And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9–10
These verses from Revelation 5 summarize my experience in Vietnam. I spent two weeks with various Vietnamese pastors and ministry leaders in the northern part of the country, and I was freshly reminded that Christ truly has redeemed a global people for God. Because of Christ’s redemptive work, God is drawing people to himself from the nations, people who confess that Jesus is Lord. What an encouragement!
This was my second time to teach in the country. This time around, I taught Revelation 1–11, and we focused on the details of the biblical text and together learned how to let Scripture interpret Scripture. Specifically, we focused on how often later texts in Revelation help us understand earlier texts in the book, and how we can grasp the meaning of Revelation if we pay close attention to Old Testament texts (e.g., Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah). More broadly, my goal was to show the usefulness of Revelation, both in personal Bible study and in local churches. While Revelation is difficult to interpret in the details, it teaches basic Christian doctrine and urges us to endure in our faith in the midst of our trials, something every Christian needs to remember.
During my time in Vietnam, I saw evidence that God is at work in the country, and I saw opportunities for local church ministry. The students are hungry to learn God’s word. Some students I taught have even studied the Bible together for over 15 years! Their questions showed a rich knowledge of Scripture, and their observations on the biblical text were keen and insightful. These are pastors and ministry leaders at local house churches, and they are eager to study the Bible, to teach it to God’s people, and to serve faithfully in their local churches.
Indeed, God is at work, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Many of the pastors I taught did not grow up in Christian households, and even left Vietnam in the 1980s and 1990s due to the country’s extreme poverty. Like so many in that tumultuous time, they sought a better life in places like Hong Kong and the Philippines. But God was at work. In the places where they sought economic refuge, they actually found spiritual refuge, for in those places they heard the gospel and became followers of Jesus. They would later return to Vietnam and plant churches. Hearing their stories reminded me that God truly is at work to save, even in extreme circumstances. The “big God” theology that we see in Scripture and teach at Bethlehem College and Seminary is shown in the way in which he meticulously orchestrated these events to save sinners and to build his church in Vietnam.
Finally, I saw God at work in the Sunday gatherings at two local house churches. I had the privilege to preach at both churches, and it was a joy to see God’s people worshiping together. These Christians have the same temptations and fears that Christians experience all over the world, and it was encouraging to see how they are fighting the fight of faith in the midst of a world hostile to the lordship of Christ.
Seeing what God is doing in Vietnam was a good reminder that he is at work all over the world building his church. Christ will truly have an inheritance of nations (Psalm 2:8). Having this hope set before us, we find fresh motivation at Bethlehem College and Seminary to put the hand to the plow. At our college, it is for the sake of the Great Commission that we read great books in light of the greatest book. At our seminary, we train future pastors to preach a “big God” theology that rejoices in the meticulous providence of God and the sufficiency of Christ to save all who repent and believe. Would you consider joining us in this great work?
For the cause of Christ,
Joshua M. Greever, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Seminary Programs and Associate Professor of New Testament