The Great Commission–Fulfilled! Learn more of this teaching in the Paul’s Primers Daily Bible Study Podcast Service, where you will see that the Apostles, Paul along with the other twelve, were given the Great Commission by our Lord in Matthew 28:18-20. And, according to Ancient Christian Truth, fulfilled this Great Commission prior to the end of that Age, prior to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD. This simple truth lays the foundation for our reading from the Epistle to the Romans, readings we began this past week and will continue in the following weeks.

Hear the words of St. Chrysostom, one of the most well respected Church Fathers (who lived in the fourth century), as he attests quite plainly, and in rather certain and emphatic terms, that the Apostles had indeed successfully implemented the Kingdom. First, recall what Paul wrote in Romans 10:18, “But when I ask myself: ‘Did they never hear?’ I have to answer that they have heard, for ‘Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their Word to the ends of the world.’” Now, how did Chysostom and the early Church Fathers interpret these verses? Hear Chrysostom’s own words:

“Now, therefore Jesus added moreover, ‘And this gospel shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all nations, and then shall the end come,’ [the end, that is,] of the downfall of Jerusalem.

“For in proof that Jesus meant this, and that before the taking of Jerusalem the gospel was preached, hear what Paul says, ‘Their sound went into all the earth.’ (Romans 10:18) And again, ‘The gospel which was preached to every creature which is under Heaven.’ (Colossans 1:23) And do you see Paul running from Jerusalem unto Spain? And if one took so large a portion, consider what the rest also wrought. For writing to others also, Paul again says concerning the gospel, ‘That it is bringing forth fruit, and growing up in every creature which is under Heaven.’ (see Colossians 1:23)

“But what means, ‘For a witness to all nations?’ Forasmuch as though it [the gospel] was everywhere preached [and thus the Great Commission fulfilled], yet it was not everywhere believed. It was for a witness, He says, to them that were disbelieving, that is, for conviction, for accusation, for a testimony; for they that believed will bear witness against them that believed not, and will condemn them. And for this cause, after the gospel was preached in every part of the world, Jerusalem was destroyed, that they may not have so much as a shadow of an excuse for their perverseness. For they that saw His power shine throughout every place, and in an instant take the world captive, what excuse could they then have for continuing in the same perverseness? For in proof that it was everywhere preached at that time, hear what Paul says, ‘Of the gospel which was preached to every creature which is under Heaven.’ (Colossians 1:23)

“Which also is a very great sign of Christ’s power, that in twenty or at most thirty years the Word had reached the ends of the world. After this therefore, says Jesus, shall come the end of Jerusalem. For that Jesus intimates this was manifested by what follows.”

So we see that the early Church Fathers taught very plainly of the fulfillment of the Great Commission in that generation of our Lord, prior to the end of the Age which came in 70 AD at the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. As we come to understand this Ancient Christian Truth, how do we then apply it to our present reality?

First, we must recognize that the Lord Jesus Christ is known everywhere in both the Heaven, the earth, and under the earth! and that all men are without excuse who choose not to believe in Him. Indeed, the single greatest selling book in all the world remains, year after year, the Bible, the story of this Jesus Christ and the triune God’s visible manifestation unto men.

Second, we must move on from the work the Apostles already completed, and live in dominion within God’s present Kingdom, a Kingdom already come in 30 AD at the resurrection, and implemented through the Administration of the Apostles in that generation, prior to the fall of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD. We are to fulfill our dominion mandate within this present Kingdom, for far from being a “scar” upon the land, we instead hear: ” … from Jesus Christ, which is that faithful witness, and that firstborn of the dead, and that Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and made us a Kingdom, priests unto God, even His Father, to Him I say be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:5-6) “And hast made us a Kingdom, and priests unto our God, and we shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10). You see, this earth, having been reconciled by the already accomplished work of Jesus Christ, and having had the Kingdom implemented within it by the Administration of the Apostles, is now our training ground for our ultimate role in Heaven.

This is Ancient Christian Truth. This is the mandate the Church followed for almost two thousand years. Even in all the centuries, as Christian nation after Christian nation sprung up around the world, it was because Christian men and women were living in the present Kingdom, implementing the laws of Jesus Christ and raising up His name always and everywhere. They were never waiting for a future day, but always living in the present Kingdom of Jesus Christ. And, as we have already seen in the Epistle to the Romans, and as we will continue to see as we proceed, this is that about which Paul so eloquently writes. Jesus Christ did indeed descend into Hell as a mighty warrior directly after the cross, defeating Satan, casting him into the bottomless pit, breaking down the gates of Hell, and setting the captives free. Jesus Christ did arise from the grave and ascend into Heaven. The Apostles did fulfill the great commission. And it is up to every generation coming after to live in this victory, to live in this present Kingdom complete with the already implemented indestructible Way unto Heaven, and provide the healing balm of Jesus Christ unto every age–in communion with His victorious reign already accomplished in Heaven, earth, and under the earth.

To learn more of these things and to hear how they are presented in Scripture, join our DSR community at http://www.cjrpress.com/signup. We look forward to seeing you there. The ten most recent podcasts are always available, so you can still hear this week’s readings.

Next week (beginning Monday April 20 and going through Friday April 24) we will continue reading and providing teaching commentary on the book of Romans. Always seeking to Awaken a Reconciled World with Ancient Christian Truth.

As you are listening day-by-day, please feel free to share your comments with the other members of our DSR community by clicking on the comments link for this Post. We are continuing to receive excellent comments. As always, we enjoy hearing how the Audio Bible Online / Online Audio Bible – Daily Scripture Readings (DSR) are impacting your daily walk with the Lord, and enhancing your relationship with Him, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

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