Evangelism and missions have fallen on hard times. There is general discouragement and pessimism in the church that evangelism is not an effective way to extend the Kingdom of Christ among the nations. When many believers hear the Scriptures say, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14), they conclude that this verse refers not to the Kingdom in this life but the next. But Christ has directed his laborers to go—now, and here—in the Great Commission.

When Psalm 72:19 encourages us to pray, “Blessed be his glorious Name forever! May the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!”, that double amen should surely motivate God’s people to make every biblical effort to pray for and in reliance on the Holy Spirit to labor in their calling for the extension of the Kingdom of Christ. 

With the proliferation of cults and false religions it is even more imperative that the Church examine herself once again to see that she is fulfilling her calling. As many have abandoned their biblical calling in missions and evangelism, it has given rise to many false ideas of missions and evangelism which has further weakened the Church’s witness to the nations.

The Great Commission, given by Christ before His ascension to the right hand of God, is a declaration of victory for His Church. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus declared that the gates of hell would not prevail against her. The Church’s victory is assured in His resurrection and ascension. The length and breadth of that victory lies in the Great Commission itself as it speaks of the promise of victory, the scope of victory and the assurance of victory. 

The promise of victory lies in the hands of Him who leads the conquest. An army is only as good as the general who leads it. Christ Jesus is the supreme heavenly commander of the Army of God! To Him has been committed “all authority” (Matt. 22:18). It is this Christ who goes forth “conquering and to conquer” (Rev 6:2). He is the wisdom and power of God (1 Cor. 1:24). “The kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and His Christ” (Rev 11:15). He has been given authority over all angels, principalities, powers, kings, and rulers, both in heaven and earth. (Eph.1:20-23). It is because of this authority that the Church is promised victory. The Church will be victorious as she follows Christ in His conquest of the nations.

The scope of Christ’s victory is set forth in two ways. First, His authority is in heaven and earth. All of God’s creation is under His messianic rule. Satan has been bound (Rev. 20:1-2) so that his house may be spoiled (Mark 3:27-29). Secondly, Jesus commands His Church to go! Go to every nation, every kindred, every tribe, and to every tongue. As the Lord’s rule is universal, so shall His Church be established universally. (Isa. 11:9). The Church must be obedient to its commission. Luke reminds us that the Church would be a witness “unto the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8). In Psalm 72 Solomon tells us that Christ’s victory will be universal: “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea. And from the river unto the ends of the earth” (vv. 8-11). Christ’s Church should not be discouraged or pessimistic; the Church should be confident and faithful. After all, Jesus said, “And lo, I am with you always, even to unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20 ASV). 

As the King and Head of His Church, Christ Jesus is worthy of our trust. All of God’s promises are “Yea and Amen in Him” (2 Cor. 1:20). He has not, nor will He fail in all that the Father has given Him to do. He calls the Church to obedience in her service to Him. It is the Church’s duty to go and disciple the nations—not only her duty, but also her privilege! No sacrifice, no hardship, no struggle, is too great to cause the Church to fail in its task to proclaim Christ among the nations as she follows her commander.