“This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” ( Matthew 24:14 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come. )

I don’t know any more inspiring missionary promise than this word from Jesus.

Not: This gospel should be preached. Not: This gospel might be preached. But: This gospel will be preached.

This is not a great commission, nor a great commandment. It is a great certainty, a great confidence.

Who can dare talk like that? How does he know it will? How can he be sure the church will not fail in its missionary task?

Answer: The grace of missionary service is as irresistible as the grace of regeneration. Christ can promise universal proclamation because he is sovereign. He knows the future success of missions because he makes the future. All the nations will hear!

A “nation” is not a modern “country.” When the Old Testament spoke of nations, it referred to groups like Jebusites and Perizites and Hivites and Amorites and Moabites and Canaanites and Philistines. “Nations” are ethnic groups with their own peculiar culture. Psalms 117:1 Chapter 117 1 O praise Jehovah, all ye nations; Laud him, all ye peoples. , “Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!”

As the sovereign Son of God and Lord of the church, Jesus simply took up this divine purpose and stated it as an absolute certainty: “This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations” ( Matthew 24:14 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come. ).

The cause of world missions is absolutely assured of success. It cannot fail. Is it not reasonable, then, that we pray with great faith, that we invest with great confidence, and that we go with a sense of sure triumph?