Center for Biblical Theology and Eschatology

Unto the Ends of the Earth

Matthew 28:18-20 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

nd when Christ had spoken these things, the Apostles beheld as He was taken up in a cloud. The last thing that Christ did was to leave this Promise, the Great commission, that we are to be witnesses to His word and minister the Gospel to the world. The Great Commission is God’s perfect plan for using us as vessels to build His Church. And this command and promise is not only to the Apostles, but a personal calling to all Christians who would come after them. By the power of the Holy Spirit of God, His people will be witnesses unto the uttermost part [eschatos], or ends of the world.

Acts 1:8

• "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

It is one of the most important passages in the Bible--the instruction of God's people to be workmen, good stewards and witnesses to His testimony of redemption. It is our Christian obligation to preach the good news, as Grace does not all all negate responsibility. Once a person is regenerated, he becomes a disciple and has the ongoing duty to teach that men observe all that Christ has commanded. Indeed, it is for this purpose of being a shining light and witness to Christ in darkness, that the Church has been established. And it is for this God defined mission, that its members are as vessels endowed with the Holy Spirit unto this service. Jerusalem, all Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the earth, designates we are to be witnesses to the whole world. And Christians of all generations have lived and embraced this command of our Lord, demonstrating its teaching and their faith in action.

2nd Thessalonians 2:14-15

• "Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle."

And this is the task of the Mountain Retreat: Center for Biblical Theology and Eschatology. To be a resource of ministers and stewards of the gospel message, that we might bear faithful witness unto this calling. To be a sound tool, library and resource for those going to the world carrying forth the unadulterated word of God to every creature. Unfortunately, in our day it is quite evident that many professing Christians claim they are loving the call, but they are not living the call. In other words, they believe their obligation is to simply "say they are Christian," and any work or being a witness to the world is someone else's job. Almost as if they are embarrassed to speak of Christ to anyone they know isn't already a Christian.

Romans 1:16

• "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

This language implies that it requires a certain Spiritual courage to bring to the world what it clearly deems foolishness, but as the only way unto life for this mankind, we should cast off fear in love. As this recognition of true agape love (charity, benevolence) for our fellow man that struggles against God is the beginning of wisdom. As truth inspires change, so wisdom is in understanding that, "there but by the Grace of God, go I."

And following Christ is not intended to be a solitary journey. We are a family of believers that encourage, support, exhort, comfort and exhort each other in the faith. With the Spirit of Christ within us, our prime desire should be that others might find Christ just as we have. That should be the conscientious' Christian's greatest desire apart from Love of Christ. In a phrase, "to love our neighbor as ourselves."

Galatians 5:14

• "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

This is the primary task of the Mountain Retreat Center for Biblical Theology and Eschatology.

We pray that we have the Spirit and wisdom to witness to an unbelieving world, that they may be discipled in the faith and testimony of Christ. And may the Lord bless us in our efforts.

-Tony Warren