Biblical Missionaries Must the Whole World Hear?

Lesson #13 for September 26, 2015

Scriptures: [Acts 4:12-13; Psalm 87:4-6; John 10:16; 14:6; Romans 1:18; 2:12-16; 16:25-27][i].

1.    This series of lessons has focused on the role of Christians in witnessing to others. We have noted how people in a variety of circumstances have been able to witness to those around them. God could have used angels, and they certainly would have done a better job. So, why didn’t He? One reason is because we need the experience of witnessing to others. The best way to understand a topic is to try to teach it to others. If you are not sure of that, ask a teacher! Do we know how to witness correctly?

2.    Unfortunately, a large majority of those who have lived on this earth over the millennia have never heard of the gospel of God’s grace as revealed in Jesus Christ. How will God treat those people? How can He be fair to them? Is it possible for people to be saved without hearing of the plan of salvation as it is in Jesus?

3.    This is a question that has led to many, many long discussions among Christians and theologians. It is sometimes labeled as the question of “special revelation” versus “general revelation.” Do we need to know the details of the gospel message as presented in Scripture in order to be saved? Or, is there enough information in the world around us that if we take it seriously and learn from it, we could be saved without knowing the gospel message?

4.    There are those who claim that it is impossible to be saved unless you hear, understand, and accept the message as taught by one particular Christian denomination. On the other extreme, there are those who believe that all religions are equal, and one can take any path s/he likes to salvation. Do we as Seventh-day Adventists really believe that one must be an Adventist in order to be saved?

5.    There is much evidence in Scripture that God wants as many people as possible to be saved. Revelation 15:3ii states clearly that when all things come to a conclusion, the citizens of heaven will say: “Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!” (NASB 1995) Why isn’t it possible to save everyone? Many who have rebelled on this earth would just start the great controversy all over again in heaven if they are given the chance! Or, is it that the arguments for God are not persuasive enough? How does it impact you to choose for or against God?

6.    Do you know some Christians who believe that one must belong to their particular belief system in order to be saved? Are there other people who believe that one must at least be a Christian in order to be saved? In 1302 A.D., Pope Boniface VIII in his papal bull unum sanctum declared: “That it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.” Latter Day Saints teach that unless one is baptized as a Latter Day Saint or unless someone who is a Latter Day Saint is baptized on behalf of that person-which might be possible even after one is dead-one cannot be saved. Are we committed to the truth in the Bible? Or, to a particular set of beliefs from some church?

7.    Read Acts 4:12iii. Peter and John were addressing the Sanhedrin! God’s plan is clearly that the gospel should be spread as far and as wide as possible. But, we also know that if Jesus had not come to answer the questions in the cosmic conflict between God and Satan, the conflict would never be over; Satan might even have won. In that sense, the truth is very clear that without Jesus, none of us could be saved. And what about those who lived before the days of Jesus? How does His life and His death apply to them?

Those whom Christ commends in the judgment may have known little of theology, but they have cherished His principles. Through the influence of the divine Spirit they have been a blessing to those about them. Even among the heathen are those who have cherished the spirit of kindness; before the words of life had fallen upon their ears, they have befriended the missionaries, even ministering to them at the peril of their own lives. Among the heathen are those who worship God ignorantly, those to whom the light is never brought by human instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are recognized as the children of God.—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 638.2. [Bold type is added.]

8.    Are we to believe from this passage that salvation is available apart from Jesus Christ and what He did on this earth? Or, do we really need to tell them about Jesus? Is it possible that “God is able and willing to apply the merits of Christ’s work to whomever He wishes”? (Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for Monday, September 21) We have suggested in the past and again in this lesson that God wants to save as many as possible. If that is true and if it is possible for them to be saved by God applying “the merits of Christ’s work” to them, why doesn’t God just do that for everyone? Do people just reject Him?

9.    What is the role of the Holy Spirit in reaching out to those who may not have heard the gospel message? How did Job get to know God so well? And what about Melchizedek? Does applying the “merits of Christ’s work” to someone make them savable?

