Jesus outlined the “signs of the times” that will characterize this age as it groans to give birth to the future age (Matt. 24:3–14). The final “labor pain” is the universal preaching of the gospel. Then the end will come!
Until the trumpet sounds and Jesus returns to usher in this wonderful coming age, there is still work to do. Nations remain in need of the witness of the gospel. The twentieth century is the first one in which the gospel of Jesus Christ has been preached in all the world, including closed countries. Why then has the Lord not yet come back? Because the preaching of the gospel must result in “a witness to all the nations” (ethnic groups) within these countries.
How are we doing? Of the twenty-four thousand distinct ethnic groups in the world, about half do not yet have ongoing “witness” in terms of a local church that can evangelize to the group. “A church for every people group” is the goal of Christ’s words. Let’s continue in prayer toward that end. Amen!
