THE WORLD GIVEN TO CHRIST
(Missionary Sermon.)
Isaiah 49:8-13. Thus saith the Lord, &c.
The prophet was looking forward, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to the Messiah and His times, and here states several important truths respecting His great mission.
Customary for some kings to grant to favoured ones whatever they requested. God says to His kingly Son, “Ask of Me, and I shall give,” &c. (Psalms 2:8). Here He is represented as having asked, and this is the answer, and the assurance that JEHOVAH would in His own good time make Him the means of salvation to all mankind. Consider—
I. THE PROMISED UNIVERSAL DIFFUSION OF THE GOSPEL.
1. It was commenced in the apostolic age. “The word of the Lord grew and mightily prevailed” over the various forms of error, superstition, idolatry, &c.
2. It has been continuing through the ages to the present hour. Rapidly and extensively during the present century. [1501]
[1501] Look at America, with its 25,000 ministers and millions of Church members. Look at the Fijian Islands. Half a century ago the blackest spot upon the map of the world, but if you ask the watchman, “what of the night” that brooded on these islands, he answers from the watch-towers of Omniscience that it is gone! “Poor Fiji,” the by-word of the nations, is become more Christian than the land that sent her Christ. Look at India. Contact with Western civilisation, education, and missionary enterprise, like the secret waters of three mighty subterranean tides, have sapped the ancient temple of Indian superstition; it trembles to its fall, and all kingdoms are shaken that that which cannot be shaken may remain. The Spirit broods over the profound depths of the heart of India, and the light is breaking. India is in search of a religion, and not long since a leading Hindu gentleman said to a famous Indian missionary that, “so far as he could see, the future sovereign of India would be Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” It is thus the Gospel is rapidly and extensively spreading.—W. J. Dawson.
3. It will be fully accomplished in “the fulness of time.” Innumerable triumphs have already been gained over sin and Satan, and the gospel will go forth conquering and to conquer. The most distant nations shall submit to Christ (Isaiah 49:12; Matthew 8:11; H. E. I. 979, 1161–1168). [1504]
[1504] India, with her 240,000,000, and China (“Sinim,” most commentators are agreed that this refers to China) with her 400,000,000 inhabitants, shall gather round the central point of bliss—the largest kingdom of the world shall be converted (Isaiah 49:12).
“Many thousands have looked upon ‘The Dream of Pilate’s Wife,’ that great picture of that great commentator in colour, Gustave Doré, and have marked as its most wonderful conception the distant Calvary with its empty cross bathed in mysterious light, and the innumerable throngs that toil upward to it with their shining faces, and the deep night-sky that seems to over-brim with angels. So the cross will shine at last above the dark continent where Moffat lived, and Livingstone died praying; over India where Carey planted his forlorn hope, and grand old Samuel Wesley would have gladly laid his dust; and the shining hosts shall be the souls of all the saved, and the wondrous light the morning of the new heaven filling the new earth; for Christ will have drawn all men unto Himself.”—W. J. Dawson.
What reasons have we for believing this? We have—
(1.) The faithful and unerring promises of JEHOVAH (Psalms 2:8; Psalms 22:27; Psalms 72:17; Isaiah 40:5; Isaiah 44:2 &c.) Believe these promises. Labour and pray for their accomplishment. Especially pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to render all the means which are employed effectual. Ponder them as a source of continual encouragement.
(2.) The adaptation of Christianity, above all other forms of religion, to be universal. [1507]
[1507] H. E. I. 1152—In all the forms of false religion with which our world is filled, there is something which renders them unfit or impracticable for universal adoption. Some are adapted to particular climates only; others to particular states of society; a third class to particular orders of men; so that, in their very nature, they cannot be universal. But when we examine the religion of Jesus Christ, in its New Testament form, we find it divested of every feature and circumstance adapted to confine it to any particular territory or people. Its doctrines, its worship, and its system of moral duty, are all equally adapted to universality.… “Christ gives to the soul of heathendom that which it wants, and that which none other can give. (1.) A Deity in which all hearts can unite in supreme love. (2.) A creed in which all intellects can repose with unwavering confidence. (3.) A law which all consciences can approve without suspicion. (4.) An enterprise in which all souls can work without hesitancy or lack of interest.”
(3.) The present aspect of the world furnishes much reason to hope that the accomplishment of this promise is drawing nigh. The whole world is practically open to the missionaries of the Cross. The progress of various forms of improvement throughout the civilised world—facilities for intercourse between the nations—extension of commerce—numerous translations of the Bible. The progress of public sentiment in regard to the conversion of the world. The probable prevalence of the English language, &c.
II. THE BLESSEDNESS OF THOSE WHO SHALL EMBRACE IT (Isaiah 49:9-10). The figure is taken from the shepherd leading home his flock, &c. “It is a most beautiful image of the tender care of the Great Shepherd of His people in a world like this—a world, in its main features, in regard to real comforts, not unaptly compared to barren hills, and pathless, burning sands.”
The promise includes—
1. Abundant provisions.
2. Careful protection.
3. Unerring guidance (see p. 336).
III. THE EXULTANT PRAISE WHICH SUCH GLORIOUS PROSPECTS SHOULD AWAKEN (Isaiah 49:3). It is common with our prophet thus to interject a song of praise on the announcement of any great and glorious event, and to call on the heavens and the earth to rejoice together (ch. 12; Isaiah 42:10-11; Isaiah 44:23).
We should raise this song—
1. Because of the glory which the fulfilment of this promise will bring to the Triune Jehovah. Here we have a test to apply to ourselves. Every true child of God spontaneously rejoices in this expectation, just as every true patriot rejoices in any certainty of the future glory of his country.
2. Because of the blessings the Gospel will bring to humanity. The universal prevalence of righteousness—peace—benevolence—social elevation and secular prosperity. Wherever Christianity is received, it effects great changes in the moral and social condition of the people. What has it done in our own and other lands? Christ will rectify all wrongs, and when God is glorified man shall be honoured. “Truth shall spring out of the earth,” &c. Animating, delightful, glorious prospect! When will it be realised? Not informed. All calculations respecting it vain.
CONCLUSION.—Has this Gospel come to you, not in word only, but in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance? It has come in word, but unless it comes in saving power also, it has not accomplished its design, &c. (Psalms 2:10-12).—Alfred Tucker.