10.    Read [Psalm 87:4-6; John 10:16; Acts 14:17; 17:25-28; Romans 2:6-7,12-16iv]. These verses make it very clear that God would like to save as many as possible. There are people who are not of our special group He wants us to reach. God blesses and sustains everyone, giving them existence, life, and breath, even if they do not recognize Him. By doing what God wants, one can be saved even if s/he has never heard of Jesus or God’s law. How does that fit with Leviticus 18:5? Can we be saved by doing what is right? Would that mean that we will be lost by doing wrong things?

11.    Would it be correct to say that God will judge each person according to how that person has responded to whatever degree of truth he has been exposed? We need to recognize that God has never given the work of judging to any human being.

12.    There are some people who believe in what is called universalism. A universalist is one who believes that God loves everyone in the whole world and that He will figure out how to save everyone including the Devil. Is that the meaning of John 12:31-32[v]?

13.    This false thinking is based on the idea that God is a severe judge who is looking for ways to keep people out of heaven. Thus, if God loves them, He will forgive them, justify them, and they would automatically be saved. But, justification, i.e. forgiveness, is not the main criteria for being saved. God is forgiveness Personified. He forgives everyone; but, that does not make everyone savable. If a forgiven but unchanged person were admitted to heaven, s/he would just start the whole great controversy all over again.

14.    There are others who believe in pluralism. Such people believe that all religions are basically equally valid, and thus, will lead to God and salvation. They believe that no religion is inherently better or superior to any other religion. Such people believe that all the apparent differences between denominations and even different religions are really only surface matters. They would say that God loves everyone and that we must learn to love all human beings that have a hope for a future blessed life. Thus, in their thinking, all religions are basically equal. They believe it is very chauvinistic and arrogant to try to push a particular set of Christian beliefs, especially upon those who are non-Christians!

15.    So, what does the Bible say about universalism and/or pluralism? (See John 14:6; Revelation 20:14-15; 21:8; Daniel 12:2; John 3:18; Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10vi.)

16.    Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. All whose names are not recorded in the Lamb’s book of life end up in the “lake of fire.” Persistent sinners of all kinds will perish. Some people will be saved, and others will perish. Each of us will be judged by our own behavior; so, choose to go in at the narrow gate.

17.    We know that there are many countries where there is a kind of national religion. It might be Christianity or maybe Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, or even communism. Is it possible for people who are culturally immersed in those different religions to be saved because of how they relate to God? If a Christian believes that his Christianity is the only way to salvation, is he being an exclusivist? Or, would it be correct that God has provided a path to salvation; but, we must give up our selfishness, our sinfulness, and seek to enter that narrow path if we want to be saved? Is God asking us to do that on our own? Or, does God have the ability to change us? Is He willing to do that? Does He force us to change?

18.    Read John 3:17vii. God’s desire is to save everyone; but, that cannot happen because some of us would just start the rebellion all over again. He will do everything possible to save as many as He can. He is not an evil judge trying to condemn people. The Bible clearly teaches that we are all sinners. [(1 Kings 8:46; 2 Chronicles 6:36; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Psalm 14:3; Romans 3:10,23; 1 John 1:9-10viii)] But, we also know that He wishes that everyone would repent and come to Him openly. [(Acts 17:30; 26:20; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4)]ix

19.    God gives very clear warnings in Scripture to those who are persistently sinners. Read [Genesis 6:11-13; Romans 1:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:12; and Revelation 21:8; 22:15][x]. How much do we know about the death of sinners? Do we have any examples of the second death?

The wrath of God against sin, the terrible manifestation of His displeasure because of iniquity, filled the soul of His Son with consternation. All His life Christ had been publishing to a fallen world the good news of the Father’s mercy and pardoning love. Salvation for the chief of sinners was His theme.

But now with the terrible weight of guilt He bears, He cannot see the Father’s reconciling face. The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt.

