July 15, 2016

Matthew 24:14 NKJV - "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."

Commentary:

When I first saw that verse years and years ago I was thrilled to think that people everywhere are going to have the privilege to hear about Jesus!  My heart is burdened for the world.  I remember the co-founder of Word of Life, Harry Bollback, once saying that when someone was asking who would pray for the needs of people in Africa to hear the Gospel, he raised his hand.  Then when they asked who would pray for the people of South America, he raised his hand.  Then after each continent was brought up for prayer, Harry would raise his hand again and again.  He said that he, too, had a heart for the world.  He wanted everyone to hear about Jesus!

How this Daily Verse will be fulfilled is being made clearer as we continue to see progress in communication.  Years ago, when missionaries would spend weeks on board a steam ship to get to a far distant port, and then spend weeks, if not months, to get into the interior of these countries to share the Gospel with the lost, they may have wondered how would everyone get a chance.  But then came radio, television, and now, the internet!  I know people in the nomadic villages of the Himalayas have Kindle readers and they can download many pieces of literature, including the Bible to read on their own!  Radio and satellite communication is reaching almost everywhere with the Good News of our Savior. 

Now, I still believe the best witness is the individual Christian sharing the Gospel personally with someone.  And let's remember, some of our neighbors have never really heard about Jesus either!  It would be a shame to think that we spent our time reaching out to the lost in other lands and overlook the family next door!  People everywhere need the Lord.  Let's pray that the progress of the Gospel will see greater and greater advances into every nation, tribe, and family on this planet!