Why the Nations?

And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.‘

Revelation 5:9

The mystery of the Gospel, which was “hidden from ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His saints,” was that it was for the nations (see Col. 1:26). On the cross, Christ broke down the dividing wall of separation, welcoming people of all tribes and tongues and nations to repent and believe the Gospel. Graciously, this same Lord and Savior has commissioned His body, the Church, to join Him in this glorious mission of taking the good news of salvation to the nations. What a privilege and joy!

Jesus’ words to the eleven before His ascension should fill us with wonder and excitement that He has entrusted such a sacred mission to His Church. It is so important and central to the Church that we have come to call those commissioning verses in Matthew 28 the Great Commission.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Christ was slain, and his precious blood poured out, that He might gather a people to Himself throughout the world, so that the world would be full of His worship. Where Adam failed in his mission of filling the earth with worshipers, Christ will succeed. For Jesus said,

...I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)

He has commissioned believers to join Him in this most soul-satisfying work of making disciples globally, to the praise of His Glory.

Salvation is a precious blood-bought treasure to be taken to the nations. The priceless Gospel offers salvation from sin, Christ dwelling in us here and now, and an eternity of perfect joy face-to-face with God in the New Heavens and Earth. No wonder Christ metaphorically describes this as the pearl of great price, a treasure worth our all. Christ has purchased Salvation, freely given it to us, and told us to share it with the nations. How can we not share this treasure, poured into the earthen vessels of our lives, with a broken world? 

God’s heart is that Christ be lifted up among the nations, for their good and His glory. It should also be the Church’s greatest desire that its Head be exalted in all the earth. How can missions be an afterthought in many of our churches, when it is the heartbeat of our God?

Five years ago, when we first came to the church where my husband pastors, it had dwindled down to a small congregation. Yet, if the Lord initially commissioned a band of eleven to build the early church, could he not use a small, floundering congregation to engage in the mission of His Church through prayer and generous, sacrificial giving? Might He not take the meager offering of our “loaves and fishes” and do abundantly more than we could ask or imagine? He most certainly can and did!

Might I be so bold as to say that when we give in faith from our lack, God abundantly blesses us with all spiritual blessings in Christ. For truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive. Churches and individuals who are not giving generously of themselves towards God’s Great Commission, including prayer and money and possibly even their very lives, are holding back from God and ultimately robbing themselves of countless and priceless spiritual blessings that flow from our joyful obedience.

God not only saves us from our sins, indwells us, and promises an eternity of joy in His presence, but in the meantime, He gives us meaningful work to engage in. He’s called Christians to take the good news of salvation to the nations and join Him in expanding His church in the world. So that on that Great Day of the Lord, the redeemed from “every tribe and tongue and people and nation” shall be gathered and worship before His throne.

Why the nations? He is Worthy.

Coffee Talk: Brance and Lauren talk burr grinders vs blade choppers.

Defining Theology: Brance and Lauren define and discuss the theological term Family Worship.

Resources Mentioned:

2LCF (2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith)
Herman Bavinck: Guidebook for Instruction in the Christian Religion
Joel Beeke: Family Worship Bible Guide