The 70 Disciples’ Conquest of the Ends of the Earth (Acts 1:6-8)
The 24 Answer of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd RUTC: 5/22/2022
The 70 Disciples’ Conquest of the Ends of the Earth (Acts 1:6-8)
The world is becoming more difficult. We have held onto the covenant of the 70 disciples during this time. The covenant of the 70 disciples will continuously be shared this year. Who are the 70 disciples? They are laymen disciples whom Jesus raised and trained together with the 12 apostles. Just because they are called laymen, it does not mean they are unemployed people but signifies a group of people used by God in their own place (school, work, region). The blessings the 70 disciples enjoyed in Luke 10 are like the apostles (spirituality, power, blessing they enjoyed). The only thing was that the field and mission were different. The church is the field of apostles (pastors). The 70 disciples’ field is where each works. Eventually, the 70 disciples formed a team with pastors and did world evangelization in each age. The number of church members in the church is not important. All of Jesus’ interest was in the disciples. There were many people around Jesus. They followed Him for their needs. They experienced healing of sicknesses and the miracle of feeding the 5,000. However, they eventually left Jesus when their needs were met.
- Who are the 70 disciples?
1) They were chosen, set apart, and raised by the Lord (Luke 10:1). The Bible calls them the remaining ones (Romans 11:4-5).
In other words, they are those who are in God’s absolute choice and sovereignty and who have been answered to that (Mark 3:13). We are not those who can or cannot exist. We are people who must absolutely live in God’s absolute choice and sovereignty. Therefore, our life should not do work that may or may not be needed. To those who have realized this, all of the Word given by God is received as God’s absolute covenant. They always follow the Word (John 6:68) and enjoy the blessing of the Word being fulfilled (1 Thessalonians 2:13). They become the platform to save the world.
2) There are people who are surely prepared like this. They are even among unbelievers (Acts 13:48).
These disciples are within the multiethnic who are by us and among young remnants. Samuel almost made a big mistake. He judged an individual based on appearance (age, gender, race) (1 Samuel 16:7). He almost lost hold of David.
3) There are four absolute covenants that these 70 disciples must hold onto. They are blessings prepared by God.
① They are people who have held onto the absolute answer that Jesus has finished everything. They are the “remaining ones.”
② It is not by my power. They are people who enjoy God’s absolute power. They are the “ones who remain.”
③ God desires to change all of my life to evidence and save the world. It does not matter whether problems come again. They change the spiritual stream (culture). They hold onto God’s absolute plan and go forth. They are the “ones who will remain.”
④ They know what they must do when concerning the impending future. They are holding onto God’s absolute future. Eventually, they leave behind remnants. They are the “ones who leave behind.”
- There is a separate way that believers who live as the 70 disciples go.
Although the world is difficult, there is a separate answer and blessing we who hold onto this mystery will enjoy. This was what the disciples asked (verse 6). The disciples focused on their personal problems (my family, children, national issues) and asked an incorrect question.
1) Whatever the problem, it is not a problem. It is a time schedule to experience the absolute blessing God has prepared (the way of the remaining ones).
Conflict continuously came, and they could not do anything because they lost hold of God’s blessing prepared in problems.
2) Whatever the problem, it is not a problem. It is a time schedule to enjoy deep time with God (the way of a pilgrim).
Unbeknownst to myself, spirituality begins to form when I deeply look to God when I am in problems (spirituality, blessing of a spiritual summit).
3) Whatever the problem, it is not a problem. As stated in the passage, everything becomes evidence of victory and a door to save the ends of the earth (the way of a conqueror).
Joseph, who was brought as a slave, enjoyed this blessing (Genesis 50:20). The early church scattered due to persecution and reached Antioch.
- The blessing of the conquest of the ends of the earth that the 70 disciples must enjoy.
1) At least three meanings are within the “ends of the earth” that Jesus states.
① It is an ‘ends’ that symbolizes distance. Any place far from where I live is an ‘ends of the earth.’
② It is an ‘ends’ that symbolizes spatiality. It refers to a field filled with suffering. It is a dying and deserted place. That ‘ends of the earth’ may be in me. That ‘ends of the earth’ may be the people suffering by me. People suffering spiritually from depression, panic disorder, and various gambling are the ends of the earth that need the gospel that I possess.
③ It is an ‘ends’ that symbolizes time. It is a future where suffering, curses, and calamities will continue. It is our posterity that will have to live in that. God has left us behind for those final times and has given us this gospel. The mighty nation in each age is where these three ends coexist. While it is a place where the best of the world gathers, it is also where the most spiritual problems exist (Revelations 18:1-3). One will crumble if one does not realize this, but it will be the greatest masterpiece if one realizes this.
2) There are three things we must challenge towards to stand as witnesses to the ends of the earth.
① Challenge for the blessing of a spiritual summit. Hold onto the nine blessings of the throne that the Triune God gives and pray.
It is the blessing of the three lives. Simply put, it is the blessing of the filling of the Holy Spirit. Pray for God’s image to be restored in me, my soul filled with the Holy Spirit, and my field to become Eden. It is the blessing of the three transcendences. Simply put, it is the power and authority of the throne. Pray for heavenly angels to be mobilized in my field, works of the transcendence of time and space to arise, and the power of light that destroys darkness to be revealed. It is the blessing of the three unprecedented. Pray for new works to always arise in me, my church, and my field (Isaiah 43:19).
② Challenge for spiritual victory. It says that Satan stands 24 hours to fight with the remaining ones (Revelations 12:17).
God has already given us the power to be spiritually victorious (Luke 10:19). He promised this while commissioning the 70 disciples. He has also already given us the power to have spiritual victory. All we need to do is restore our faith (Mark 16:17, 1 Peter 5:8-9). Even if there were temporary failures and loss, the blessing that will eventually be restored is a double portion (Job 42:10) and hundredfold (Mark 10:29-30).
③ Stand before the world as a spiritual ambassador. It is a challenge as an evangelist. If the previous two things take place, this will rightfully follow.
We are those who represent Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Peter 2:9). Christ is with us. Light will shine onto the field as much as I enjoy Christ (watchman’s light tower). If there is an opportunity to meet someone, most humbly and boldly share this mystery of Christ (antenna).
Conclusion – We are the remaining ones who have been called as the 70 disciples of this age. It is okay even if only one person is raised through me alone. All the seven remnants were alone. God continuously attached people to Paul, who was alone. May you stand as the 70 disciples and may the disciples who will save the 70 regions, 70 tribes, and 70 nations arise throughout your entire life.