"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' - Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21
When the prophet Joel first spoke this Word of God, the population of this planet was far less than today. Still, the promise was made.
Consider the proportions: Every last person who places their trust in the Living God will have God's salvation!
When salvation is by faith in Christ alone, there is no telling how statistics will rack up. I just took this marker off the world clock that our earth's population is 6,882,379,019
How vast is the Gospel that God should open Himself to so many.
The God of Israel never regarded Himself as provincial. He did not confine his love for the Jews alone.
"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. "Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband-- the LORD Almighty is his name-- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. Isaiah 54:2-5
Already in centuries prior to Joel, untold numbers of trusting Israelites, proselytes to Judaism, converted foreigners and former pagans found their refuge is the Lord God of Israel. All received their names written in the Lamb's book of life-listed among the righteous by faith.
God was bound by His own Word. He must justify their faith through His Son.
God cannot make such a bold declaration and then renege. His Word is unbreakable [John 10:35], and with so many relying in faith upon his promises, God delivers, all the way right down to you and me here at Grace, Auburn.
Words of Joel now echo from God's apostle, Peter, on the Day of Pentecost. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
Years had passed since Joel, and a millennium of new believers have come by faith through the Word, as God approved, planned, and achieved.
Indeed, St. Peter on Pentecost announces the official accreditation:
"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." (Acts 2:22-24)
Because God pledged that faith alone in Christ saves, he accredited the man Jesus with miracles, wonders, and signs which all augur for our faith. The preeminent miracle was his death and resurrection. Because God Himself planned the world's salvation through the cross, Jesus was nailed there for us. And because it is impossible for death to hold the Prince of Life, Christ was raised.
Indeed, because His Word cannot run out, there is no expiration date on Holy Scripture or upon your baptism.
God's Pentecost promise to you and to the world stands, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." People of every nation, tribe, language, and station gamble nothing when they cling to Christ. Christ is sure!
Our Christian faith is not speculation nor is Gospel “hearsay.”
It is dare say.
We dare say what no heathen ever spoke. The Lord Jesus Christ is our salvation!
We dare say what no idol, hero, or philanthropist ever could promise. Salvation is for everyone who calls upon this One Name of the Lord.
We dare say Christ is the life of the world. We dare say that everyone—utterly everyone who trusts in Christ will not be put to shame [1 Peter 2:6].
With each day the world's population swells to incomprehensible proportions. To those who look only at time and space, who fear an end to resources, inadequate stores, and shrinking land, the numbers are ominous.
Not to us. Christians see it very differently.
God's global expression of mercy is wide, deep, and generous. It has no limits, no top, and no ending. God is infinite in is love through Christ and his compassion is for all.
A mass of humanity continues to pour through the Gate by which "whoever enters will be saved." (John 10:9) The Gate, we dare say, is Christ who leads many to eternal life.
God strengthen your faith by this certain word, "Everyone—everyone--who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved."
The patriarchs' and prophets' noble train,
With all Christ's foll'wers true,
Who washed their robes and cleansed sin's guilty stain,
Sing praises ever new!
I see them shine forever,
Resplendent as the sun,
In light diminished never,
Their glorious freedom won.
LSB 674 (vs. 3)
