Do you recall a conversation about when the end of times might be getting close? Jesus states in Scripture what events need to occur before the end comes. Many articles have been written about this verse. The verses before and after Matthew 24:14 shares much what I consider a “reality check.” In verse 14 Jesus says, “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.”
To All Nations
Though it’s not a specific time or date, this verse provides a more clear picture of when the end will come. The word “gospel” is good news which Jesus shared about and so also did the Apostle Paul. The word “nations” in Greek “ethnos”, which is ethnicity or people groups. This word “nation” does not relate to manmade barriers or borders that have been placed on the map as many of us might think of nation. Nations are the actual “People Groups” that reside throughout the world. Using the country of India as an example. India has many states that make up the country. In each state, there are many languages spoken. I’ve been informed that even towns and villages within several miles eat very different foods and speak different languages. God scattered the people of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) to all parts of the world, and from this time and forward, thousands of ethnic people groups were formed. Much frustration surrounded the fact that one day everyone could understand one another and the next day they could not do so. This was done because the people were not acknowledging God, they were seeking selfish ambition and wanted to make their own way to heaven without God.
Many of you, representing many different people groups, have heard the Gospel of the kingdom. Yet there are still many other people groups who have not. We are all related through Adam and Eve. Though we have been scattered since the tower of Babel, we, as followers of Christ Jesus, are to be His hands and feet Jesus to reach all the people groups in the whole world with the Gospel message. Then we can expect the end to come.
How Many Have Been Reached?
How many people groups have been reached and not reached? One web site (https://teamexpansion.org) states there are about 7.84 billion people in the world today, and there are 17,409 known people groups. 7402 of those groups are considered unreached.
One of the many verses that I value is shared by the apostle Paul. He states in Romans 10:9-15, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” As the Scripture says in Romans 10, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame” and “For there is no difference between the Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”
Sharing the Good News
I’ve always viewed the international airports as wonderful locations to learn about different people groups, our long and distant brothers and sisters from Adam and Eve with our light to dark different shades of brown skin tones. What wonderful opportunities to relate to our long and distant relatives. I might not be able to meet the people in Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, China, or Morocco’s mother land, but I am able to meet persons here in the United States. They can go back to their respective homelands and share wonderful news. So unless someone has had opportunity to share about the Good News of the kingdom, how then can they call on the one they have not believed in? What great opportunities to enjoy each others food and learn of different people groups. As you work in your respective role in the aviation industry, wherever you go…may your feet be beautiful and the end become closer.
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Shades of brown from dark to light,
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
One tool for sharing this message is the “Jesus Film,” which can be accessed by anyone with a smartphone. Google Jesus film. Click on Jesusfilm.org option. Click on “Watch” at the bottom of the screen. Here everyone has access to see the good news of Jesus.