Satan with his fierce temptations wrung the heart of Jesus. The Saviour could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal. Christ felt the anguish which the sinner will feel when mercy shall no longer plead for the guilty race.

It was the sense of sin, bringing the Father’s wrath upon Him as man’s substitute, that made the cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God.—Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 753.1-2. [Bold type is added.]

20.    Because God loves all of His children and also because He recognizes their need of grace, His plan is for His church to spread the good news to the entire universe. (Ephesians 3:9,10xi)

The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world.

From the beginning it has been God’s plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to “the principalities and powers in heavenly places,” the final and full display of the love of God. Ephesians 3:10.—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 9.1.

21.    In what ways can we personally-not the pastor, not the elder or deacon, but we ourselves-learn to show God’s glory to a dying world? Do we as a Sabbath school class and as individual Christians have a responsibility for those around us?

22.    In previous lessons, we have talked about contextualization. (See 1 Corinthians 9:22-23xii.) Are we doing everything possible to reach out to people in ways that are meaningful to them? God placed ancient Israel at the crossroads of the then-known world so that they could be God’s light to the world. Unfortunately, during most of the time recorded in the Old Testament, they seemed to have hidden their light under a basket.

23.    In Christians times, God has promoted a different plan for world mission. It is a kind of salt method: “Go and make disciples.” [(Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15,20; Acts 1:8)]xiii We know that many Christians down through the generations have risked their lives to go out among unbelievers and communicate the gospel story. Sometimes, they have been able to reach individuals, sometimes communities, and even occasionally, entire nations.

24.    Unfortunately, these plans have not worked out as well as they could have. Some reasons why this is true include:

(1) Poor planning for outreach, inadequate understanding of the task; (2) narrow focus on mission only as education, health care, disaster relief, or development, which overshadow preaching the gospel; (3) underfunding and understaffing by the sending organizations; (4) missionaries unsuited to the task; and (5) nations that forbid the preaching of the gospel. (Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for Thursday, September 24)

25.    The going will not always be easy. We are in the midst of the great controversy; Satan knows that if we succeed, it will be all over for him. So, for him it is a life-and-death matter.

26.    But we need to remember that:

By giving the gospel to the world it is in our power to hasten our Lord’s return. We are not only to look for but to hasten the coming of the day of God. 2 Peter 3:12, margin. Had [634] the church of Christ done her appointed work as the Lord ordained, the whole world would before this have been warned, and the Lord Jesus would have come to our earth in power and great glory.—Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 633.3.

27.    Satan is doing everything possible to misrepresent the truth and to defeat God’s work on this earth. He even sends out false prophets. One day, he will appear himself as a false messiah. And we know that day cannot be far off. We must avoid all openings that might give Satan an entry into our lives.

28.    In discussing the spread of the gospel, the New Testament uses two Greek words accompanied by the adjective all: “all the kosmos” [(See Matthew 26:13; Mark 14:9; 16:15.) and “all the oikumene.’’ (See Matthew 24:14.)]xiv Kosmos is the more general term and is used 150 times in the New Testament. The term oikumene is more specific and refers to the world’s human inhabitants.

29.    Within one generation, that small group of Christians after the resurrection and Pentecost had spread the word to Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Macedonia, Greece, and Italy, as well as southern Russia, Ethiopia, India, and probably Spain. How did they accomplish that in such a short period of time? Under very difficult circumstances, they were preaching a message which was illegal?

30.    Seventh-day Adventists have claimed that Revelation 14:6-12xv is the end-time message for the world. How is that related to the great commission recorded in Matthew 28:19-20xvi? If it is possible for people to be saved without any missionary preaching to them under what we call general revelation, why should we reach out? Partly because we need the experience and partly because God wants to give them the additional opportunity for salvation from hearing the gospel. (Romans 10:14-15xvii)

31.    Read Genesis 17:4-6xviii. From the days of Abraham, God intended for the gospel to be spread out to many nations.

32.    When He was on this earth, Jesus reached out to sinners. (Luke 15:2xix) He told stories which suggest that some flagrant sinners might be saved in preference to the so-called saints. [(Mark 5:1-20; Luke 17:11-19; Matthew 8:11; 15:21-28)]xx Jesus reached out beyond the borders of Israel, specifically to the demoniacs of Gergesa, the Samaritan leper along the border, the woman of Tyre and Sidon with the demon-possessed daughter, and even to people from the east and the west.

