God’s Salvation Shall Reach All Nations and Peoples
In this end-time generation, the world witnesses the emergence of false christs and prophets deceiving many; an increase in wars and rumors of unrest; famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places; the persecution of believers; the cooling of human love; and the Gospel being preached to the whole world.
As the world enters the Great Tribulation and celestial signs appear, we know that the Son of Man will ultimately return in glory.
1, Israel: The Starting Point of God’s Salvation
Isaiah 49:6:
“I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth."
From this scripture, we see that God first chose the nation of Israel. He intends to bring light to all nations through them. Israel is the starting point of God’s salvation, not the destination.
2, Salvation Only Through Jesus Christ
John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Acts 4:12: "Salvation is found in no one else."
These verses clarify that humanity can only receive God’s salvation through Jesus. No man-made religion, culture, theology, or philosophy can grant this salvation.
3, God Uses the Nations to Fulfill His Plan
Isaiah 44:28 & 45:1–3: God speaks of Cyrus as His "shepherd" and His "anointed," whose right hand He upholds to subdue nations.
Ezra 1:1–4: King Cyrus of Persia issued a decree to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah.
God utilizes even those from outside Israel to accomplish His divine will. King Cyrus of the Persian Empire was called "Anointed" in a prophecy written 150 years before his birth. History confirms he allowed the Jews to return and rebuild the Temple.
4, Seeking First the Kingdom and Righteousness
Matthew 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Scripture warns that those who deny Jesus as the Christ are of the antichrist. While some seek to build a "Third Temple" in Jerusalem or perform pilgrimages to Mecca or Islamic shrines, they miss the truth: Jesus Himself is the Temple.
Without recognizing Him as the Son of God, how can one escape the cycle of hatred, war, and eternal destruction? Only those who continually do the will of the Heavenly Father shall enter the Kingdom.
5, Former Enemies Worshiping Together
Isaiah 19:23–25: “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria... The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth."
Historically, Egypt enslaved Israel, and Assyria destroyed the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C. They were bitter enemies. Yet, God prophesied a day when they would worship together, calling Egypt "My people" and Assyria "My handiwork."
Today, we see this moving forward as Iran (part of ancient Assyria) becomes one of the fastest-growing Christian populations in the world.
6, Loving One Another and Our Neighbors
Matthew 22:37–39: "Love the Lord your God... and love your neighbor as yourself."
John 15:12
This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Matthew 6:14
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide His garments.
Luke 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever continues to believe in Him should not perish but continue to have eternal life.
From these scriptures, it is clear that we must love one another and love our neighbors as ourselves according to God’s will, just as Jesus loved the world. The way Jesus loved humanity was by helping people know the Truth and receive God’s salvation. He carried the cross and laid down His life for the world; He helped mankind to know God, to repent and return to Him, to obey His will, to walk in the Light, to receive salvation, to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and to attain eternal life.
What is Jesus' true definition of loving each other and loving neighbors as oneself? The true meaning of Jesus’ commands to "love one another," "love your neighbor as yourself," "love your enemies," and "forgive others" is to help people recognize the Truth and obtain God's salvation.
Only if Egypt, Assyria, and Israel honor Jesus as the Christ can they truly love one another, love their neighbors, love their enemies, and forgive according to His command. Only then can they cast aside their hatred and the opposing positions of their nations; only then can they worship God together in one heart and one mind.
7, Salvation to the Ends of the Earth: All Nations and Peoples Worshiping God
Isaiah 49:6
"I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth."
Isaiah 43:5
"I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you."
Revelation 16:12
"...to prepare the way for the kings from the East (the land of the rising sun)."
Revelation 7:9
"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb."
These scriptures reveal that in the end times, people from every nation, tribe, people, and tongue will gather before God in worship. God’s salvation will reach the ends of the earth, including the nations of Asia.
Thanks be to the Lord! He is working in East Asia, which has become one of the fastest-growing regions for the Christian faith in the world.
When all nations and peoples worship God together in unity, the grand history of God’s plan of salvation—as revealed throughout the Bible—will reach its final and glorious completion. Amen.
