The Great Commission
In Matthew 28:16-20 we see the verses that are referred to as “The Great Commission.”
Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
In Mark Chapter 16:15-16 we also see “The Great Commission” referenced.
Mark 16:15-18
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
The Great Commission was the command to preach the gospel of the kingdom throughout the entire world. However, as we see in Acts 11:19 this commission of preaching the gospel of the kingdom was not being fulfilled, as the gospel of the kingdom was being preached “to the Jews only” after to the stoning of Stephen.
Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
God’s word is always truthful. The Jews rejected the gospel of the kingdom by rejecting the gift of the Holy Spirit when they stoned Stephen to death. At that time, God temporarily paused the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom and gave us the gospel the grace of God.
During the coming Tribulation, the gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the entire word as God has promised. We read in Matthew 24:14 where Christ says that the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the entire world as a witness to all nations, and then the end shall come. The remainder of Matthew Chapter 24 tells us of the Tribulation.
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
The Book of Revelation is the book that deals entirely with The Great Tribulation. In Revelation 7:4-8 we are told who will preach “The Great Commission” to the entire world. Those that preach the gospel of the kingdom during the Tribulation will number 144,000 (12,000 from each tribe) of the children of Israel. These 144,000 are to be sealed and no harm will come to them.
In Revelation 7:9 and Revelation 7:13-14 we see reference to those who will be martyred for their belief of the gospel of the kingdom during the Tribulation.
Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.
Revelation 7:13-14
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, what are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, these are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The Ministry of Reconciliation
II Corinthians 5:18-21 contains the verses of “The Ministry of Reconciliation.”
II Corinthians 5:18-21
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
II Corinthians 5:18-21 tells us that God was in Christ on the cross; reconciling the world to Himself. The way that we (the entire world) have been reconciled to God, is through our sins being forgiven by the death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are told in verse 20 to be reconciled to God. We are reconciled to God when we believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, was buried and arose on the third day.
The “Ministry of Reconciliation” is the ministry of the “gospel of the grace of God.” This ministry is committed to all members of the “body of Christ,” who are saved by their belief of the gospel of the death, burial and resurrection (I Corinthians 15:1-4).
We have been given this ministry – the Ministry of Reconciliation – to share with the entire world. Below, is the gospel that we are to share with the entire world.
I Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.