Man has been given the charge, “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it,” or to put it another way, “go disciple the nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey.” Until we can bring back the report, “we have filled and subdued,” or, “we have discipled and baptized,” there is a great sense of anticipation or expectancy that hangs over all creation. As Paul says, “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.”
We see glimpses throughout scripture, prototypes of the ultimate fulfillment of the command. God led His people out of slavery to death and into the land of promise. Solomon reigned over a kingdom of peace to whom all the nations gave homage. We see the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles, the unity of all mankind into one new body under one head. These are all fleshed out in the new Jerusalem, the city that comes down from heaven, the kingdom of God on earth, whose waters are a spring of life and whose gates are open to all.
The goal has been established, but not reached. What do we do in the meantime as we march into battle under the order of the king? This hope of victory, if long deferred can make the heart sick. We need morale, we need enthusiasm. We must be on fire. So, we sing. Our song fills this time of expectancy until we can report back, “we have marched.”
