Captivated by the Glory of the Revival of the Kingdom of God and the Completion of the Mission
1) Beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
| In Romans 9, Paul expresses deep anguish and sorrow within himself. Despite recognizing the greatness and blessings of the Gospel, he feels distressed because his fellow Israelites, who had a rich history with God, the temple, and the Law, couldn’t grasp the message of the Gospel and were heading toward destruction. Therefore, Paul discovered within the Scriptures that God would equally work for the salvation of both the Gentiles and the Jews. This realization increased his trust even more. Furthermore, God had filled Paul’s heart with the intention of reaching out to the Gentiles by appointing him, a Jew and a former Pharisee, as an apostle to the Gentiles, as part of God’s plan to save all nations. In Romans 10, Paul quoted passages from Joel and Isaiah to articulate the plan of salvation. This plan is proclaimed through God’s missionary work, much like the verse “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Isaiah 52:7), and it’s reflected in the declaration that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32). There is an incident in the history of Israel that sheds light on this. It’s the story of the siege of Samaria, mentioned in 2 Kings 7. When Samaria was surrounded by the Aramean army and the people were starving to death, God, through Elisha, announced the good news of salvation, saying that there would be an abundance of food available the next day. However, the officer who first heard this news of God’s salvation for the starving city doubted, saying, ‘Even if the Lord were to make windows in heaven, could this happen?’ As a result, he did not partake in the food provided by God and perished. Interestingly, the ones who became the channel to deliver this joyful news of salvation to the dying Israelites were not the king, noblemen, officials, military leaders, or priests. Instead, it was four lepers who had been abandoned by the Aramean army. They feasted on the abandoned food and realized that keeping such good news to themselves was wrong. They said, ‘We’re not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go at once and report this to the royal palace.’ Immediately, they went and informed the city, and as a result, the dying people gained life. The gospel we have received is not just a message of salvation for ‘me’ alone. This gospel is not merely for all sinners born after Adam but for all nations—a ‘universal gospel.’ Furthermore, it is a ‘cosmic gospel’ that reconciles the entire universe with God. Therefore, when I say I believe in the gospel, it means that my life, which was centered solely on ‘me, me, me,’ has died, and I’ve transformed into a missionary presence for the salvation of the nations. |
》Scripture Prayer
(Romans 9:1-8) 1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
(Romans 10:13-15) 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. What is the source of the great distress and pain in my heart despite having believed in the gospel for salvation? Additionally, what is the primary prayer focus our church seeks during worship? As I live a life knowing and experiencing the glory, power, and blessings of the gospel, I’ve come to realize that receiving salvation through the gospel is more urgent and crucial than attaining the world’s wealth and glory. Let’s pray that my heart and the body of Christ, the church, will be first filled with the fullness of the gospel and live out this reality.
They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples–of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:9-10)
2. Let us praise the Lord who transformed our beings into the life of Jesus through the gospel of the Cross. Let us pray that we are not limited to our personal joy of salvation but to rise up to become a missional and interceding beings for all nations. Let’s obey to the voice of calling of our Lord to become the light to the gentiles.
he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
2) Longing for That Day, The Glorious Day of Lord’s Return!
| Believing in the gospel for the salvation of all nations has restored me to a missionary existence, understanding that the salvation of the nations is contingent upon my individual obedience. This is because the Lord, through the church and witnesses of the gospel, is personally accomplishing the history of revival and completion of mission in the kingdom of God. In this final age, God is swiftly carrying out the work of salvation for the lost peoples across all nations. As the gospel spreads throughout the world and knowledge of the Lord fills the earth like the waters cover the sea, the glorious Lord will return riding on the clouds. Throughout the Bible, God has used his servants and prophets to tell us of the “glorious day.” The return of the Lord, “the glorious day” is a certain event that will occur in history. That day will become a day of greatest fear of judgment and destruction for those who do not believe in God and live by the gospel; however, for those born again by the life of Jesus submitting to the gospel will enter into the glory of the gospel. They will greatly long and anticipate for that day. Nobody knows the exact day of the Lord’s return. Merely, the Lord tells us that when his return is near, there will be many signs in the Bible that will become visible. Therefore, for those who are awake in prayer, the Lord will show how close that day is so that they will be prepared. How would be the life of someone who looks upon this glory of God and truly believes in the return of Jesus Christ is coming swiftly? That person would live a woken life ready as a Christ’s holy bride and spiritual warrior fighting for the Kingdom of God. Also, that person will stand as a missional and intercessor’s life for all nations. In the end times, in order for the church not to be awakened, Satan will mislead with all kinds of worldly temptations. The Lord stated that at the end times will be like the times of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, where people will just eat, drink and get married. People will not believe in the Lord’s return but even many Christians will not be awakened as if Jesus’s return has been delayed. However, we must be alerted as a bride longing for that “Day” and rise up awakened to be intercessors for all nations. |
》Scripture Prayer
(Matthew 24:5-14) 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And 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 25:1-13) 1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. Let us not be shaken by the events occurring throughout the world. Let’s pray for our focus to be on God who is completing the revival of the Kingdom of God and the mission and to live a life of worship in faith alone. Also, let us pray to live a life longing for “the Day,” the return of Jesus.
