“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24: 1
Years ago I used to debate with others about the last days. There were differing views about the rapture and the return of Jesus. Most of us were looking at the signs of the times in determining Jesus’ return. We looked at world events, economic situations and wars between nations. Some were even looking for the signs of the antichrist or the mark of the beast as explained in the book of Revelation.
In Matthew 24 Jesus tells the disciples the signs of His return. He talks about wars, rumors of wars, hatred by people, the rise of false prophets, deception, increase of lawlessness, but these are just signs. Jesus said the end would come when the gospel is preached to the entire world.
As I have traveled on this missionary journey to some remote villages bringing the gospel of the good news, I am really beginning to understand the significance of this scripture and God’s will and purpose for the people of the world. It is the commission that Jesus gave us before He returned to the Father over 2000 years ago to go and make disciples in all nations and all peoples.
Our concern should not be what the signs of the times are but are we fulfilling our purpose in taking the gospel to the far corners of the world? There are so many that have been deceived by Satan and are in desperate need for the message of Hope, the Good News, the Kingdom of God.
We cannot be satisfied that the gospel is being preached if we are not in some way participating. Not everyone has heard of Jesus and knows the truth of God. Does your neighbor know Jesus? How about your family members? Who do you know that is still lost and blinded by the lie of the enemy? You see the end cannot come until this gospel is preached to the entire world. It requires every believer to participate and it is the mandate that Jesus entrusted us with.
I no longer hold the views of the last days that I used to. Honestly, I was wrong in my views. They were short sighted and quite selfish. As I have traveled to other parts of the world I am ever convinced that my responsibility is to preach this gospel, to take it until the day the Lord calls me home or the day Jesus returns. Either way I want to be found doing the work Jesus entrusted me to do.
Reflections 