33.    Do you feel a responsibility to unreached people groups? With how many people of other denominations or even of other ethnicities do you associate? How could you reach out in a more sensitive way to them? Is it possible that some apparently serious sinners will enter heaven while some “saints” will be left out? (Matthew 7:21-23xxi)

34.    God expects us to act on the knowledge that we have. It is not that our actions can save us. However, they reveal the truth about us. (James 1:22-23xxii)

35.    Do you think you know some truths that are worth sharing? If so, why are you not sharing them? How many of us are merely intellectual Christians? Does our Christianity really make a difference in the way we live?

36.    What is the difference between merely hearing the Word of God and doing it? Remember that the word obedience in the Greek New Testament is translated from the Greek word hupokoe which means “a humble willingness to listen.”

37.    Were the early disciples so successful in their work because their theme was always Jesus Christ and Him crucified? Or, should we accept the idea that those who preach Christianity are bigoted and insensitive to other religious paths?

38.    One of the most significant stories that Jesus told involving reaching out to others is the story of the good Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37xxiii) Try to imagine yourself in the place of one or more of the participants in that story. What did the priest and the Levite think and feel when Jesus later told the story about them in their presence?

This was no imaginary scene, but an actual occurrence, which was known to be exactly as represented. The priest and the Levite who had passed by on the other side were in the company that listened to Christ’s words.—Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 499.1.

39. What difference does it make in the life of a Christian when s/he shares his/her faith? Have you had an individual experience in sharing your faith? Could you be a Christian and not share your faith? Why? Or, why not?

i-Acts 4:12 Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.”

13 The members of the Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education. They realized then that they had been companions of Jesus.

Psalm 87:Good News Translation (GNT)

4 “I will include Egypt and Babylonia

when I list the nations that obey me;

the people of Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia[a]

I will number among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”

5 Of Zion it will be said

that all nations belong there

and that the Almighty will make her strong.

6 The LORD will write a list of the peoples

and include them all as citizens of Jerusalem.

John 10:16 There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become[a] one flock with one shepherd.

Romans 14:6 Those who think highly of a certain day do so in honor of the Lord; those who will eat anything do so in honor of the Lord, because they give thanks to God for the food. Those who refuse to eat certain things do so in honor of the Lord, and they give thanks to God.

Romans 1:Human Guilt

18 God's anger is revealed from heaven against all the sin and evil of the people whose evil ways prevent the truth from being known.

Romans 2:12 The Gentiles do not have the Law of Moses; they sin and are lost apart from the Law. The Jews have the Law; they sin and are judged by the Law. 13 For it is not by hearing the Law that people are put right with God, but by doing what the Law commands. 14 The Gentiles do not have the Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law. 15 Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them. 16 And so, according to the Good News I preach, this is how it will be on that Day when God through Jesus Christ will judge the secret thoughts of all.

Romans 16:Concluding Prayer of Praise

25 Let us give glory to God! He is able to make you stand firm in your faith, according to the Good News I preach about Jesus Christ and according to the revelation of the secret truth which was hidden for long ages in the past. 26 Now, however, that truth has been brought out into the open through the writings of the prophets; and by the command of the eternal God it is made known to all nations, so that all may believe and obey.

27 To the only God, who alone is all-wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever! Amen.[a]

ii-Revelation 15:Good News Translation (GNT)

3 and singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

“Lord God Almighty,

how great and wonderful are your deeds!

