It’s important that we always keep in our minds our “why.” There seem to be all kinds of distractions, but as long as we keep focusing on our “why,” we will achieve our goal. In the military, as a rifleman, the one thing you don’t want to do is look away. One must always be scanning one’s sector.
In Matthew 24:14, Jesus provides a timeline for His return by stating: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
What must happen before the End of the Age? Jesus emphasizes that the gospel—the good news of the Kingdom of God—must be preached to all nations across the entire world. Only after this global evangelization will the end of the age come.
Thus if we want the Lord to come back we need to complete the task Jesus gave us.
1. Divine Mandate: Jesus’ statement provides the Church with a clear and divine mandate for world evangelization. It confirms that spreading the gospel is not just a suggestion, but an essential part of the Church’s mission and purpose.
2. Sense of Purpose: This mandate gives the Church a profound sense of purpose and direction. Every effort to spread the gospel contributes to fulfilling Jesus’ prophetic words, helping believers stay focused and motivated.
3. Hope in God’s Plan: Jesus’ words offer hope by assuring believers that the end of the age is within God’s sovereign plan. The spread of the gospel isn’t just a random occurrence, but a divinely orchestrated process leading to a divinely appointed conclusion.
4. Unity and Collaboration: Understanding that global evangelization is a prerequisite for the end fosters unity and collaboration among different Christian communities and denominations. It brings diverse groups together with a common goal and mission.
5. Urgency and Priority: The statement instills a sense of urgency and elevates the priority of missionary work. Knowing that the fulfillment of this prophecy hinges on the dissemination of the gospel encourages urgent and sustained evangelistic efforts.
6. Resilience and Perseverance: In challenging times, Jesus’ promise that the gospel will reach all nations can be a source of resilience. It reassures the Church that despite obstacles, the mission will ultimately succeed.
