What is the ultimate purpose of Biblical Evangelism? (The glory of the Lord.) Is evangelism the only thing which can bring glory to God? What are some other things? What is the highest secondary purpose of evangelism? (The salvation of sinners.) How is it that evangelism brings glory to God? Can sinners somehow save themselves apart from the direct intervention of the Lord? Are there any sinners who, without the light of the Lord, truly understand their need of salvation? Is the salvation of a sinner a common thing, or is it miraculous?So salvation brings glory to the Lord – to the Father and to the Saviour.
The Kingdom of the Lord.
Psalm 22 might be called a “Messianic” or “Millennial” Psalm. What does that mean? What will happen when the stone cut from the mountain without hands strikes the feet of Nebuchadnezzar’s image? Psalm 72 is another Messianic Psalm; part of it says – “He (Christ) shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.” During the Millennium how many of the people of earth will worship and glorify the Lord? “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee” (Psalm 22:27). Now, how much will evangelism have to do with Christ’s glory and dominion at that time? Isn’t it true that despite the importance of evangelism, it is the Lord who glorifies Himself during the Millennium? Isn’t it true that even in Biblical evangelism, it is the Lord who does all the work and garners all the glory?
Considering the fact that both in the Millennium and throughout eternity, the Lord will receive perfect worship, is it wise to say that He is not in control of His creation today as well? Should it be said that the Lord is being defeated today by the wicked god of this world? Will Christ’s kingdom begin at the commencement of the Millennium? Will the day when Satan is bound and cast into the bottomless pit, be the day of the Lord’s greatest victory over the devil? Three times Satan is called the “prince of this world;” who was it that made that designation? (Christ.) What else did Jesus say about Satan in each of those contexts? (Powerless prince.) John 12:31-32 – “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 14:28-30 – “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” John 16:7-11 – “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” Whatever influence the Devil has over the hearts and affairs of humanity, it is exercised with Christ’s permissive will.
Let’s say that there had been only one person saved since the time of Adam to the Millennial Kingdom. Since Satan hath blinded men’s minds, lest the light of the glory of Christ should shine unto them, could it be said that the Devil has been pleased and glorified? But if one person had been saved would Satan be been more glorified more than Christ? “God reigneth over the heathen; God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness” (Psalm 47:8). If from this day forward until the conclusion of the Tribulation, only one person will repent and come to Christ, would it mean that the Lord has been defeated? How would the average modern “evangelist” answer that question?
Biblical Eschatology.
What do Premillennialists believe? Is our church Premillennialist? Do we agree with all Premillennialists? What is a Post-tribulationalist? Is our church Post-tribulationalal? What is a Pre-tribulationalist? What is an A-millennialist? How does he interpret the scriptures which speak about a thousand year reign of Christ on earth? Does he have any scriptural right to allegorize the word “thousand”? What about Psalm 50:10? – “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” To the average A-millennialist when is the Millennium? (Today.) Could an A-millennialist believe in and practice evangelism? What is a Postmillennialist? There are two basic kinds of Postmillennialists: the evolutionary and the evangelical. There are some foolish people who think that the world is gradually evolving and improving, and at some point will become good enough to become the home of the Lord. Then there are others who believe that the work of Christian evangelists will be so effective that the people of the world will rebel against Satan and proclaim Christ King. The question that both the A-millennialist and the Post-millennialist need to answer is this: Is modern evangelism of any and all sorts, effectively turning multitudes of hearts to the Lord? Is the world become more Christian? Will the hearts of man universally turn to the Lord under the harsh conditions of the Tribulation? What will the condition of Christianity be during the Tribulation? (Look like annihilation.) But what will take place at the conclusion of the Tribulation?
The Triumph.
Will the Millennium be a good period of time? Are there any sane men in the world, who wouldn’t prefer peace over conflict and war? Wouldn’t even the most sinful and selfish of people enjoy the prosperity prophesied of the Millennium? Has the unbelieving world ever tried to bring about the Millennium? By what means? (League of Nations, United Nations, the World Court, world religions, etc.) What has Satan’s opinion of such things been? Why will all such attempts end in failure?
What has Biblical evangelism got to do with the Millennial Kingdom? The Millennial Kingdom isn’t dependent upon the gospel, but upon the King. But will Nimrod or Judas enjoy the Millennium or eternity?
Even though there will be people saved at the moment of the Lord’s return – perhaps even many people – the majority of citizens of that Kingdom will be those who have been saved by grace prior to the return of Christ. Again, I stress – the coming of the Millennial Kingdom isn’t dependent upon evangelism, but on Christ, and yet, for most of the people who will enjoy it, Biblical evangelism is essential.
A very real part of the glory of Christ in the Millennium will be dependent on the victories of evangelism today. As those whom the Lord has already saved, we actually play a role in the population of the Millennial Kingdom. The triumph of the Lord is guaranteed, and the key to that triumph is the Lord Himself. And yet, He has given to us a part to play, a responsibility to fill, in regards to the glorious Millennium. Biblical evangelism is extremely important.