Gospel to the "whole" world?

[B/W Photodude]

How will the gospel ever come to these people?

http://www.foxnews.com/science/2015/07/22/try-to-visit-this-island-and-may-not-leave-alive/

 

[Sojourner]

In Australia Christian organizations broadcast the gospel into Indonesia via short wave radio set ups so people can tune in and listen and they can submit their details for Bible correspondance courses if they wish. This is one way to get the message across. As for this specific group it is likely the gospel will only reach there by Christians that are martyred for it. Yet it is also true that if they refuse it then the missionaries can move on also.

Edited July 23, 2015 by Sojourner

[B/W Photodude]

This particular culture appeared to be living a very primitive lifestyle. I highly doubt they had any radios. And quite probably, no one can interpret their language as yet because they don't seem to live very long when they are on this island.

[Naomi]

I can't speak for this island or their language, however, AWR (Adventist World Radio), with God's help, has managed to reach extremely remote areas.  They have skilled translators who have created miracles .  I would hope that if they have not reached this island that perhaps in the not so distant future our radios will appear and bring the Good News of Salvation to the natives.

[Lauralea]

Elizabeth Elliott was a missionary in South America to the same group of people who martyred her husband, and sadly some will even lose their lives preaching the Gospel, but ultimately, the prophecy of Jesus will be fulfilled and after that He will return.

[B/W Photodude]

I would hope that if they have not reached this island that perhaps in the not so distant future our radios will appear and bring the Good News of Salvation to the natives.

I see 2 problems in reaching these people:

1. They seem to live at a primitive level of not having radios. Their most advanced level of technology is metal arrowheads made from washed up metal. Their distrust of outsiders may make them destroy any outside radios on arrival.

2. Someone would have to survive there long enough to win their trust and learn their language. I suspect it will be unlike any other language.

Not to be too pessimistic as God has his ways of getting to anyone. I believe that part of the end time evagelism will be done by God and the angels and these people may have to be one of his "special projects."

[Geoarrge]

I've been thinking it might be interesting to develop a pictorial rendition of the Bible, since these people aren't teaching their language nor do they likely have it in written form.

Edited August 23, 2015 by Geoarrge

[Aliensanctuary]

I'm thinking that the only way for the entire world to hear the good news is after the 2nd Resurrection. If the 1st Resurrection is composed of 144K, then the rest of us and the world will re-awaken at the 2nd Resurrection. It's during this time that the 2 Witnesses and the Three Angels explain the Kingdom of YHVH to everyone who ever lived and they can choose to join, or not. Once marked with the mark of YHVH or the mark of Satan, the choice is irrevocable.

Even though many, many people have never even heard of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom, they will hear the Good News at this time and have just as good of an opportunity to join as everyone else.

[Lauralea]

I'm thinking that the only way for the entire world to hear the good news is after the 2nd Resurrection. If the 1st Resurrection is composed of 144K, then the rest of us and the world will re-awaken at the 2nd Resurrection. It's during this time that the 2 Witnesses and the Three Angels explain the Kingdom of YHVH to everyone who ever lived and they can choose to join, or not. Once marked with the mark of YHVH or the mark of Satan, the choice is irrevocable.

Even though many, many people have never even heard of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom, they will hear the Good News at this time and have just as good of an opportunity to join as everyone else.

It is appointed to man once to die, and after that the judgement. Those who are resurrected in the Second Resurrection will have chosen against the Lord and will not unfortunately have another chance to accept the truth.

[B/W Photodude]

I've been thinking it might be interesting to develop a pictorial rendition of the Bible, since these people aren't teaching their language nor do they likely have it in written form.

Since language is a problem, perhaps they could show some silent movies such as by Cecil B. DeMille. His movie "King of Kings" (1927) might be a good start.

http://www.cecilbdemille.com/king.html

(read the trivia regarding this movie)

[Tom Wetmore]

This topic does raise some difficult and seemingly unresolvable dilemmas.  There are entire people groups such as noted in the OP that have disappeared from the face of the earth, not to mention innumerable individuals that have lived and died without hearing the gospel, not even hearing of Jesus name.  What about them?

And even now, it seems to us that we are having great success in growing the body of Christ with evangelism and thousands being baptized in a single evangelism efforts.  But put that in perspective of the population growth numbers worldwide and we are no even keeping up with that.  More broadly, The percentage of Chrisitians in the world is shrinking.  

This is reinforces the idea that in the end, it will not be our efforts that finish the work.  It can only happen by supernatural means.  God will step in and once again demonstrate that it is Him all along that accomplishes His purposes.  We will stand back awestruck.

