The Nations

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 (emphasis added)

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:18-20 (emphasis added)

I just watched a dear brother in Christ get on an airplane to Vietnam, where he is moving to live for this next season of his life in his nation of ethnic origin.

In just over a week I will get on an airplane to Kenya, where I am moving to live for this next season of my life in my nation of ethnic origin.

Even though I've only known Tony for a couple of months, I have great affection for him because of his commitment to the truth of Jesus Christ crucified and risen for the sake of rebellious sinners like me who only deserve the wrath of a righteous God but through Jesus get only grace.

And one day soon, multitudes from Vietnam and Kenya and every other nation on the planet who are seeing each other for only the first time will have an immeasurably greater depth of affection for one another because of our singular, undivided, all-consuming passion to praise the Lamb for sinners slain who wrote with blood our eternal praise!

Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.

Revelation 5:9-10 (emphasis added)

Even so, come Lord Jesus!