THE AREAS UNDER THE 10/40 WINDOW
William Carey, who was used by God 200 years ago to mobilize the Protestant Church for missionary service. It was Carey who said, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." We expect to see great things accomplished by God and for Him through ministries around the world.
The "10/40 Window" includes the areas between 10 and 40 degrees latitude, north of the equator, west to the Atlantic, and east to the Pacific Ocean. The strategy of concentrating missionary focus on this extremely needy part of the world - in both physical and spiritual terms has had a major impact on the future planning of dozens of mission agencies.
A BLESSED AREA
This area of the world should be the most blessed. It was near the center of this 10/40 belt that the creation of Adam and Eve took place. It was here that the first missionary call came to Abraham: "Leave your country and people and your father's household an go to the land that I will show you ... I will make you into a great nation…and all peoples on the earth will be blessed through you." (Gen 12:1, 2a, 3b)
FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY IN 10/40 WINDOW
In fulfillment of this prophecy, the small town of Bethlehem became the birthplace of Abraham's promised descendent, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Light of the World. At Calvary, still within the boundaries of the 10/40 Window, Jesus gave His like so that the representatives of all nations, peoples, and language groups might appear before God's throne on worship when His Kingdom is established forever.
MISSIONARY MOVEMENT BEGAN IN 10/40 WINDOW
From the 10/40 Window, Jesus commissioned His church to "Go and make disciples of all nations…" (Matt 28:19) From that central location the gospel was to be taken to the whole world. From that source a brilliant light was to shine around the world and dissipate the darkness. (1 John 2:8)
The gospel did indeed go out from the 10/40 Window. The light did shine to many nations. Paul said in Colossians 1:6, "All over the world this gospel is producing fruit and growing…" Today the light had all but gone out in the area from which it came. It has become a place of darkness, deception, poverty, conflict, suffering, and false religion.
WHY THIS DARKNESS NOW? AND WHAT CAN BE DONE NOW?
What happened? Why has this area, so blessed in spiritual history, become the neediest area in the world? The reason can be described in terms no less than disobedience and faithlessness. The Church has let the light go out. By our failing to shine, those at the very source of light have been overcome by darkness.
What can be done now? We must go back to the source and evangelize the 10/40 Window, lest the light we enjoy in the Western World also be overcome by darkness.
GOD HAS NOT ABANDONED THE 10/40 WINDOW
God has not abandoned the 10/40 Window, how can we? It is an area full of prophetic significance. To be involved there is to participate in the major confrontations and victories that will bring our missionary take to a close, and prepare the world for the return of the Lord.
Let us take the light that is in our hand, and like the Olympic torch, rekindle the flame in this parched but strategic area of the world. Let us be faithful to take the gospel to all the unreached peoples of the world.
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