The Signs of the Times

August 5, 1903

“Go Ye Therefore, and Teach All Nations”

EGW

Standing but a step from His heavenly throne, Christ gave the commission to His disciples. “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth,” He said. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Again and again the words were repeated, that the disciples might grasp their significance. Upon all the inhabitants of the earth, high and low, rich and poor, was the light of heaven to shine in clear, strong rays. The disciples were to be co-laborers with their Redeemer in the work of saving the world. ST August 5, 1903, par. 1

The commission had been given to the twelve when Christ was with them in the upper chamber; but it was now to be given to a larger number. At the meeting on a mountain in Galilee, all the believers who could be called together were assembled. Of this meeting Christ Himself, before His death, had designated the time and place. The angel at the tomb reminded the disciples of His promise to meet them in Galilee. The promise was repeated to the believers who were gathered at Jerusalem during the Passover week, and through them it reached many lonely ones who were mourning the death of their Lord. ST August 5, 1903, par. 2

With intense interest all looked forward to the interview. They made their way to the place of meeting by circuitous routes, coming in from every direction to avoid exciting the suspicion of the jealous Jews. With wondering hearts they came, talking earnestly together of the news that had reached them concerning Christ. ST August 5, 1903, par. 3

At the time appointed about five hundred believers were collected in little knots on the mountain-side, eager to learn all that could be learned from those who had seen Christ since His resurrection. From group to group the disciples passed, telling all that they had seen and heard of Jesus, and reasoning from the Scriptures as He had done with them. Thomas recounted the story of his unbelief, and told how his doubts had been swept away. Suddenly, Jesus appeared among them. Many were present who had never before seen Him; but in His hands and feet they beheld the marks of the crucifixion; His countenance was as the face of God, and when they saw Him, they worshiped Him. ST August 5, 1903, par. 4

But some doubted. So it will always be. There are those who find it hard to exercise faith, and who place themselves on the doubting side. These lose much because of their unbelief. This was the only interview that Jesus had with many of the believers before His ascension. He came and spoke to them, saying, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” The disciples had worshiped Him before He spoke, but these words, falling from lips that had been closed in death, thrilled them with peculiar power. He was now the risen Saviour. Many of them had seen Him exercise His power in healing the sick and controlling Satanic agencies. They believed that He possessed power to set up His kingdom in Jerusalem, power to quell all opposition, power over the elements of nature. He had stilled the angry waters, He had walked upon the white crest billows; He had raised the dead to life. Now He declared that “all power” was given unto Him. ST August 5, 1903, par. 5

Christ's words on the mountain-side were the announcement that His sacrifice in behalf of man was full and complete. The conditions of the atonement had been accomplished. He was on His way to the throne of God, to be honored by angels, principalities, and powers. He had entered upon His mediatorial work. Clothed with boundless authority, He gave His commission to the disciples, “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 of the world.” ST August 5, 1903, par. 6

The Jewish people had been made the depositaries of sacred truth; but Phariseeism had made them the most exclusive, the most bigoted of all the human race. Everything about the priests and rulers,—their dress, customs, ceremonies, traditions,—unfitted them to be the light of the world. They looked upon themselves, the Jewish people, as the world. But Christ commissioned His disciples to proclaim a faith and a worship that would have in it nothing of cast or country, a faith that would be adapted to all peoples, all nations, all classes of men. ST August 5, 1903, par. 7