How does Isaiah 66:19 inspire us to participate in global missions? Setting the Scene Isaiah 66 closes the book with a breathtaking vision of God’s final triumph. In verse 19 He says: “I will set a sign among them and will send survivors from them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, and Lud (who draw the bow), to Tubal and Javan, to the distant islands that have not heard My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations.” What We Learn from the Verse • God Himself is the sender. • He chooses “survivors” of judgment—ordinary people rescued by grace—to be His messengers. • The destination list is deliberately far-flung: Tarshish (Spain), Put (Libya), Lud (North Africa), Tubal (central Turkey), Javan (Greece), and “distant islands.” No corner is off limits. • The mission goal is crystal clear: “proclaim My glory among the nations.” God’s Consistent Heart for the Nations Scripture keeps echoing the same melody: • Psalm 96:3 – “Declare His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all peoples.” • Matthew 28:18-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” • Acts 1:8 – “You will be My witnesses…to the ends of the earth.” • Revelation 7:9 – “…a great multitude…from every nation and tribe and people and tongue.” Isaiah 66:19 fits seamlessly into this storyline: God’s glory deserves universal praise, and He recruits His redeemed people to ensure it happens. Survivors Turned Senders Because the verse is literal and true, it carries practical weight right now: • If we have been saved, we qualify as “survivors.” • Survivors don’t hoard grace; they become channels of it. • Our God-given identity is missionary at its core. We cannot cling to a private faith when the King commands a global proclamation. Motivations Drawn from Isaiah 66:19 • A compelling commission – God says “I will send,” so refusal isn’t an option. • A majestic message – His “glory” is worth broadcasting. • A guaranteed outcome – the nations will ultimately respond (Revelation 7:9). • A personal privilege – we move from recipients to participants in God’s redemptive plan. Practical Ways to Engage Today • Go – explore short-term or long-term service among unreached peoples. • Give – invest finances in translators, church planters, and humanitarian workers who couple aid with the gospel. • Pray – regularly intercede for specific nations or people groups that “have not heard.” (Romans 10:14-15) • Welcome – befriend internationals studying, working, or resettling nearby; missions often begin at our doorstep. • Mobilize – inform your church, lead mission studies, champion a missionary family. • Disciple – equip new believers to view themselves as future senders, just as Isaiah’s survivors became. Living the Verse Isaiah 66:19 shifts missions from an optional church program to a core life assignment. The same Almighty God who promised to send survivors still speaks today. Embracing that call means joyfully stepping into His unstoppable plan to “proclaim My glory among the nations.” |
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