Originally Posted by sincerly View Post
SW, Is Matt.28:19-20 your text? "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Luke 28:46-48, clarifies that "Go Ye". The disciples and those who were disciples in each generation "are witnesses" to the truth of those events.--to the end of the world.
I was sure he said "Having gone" meaning HE went not that they should "go".
SW, Let's look at the "having gone" in the context of the Scriptures/events recorded. Jesus sent the Disciples on two occasions(by twos and the seventy) into all of Judea. They were not to go to the Gentiles, but only to the "lost sheep of Israel". Correct?
Their message and actions were "to heal" and tell that the "Kingdom of heaven was at hand". Right?
In that sense, they "having gone". The Scriptures are plain in that Jesus continued to do HIS teaching and healing of the people as well.
In John 14, just hours before HIS Crucifixion, Jesus was satisfied that the "eleven" were ready for the task ahead of them.
After the resurrection, in the upper room, Jesus was ready to send them on the mission HE had prepared them for---the world field.
Now is the English translation of "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations".
As Heb.4:1-2 acclaims, "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it."
Rev.14:6-7, "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven,
having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
Where have you "gone" to witness or plan "to go" to witness? And how do you know? Do you hear from Christ where you should go? I don't.
I'll tell you how the Jehovah's Witnesses know where to go "to make disciples". as they go making disciples they follow neighborhood maps and check off streets. Whenever they "go" out preaching and teaching they record what they do. Books, magazines and return visits are recorded and passed in to headquarters. Men at the headquarters examine the evidence to decide where to go to make more diciples for the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Someone translated "go" at Matthew 28:19 as "having gone". Doesn't having gone sound like he went as at the time of his appearing to them to say it he WAS gone.
Since GOD knows each heart/mind, HE doesn't need earthly maps. HE is aware that Human Beings are free to change their minds and that Mind may change in either direction before "the end comes"(death or HIS looked for arrival). HIS recorded messages are in the Bible---to be read and acted upon.
The Scriptures declare that GOD knows HIS witnesses/Those who are HIS.