Isaiah 6:8: “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom Shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, “Here I am, send me.” (ESV all emphasis is mine.)
Matthew 28:19-20 is our Great Commission: “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.”
When following Our Savior’s Great Commission, in decades past, before cell phones and computers and such, people would become missionaries and literally travel to remote parts of the world to try to spread the Gospel. Their goal was to get the message of Jesus even to primitive tribes, and sometimes at the cost of their lives. Others did their part by providing funds and supplies for the missionaries.
Even today, in some parts of the world, there is hostility toward anyone who speaks of Christianity. In certain areas that are predominantly ruled by man-made religions, Christians are persecuted and martyred, as well as anyone who is not of their beliefs and is not willing to convert. It’s considered blasphemy against their so-called deities. This will continue at least until our Savior shuts down the coming tribulation to rule from Jerusalem for a thousand years, and even then, there will be a final rebellion at the end of that time led by Satan.
Jesus knew that more people would believe and accept the ways of the world rather than receive and accept Him (Matthew 7:13-14). While He was in human form on this earth, He made it known that He would force no one to receive and accept Him, but it would be each individual’s choice. He would not turn anyone away who truly believed in Him. It wasn’t until He rose from the dead that some of His disciples finally and totally believed in Him.
Peter denied Jesus three times when the Savior was under arrest, yet after Jesus appeared to him and others after He arose, Peter became adamant in his belief that Jesus is truly our Lord and Savior.
John 5:24: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
Saul, or Paul, was one who took great pleasure in persecuting people of the “Way,” as the early Church was called. He had no problem testifying against them, even though it led to many of their deaths. After his encounter with Jesus on that road to Damascus, he became even more adamant that Jesus was truly our Savior, and refused to stop his ministry even at the cost of his own life.
When someone truly receives and accepts Jesus as their Savior, the result is immediate. There are no waiting periods, no special works or tasks that have to be accomplished, and no special fees to pay. The first example of the ABCs of Salvation took place at the crucifixion.
Luke 23:39-43: “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save Yourself and us.’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving our just reward of our deeds; [A – admit/confess]; but this Man has done nothing wrong. [B-believe] And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom’ [C-call]. And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”
We’re told in Matthew 7:14 that Jesus stated that the narrow way leading to life was hard. He knew that more people would find it easier to go along with the ways of the world and believe there had to be more to gaining Salvation. Unfortunately, Satan’s influence is sometimes easier to accept because of his famous “did God really say” line. It worked in the Garden of Eden and is still effective today.
False prophets in some churches today are finding it profitable to “tweak” the true word to say what they believe their members want to hear. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:18 that the actual word of the Cross is folly or foolish to people who don’t want to be told their lifestyles are sinful.
For anyone who studies God’s word, the messages from the false prophets should set off alarms. But for those who are content with man’s versions, they will continue to fill seats and collection plates, believing they have “earned” a slot in Heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 corrects this idea completely.
Our best action would be to read the word of the Lord for ourselves, and in a true version of the Bible we can understand. We need to call out for our Lord and Savior to forgive us and add us to His precious flock, as we believe He is truly our Eternal Shepherd (Romans 10:9-13).
Dan Schutte wrote a song that takes Isaiah 6:8 into account. It is called “Here I Am Lord.”
1.) I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard My people cry; all who dwell in dark and sin, My hand will save.
2.) I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright; who will bear My light to them? Whom shall I send?
Ref.) Here I am, Lord; is it I, Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go, Lord, if you lead me; I will hold Your people in my heart.
3.) I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame; I will set a feast for them; Whom Shall I Send? (ref)
4.) Finest bread I will provide, till their hearts be satisfied; I will give My life to them. Whom shall I send? (Ref)
We do not know the day, hour, or even minute when the Holy Spirit will be pulled back to allow the ultimate evil antichrist to come out to deceive the earth. When that takes place, all who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, all who are a part of our Savior’s flock, will be taken up to meet Jesus in the air in what will be known as the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-12, and Revelation 3:10).
Our Heavenly Father knows exactly when this will happen, and through Jesus, John Peter, Paul and others, He has told us of events that will be taking place near that time. According to scripture, those prophecies are taking place more and more with each passing day. As recorded in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
After the Rapture takes place, the next seven years on this earth will turn out worse than this earth has ever experienced. We are already seeing attitudes turning against anything that has to do with Jesus, and this is true even in America. However, any persecution today is nothing compared to those tribulation years; just claiming to be a follower of Jesus will most likely lead to martyrdom.
While the opportunity still exists, now would be a great time to consider receiving and accepting Jesus as Savior, if you haven’t already done so. No one who truly calls out for Him to provide them an eternal home with Him will be turned away.
All who refuse to have Jesus as their Savior will be making a reservation at the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15. No one who gets there will get pardoned or receive a reduced sentence. It’s forever in the lake of fire with Satan and all his demons (fallen angels).
Just a call, “Here I Am, Lord; please forgive me and be my Savior forever. It’s an individual choice, and it’s completely up to you!
Come, Lord Jesus! Shalom!