“GLOBAL” is a word we hear often. Men are looking for a global economy and global peace. Large companies are merging with other large companies to form huge worldwide monopolies. Some include the word “global” in their corporate name. Bigger is better, they think.
What does the Word of God tell us about global matters? We are told of an early attempt at such a thing. Men planned and were working on a project to maintain the unity of mankind and to keep from being scattered on the earth. God looked down on this effort to maintain unity without Him and destroyed the effort by confounding their languages. So “did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth” (Genesis 11:99Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. (Genesis 11:9)).
Their efforts at universal peace are still to no avail. The efforts of the United Nations are constantly thwarted by man’s greed for money and power. The many conflicts around the world prove man’s inability to control himself, let alone others. God says, “I will overturn, overturn, overturn it . . . until He come whose right it is; and I will give it Him” (Ezekiel 21:2727I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him. (Ezekiel 21:27)).
SIN: A Global Problem
At the beginning of man’s existence on the earth, the first man God created sinned. In ancient days it was said, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:66All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)).
After 40 centuries of testing man, God’s conclusion is, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin . . . so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:1212Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12)). This global problem is proven by the fact that in every country of the world you will find a cemetery.
But death does not end it all. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)). Is there no hope? Does God care for His creature, man?
SALVATION: A Global Offer
Yes, He does! “From heaven did the Lord behold the earth; to hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death” (Psalm 102:1920).
“The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1 John 4:1414And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. (1 John 4:14)). The death of the Lord Jesus on the cross has answered the sin question. God can now righteously forgive anyone who will come to Him. His offer is truly global, “unto all,” but it is only of benefit to “all them that believe” (Romans 3:2222Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22)).
God’s global offer is: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)). There are no forms to fill out, no buttons to press. Nothing remains to be done. Jesus has done it all. You are only asked to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
What of those that neglect or reject God’s offer?
CONDEMNATION: God’s Global Judgment
Failure to accept this message will bring in God’s judgment. Earlier in man’s history, when men had filled the earth with corruption and violence, it brought on a global judgment - the flood. God had provided a way of escape and all who refused it perished.
“The world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment” (2 Peter 3:67).
THE CHURCH: A Global Unity
On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came down from heaven and united all the believers into one body, called the church. All believers, Jews and Gentiles, are united in one church. There is one body, the church, and one Spirit. The church is truly a global unity, composed of all who put their trust in Christ. Christ is the head, and believers are the body, the members in it. “God [hath] set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him” (1 Corinthians 12:1818But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (1 Corinthians 12:18)).
IN HEAVEN: A Global Company
In heaven believers from every part of the globe who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ will sing His praises. “Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:99And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9)). Some from every part of this globe will celebrate His worth and work.
ON EARTH: Global Peace at Last
The Lord Jesus is the “Prince of Peace.” At His birth the angels announced, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:1414Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)). He was then rejected, but He will reign. God says in Psalm 2:66Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. (Psalm 2:6), “Yet have I set My king upon My holy hill of Zion.” He tells us this King is His Son and that the capitol city is Zion (Jerusalem). Then will be a truly global peace. “In His days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace. . . . He shall have dominion also from sea to sea” (Psalm 72:78).
YOU! How will YOU leave this globe? Are you going to be among those who sing praises to the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven, or will you stand convicted at the final judgment at the great white throne and be cast into the lake of fire?
NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION!