The Scriptures reveal clearly that salvation and justice will extend to the nations of the earth as soon as Christ's work in His Church has been accomplished (Isaiah 2:3; Zechariah 14:16; Revelation 21:24). The kingdoms of the world will become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, meaning that the Lord will come to judge the nations with righteousness and justice, and those of earth's peoples who fear God will be saved. The Lord Jesus will be King over all the earth, not just over Israel, His elect.

For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem; When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. (Psalms 102:19-22)

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. (Psalms 67:1-7)

The Apostles of the first century warned all people that God was coming to judge the world at the hand of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31)

The Christian redemption includes three works and these three interact. It includes the saving of all who will believe, that is, their preservation from destruction in the Day of the Lord. It includes the forming of a Church (not churches, but the Church)—a perfect, complete bride for the Lamb. It includes the imposition of the laws of righteousness on all people who are saved to live on the earth.

It is one matter to preach the Gospel of salvation to the lost.

It is another matter to mold and purify a Church until it is without spot or wrinkle.

It is still a third matter to rule the nations with a rod of iron, teaching them to observe the commandments of Christ.

The three programs are interdependent. It is important that we keep the three goals clearly in mind. Christian efforts often focus on the establishing of units of people who behave in certain ways, who are desirous of getting other people to join their particular unit, and who are waiting to die and go to Heaven so they can escape from the world. This is not what Christianity actually is but rather is the way in which it is perceived in our day.

The writer is the pastor of a congregation of people and recognizes the role of the local assembly in carrying out God's purposes. Our point is, the Lord's goal is not to form local churches but to save the lost, to perfect His Body, and to warn all the nations of the earth that the Lord is coming to establish His perfect rule.

To be continued.