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2023
Day 38 / 07.08.23 / Rev. Dr Keith Lai, INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR, INTENTIONAL DISCIPLEMAKING NETWORK

Day 38: Finishing the Great Commission

Revelation 7:9-10 “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. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’”

The Gospel to all nations. 

Singapore over the years has blessed the nations in many ways. But as God’s people, there is one definitive and ultimate way that we can bless the nations. And this is by blessing them with the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

The Great Commission given by our Lord in the Gospels and in Acts is both our privilege and obligation. Everyone is given this honour and assignment, not just the missionaries or evangelists. 

But sadly, a recent Barna Group study found that 51% of churchgoers are not familiar with the term “Great Commission”, so we cannot assume that everyone is aware of the Great Commission, let alone be committed to it. 

If we are not careful, the Great Commission can become our greatest omission. 

At the same time, there seems to be some ambiguity regarding the Great Commission: Is the Great Commission meant to be finished? Or is it just another task given by the Lord in His long list of other stuff that He wants us to be occupied with? Is this something He recommends we do so we don’t slip into chronic laziness while waiting for His return? 

What does the Bible say about this question? It is very clear in Matthew: “And this gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)

Everyone is given this honour and assignment, not just the missionaries or evangelists. 

It is clear from this passage that God’s final and ultimate goal is for people from all nations to worship Him. The process involves finishing the Great Commission. It has to be a definite possibility and certainty because no tribe or nation will be excluded from the heavenly worship. That’s what Revelation 7:9-10 tells us. 

“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. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

This Great Commission is all-inclusive. But the important question is: How does a firm belief that the Great Commission is meant to be finished affect our understanding and our working of missions? I’d like to propose that there are four things we need to change.

1. Pray with confident hope. The fact that Christ has defeated the greatest enemy means that this mission is unstoppable. For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

2. Re-evaluate our mission policy strategy. In what way is finishing the Great Commission the yardstick to measure our definition of mission success? Consider our methodologies, goals and investments.

3. Network and combine our resources. Illuminations is a wonderful example of how by the coming together of many Bible translation ministries, it is possible that every language group will have a portion of the Scripture by 2030. This is within our lifetime.

4. Invest our resources intentionally. Let’s review where we are giving our resources in terms of missions. Have we neglected ministries that have this goal in mind? Let’s look out for these organisations.

That’s a clear strategy for finishing the Great Commission. 

Let’s pray together:

Father, may you unite the Church in Singapore to finish the Great Commission. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Download the PDF version of today’s devotional here.

/ Reflect
  • How do these Scripture readings change your understanding of the Great Commission?
  • What is God stirring in your heart to pray for as you go forth in the Great Commission?
  • How can you and your community come together to proclaim the Good News and finish the Great Commission?
/ Pray
  • Pray for the conviction of the Singapore Church to prioritise missions, to re-evaluate strategies and raise up missionaries in order to fulfil The Great Commission. “The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity.” (Mike Stachura)
  • Pray for unity and cooperation among Christian organisations in Singapore and internationally. Ask the Lord to enable these groups to effectively network and combine their resources for the purposes of sharing the Gospel to every tribe and nation.
  • Pray for openness towards new ways, strategies and means to accomplish missions. Ask for senders and goers to arise from the next generation, that The Great Commission might continue until His will is accomplished.