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:12-13)
2. In the end times, Satan will mislead the church with worldly temptations so that the church will not be awakened. That’s why we need to be alerted and awakened to yearn for that day and stand as an intercessor for all nations. Let’s resolve to stand firm as worthy followers of the Lord amidst the temptations of the world in these final times.
“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”(Luke 21:34-36)
3) Given the authority to pray in the name of Jesus
| Jesus explained enough about a life filled with the glory and power of the Gospel of the cross. The life accomplished through the cross is about “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do” (John 14:12). It’s the statement that they will do greater works than Jesus. It’s the astonishing blessing of the Gospel given as “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14). It’s the privilege granted to us to achieve what Jesus did and even greater things, through prayer in His name. You have given the authority of prayer to the original beings who believed in the Gospel of the Cross. Jesus prayed on this earth until God’s will and word were fulfilled, worked through the authority and power of God’s response, and obediently obeyed the cross. In the same way, we have received the authority of prayer in Jesus’ name and qualification. Through prayer, we gain the ability to obey God’s will and word, living by His responding grace. Living in the original sense means living in fellowship, love, and joy with God the Father through Christ, relying on everything given by God and not depending on ourselves. When a person’s status changes, their desires and pursuits change as well. If someone transitions from being an orphan to an heir of a king, they will no longer seek daily meals and a place to stay, but instead, they will seek to use everything available in the inherited kingdom. That’s why God instructed the children united with Christ, the Church, to seek His kingdom and righteousness first. The salvation that brings revival upon the answer to prayer should extend to the ends of the earth. This is part of completing the mission of evangelization, and thus, God has granted the churches of every era the unyielding authority to pray incessantly and possess nations like a fortress. That amazing glory, power, and blessings of the Gospel manifest in each person through prayer, where one can witness God’s personal work. As much as one believes and relies on the Gospel, they will find themselves praying, and as much as they pray, they will live and experience the Gospel. However, the depth of my belief, reliance, and life in the Gospel is revealed by how much I truly depend on prayer. The Gospel can only be lived through prayer. |
》Scripture Prayer
(John 14:12-15) 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. 15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
(John 16:23-24, 26) 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf;
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. The incredible blessing of the Gospel of the Cross has granted us the qualification and authority to pray in the name of Jesus. As a renewed person, praying in Jesus’ name allows us direct access to God the Father, who listens and responds, enabling us to experience the love and joy of fellowship. Let’s reflect on how we’ve prayed thus far. From now on, let’s resolve to pray continually in the name and qualification of Jesus Christ, united with the Gospel within us.
that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. (Luke 1:74-75)
2. God has established us as intercessors through the Gospel, promising that as we pray, the possession of all nations will be realized to the ends of the earth. He’s asked us to pray unceasingly, knowing that through the kingly priesthood of believers, our prayers will be instrumental in accomplishing the mission of all nations returning to God. The Gospel can only truly be lived out through prayer. If my prayers are confined to my daily needs and desires, then the Gospel I claim to believe in might be limited to just that. Let’s earnestly pray for the revival of God’s kingdom and the completion of missions, seeking obedience in praying for the day when Jesus Christ will return.
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth. (Isaiah 62:6-7)
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” (Psalm 2:8-9)
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