and disciple the nations. The fact of world-wide gospel proclamation is itself one of the greatest evi dences of the nearness of Christ's return. This does not mean; how ever, that the job of world evan gelism is done. A third of the world's people have never heard the Gospel. Many others have not ever had it presented personally, demanding a decision. The job of world missions is not over, and will not be until Christ returns. Jesus said, "Occupy till I come." And when He comes, may He find us busy doing what He told us to do, taking the message to all the world! Impact of Christ Upon History TFTe Bible is a missionary book from beginning to end. In Genesis, we find that in time past God created all things. In Revelation we read of a time in the future when all things will be made new in Christ. In between follows the out working of God's redemptive pur poses in history. We are privileged to be partners in this outreach for God. Take a map and see the areas in which Christ is loved, accepted, and believed by countless people over the centuries. Then compare it with lands where He is little known and where men and wo men are steeped in darkness. It is the difference between day and night. Christ transforms lives as well as communities. Ancient Greek historians tell us that in Sparta, one of the states of Greece, all new-born children were examined by the government. Those who appeared strong and fit were allowed to live. The weak and deformed were left to die. Later, when the imposing society of Rome Page 9
three-quarters of the people have never even seen a Bible of any language. A great deal of distribu tion and translation remains to be done. In Pakistan and India, even if we were successful in putting a Bible in every home 80 people out of 100 would not be able to read it in any language whatsoever. We have a continuing call for teachers and specialists in literacy and lin guistics. What does all of this mean for us as Christians? First it demon strates that God is not dead. His purposes in Christ are not about to be defeated. It underscores the words of our Lord who long ago commissioned His followers to go
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