[Samie]

This topic does raise some difficult and seemingly unresolvable dilemmas.  There are entire people groups such as noted in the OP that have disappeared from the face of the earth, not to mention innumerable individuals that have lived and died without hearing the gospel, not even hearing of Jesus name.  What about them?

I believe people are born written in the Book of Life and are therefore heaven-bound until deleted.  Those who have lived and died without hearing the gospel, not even hearing of Jesus name, have their own overcoming to do, I guess (see Rom 2:14-16). And it is God Who judges whether one is an overcomer or not.  And overcomers will not be blotted out from the Book of Life (Rev 3:5).

[pnattmbtc]

This topic does raise some difficult and seemingly unresolvable dilemmas.  There are entire people groups such as noted in the OP that have disappeared from the face of the earth, not to mention innumerable individuals that have lived and died without hearing the gospel, not even hearing of Jesus name.  What about them?

And even now, it seems to us that we are having great success in growing the body of Christ with evangelism and thousands being baptized in a single evangelism efforts.  But put that in perspective of the population growth numbers worldwide and we are no even keeping up with that.  More broadly, The percentage of Chrisitians in the world is shrinking.  

This is reinforces the idea that in the end, it will not be our efforts that finish the work.  It can only happen by supernatural means.  God will step in and once again demonstrate that it is Him all along that accomplishes His purposes.  We will stand back awestruck.

The Spirit of Prophesy says that in the 1888 era that had God's plans been followed, things could have been finished, and Christ could have come.  There were only 30,000 or so Adventists back then.  So there's no problem in there not being enough human resources.

The problem with the idea that God will unilaterally do something is, if He could do this (meaning in accordance with how He has chosen to run things, not implying that He is physically incapable), then why would he wait almost 200 years?  No, God is not to blame for the delay in Christ's coming (I know this is not your intent, to blame God, but one could infer this).  He is just waiting for a bride that is mature, that will respond to the wishes of the bridegroom, who's not just in it for the cake, but out of love for the groom. 

[Deaconess]

Even these remote peoples have access to the book of nature which sings of God's beauty and goodness.   

[JoeMo]

Even these remote peoples have access to the book of nature which sings of God's beauty and goodness.   

I agree that nature tells us about the Father.  But what does it tell us about Jesus?  How do people that have never heard of Jesus and His sacrifice and grace learn who He is unless someone tells them?  They could see the things of nature and also attribute them to a pagan god (which animists do).

Edited August 27, 2015 by JoeMo

[Aliensanctuary]

It is appointed to man once to die, and after that the judgement. Those who are resurrected in the Second Resurrection will have chosen against the Lord and will not unfortunately have another chance to accept the truth.

Does that mean that there will be a lot of competition for the 1st Resurrection, that of the 144K? After the 2nd Resurrection, during which the whole world will be informed as to what the Kingdom of YHVH is about, if we wish to join, we must forgive all who have harmed or wronged us, even if they murdered us or our family members or stole our possessions. Even those who are diligent students of the scriptures have a limited understanding of what the Kingdom is. Our religions create clouds and smoke so that we have an even more difficult time trying to understand the Kingdom.

The times and events of the future are already set, and we cannot change them. I don't believe the LORD is delaying or hastening his return for anything such as SDA's who wish to somehow purify themselves. 

Edited August 27, 2015 by Aliensanctuary

[8thdaypriest]

Most read the words "this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached to all the world" and "then the END will come" -  and understand the "end" to be the Second Coming in glory.  All the world - at that point in time, must have heard the Gospel. 

What about all those who lived and died WITHOUT ever hearing the Gospel??  Aren't those people part of "all the world" ??

That is why I believe that all of those who died in ignorance will be resurrected at the 8th millennium, then taught the things of God,  then allowed to CHOOSE. 

Only THEN can "the END" really come.    To me - "the END" will be the final END of sin itself, along with Satan and His evil forces.  This END is not the Second Coming. 

 

[Samie]

Most read the words "this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached to all the world" and "then the END will come" -  and understand the "end" to be the Second Coming in glory.  All the world - at that point in time, must have heard the Gospel. 

What about all those who lived and died WITHOUT ever hearing the Gospel??  Aren't those people part of "all the world" ??

That is why I believe that all of those who died in ignorance will be resurrected at the 8th millennium, then taught the things of God,  then allowed to CHOOSE. 

Only THEN can "the END" really come.    To me - "the END" will be the final END of sin itself, along with Satan and His evil forces.  This END is not the Second Coming. 

The verse says "this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached to all the world" and "then the END will come" and you understand “preached to all the world" as saying “All the world - at that point in time, must have heard the Gospel”.  “Preached to all” does not necessarily mean “heard by all”.  A teacher also “preaches” to all in her class yet not everyone “hears”.

