God's Work In These Last Days

Many in the church today understand the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 to mean primarily the spreading of the 'Gospel of Salvation'. While this is true, it is by no means the only work God has commissioned for His church when the Lord Jesus commanded His disciples to 'make disciples of all nations' and 'teaching them to observe ALL THINGS that He has commanded them to do'.

In this blog, I would like to briefly run through FOUR keys areas which I believe are the work God has commissioned the church to do in these last days (the term 'last days' mean post June 1967 when Jerusalem was completely restored to Jewish control after the Six-Day War. It means the end of over two-and-a-half millennia of Gentile rule - 'times of the Gentiles are fulfilled', Luke 21:24 - since Jerusalem was captured by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 586 B.C.).

The four key areas of God's Work in these last days can be summarised as follows:

1. Preaching the Gospel of Salvation
2. Proclaiming the Message of the Kingdom Of God
3. Teaching the Word Of God ('Feeding the Lamb/Sheep')
4. Warning Physical & Spiritual Israel of the Great Tribulation

The 'Gospel of Salvation' is about the love of God for mankind that He sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Without His death and resurrection, there is no hope for mankind. But with His death and resurrection, all human beings who have placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ will be forgiven of their sins with the hope of resurrection to a new spirit body one day at His Second Coming.

Jesus Christ first advent was on a mission sent by God the Father to proclaim the message of the Kingdom of God - first to His brethren the Jews (Matthew 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:43). Subsequently, when they failed to repent of their disobedience and rejected His message, the Good News was given to the church to proclaim it (Matt 21:43; 1Pet 2:9). The Kingdom of God is the government God is going to install during the Millennial reign of Christ on earth upon His return (Rev 20:4-6). Its headquarters will be in Jerusalem. Christ will rule and reign as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 19:16) with the true church as His bride and the saints from all ages ruling and reigning with Him. It will be the time for the marriage supper of the Lamb with the bride clothed in fine linen, representing the righteous works of the saints for all ages (Rev 19:7-9).

The disciple Peter denied Jesus three times. Peter was reinstalled by the Lord and three times told Peter that if he loves Him, then feed His lamb/sheep. Subsequently, when he wrote his first epistle, Peter instructed the church leaders in various lands to feed the flock of God (1 Pet 5:1-2) - meaning to teach the disciples the whole truth from the Word of God. This is absolutely important in these last days as all kinds of half-truths and false teachings have crept into the church (2 Thess 2: 1-12; 2 Tim 3:1-5). Those who are faithful in carrying out this command will eventually receive from the Lord a 'crown of glory that does not fade away' (1 Pet 5:4).

The prophet Ezekiel in the Old Testament book that bears his name, chapter 33:1-9 sounded the warning to the house of Israel (physical Israel) about the coming cataclysm and the judgment of God during the Great Tribulation. This warning is also for the spiritual Israel (the church) when lukewarm believers will face similar ('I will vomit you out of my mouth' - Rev 3:16) punishment (2 Pet 2:9).

The disciple of Jesus Christ is called to be a 'watchman' , especially in these last days, to warn others (physical and spiritual Israel) of the coming cataclysm (initiated by Satan) and the the wrath of God (judgment from God) during the Great Tribulation (last three-and-half years). If we do so and others ignored the warning, we are free from their blood. However, if we know of the impending catastrophe to come and failed to warn our brethren, God will hold us accountable (Ezekeil 33:6). This is something we should not take lightly, for we have been told ahead of time!

Lest the reader misunderstands and concludes that all other works are wood, hay and straw, I like to stress that any work done with a pure motive that glorify the Lord will not go unrewarded. What I am talking about is the big picture for the church in these last days to channel more of their resources to fulfill all facets of the Great Commission, not just one aspect of it.