When the typical Christian, knowledgeable about the Bible, is asked where the Great Commission may be found, he or she will normally respond with the correct citations in the Gospels and Acts. But did you know that the Great Commission may be found throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation? It’s true.
God’s revelation of himself in the Old Testament unveiled a God who fervently desired to make himself known to all peoples throughout the world. Setting aside one nation for the specific purpose of letting the world know about Him, He commissioned Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, telling him, “All nations will be blessed through you.”
That was not God’s first indication that He was concerned with the salvation of the world. For that revelation, we must go back to Genesis 3:15.
Reading through the Pentateuch, the historical books, the wisdom literature and the prophets, literally hundreds of times we find references to God’s glory filling all the earth, all the peoples of the earth knowing Him, God’s judging all the earth, and God being praised among the nations.
Israel’s great failure was their unwillingness to make God known throughout the earth. Aware of His particular blessings on their nation, they selfishly accepted the blessing, but neglected to pas the knowledge of God along to others. When God announced His judgment upon their nation, part of the justification for His action was that they had not obeyed His injunction to be a blessing to the nations.
The Psalms are particularly rich in capturing the notion of God’s universal purpose and His love and care for the ends of the earth. Even a cursory reading finds 50 or more references such as “How majestic is your name in all the earth,” “The nations will praise you,” and “Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.” Clearly, God intended for His name to be known among all people.
The church is charged today with the mission that the ancient peoples of Israel failed to accomplish: That the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). A careful reading of His Word will help us master the understanding of our commission. This means more than memorizing Matthew 28:18-20; it includes all of God’s revelation.
God is pleased when we obey His instructions to declare His glory among the nations.
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Bill George is Coordinator of Missions Education/Publications for Church of God World Missions.
(Source: Church of God World Missions)