I think you guys missed the point a bit toward the end of that first half (Part 1). Yes, Jesus did say “Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (from Matthew 28). The “church,” or more accurately the body of messiah and children of Yahwah are called to bring others to salvation. But what are people being saved for? What are we justified for? What are we sanctified and eventually glorified for? Who are we disciples of? For Yahwah’s glory right? For our Father’s purposes right? We are disciples of Jesus, right? Jesus’ central topic of teaching and discussion (obviously) was “The Kingdom of God.” Or “The Kingdom of Heaven” as Matthew wrote (partially simply by reverence for the Jews who didn’t write God’s name). These two are the same though. In Matthew 4:17 Jesus states “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” The kingdom of God. Jesus is God. Repent for “I” (Jesus) am here/near and “I” have come to battle and conquer the enemy death; and have permanent victory over the kingdom of darkness. We are disciplines of Jesus having been justified, and being progressively sanctified to live the rest of our present time on earth as His tools of redemption to the cosmos. Yes it is God’s “job” to redeem all things. But it starts now done by His spirit working through us because the kingdom of God has been inaugurated by Jesus’ death and corporeal resurrection in a glorified body (as the first fruit). We live in the ‘now and not yet.’ The kingdom has started and will be completed when Jesus returns in his re-appearing as the reigning king. From Genesis to Revelation Yahwah is after partners, workers, stewards, children to “do and ask for his will on earth as it is in heaven.” Disciples of Messiah have that hope and that mission.

Grace and Peace,
Raffi