I have read this passage from Matthew 24:14 dozens of times and part of me has always seen that as an unattainable goal! With over 7,000 language groups, and half having any portion of scripture translated it seems like such an insurmountable task.
Check out these scripture access stats HERE
And yet the more I see the state of our world and its depravity, the more I yearn for Christ’s return and for the event promised in Revelation 7:9
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”
To me this has always seemed like a distant and lofty goal. Like a yeah…maybe someday… kind of goal. However, after visiting the Wycliffe Center in Orlando we came across this amazing painting:
At first glance this painting may not catch your eye. But I found myself coming back to it again…and again…
Wycliffe believes that this Last Translator is very likely alive on this Earth today, which means that ALL NATIONS could be reached with the Word of God during our lifetime!
Due to advancements in Bible Translation and in technology, including aviation ministry, translation is SO much faster than it was in previous years. The motto used to be: one missionary, one tribe, one language, one lifetime. Meaning, translating the Bible was your life’s work. It took 65 years to translate the first 500 Bibles, but only took 20 years to complete the next 500 translations In other words, things look insurmountable when you think of thousands of languages needing the Bible, but in reality, things are moving right along.
Wycliffe’s vision 2025 goal is to have a translation project started in ALL languages of the world. So it is very possible that the Very last translator is alive and on this Earth and that in the near future we will see the completion of Matthew 24:14
As my sweet daughter asked me… “Mom could I be the last translator?” I replied to her…it’s possible! We all have a role to play to further Christ’s kingdom on this earth. And I will say the same to you! You could be the last translator, or you could be a participant in getting him or her on the field! What role are you being called to play to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Z Family Goes Global 