been, in
one age or another, proclaimed in every known country--fulfilling the words
of the Saviour: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all
the world, for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come,"
Matt. 24:14. "And the gospel must first be published among all nations,"
Mark 13:10. It would not follow from these predictions that it must be
preached at the _same time_ to all nations, any more than the light of day
shines on all parts of the earth at once: but all must have been illumined
by it before the end.

In accordance with this view, those who are finally redeemed to God "out
of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (5:9), are those who
will "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the
Lamb" (7:14), in consequence of this universal extension of the gospel.

The command to fear and give glory to God, and to worship the Creator of
all things implies that it was to be proclaimed to worshippers of false
gods, and was not a mere proclamation addressed to _actual Christians_.
The Gentiles to whom the apostles preached _were_ actual worshippers of
such, and needed to be taught the worship of the _true_ God. While Paul
was at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him when he saw the city
wholly given to idolatry. "Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and
said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too
superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an
altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye
ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and
all things therein, seeing that he is the Lord of heaven and earth,
dwelleth not in temples made with hands," Acts 17:22-24. "Ye know that ye
were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led," 1
Cor. 12:2. "For they themselves show us of what manner of entering in we
had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and
true God: and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the
dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come," 1 Thess.
1:9, 10.

The great motive, to be held forth to induce men to turn from the worship
of idols to that of God, was the certainty of the approaching judgment. In
accordance with this, the apostles make constant references to it. The
Corinthians are exhorted to "come behind in no gift; waiting for the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: w