GO YE THEREFORE
Matthew 28:16 ¶ Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Down through the decades the misuse of this passage of scripture has done great harm to the religious community. And the main reason is the ‘wrongly dividing’ of the word of truth. But let us strive to be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). To do so we must never allow verses nineteen and twenty to be separated from verse eighteen; which is about the only way we have ever heard it presented to us.
For there is one very important word in verse nineteen which is a descriptive word, setting forth the proper understanding of the command in those following verses. It is the word, “therefore.” We are never commanded to “Go ye,” but only in the understanding of that which is previously stated. The word “therefore” means, “consequently,” or “for that reason.” And until we fully understand the truth of verse eighteen, we cannot possibly perceive the scope of our going.
Verse eighteen is the very statement of our Lord Jesus Christ pertaining to his present reign and his absolute sovereignty. He is instructing us that his completed work at the cross yielded him all authority over heaven and earth. We seldom consider that which His cross-work provided Him. We have been brainwashed into thinking that the cross-work was to have exclusively yielded redemptive benefits to mankind! Let us read what the Apostle Paul’s writings reveal to us concerning this.
Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; In both of these passages we can clearly see that the cross having been completed immediately yielded exalted glory to the Lord Jesus. For that was as much its purpose as the redemption of man!
For Isaiah states that it was to yield satisfaction to God the Father! Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:
Also we have one of the greatest privileges given to mortals in being allowed to hear the very words of the Eternal Son, in prayer to the Father by the Holy Spirit, as to the Trinity’s purposes in the accomplishment of the crucifixion. And the priorities of those purposes are set in order for us. Seeing these purposes in their order as set forth by the Lord relates strongly with the word, “therefore” in Matthew 28:18. Listen to our Master’s words:
John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
First, the Son knew exactly that “the hour” of his crucifixion had arrived. We see in verse one that the very first matter of his sacrifice was to restore the glory of God! The first Adam had sinned and lost the glory for all mankind. The Last Adam was prophesied to “bear the glory,” and restore it. Zechariah 6:13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Then in the first part of verse two of John seventeen, the Lord states the second reason for that final sacrifice was to grant the Son of God absolute sovereign authority over all flesh; whether wicked flesh or righteous flesh! And THAT is what is set forth in our Matthew 28:18 verse! And THAT is the reason set forth by that word, “therefore,” as the condition for our going. We are not to go without knowing that he, as the white horse rider, goes forth with us “conquering, and to conquer!” (Revelation 6:2) For we are not alone in “the foolishness of preaching.” (1 Corinthians 1:21) For redemption is accomplished, “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)
Then in second part of John 17:2 and in verse three, we have set forth, in its order, the third of the purposes of the cross, which involves the salvation of men. The main purpose is the recovery of God’s glory! The second reason is the exaltation of Jesus of Nazareth to absolute sovereignty as presently reigning Lord. Then the third and final thing is man’s salvation. And it is a result of the first two in their proper order.
For man cannot be saved, (justified, regenerated) without seeing the glory! John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. Salvation comes forth as the sinner calls upon Him as Lord! Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Neither can the believer advance in sanctification without a continued and progressive revelation of Christ’s glory! 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Nor can a single redeemed soul ever enter into eternal glorification without seeing the exalted, glorified Christ, coming in a higher glory in his return than he now has in his mediatorial reign. 1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
“Therefore” God being glorified, and the Son being given a name above every name is absolutely essential for the redemption of the lost soul! But since we only hear Matthew 28:19, 20 read without the content of verse 18, we are given to be ruled by the guilt of the soul-winning occult, rather than by the power and authority of the Lordship of Jesus Christ! For the redemption of mankind is only accomplished by God granting the gift of faith to those preached unto, by the preaching of one, who has previously been granted that same gift of faith! Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Those justified only have spiritual life by God granting faith to them while hearing effectually the gospel! Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
This ‘wrongly dividing’ the word of truth is also done unto another highly quoted passage regarding the salvation of man. For we only hear Ephesians 2:8 & 9 quoted and preached to us. There is hardly anyone who keeps verse 10 coupled with these verses. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Those are the two verses often quoted and preached together. But the next verse sets forth the same truth concerning the Lord’s sovereignty in salvation as does Matthew 28:18. For it tells us that the salvation of the soul is as much a creation of Christ Jesus as was the bringing forth of the universe. And in fact, that even those works which every believer shall walk in, proving to himself and to all others that he is an actual creation in Christ Jesus, are as much chosen and ordained by God as the person who is being granted that grace and faith. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Yes! Salvation is truly by grace through faith, which is not of the souls origination! This is of Christ’s workmanship! It is of the sovereign Lord, who IS life, and never of the church or any other source! And the ‘good works’ which every believer brings forth from his renewed nature are as much ‘ordained’ as is the believer’s salvation! 2 Peter 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
And yes! We are to “go,” but only under the leadership of The Sovereign Lord of the universe! Therefore the focus is to be upon the Holy Lord, and not just upon the ones being preached unto! And THAT makes all the difference in the world! For being only aware of the sinner prompts the occult of soul winning. While being made aware of the Lord of salvation keeps the church in the mindset of the Spirit’s soul saving!
For the Divine Administrator of the church is the Holy Spirit. In the John 16:7-15 passage we have our Sovereign’s decree of the working of the Holy Spirit after his own ascension. In that passage he clearly states, “he will reprove the world of sin.” And “he will guide you into all truth.”
But we seem to desire a visible diploma, or a graduation ring above the invisible working of the sovereign Holy Spirit! And in seeking such we have taken the administration of the church out of the hands of the Spirit, and placed it into the hands of the ecclesiastical hierarchy! Consider this example of a White House prophet rebuking a ‘mere’ God-called servant, telling him he is not worthy to preach in the king’s city. And consider Amos’ answer as to why he was there preaching. “the LORD said unto me, Go!”
Amos 7:12 Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: 13 But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it is the king’s chapel, and it is the king’s court. 14 Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit: 15 And the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel. 16 Now therefore hear thou the word of the LORD: Thou sayest, Prophesy not against Israel, and drop not thy word against the house of Isaac. 17 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Thy wife shall be an harlot in the city, and thy sons and thy daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line; and thou shalt die in a polluted land: and Israel shall surely go into captivity forth of his land.
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 ¶ For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
But God in his infinite wisdom shall finally give the Harlot Church what she wants. He shall remove the gospel from the public in order for the beast to come forth for the final slaughter. Revelation 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
Don’t be entangled with the “strong delusion!”
Pastor Gene Breed
September 3, 2020
