the Earth.” Everyone who hears and responds with faith will receive the
forgiveness of sins, salvation, and everlasting life in the coming New
Creation. They will participate in all the glories of His Kingdom in the coming
everlasting age.
SEE ALSO:
- Salvation for the Nations - (The Gospel of the Kingdom announced by Jesus of Nazareth offers salvation and life to men and women of every nation and people)
- 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)
- The Final Sign - (According to Jesus. the End will not come until this Gospel of the Kingdom of God has been proclaimed to all nations on the Earth – Matthew 24:14)
- Послание Евангелия - (Иисус призвал своих учеников возвестить Благую весть о Его Царстве во всех населенных уголках Земли)
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