Matthew 24:14
"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." NIV
We know that Jesus is coming again, but when? With all the pain and suffering in our world, not to mention the rise of immorality, the question looms in our mind, "when Lord"?
The Saints in the day of the Apostle Peter also wondered. They were under great persecution for their faith and they looked up daily, hoping, longing for the Lord's return. "When Lord?" was their question too.
In 2 Peter chapter 3, we find the Apostle writing words of encouragement to the burdened church. Scoffers had risen and they were making a mockery out of the church's preaching of Christ return. "Where is the promise of His coming?" they would ask. The church became disheartened. Then Peter gave them a precious Word. He reminded them of the heart of God and of His integrity, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3: 9 NKJV)
There it was! Words of comfort to the discouraged church. In essence he said, "God is suffering long with you in the midst of all the wickedness of this world because He wants men, women, boys and girls to be saved!" Surely Peter remembered the words of our Lord in Matthew 24:14. Jesus said that He would not come again until His Gospel (Good News of Salvation) was preached among all nations.
Several weeks ago I learned of an amazing research project called "The Joshua Project." The goal was to identify the people groups of the world who have yet to hear the Name of Jesus. They published that there are still 6642 people groups who have not heard the Gospel.
Now here is where this gets exciting. There seems to be a moving of the Holy Spirit among believers everywhere to get serious about spreading the message of Jesus. In fact, mission groups are now targeting these "unreached" people groups to give them the hope of eternal life. My friends, when all nations have a witness of the Gospel, there will be nothing left holding our Lord back from coming for His Church!
Join me in prayer that the Holy Spirit will move upon me, you and every Christ-follower on this planet. Let's pray together that God will give us a burden to share Jesus with every soul possible. May we spread the message of Salvation in Christ alone to every ear who will listen. Until all have heard, may Jesus find us busy, working in His fields!
You can learn more about the Joshua Project at www.joshuaproject.net
