World Conquest?

Jordanian journalist, Fouad Hussein recently interviewed several al Qaeda leaders, including al Qaeda’s man in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The book is only available in Arabic, but it lays out a very straightforward strategy for world conquest. According to Hussein, al Qaeda has a seven phase plan for taking over the world.

The first five phases include a series of terrorist attacks and wars—which we are already witnessing. Phase 6, Hussein reports, is that by 2022, the world will be conquered by the unstoppable armies of Islam. This is the phase Osama bin Laden has been talking about for years. In the final phase of this plan, all the world’s inhabitants will be forced to either convert to Islam, or submit (as second class citizens) to Islamic rule. This will supposedly be completed near the year 2025. “Islam”—by the way—is a word that means “peace.”

World conquest has been the goal of many groups throughout history. Most notably in the last century, Nazism and Communism held the goal of world conquest. Thankfully, both failed.

In fact, we know for sure that until the very end of time, there will be those who seek to gain control over the whole world. In Revelation 13, the Apostle John was allowed to see into the future and he saw a beast coming up out of the sea. John wrote this about the beast in vs.7 & 8:

It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.

We don’t know yet who this “beast” is, but we do know that this final attempt—like all other attempts for world conquest before it—will fail. How do we know? Because there is only One who is worthy to rule the entire world. There is only One who has complete authority over heaven and earth. And He will not share His glory with anyone else. He, too, has a plan for world conquest. But His plan is motivated by love, not hate. His plan includes a message of peace, not a sword of violence. His plan will be advanced by humble servants, not arrogant terrorists.

It’s true that the Book of Revelation describes a day when God’s judgment will fall on those who reject Him, but He himself will carry out that judgment—not His disciples. As Creator and Lord of the universe, He alone is able to judge righteously. And that day will only come after He has provided numerous opportunities for the world to turn from its wickedness and rebellion and idolatry.

Today is a day of opportunity. In this present time, the people of the world are being presented with a God-given opportunity to avoid God’s judgment. God’s people have been given a mission to present this opportunity to every nation on earth. The clearest explanation of the mission is given in Matthew 28:19-20:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you…”

This is such a simple plan, but it is genius. It’s a plan for world conquest and it has impacted the world like no other plan or movement in history. And by “world conquest” I do not mean that every person on earth will one day be won to the Lord. What I mean is that individuals from every tongue, tribe and nation will be won to the Lord. Christianity will sweep across the face of the earth.

The key command here is “make disciples.” “Go” is not an imperative. It is a participle—just like “baptizing and teaching.” “Going, baptizing and teaching” explain how we are to make disciples. Disciples should be “going” into the world, sharing the good news that God offers sinful people the free gift of salvation in Christ. When people accept this truth and trust Christ for salvation, the job of disciples is to “baptize and teach” that new Christian.

“Baptizing” is more than just dunking. It includes water baptism—the first act of obedience—but it also includes what is commonly called “assimilation”—leading someone into a life of obedience. Getting them grounded in the faith.

“Teaching” is often misunderstood. One day it hit me that the third step is not “teaching” but “teaching them to observe…” What does it mean to “observe”? Obey! That’s what a disciple does. So the job of those who disciple others is to teach them to obey the commands of Christ.

This commission—the greatest commission—by its nature categorizes us. Jesus has three kinds of people in mind in giving us this task: Doubters, Christians and Disciples. Evaluate your heart. Examine yourself and be honest—which category best describes you?

Are you a doubter—an unbeliever? Receive the free gift of salvation.

Perhaps you’ve grown up in church and your parents’ faith has never truly become your faith. Perhaps you’ve got doubts and you think all those doubts have to be gone before you can put your trust in Christ for salvation. That’s not true. None of us—if we’re honest with ourselves—became Christians completely doubt-free. But the weight of the evidence about Christ is so strong. Just as in a court of law when the jury decides that a person is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Jesus is God. He has been given authority over heaven and earth and you know that beyond a reasonable doubt. Your part in this world conquest of Christ is to join up. How? By faith. Believing that Jesus is who He claims to be. Believing that His death and resurrection make it possible for you to have eternal life. Receive the free gift of salvation right now.

Are you a Christian? Live a life of obedience.

Can you honestly say, “Yes, I have already trusted Christ and received the free gift of salvation”? The challenge for you is to answer the call of a disciple. Take up your cross daily and follow after Christ! Are you obeying? Are you obeying “all” of His commands or are you purposefully ignoring and choosing not to obey some of them? Don’t be left out of what God is doing. Be not confused: The call to discipleship is to pay a price. To make a commitment to follow and obey Christ.

Are you a disciple? Reproduce yourself.

Can you honestly say, “Yes, I am obeying Christ and living the life He wants me to live”? Great! Are you obeying the Great Commission? Are you engaged in one way or another—either as one being discipled or as one discipling others? The command to “make disciples” demands that we be in relationship with someone. Either we are one who is receiving from someone older and wiser or we are giving to someone younger who needs your wisdom. Someone younger and not as far down the road toward maturity. The call to make disciples is not just living a good and holy life or just doing evangelism. It is pouring yourself into someone else’s life. It is obeying the primary command of the Greatest Commission—“make disciples”. It might be nothing but fun—a great friendship, studying the Bible with good friends. It might be hard work—developing a relationship with someone God has put in your life. Admonishing them and working with them to overcome an addiction. A life-controlling sin. It might mean teaching someone how to be a better mom or wife. A better dad or husband. You might love every minute of it, but you might also experience disappointment and discouragement. You might beg God to let you off the hook and get that person out of your life.

But, there is no condition. Jesus didn’t say, “Make disciples if it’s enjoyable and fulfilling”. No, we need to make disciples no matter what the cost. We need to look around and see who God has put in our lives and get busy—diligently pursuing them for the glory of Christ.

This is the plan of Christ—that you and I would participate in world conquest. Not by military might but by obeying the Great Commission. The mistake has been made—in the history of Christianity—to work for world conquest in wrong, unbiblical ways. The Crusades stand out as the most obvious mistake. But God is Judge. That’s not our job. Our job is to be witnesses. To proclaim good news. To make disciples wherever we are. Let’s get busy.