May 26, 2022
And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:21-23
In Paul’s day, the gospel was preached to every creature under heaven. The apostolic church, fueled with power from on high, made sure the gospel spread to the ends of the earth. Ironically, Satan’s opposition helped the message to spread like wildfire! Can we dare to believe that, in a world of nearly eight billion people, everyone will hear the Good News of forgiveness and salvation from sin?
We live in truly exciting times! While it is a fact that growing belief and growing opposition are developing side-by-side, a knowledge of Biblical history has a powerfully affirming effect upon the faith of believers. The spectacle of Noah building the ark for 120 years, in combination with his preaching, surely gave the world of his day generous opportunity to step aboard to safety. (Of course, this would mean leaving the old life behind.) Jonah, a single man, brought the message of salvation to the enormous city of Nineveh in less than 40 days. Unlike the people of Noah’s day, the Ninevites repented! God wrought a miracle among His wayward people through Elijah. And He has promised that His everlasting gospel will go to our world today before He returns to claim His bride.
Daniel was shown that abominations would continue until the bitter end of our fallen earth’s history, but was given the assurance that a righteous judgement would be underway, and that it would be in favor of the saints (7:22). He surely must have wondered how it would all take place; we are given a hint:
But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. Daniel 12:4
Indeed, knowledge has increased on every level! The little book of Daniel has been unsealed in recent centuries (Revelation 10). Incredibly, internet access is available nearly everywhere. Radio waves enter closed countries just as the newly resurrected Jesus entered that closed room where the disciples were hiding (John 20:19). The everlasting gospel is spreading, and quickly! We can count on God’s power to finish the work. He has even promised that He will cut it short:
The remnant will be saved. For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, Because the LORD will make a short work upon the earth. Romans 9:27b-28
Jesus said, “Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24:22
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Revelation 22:20