King of the nations,[a]

how right and true are your ways!

iii-Acts 4:12 Salvation is to be found through him alone; in all the world there is no one else whom God has given who can save us.”

iv-Psalm 87:Good News Translation (GNT)

4 “I will include Egypt and Babylonia

when I list the nations that obey me;

the people of Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia[a]

I will number among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”

5 Of Zion it will be said

that all nations belong there

and that the Almighty will make her strong.

6 The LORD will write a list of the peoples

and include them all as citizens of Jerusalem.

John 10:16 There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become[a] one flock with one shepherd.

Acts 14:17 But he has always given evidence of his existence by the good things he does: he gives you rain from heaven and crops at the right times; he gives you food and fills your hearts with happiness.”

Acts 17:25 Nor does he need anything that we can supply by working for him, since it is he himself who gives life and breath and everything else to everyone. 26 From one human being he created all races of people and made them live throughout the whole earth. He himself fixed beforehand the exact times and the limits of the places where they would live. 27 He did this so that they would look for him, and perhaps find him as they felt around for him. Yet God is actually not far from any one of us; 28 as someone has said,

‘In him we live and move and exist.’

It is as some of your poets have said,

‘We too are his children.’

Romans 2:6 For God will reward each of us according to what we have done. 7 Some people keep on doing good, and seek glory, honor, and immortal life; to them God will give eternal life. 12 The Gentiles do not have the Law of Moses; they sin and are lost apart from the Law. The Jews have the Law; they sin and are judged by the Law. 13 For it is not by hearing the Law that people are put right with God, but by doing what the Law commands. 14 The Gentiles do not have the Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law. 15 Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them. 16 And so, according to the Good News I preach, this is how it will be on that Day when God through Jesus Christ will judge the secret thoughts of all.

v-John 12:31 Now is the time for this world to be judged; now the ruler of this world will be overthrown. 32 When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.”

vi-John 14:6 Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.

Revelation 20:14 Then death and the world of the dead were thrown into the lake of fire. (This lake of fire is the second death.) 15 Those who did not have their name written in the book of the living were thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:8 But cowards, traitors, perverts, murderers, the immoral, those who practice magic, those who worship idols, and all liars—the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Daniel 12:2 Many of those who have already died will live again: some will enjoy eternal life, and some will suffer eternal disgrace.

John 3:8 Those who believe in the Son are not judged; but those who do not believe have already been judged, because they have not believed in God's only Son.

Matthew 7:13 “Go in through the narrow gate, because the gate to hell is wide and the road that leads to it is easy, and there are many who travel it. 14 But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it.21 “Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do. 22 When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God's message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!’ 23 Then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!’

2 Thessalonians 2:9 The Wicked One will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false miracles and wonders, 10 and use every kind of wicked deceit on those who will perish. They will perish because they did not welcome and love the truth so as to be saved.

vii-John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior.

viii-1 Kings 8:46 “When your people sin against you—and there is no one who does not sin—and in your anger you let their enemies defeat them and take them as prisoners to some other land, even if that land is far away,

2 Chronicle 6:36 “When your people sin against you—and there is no one who does not sin—and in your anger you let their enemies defeat them and take them as prisoners to some other land, even if that land is far away,

Ecclesiastes 7:20 There is no one on earth who does what is right all the time and never makes a mistake.

Psalm 14:Good News Translation (GNT)

3 But they have all gone wrong;

they are all equally bad.

Not one of them does what is right,

not a single one.

Romans 3:Good News Translation (GNT)

10 As the Scriptures say:

“There is no one who is righteous,

23 everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence.

1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make a liar out of God, and his word is not in us.

ix-Acts 17:30 God has overlooked the times when people did not know him, but now he commands all of them everywhere to turn away from their evil ways.

Acts 26:20 First in Damascus and in Jerusalem and then in the whole country of Israel and among the Gentiles, I preached that they must repent of their sins and turn to God and do the things that would show they had repented.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins.

1 Timothy 2:4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to know the truth.

x-Genesis 6:11 but everyone else was evil in God's sight, and violence had spread everywhere. 12 God looked at the world and saw that it was evil, for the people were all living evil lives.