I think “to all the world” is territorial instead of individual. Birth rate far outruns death rate, and much more, it far outruns conversion rate.  Yet Scriptures say that the redeemed is composed of “every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation”. 

And at the Second Coming, Jesus said He will reward EVERY MAN according to his works:

^NIV Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

^NAS Revelation 22:12 "Behold, ^aI am coming quickly, and My ^breward is with Me, ^cto render to every man ¹according to what he has done.

 

I understand the above verses to mean that every person born into this world – those who have heard the gospel and those who have not – will be present to receive his own reward.  Those whose names remained written in the Book of Life will be rewarded with life eternal; all others with the wrath of God.

The good news is we were born with our names written in the Book of Life and hence are born heaven-bound until deleted.

In Matthew 24, the chapter where Jesus spoke about the preaching of the gospel to all the world, the end looks more like the Second Coming (Matthew 24:14-31), because He spoke of no other terminating event but His coming in glory.

You asked:

 “What about all those who lived and died WITHOUT ever hearing the Gospel??  Aren't those people part of "all the world" ?"

And concluded:

^"That is why I believe that all of those who died in ignorance will be resurrected at the 8th millennium, then taught the things of God,  then allowed to CHOOSE. ”

 

It appears that you believe “all the world” includes every person born in this world.  Let’s apply your logic to the following verse:

 

^NKJ Matthew 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

If to you “all the world” means every person in this world – those who have heard the gospel and those who have not, then all the tribes of the earth must necessarily mean every person in all the tribes of the earth. And how can those who are now dead see Him come unless they are resurrected?

Your logic brings us to the inevitable conclusion that every person will see our Lord when He comes in glory. And each of them will be given his own reward.

^NIV Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

It looks more like there’s no need for an 8^th millennium rewarding, I guess.

[8thdaypriest]

 

Your logic brings us to the inevitable conclusion that every person will see our Lord when He comes in glory. And each of them will be given his own reward.

Not "inevitable" Samie.  Not at all. 

We have argued this ENDLESSLY.  I think most folks here have tuned out. 

[Samie]

You asked:

 “What about all those who lived and died WITHOUT ever hearing the Gospel??  Aren't those people part of "all the world" ?"

And concluded:

^"That is why I believe that all of those who died in ignorance will be resurrected at the 8th millennium, then taught the things of God,  then allowed to CHOOSE. ”

It appears that you believe “all the world” includes every person born in this world.  Let’s apply your logic to the following verse:

^NKJ Matthew 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

If to you “all the world” means every person in this world – those who have heard the gospel and those who have not, then all the tribes of the earth must necessarily mean every person in all the tribes of the earth. And how can those who are now dead see Him come unless they are resurrected?

Your logic brings us to the inevitable conclusion that every person will see our Lord when He comes in glory. And each of them will be given his own reward.

^NIV Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

It looks more like there’s no need for an 8^th millennium rewarding, I guess.

Not "inevitable" Samie.  Not at all. 

We have argued this ENDLESSLY.  I think most folks here have tuned out. 

Not ENDLESSLY, I guess. We have just started addressing your idea of "all the world" vis-a-vis "all the tribes of the earth".

[8thdaypriest]

Not ENDLESSLY, I guess. We have just started addressing your idea of "all the world" vis-a-vis "all the tribes of the earth".

No - "we" haven't.  YOU have.

[Samie]

No - "we" haven't.  YOU have.

Yes I have. And you won't. Why?

[JoeMo]

"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless." (Titus 3:9)

[Samie]

Someone believes that "all the world" includes all those who have heard the gospel and those who have not.  Yet when presented with "all the tribes of the earth" as referring to the same people referred to by "all the world", he/she resorts to alibi. 

The reason for the alibi is simple, I think.  He/she is teaching that at the Second Coming not everyone will be resurrected.  But the verse on "all tribes of the earth" EXPLICITLY says otherwise:

^NKJ Matthew 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

[JoeMo]

Someone believes that "all the world" includes all those who have heard the gospel and those who have not.  Yet when presented with "all the tribes of the earth" as referring to the same people referred to by "all the world", he/she resorts to alibi. 

The reason for the alibi is simple, I think.  He/she is teaching that at the Second Coming not everyone will be resurrected.  But the verse on "all tribes of the earth" EXPLICITLY says otherwise:

^NKJ Matthew 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Funny; I don't see the phrase "who have ever lived" in Matt. 24:30.  Could it possibly be that ""all the tribes of the earth" refers to all those living at the 2nd Coming?