The local Church has a specific mission in this age. We are to evangelize all people and make disciples in every nation. Praise God that this past generation of believers has just about fulfilled the mission. I believe we can repeat the words of Paul who proclaimed, “Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world” and “The hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven” and again, “the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began…now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.” (Romans 10:18; Colossians 1:23; Romans 16:25-26)
What is next on God’s timeline in His plan of salvation? It’s the return of Christ. As the local church goes forth into all the world making disciples, we are also to be looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. We are truly living in the last days and the return of Christ draws near! Christ proclaims in Revelation 22:12, “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” The bride of Christ replies with the exuberant expectation of this hope, “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”
Things are going to get much worse in this world before they get better
Any serious student of the Bible knows that things are going to get much worse in this world before they get better. Paul tells us that in the last days there will be a great falling away (II Thess. 2:3). Jesus described the cold spirit of the last days as being a result of unrestrained iniquity. He says to us in Matthew 24:12, “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” In Daniel 8:23, we are told that “the transgressors are come to the full…” The days are upon us when sin and iniquity are basically unrestrained. We are witnessing a rebirth of the days of Noah. Violence has filled the land. Persecution and intolerance toward Christians and the truth is increasing more and more. I believe we are going to see a return to first century Christianity. The first century Christians were not only passionate for the Lord and spread the gospel to the known world in their time, but were also intensely persecuted for their faith. As iniquity abounds and persecution and tribulation increase in our day, what is the church to do?
Continue in the fellowship of the local body of believers
First of all, we must continue in the fellowship of the local body of believers. In these perilous times and in light of the return of Christ, the local church is exhorted to assemble together more often in order to exhort one another continue in the faith. Hebrews 10:25 warns us to “Not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhort one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Paul was eternally grateful for the fellowship in the gospel that he enjoyed with the local churches he planted (Philippians 1:5).
Continue in the furtherance of the gospel
Secondly, we must continue in the furtherance of the gospel. In these perilous times and in light of the return of Christ, we are exhorted to continue in the preaching of the gospel of God. II Timothy 4:1-5 states, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” Paul knew that even in affliction and opposition God was working through him for the furtherance of the gospel (Philippians 1:12).
Continue striving together for the faith of the gospel
Thirdly, we must continue striving together for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). In these perilous times and in light of the return of Christ, we are exhorted to be aware of the danger and to continue in the things we have learned, knowing that the inspired word of God was given to make us wise unto salvation.
II Timothy 3:1-17 says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.“
What will keep us faithful in these last days is the fellowship of the local body, our faith in the word of God and our continued involvement in the furtherance of the gospel. They who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, but do not be fearful of this. Suffering for Christ is a great blessing and we should be honored that God would count us worthy to suffer for His name’s sake (Acts 5:41). Paul encourages us to not be fearful of persecution. In Philippians 1:28-29 he states, “In nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”
May God give us the grace to continue to reach the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.