13 God said to Noah, “I have decided to put an end to all people. I will destroy them completely, because the world is full of their violent deeds.

Romans 1:18 God's anger is revealed from heaven against all the sin and evil of the people whose evil ways prevent the truth from being known.

2 Thessalonians 2:12 The result is that all who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in sin, will be condemned.

Revelation 21:8 But cowards, traitors, perverts, murderers, the immoral, those who practice magic, those who worship idols, and all liars—the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Revelation 22:15 But outside the city are the perverts and those who practice magic, the immoral and the murderers, those who worship idols and those who are liars both in words and deeds.

xi-Ephesians 3:9 and of making all people see how God's secret plan is to be put into effect. God, who is the Creator of all things, kept his secret hidden through all the past ages, 10 in order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms.

xii-1 Corinthians 9:22 Among the weak in faith I become weak like one of them, in order to win them. So I become all things to all people, that I may save some of them by whatever means are possible.

23 All this I do for the gospel's sake, in order to share in its blessings.

xiii-Matthew 28:19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people. 20 The disciples went and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and proved that their preaching was true by the miracles that were performed.]

Acts 1:8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

xiv-Matthew 26:13 Now, I assure you that wherever this gospel is preached all over the world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Mark 14:9 Now, I assure you that wherever the gospel is preached all over the world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people.

Matthew 24:14 And this Good News about the Kingdom will be preached through all the world for a witness to all people; and then the end will come.

xv-Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying high in the air, with an eternal message of Good News to announce to the peoples of the earth, to every race, tribe, language, and nation. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Honor God and praise his greatness! For the time has come for him to judge all people. Worship him who made heaven, earth, sea, and the springs of water!”

8 A second angel followed the first one, saying, “She has fallen! Great Babylon has fallen! She made all peoples drink her wine—the strong wine of her immoral lust!”

9 A third angel followed the first two, saying in a loud voice, “Those who worship the beast and its image and receive the mark on their forehead or on their hand 10 will themselves drink God's wine, the wine of his fury, which he has poured at full strength into the cup of his anger! All who do this will be tormented in fire and sulfur before the holy angels and the Lamb. 11 The smoke of the fire that torments them goes up forever and ever. There is no relief day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, for anyone who has the mark of its name.”

12 This calls for endurance on the part of God's people, those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to Jesus.

xvi-Matthew 28:19 Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”

xvii-Romans 10:14 But how can they call to him for help if they have not believed? And how can they believe if they have not heard the message? And how can they hear if the message is not proclaimed? 15 And how can the message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent out? As the scripture says, “How wonderful is the coming of messengers who bring good news!”

xviii-Genesis 17:4 “I make this covenant with you: I promise that you will be the ancestor of many nations. 5 Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham,[a] because I am making you the ancestor of many nations. 6 I will give you many descendants, and some of them will be kings. You will have so many descendants that they will become nations.

xix-Luke 15:2 the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law started grumbling, “This man welcomes outcasts and even eats with them!”

xx-Mark 5:Jesus Heals a Man with Evil Spirits

5 Jesus and his disciples arrived on the other side of Lake Galilee, in the territory of Gerasa. 2 As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, he was met by a man who came out of the burial caves there. This man had an evil spirit in him 3 and lived among the tombs. Nobody could keep him tied with chains any more; 4 many times his feet and his hands had been tied, but every time he broke the chains and smashed the irons on his feet. He was too strong for anyone to control him. 5 Day and night he wandered among the tombs and through the hills, screaming and cutting himself with stones.

6 He was some distance away when he saw Jesus; so he ran, fell on his knees before him, 7 and screamed in a loud voice, “Jesus, Son of the Most High God! What do you want with me? For God's sake, I beg you, don't punish me!” (8 He said this because Jesus was saying, “Evil spirit, come out of this man!”)

