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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
The Gospel response is exploding in the lands of the countries outside of the United States, the North American Continent, and Europe. How long before the gospel will be preached "to all the world as a witness..."? It appears that the "times of the Gentiles" are moving ever closer to fulfillment of Christ's prophecy: "...until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Luke 21:24).
The times of the Gentiles would obviously be, by biblical historical definition, all those other than Israel of old. All around this earth whole nations, albeit smaller nations in the main, are turning to Jesus Christ. Some have indicated that the reason for this is that many are hearing only a "prosperity gospel", which would be very appealing to poverty burdened areas of the world. Whether this is so or not, a phenomenon on this scale has not occurred since the times of the Apostles. What could it mean? Most certainly it indicates another big step toward the "last days" - perhaps the ending phase of the last days. But will the Gospel be preached to "all the world" by Christ's human servants before the end?
If it is preached in all the world "as a witness", is the end of God's call for the world to repent and believe the gospel at an end also? It is important to take special notice of the phrase "as a witness" or "for a witness". Who will preach this final sermon to all the world? Notice an intriguing scripture from the book of Revelation: "Then I saw another angel flying in midair, with an eternal Gospel (good news) to tell to the inhabitants of the earth, to every race and tribe and language and people. And he cried with a mighty voice, Revere God and give Him glory (honor and praise in worship), for the hour of His judgment has arrived. Fall down before Him; pay Him homage and adoration and worship Him Who created heaven and earth, the sea and the springs (fountains) of water." - Revelation 14:6-7 (AMP)
The Anti-Christ power will possess such a strong grip on all communications except those he approves and sets in place that the Gospel has no way any more of being preached to the world. This preaching of the Gospel for the last time will be for a witness. A last witness, before the end of this present world order. This appears to be in fulfillment of Jesus words in Matthew 24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness (testimony) unto all nations; and then shall the end come." This is a universal witness, and the final witness, "...then shall the end come", immediately before the end of mankind's rule of the earth.
Then follows the fall of the final world government, and the pouring out of God's wrath upon the whole world system (Revelation 16:1-9). At this time there is no more time of grace for repentance. The close of the patience of God has come. The last preaching of the gospel to the world will be preached by God Himself through the agency of a great angel. Truly, He is not willing that any should perish. All the earth will hear. But it will not repent (v. 9).
The times of open grace for the world has expired. The Apostle Paul witnessed this in Athens, that all the world is now living in a time span of a worldwide call for repentance (Acts 17:30). But the grace for the calling of the Gentiles has expired. All opportunity for the repentance of mankind has expired.
God Himself by His angel servant will preach the last sermon to the whole world (Revelation 14:6-7).
What we call "time" is a creation of God, for the purpose of His plan, and bringing His called out ones to repentance. God exists above and beyond time. He uses time for His eventually timeless purpose. Immediately in subsequent chapters of Revelation, the plagues of God are poured out, in sequence of increasing intensity. There are many additional events what will occur which are beyond the scope this article. But all the events evidence God's direct intervention in the world of all human activity.
God still waits for repentance of those who will. (Revelation 15-16). Then judgment falls on the world religious system, and it's leaders (chp.17-18). The marriage supper of the lamb is celebrated in chapter 19, perhaps a beginning fulfillment of Christ's words at the last supper (Matthew 26:29). Christ is pictured as returning, not as lamb, but as a conquering King of glory, to begin His rule of the earth as the Father promised Him - "I make your enemies your footstool" (Psalm 110:102).
The world dictator and the false religious leader are thrown in to the lake of fire, the resurrected immortal children of God begin their rule with Christ for a thousand years in Revelation 20, and all the dead are resurrected and judged (John 5:28-29). The new heavens and new earth are pictured, as the new Jerusalem comes down from the heaven of God, wherein He will live with His eternal children forever. In Revelation 22, a short description of the Holy City is given, followed by a warning for all who will and those who will not be there...
"And he says to me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:10-12).
Finally, a universal prayer of the saved is prayed, picturing their cries down through the ages for Christ to return.
"He which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." - Revelation 22:20
"Paradise regained" (Genesis 3:24).
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