I was recently reminded of a quote by John Piper. Please read and think about this carefully:
"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't.
Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever.
Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal in missions. It's the goal of missions because in missions we simply aim to bring the nations into the white-hot enjoyment of God's glory. The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God. "The Lord reigns; let the people rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!" (Psalms 67:3-4).
Spending these last two weeks in Orlando, FL at Wycliffe's Equip training, I was reminded of this ultimate goal. Revelation 7:9 paints this picture of worship,
"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God..."
This is the desire of my heart. To know that my work will bring someone into the presence of God on this magnificent day. That we can stand shoulder-to-shoulder, praising the One who is worthy.