9 So Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

The man answered, “My name is ‘Mob’—there are so many of us!” 10 And he kept begging Jesus not to send the evil spirits out of that region.

11 There was a large herd of pigs near by, feeding on a hillside. 12 So the spirits begged Jesus, “Send us to the pigs, and let us go into them.” 13 He let them go, and the evil spirits went out of the man and entered the pigs. The whole herd—about two thousand pigs in all—rushed down the side of the cliff into the lake and was drowned.

14 The men who had been taking care of the pigs ran away and spread the news in the town and among the farms. People went out to see what had happened, 15 and when they came to Jesus, they saw the man who used to have the mob of demons in him. He was sitting there, clothed and in his right mind; and they were all afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the man with the demons, and about the pigs.

17 So they asked Jesus to leave their territory.

18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had had the demons begged him, “Let me go with you!”

19 But Jesus would not let him. Instead, he told him, “Go back home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how kind he has been to you.”

20 So the man left and went all through the Ten Towns, telling what Jesus had done for him. And all who heard it were amazed.

Luke 17:11 As Jesus made his way to Jerusalem, he went along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 He was going into a village when he was met by ten men suffering from a dreaded skin disease. They stood at a distance 13 and shouted, “Jesus! Master! Have pity on us!”

14 Jesus saw them and said to them, “Go and let the priests examine you.”

On the way they were made clean.[a] 15 When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself to the ground at Jesus' feet and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus spoke up, “There were ten who were healed; where are the other nine? 18 Why is this foreigner the only one who came back to give thanks to God?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Get up and go; your faith has made you well.”

Matthew 8:11 I assure you that many will come from the east and the west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 15:21 Jesus left that place and went off to the territory near the cities of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman who lived in that region came to him. “Son of David!” she cried out. “Have mercy on me, sir! My daughter has a demon and is in a terrible condition.”

23 But Jesus did not say a word to her. His disciples came to him and begged him, “Send her away! She is following us and making all this noise!”

24 Then Jesus replied, “I have been sent only to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.”

25 At this the woman came and fell at his feet. “Help me, sir!” she said.

26 Jesus answered, “It isn't right to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs.”

27 “That's true, sir,” she answered, “but even the dogs eat the leftovers that fall from their masters' table.”

28 So Jesus answered her, “You are a woman of great faith! What you want will be done for you.” And at that very moment her daughter was healed.

xxi-Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do. 22 When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God's message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!’ 23 Then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!’

xxii-James 1:22 Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. 23 If you listen to the word, but do not put it into practice you are like people who look in a mirror and see themselves as they are.

xxiii-Luke 10:The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 A teacher of the Law came up and tried to trap Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to receive eternal life?”

26 Jesus answered him, “What do the Scriptures say? How do you interpret them?”

27 The man answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’”

28 “You are right,” Jesus replied; “do this and you will live.”

29 But the teacher of the Law wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”

30 Jesus answered, “There was once a man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attacked him, stripped him, and beat him up, leaving him half dead. 31 It so happened that a priest was going down that road; but when he saw the man, he walked on by on the other side. 32 In the same way a Levite also came there, went over and looked at the man, and then walked on by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity. 34 He went over to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them; then he put the man on his own animal and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he told the innkeeper, ‘and when I come back this way, I will pay you whatever else you spend on him.’”

36 And Jesus concluded, “In your opinion, which one of these three acted like a neighbor toward the man attacked by the robbers?”

37 The teacher of the Law answered, “The one who was kind to him.”

Jesus replied, “You go, then, and do the same.”

Table of Contents

i

ii

iii

iv

v

vi

vii

viii

ix

x

xi

xii

xiii

xiv

xv

xvi

xvii

xviii

xix

xx

xxi

xxii

xxiii

i-

ii-

iii-

iv-

v-

vi-

vii-

viii-

ix-

x-

xi-

xii-

xiii-

xiv-

xv-

xvi-

xvii-

xviii-

xix-

xx-

xxi-

xxii-

xxiii-