Christ did not tell His disciples that their work would be easy.He showed them the vast confederacy of evil arrayed against them.They would have to fight "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."Ephesians 6:12.But they would not be left to fight alone.He assured them that He would be with them; and that if they would go forth in faith, they should move under the shield of Omnipotence.He bade them be brave and strong; for One mightier than angels would be in their ranks--the General of the armies of heaven.He made full provision for the prosecution of their work and took upon Himself the responsibility of its success.So long as they obeyed His word, and worked in connection with Him, they could not fail.Go to all nations, He bade them.Go to the farthest part of the habitable globe and be assured that My presence will be with you even there.
Labor in faith and confidence; for the time will never come when I will forsake you.I will be with you always, helping you to perform your duty, guiding, comforting, sanctifying, sustaining you, giving you success in speaking words that shall draw the attention of others to heaven.
Christ's sacrifice in behalf of man was full and complete.The condition of the atonement had been fulfilled.The work for which He had come to this world had been accomplished.He had won the kingdom.He had wrested it from Satan and had become heir of all things.He was on His way 30to the throne of God, to be honored by the heavenly host.Clothed with boundless authority, He gave His disciples their commission, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end." Matthew 28:19, 20.
Just before leaving His disciples, Christ once more plainly stated the nature of His kingdom.He recalled to their remembrance things He had previously told them regarding it.He declared that it was not His purpose to establish in this world a temporal kingdom.He was not appointed to reign as an earthly monarch on David's throne.When the disciples asked Him, "Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" He answered, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power." Acts 1:6, 7.It was not necessary for them to see farther into the future than the revelations He had made enabled them to see.Their work was to proclaim the gospel message.
Christ's visible presence was about to be withdrawn from the disciples, but a new endowment of power was to be theirs.The Holy Spirit was to be given them in its fullness, sealing them for their work."Behold," the Saviour said, "I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Luke 24:49."For John truly baptized with 31water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.""Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:5, 8.
The Saviour knew that no argument, however logical, would melt hard hearts or break through the crust of worldliness and selfishness.He knew that His disciples must receive the heavenly endowment; that the gospel would be effective only as it was proclaimed by hearts made warm and lips made eloquent by a living knowledge of Him who is the way, the truth, and the life.The work committed to the disciples would require great efficiency;for the tide of evil ran deep and strong against them.A vigilant, determined leader was in command of the forces of darkness, and the followers of Christ could battle for the right only through the help that God, by His Spirit, would give them.
Christ told His disciples that they were to begin their work at Jerusalem.
