Topical Encyclopedia Introduction:The concept of a universal call to all inhabitants of the world is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing God's sovereignty, the universality of His message, and the inclusivity of His invitation to salvation and righteousness. This call transcends cultural, ethnic, and geographical boundaries, inviting all people to recognize the authority of God and respond to His message. Biblical References: 1. Psalm 49:1-2 : "Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor alike." This passage underscores the inclusivity of God's message, addressing all social classes and emphasizing that divine wisdom and instruction are relevant to everyone, regardless of their status. 2. Isaiah 34:1 : "Come near, O nations, to hear; pay attention, O peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that fills it, the world and all that springs from it." Here, the prophet Isaiah calls upon all nations to heed the word of the Lord, highlighting the global scope of God's message and the importance of listening to His decrees. 3. Isaiah 45:22 : "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." This verse presents a direct invitation from God to all people, emphasizing His unique sovereignty and the availability of salvation to everyone who turns to Him. 4. Matthew 28:19 : "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Known as the Great Commission, this directive from Jesus to His disciples underscores the global mission of spreading the Gospel and making disciples across all nations. 5. Revelation 14:6 : "Then I saw another angel flying overhead, with the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation and tribe and tongue and people." This vision from the book of Revelation highlights the eternal nature of the Gospel and its proclamation to every corner of the earth, reinforcing the universal call to all humanity. Theological Significance: The call to all inhabitants of the world reflects the universal nature of God's kingdom and His desire for all people to come to the knowledge of truth and salvation. It emphasizes the impartiality of God's love and justice, as well as the responsibility of believers to share the message of the Gospel with all nations. This theme is central to the mission of the Church and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity. Historical Context: Throughout biblical history, the call to all inhabitants of the world has been manifested through the prophets, Jesus Christ, and the apostles. The Old Testament prophets often addressed not only Israel but also the surrounding nations, calling them to recognize the sovereignty of Yahweh. In the New Testament, Jesus' ministry and the subsequent missionary efforts of the apostles expanded this call to include Gentiles, breaking down the barriers between Jews and non-Jews and establishing a new covenant community. Practical Implications: For contemporary believers, the call to all inhabitants of the world serves as a reminder of the global mission of the Church. It challenges Christians to engage in evangelism, cross-cultural missions, and social justice efforts that reflect the inclusive nature of the Gospel. This call also encourages believers to embrace diversity within the body of Christ and to work towards unity and reconciliation among all people. Subtopics Call: To Special Religious Duty of Abraham Call: To Special Religious Duty, Call: To Special Religious Duty: Aaron and his Sons Call: To Special Religious Duty: All Who are Called of God Call: To Special Religious Duty: Amos Call: To Special Religious Duty: Apostles Call: To Special Religious Duty: Cyrus Call: To Special Religious Duty: Gideon Call: To Special Religious Duty: Jehu Call: To Special Religious Duty: Joshua Call: To Special Religious Duty: Moses Call: To Special Religious Duty: Paul Call: To Special Religious Duty: Samuel Call: To Special Religious Duty: Solomon Call: To Special Religious Duty: The Rich Young Man The Call of God by his Ministers The Call of God is from Darkness The Call of God: Addressed to All The Call of God: Blessedness of Receiving The Call of God: Effectual to Saints The Call of God: Partakers of, Justified The Call of God: Praise God For The Call of God: Rejection by God The Call of God: Rejection of, Leads to Delusion The Call of God: Rejection of, Leads to Judicial Blindness The Call of God: Temporal Judgments The Call of God: To Man Is of Grace The Call of God: To Man Is: According to the Purpose of God The Call of God: To Man Is: Heavenly The Call of God: To Man Is: High The Call of God: To Man Is: Holy The Call of God: To Man Is: To Eternal Life The Call of God: To Man Is: To Fellowship With Christ The Call of God: To Man Is: To Glory and Virtue The Call of God: To Man Is: To Holiness The Call of God: To Man Is: To Liberty The Call of God: To Man Is: To Peace The Call of God: To Man Is: To the Eternal Glory of Christ The Call of God: Walk Worthy of The Call of God: Withdrawal of the Means of Grace Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |