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 (Manna 27)
Towards the Year 2000

Towards The Year 2000

John Yang (Los Angeles, USA, Translated from Chinese)

Four years from now, 2000 AD will mark the end of the current century and usher in a new century. Some Christians believe that it is also quite likely to mark the end of humankind. For more than 100 years, many have fallen into the folly of fixing the date of the Lord’s return. None of these predictions have proven true. We ought to be careful to avoid such hasty conclusions as that the Lord will return no later than 2000 AD. Jesus has said that the day of His return will not be made known to man (Mt 24:36). What really matters is to ponder over how the church should strive during the four years preceding the turn of the century to spread the Gospel of salvation to the lands it has not yet reached, and to perfect the spiritual virtues of the TrueChurch in preparation for the Lord’s return at any time.

More than 1,900 years ago, our Lord, the incarnated Word, came to the world to preach the good news of the heavenly kingdom. To redeem us from the world and deliver us into the heavenly home, He was crucified on our behalf and secured our salvation (1 Cor 15:1-3). Ten days after His ascension, the promised Holy Spirit was bestowed upon the disciples, who were greatly empowered to preach the Gospel in all Judea, Samaria and, through Antioch, spread it abroad to places such as Galatia, Media, Asia, Macedonia, Athaia and Rome. Regrettably, in subsequent years, the pure Gospel was lost in the Roman Empire’s integration of church and state. Although Martin Luther advocated reform in the 16th century, erroneous teachings still permeate both the Orthodox and Protestant churches today (cfEze 23:1-2, 11). Thanks to God’s grace, in His scheduled time, the Holy Spirit of the Latter Rain descended during this end time, restoring the knowledge of the Truth in many countries throughout the five continents.

During the four concluding years of this century, the church must renew her awareness of God’s two great commissions of evangelising to the world and pastoring the flock, moving forward valiantly.

Preaching to Assemblies

The church can hold more evangelistic meetings, on a weekly or at least monthly basis, so that members may have the opportunity to invite their friends, relatives and even stran­gers to attend. With discretion, home gatherings can be used for evangelistic purposes. The church may also organise groups to preach in hospitals, prisons, schools or jointly hold large-scale evangelistic meetings with nearby TrueJesusChurches.

Step up Prayer for the Spread of the Gospel

Besides intensifying our efforts in preaching the Gospel, we also need to pray more earnestly for this mission. To bring souls into subjection to Christ and acceptance of salvation, we need the Truth, miracles and the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:18; Acts 1:8). The General Assemblies in various countries and the International Assembly should rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and find ways to actively promote the Gospel both at home and overseas (cf Mt 24:14; Rom 15:20-23).

Conclusion

In conclusion, we should not arbitrar­ily connect the year 2000 to the end of the world. We only need to cherish and direct our efforts towards the two main missions of the church as outlined above.

Evangelising to the world and pastoring the flock are analogous to the two wheels of a vehicle. To push it forward, equal amounts of power must be applied on both wheels. The International Assembly and the General Assemblies in various countries should develop overall strategies and plans to be executed in phases. Especially with regard to the work for the next four years, a pace must be deliberated and decided upon, announced to the entire congregation, so that every member can attend to his duty and act in concert.

May the Lord work with us so that by the year 2000 the holy work will see great accomplishments —unprecedented increases in membership and number of churches — acceptable to the Lord, to the glory of His name. Amen!

Evangelising to the World (Mk 16:15)

Believers

The church has to encourage all believers, young and old, to be courageous in witnessing to others. They are to preach the Gospel in word (through conversation and verbal persuasion), deed (through good virtue and behaviour, shining for the Lord to attract people to Him) and literature (writing, publications), introducing the salvation of the Lord to relatives, friends, neighbours and strangers (Rom 1:14-15).

The Church

Personal Evangelism by Districts Divide the locality of the church into several districts and organise the believers to preach through spoken and written word, house to house, district by district.

Pastoring The Flock (Jn 21:15.19; Eph 4:11.16; 5:26-27)

Establish faith

Build up believers’ faith in the Lord Jesus and His True Church according to biblical teachings. Only faith rooted in the Truth can grow and bear fruit (Mt 13:20; Isa 37:31; 27:6; Jn 15:1-6; 1 Jn 2:19).

Build Up Virtue and Character

We have to encourage members to pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and for constant infilling so as to be renewed inwardly and manifest the image of Christ, becoming the light of the world and the salt of the earth (lit 3:5; Eph 4:20-24; Mt 5:13-16).

Live for the Lord

We have to constantly remind members of the Lord’s grace in His propitiatory death and encourage them to set their minds on living for the Lord, each faithfully serving God according to his gift, and through the bond of love build up the church (Rom 14:7-8 ; 2 Cor 5:14; Eph 4:11-16).

 

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Author: John Yang
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