The Mystery of the Nations: Scene Five
Scripture has a fascinating word picture of an old pirate’s telescope coming into full strength and focus as it’s extended one stage at a time: telos. It’s often translated ‘end’ and while Jesus described ‘the end’ that’s the word He chose.
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 24:14
His ultimate goal was the ethnos, nations, even though He came to His chosen people first; with their rejection the door of salvation was opened to anyone who believes (Rom. 11:11-12). His foreshadow or preview, earlier in His ministry, indicated the Temple in Jerusalem would be a ‘house of prayer for all nations’ (Mark 11:17 quoting Is. 56:7); the telescope was unfolding. It’s clear that Jesus desires a full house (Luke 14:23) of people (ethnos) who love and obey Him,
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people (nations) producing its fruits. Matthew 21:43
Those people are the widely diverse nations of the world whom even Caiaphas unknowingly prophesied,
“Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. John 11:50-52
Who are the scattered people? Remember the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11)? He scattered them, but will eventually gather them again: it’s back to Eden.
After the resurrection Jesus decided to meet with His disciples in Galilee for 40 days before ascending back into heaven awaiting His final return. Why Galilee and not Jerusalem … Galilee of the Nations; the telescope is unfolding closer to full strength.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations … Matthew 28:19a
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15
… and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47
It’s amazing that with all of these Scriptures any believer could possibly have an attitude of superiority of their race or ethnic background. Clearly Jesus wanted His Bride, His Church, to be a diverse group of people giving us a ‘taste’ of what eternity will look like on the new earth when the telescope is fully extended and the goal is finally reached.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight … Jesus loves the many nations of the world!
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