Mere Missions

C onclusion • 197

the world to come. The planting of a healthy reproducing church in enemy occupied territory is the end task of missions, for the Church is the end game in town. Paul deeply held this conviction, knowing that the church is the agent of the Kingdom where empowerment to multiply healthy, reproducing churches is facilitated. 5. The Kingdom. “He [Paul] lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28.30-31). The Kingdom of God, His rule and reign, has entered into the world and is expanding and advancing (Matt. 13.31) and the gates of hell cannot stop its movement (Matt. 16.18). The Lord Jesus came preaching the Kingdom of God (Mark 1.15), declaring Himself having the authority (Matt. 28.19), and the one-and-only divine Ruler of the Kingdom of God which is not of this world (John 18.36). As the rightful Ruler, the Lord Jesus is working even now, “destroying (a verb; not complete yet) every rule, and every authority and power” (1 Cor. 15.24). When all His enemies are “under his feet” and “the last enemy to be destroyed is death,” then comes the end and the Lord Jesus will deliver the Kingdom to God the Father Almighty (1 Cor. 15.24-26). Paul the Apostle was burdened to see the Church embrace as one “allied force” to expand and advance the Kingdom of God with the proclamation of Good News leading to churches being planted to show visibly what the “Rule of God” looks like when it is embraced by people who acknowledge Christ’s lordship. These five apostolic missions planks were securely “nailed” together in Paul’s life, giving him an Apostolic Missions Platform in which to move forward and multiply. Standing on this