The Lord Jesus informed us through the Apostle Paul that we are destined to be in the image of the Lord Jesus.

The Lord Jesus told us the ministries of the Body of Christ will continue until we all are in unity and have come to a perfect man, to maturity as measured by the standard that is the fullness of Christ.

This is the Great Commission—to make disciples of the nations.

There is a vast difference between persuading people to receive their ticket to Heaven, and bringing them as disciples to the fullness of Christ.

The following passage reveals the error in today's "saving of souls."

And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. (Acts 24:24,25)

Here is an example of an apostle carrying out the Great Commission. Paul did not speak to Felix of grace, of going to Heaven, of being born again, of letting Jesus into his heart. Paul reasoned with Felix concerning righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.

Can you see how the Great Commission has been corrupted?

Now, why is it so important that we view the Great Commission as making disciples and bringing them into the image of the Lord and union with the Lord rather than persuading people to accept the blood of the cross so they can go to a mansion in Heaven?

The reason why one is so terribly important and the other is so terribly incorrect is this: There was an awful rebellion in the heavens on the part of the angels. God has not as yet expressed His wrath concerning the rebellion but He soon is to do so.

Because of the nearness of the Day of Wrath, which shall be exercised at the hands of the saints, there is an urgency that people be persuaded to repent and turn away from their sins and to become followers of the Lord Jesus.

It is not enough that people merely be forgiven, for that does not solve the problem that God has with His creatures, the problem of rebellion against the Father's will. In addition to being forgiven, the believers also must be removed from the image and ways of Satan and brought into the image and ways of God.

God is creating a royal priesthood. The royal priesthood will fulfill the needs that God has concerning the fallen angels and concerning man. The purpose of the two thousand years of the Church Age has been to create the royal priesthood.

The needs that God has are as follows:

Disciples who can become members of the Bride of the Lamb.

Disciples who can become living stones in the Temple of God.

Disciples who can become members of the Body of Christ, the Servant of the Lord.

Disciples who will be prepared to be part of the end-time revival.

Disciples through whom Christ can bring back Paradise to the earth.

Disciples who can be trained to be members of the royal priesthood.

Disciples who will walk with God to the point they become witnesses of God.

Disciples who will learn to be led of the Spirit until they are called sons of God.

Disciples who follow the Lord Jesus until they become His brothers in experience.

To be continued.