Typically, Jesus' mission to earth is characterized something like, "Jesus came to die for us so we can have salvation." But to leave the purpose of Christ at this is incomplete.

Jesus taught, "Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3 Matthew 18:3And said, Truly I say to you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
American King James Version×).

Notice Jesus' teaching in chapter 19 of Matthew's Gospel. The rich young man came to Jesus and asked, "What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16 Matthew 19:16And, behold, one came and said to him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
American King James Version×). Jesus responded, "If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17 Matthew 19:17And he said to him, Why call you me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if you will enter into life, keep the commandments.
American King James Version×). He went on to explain to His disciples that "it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:23 Matthew 19:23Then said Jesus to his disciples, Truly I say to you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
American King James Version×) and "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:24 Matthew 19:24And again I say to you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
American King James Version×). His disciples, hearing Jesus' comments, "were greatly astonished, saying, 'Who then can be saved?'" (Matthew 19:25 Matthew 19:25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
American King James Version×).

Jesus clearly taught, and the disciples clearly understood, that eternal life, being saved and entering the Kingdom of God are all synonymous!

In the same passage (Matthew 19:27-29 Matthew 19:27-29 [27] Then answered Peter and said to him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed you; what shall we have therefore? [28] And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, That you which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And every one that has forsaken houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred times, and shall inherit everlasting life.
American King James Version×), when Peter remarked that they had left everything to follow Jesus and asked how this would be re-warded, Jesus answered, "When the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel ... and inherit eternal life."

The apostle Paul elaborates on Christ's teaching about entrance into the Kingdom of God. "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God ..." (1 Corinthians 15:50 1 Corinthians 15:50Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.
American King James Version×). "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 [51] Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
American King James Version×).

"The last trumpet" will sound when Jesus Christ returns to reign in His Kingdom. Jesus Himself inspired this prophecy in Revelation 11:15 Revelation 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
American King James Version×: "Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'"

How important is it to believe in the gospel of the Kingdom of God? Jesus said in Mark 1:15 Mark 1:15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel.
American King James Version×that you have to believe the gospel of the Kingdom of God if you want to be saved!

The salvation that Christ preached must be understood in terms of entering the Kingdom of God. This tells us clearly what salvation or eternal life is and that it includes a serving style of leadership in the Kingdom of God, which will replace all other human kingdoms and be the ruling kingdom on this earth (Matthew 20:25-28 Matthew 20:25-28 [25] But Jesus called them to him, and said, You know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority on them. [26] But it shall not be so among you: but whoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; [27] And whoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: [28] Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
American King James Version×; Revelation 20:4-6 Revelation 20:4-6 [4] And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark on their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. [5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
American King James Version×).

Every purpose and teaching of Jesus was concerned with the future establishment of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus began His ministry with the simple statement, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17 Matthew 4:17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
American King James Version×). He was offering His followers a place in that Kingdom.

Peter, Andrew, James, John and the rest of the first disciples of Jesus saw the decisions they made to leave all behind in light of the unique opportunity to be "on the ground floor" of the Kingdom of God. They knew the Kingdom of God was a literal kingdom; they just didn't know when it would be established. They did know that they had to make a once-in-a-lifetime decision then and there.

The same message is still being preached, and the opportunity is still there for those who can grasp the vision of what Jesus meant.

To know the real Jesus, you have to understand clearly the Kingdom of God. To be with Him, you have to believe the message He preached. (To learn much more about this Kingdom, request or download our free booklet The Gospel of the Kingdom.)