The Bible tells us very clearly in the gospel of Matthew 24:14 (NKJV), "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." There is a tremendous urgency now to get the gospel out; we have our favourite saying at Shalom Ministries that "nobody deserves to hear the Gospel twice until the world has heard it once!"
The Lord did not say that He will come again once everybody in the world is converted; He said His second coming will take place when everyone has heard the Gospel.The Lord Jesus, before His ascension back to the Father in heaven, said clearly in the gospel of Mark 16:15 (NKJV), "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." We need to be careful that we do not get side-tracked in this calling of God; it is not only for evangelists but for all believers.There needs to be urgency in our reaching people. All must be born again,since without that no one will see God.John 3:7 (NKJV), "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again'." So, like never before, we see His coming ahead and the time is running out.
As a farmer I can identify with the Lord Jesus when He says that when you see a factory producing new leaves, you know that spring is on its way.The same thing applies when you see the signs taking place in the world - we know that the end is imminent so we need to tell people about the situation.Of course, it will not always be well received but it is the truth. The Lord tells us very clearly in Matthew 6:33 (NKJV), "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." The priority for all Christians is to preach the gospel, both by word and action.The Lord promises that when we do that: "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; the will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Mark 16:17-18 (NKJV)
We always say that one genuine miracle equals a thousand sermons.We have experienced, not once but many times, how God always confirms the preaching of the Gospel with signs and wonders and miracles. It is so exciting! No-one can dispute the facts when,for example, in a drought situation where the Gospel has been ministered in its entirety, the congregation praises earnestly for rain and the rain comes. That miracle will challenge the greatest atheist to give his life to Christ.
Our God is a holy God. He will not tolerate sin of any degree, but often people are not all that serious. They are told that,through Jesus, all your problems will be over and in a way that is true since Jesus promised us that He never abandon us. "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were in the fire, but there was a fourth person in the furnace like the Son to God and we believe it was Jesus. Similarly, that isexactly what He will do for us if we preach the Gospel uncompromisingly!
