According to the United Nations, the World’s population hit 8 billion people on November 15, 2022 – a mere 12 years since it passed 7 billion, and less than a century after the planet supported just 2 billion people. Of those 8 billion, India is projected to surpass China as the world’s most populous country in just months. Although the world population growth slowed in 2020 to under 1%, the UN anticipates population growth to continue, possibly to 8.5 billion by 2030, even though fertility rates are as low as they have ever been on record. Considering the increasing population of the world, the UN reported:
More than half of the projected increase in the global population up to 2050 will be concentrated in eight countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and the United Republic of Tanzania. Countries of sub-Saharan Africa are expected to contribute more than half of the increase anticipated through 2050.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres summarizes this milestone:
This is an occasion to celebrate our diversity, recognize our common humanity, and marvel at advancements in health that have extended lifespans and dramatically reduced maternal and child mortality rates. At the same time, it is a reminder of our shared responsibility to care for our planet and a moment to reflect on where we still fall short of our commitments to one another.
As a Christian sharing this planet with the other 8 billion people, we are grateful for the advancements in health. I walked through a rehab facility just yesterday thinking the same thing. People live much longer and healthier than just mere decades ago.
However, as Christians, we had better not simply think of the better health conditions. Instead, we must consider the Gospel’s impact on these people as well.
WHAT IS REALLY AT STAKE?
Whereas the UN Secretary-General emphasized our responsibility to care for the planet and where we fall short of our commitments to one another, Jesus explained to Nicodemus the following:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)
In other words, in addition to our humanitarian efforts and environmental stewardship, we have a much great stewardship responsibility. Jesus explained that He came into the world to save the world. Of course, this is great news! However, Jesus also explained that anyone in the world who does not believe on Him is condemned.
Get this: Of the 8 billion people who now live on earth, every last one of them who does not believe on the name of the only begotten Son of God for salvation will go out into eternity as lost. Eternal condemnation. Eternal damnation.
GOOD NEWS AS THE WORLD’S POPULATION HITS 8 BILLION…
The Good News as the world’s population hits 8 billion is significant as well. Yes, this means that the stakes are high. We do not want to see any of those billions go to hell. But just as the stakes are high, so are the opportunities in front of us.
Jesus explained to the disciples as the townspeople from Sychar came out to Jacob’s Well to meet Him…
Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.” (John 4:35-38)
The fields are white unto harvest.
With greater population comes also great responsibility and greater opportunities.
- We must consider our efforts in these countries with the greatest projected population increases in the near future: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. In these places, we need to plan and send missionaries with the Gospel from around the world.
- We must consider what we can do with technology advancement in these places as well. As Starlink and other companies continue to expand worldwide Wi-Fi, we must be ready to enter into this space. Technology will continue to increase; we must use it to the advantage of the Gospel.
- We must encourage those young people in our churches to consider missionary service. Our teenagers, young adult singles, newly married, and retired people need to be encouraged to go to the mission field. As Jesus said, the fields are white unto harvest.
- We must consider how to connect short-term missions projects with long-term missionary goals on these fields as well.
- We must consider those who live around us as well. Jesus said the Gospel would spread from Jerusalem to Samaria to the rest of the world. Our Jerusalem is our own home neighborhood, city, county, and region. Our Samaria includes our state and other states around us. We cannot fail to personally seek to share and live the Gospel in everyday living.
AS JESUS SAID, PRAY TO THE LORD OF THE HARVEST…
Jesus said it simply to the disciples in Matthew.
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. (Matthew 9:38)
We must join along with so many other fellow believers in this effort. Pray to the Lord of the harvest. For more information on the world-wide effort to pray for the harvest, consider click on this LINK-project938.
For other demographic information from the UN, refer to this LINK.
This article was originally posted at kevincarson.com and can be found by clicking here.