The Gospel of the Kingdom

Preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God

Previously we reviewed how a person might recognize the Church of God from all the many versions of Christianity out there. This identification process is something you want to do if your are going to follow the biblical admonition to look to His Church for guidance and instruction.

Among the multiple defining characteristics of the Church of God I listed the ongoing work of the Church in preaching the “gospel of the Kingdom of God”. It’s a phrase that means many things to many people.

The bible clearly tells us Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God.... it clearly tells us that the 1st century Church proclaimed the kingdom of God. Others see that as plainly as we do. Most professing Churches will say "we preach and teach the kingdom of God". But, there can be a big difference between what group A means by the "gospel of the Kingdom"... and what group B means by the same phrase.

So, for the next couple of weeks, that's what we are going to look into what preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God means. Because if we accept that it can mean many things to many people then it doesn’t belong in our list of identifying features of the Church of God.

Review of The Biblical Example

Mark 1:15 Jesus proclaimed the good news (glad tidings) of the KOG.... His ethical teaching was full of tie-ins to the KOG... His parables were often used to explain the nature of the KOG… the KOG is like a lump of dough… the KOG is like a field of grain etc. 

Luke 9:1-2 the disciples were sent out to preach and teach about the kingdom of God.

The 1st century Church proclaimed the KOG. And when we look at these scriptural references we begin to see connections to other biblical teaching:

Acts 8:12 our understanding of the name and power of Jesus is related to the gospel of the KOG

Acts 14:22 our tests and trials are related to our future in the KOG

Acts 28:23,31 the law and the prophets are related to the KOG

1 Corinthians 4:20-21 Paul's teaching, correction, and encouragement in Corinth were related to the KOG

2 Peter 1:10-11 our calling and election are related to the kingdom of God.

Because the KOG intersects with so many other aspects of our salvation, our spiritual walk, biblical history, prophecy... that the phrase Kingdom of God either: 1) means so many things that it ends up meaning nothing  2) has one aspect of the teaching about the Kingdom of God emphasized so much that other aspects get forgotten, neglected, or rejected.

The Gospel

In many of these bible references you may have noticed the word "gospel" is closely connected to the phrase "kingdom of God". Gospel simply means good news (gut-spiel, evangelion). Many modern translations now use the literal rendering, good news. I think this is helpful since the old-timey word gospel has taken on a different meaning over time.

Should the word "gospel" always be understood as referring the the "gospel of the kingdom of God"... or can it mean glad tidings about other things as well. Ex. the gospel of Christ, the gospel of salvation, the gospel of grace, etc.? Furthermore, when we encounter the word gospel all by itself IE. "they believed the gospel that was preached to them"... should we assume it implies "kingdom of God" or could it be referring to a different set of teachings?

We believe "gospel" should be understood as referring to the message of the kingdom of God. But, we are swimming against the current on this one so let's take time to explain.

The world gospel is found 77 times in the bible… I have grouped (categorized) them to keep the discussion manageable. 

1. References to the One Delivering the Message

This group includes phrases like "gospel of God", "gospel of Christ", or Paul saying "my gospel". The gospel of God is not a message about God, its the message that comes from God. The gospel of Christ is not just a message about the person of Christ, it is the message He brings to us from God. The gospel of Paul is a message about Paul, or a message personally developed by Paul, it is the message Paul brings to us as commissioned by Christ.

Paul’s message includes lots of explanation about Jesus Christ… but its not a separate or different message from the message of the kingdom... its a message about how Jesus’ life death and resurrection puts you on a path to enter into the kingdom of God.

2. References Highlighting Aspects of the Kingdom of God

This group includes phrases like "the gospel of grace", "the gospel of salvation", “the gospel of peace". These are not separate, or distinct, good newses, about separate or distinct topics. These are qualities or aspects of the kingdom of God (like Jesus’ KOG parables).

PEACE: The implementation of the kingdom of God on earth is the only answer to humanity's longing for peace

GRACE: a person only begins their journey to the kingdom of God because God first shows us grace...

SALVATION: salvation from death means nothing if we are not then placed within the context of the kingdom of God.

On this last point consider the example of the exodus. Israel was not saved from their bondage just so they might be free... so they could all go off and seek their own path... some go north... some go south... some east... some west. They were saved so they might come under the righteous rule of God... so He might bring them into the promised land... so they might become a nation (a kingdom of priests) demonstrating the goodness of His rule, leading others into that positive relationship with God.

Exodus 19:5-7 Israel were to be priests ministering to the world in God's service. Israel failed in that commission through disobedience and unbelief. They will be restored and serve in this role once again during Christ's millennial reign Isaiah 61:6 . At present, Israel is blind to that truth and the role of "nation of priests ministering to the world" has be placed upon the Church 1 Peter 2:5, 9.

A person is not called and chosen now simply to save their own skin... we are called to salvation at this time to serve a function in the next phase of the kingdom (rule) of God... which rolls out when Christ returns. We’ll cover that aspect of the gospel of the kingdom in future messages.

3. References to "The Gospel" Alone

The largest group of references simply say "the gospel" with the assumption that the reader or listener knows what is being referred to: EX. "those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel", "for the sake of the gospel", "the gospel I have preached to the gentiles". The definition of what that gospel is assumed  from either 1) the context 2) prior knowledge gained from other explicit verses.

An Example of Context

1 Corinthians 15:1-5 based on an example like this some say "the gospel" should be understood as a report, or witness, to the events of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. This line of thinking goes on to say the gospel includes the "interpretation" of these same facts... this is the most common take on "gospel" that I have found (with this verse serving as a proof-text).

But why stop at verse 4? Paul says “I am passing on to you what I have received"... then he lists/describes  all that he received and has passed to the congregation (and to us). If we go on with Paul instead of cutting him off at verse 4 we'll find he has a lot more to say about Christ’s rule, our resurrection, and our place in the kingdom of God. 

Picking up in verse 5 Paul goes on to say he passed on the testimony of the 500 who witnessed the resurrection... then he speaks of the importance of the resurrection for those who die in Christ saying if there is no resurrection then all that stuff about Jesus' life, death, and burial is pointless (15:12-14).

Paul points out the necessity of a resurrection for the message about Jesus to have any purpose... He elaborates on the concept of resurrection… He talks about Christ as the first of the first fruits, ruling in power and glory on behalf of God (vs 24)... then he talks about the nature of our resurrection body... and our entrance into the full glory of incorruptible spirit bodies... then

1 Corinthians 15:50 the entire process of redemption from sin through Christ's atoning death, burial, and resurrection... leads to our own resurrection as glorious children of God...  so we might enter into the kingdom of God. THAT’S THE GOSPEL of the KOG!

4. An Everlasting Gospel

The last grouping of ways we find "gospel" used in the bible are references to “the gospel” as older in time than the earthly ministry of Jesus. Sometimes we assume "the gospel" was something new introduced by Jesus Christ... however it is much older. Jesus came preaching an ancient message but magnifying it, providing new dimensions and new understanding to it.

Revelation 14:6 everlasting could simply mean that the message goes on forever into the future (in the same way that those who are resurrected receive the gift of everlasting life). But the other examples we'll look at show “the gospel of the kingdom” extends back into the past eternally as well.

Notice: the angel with this eternal gospel comes after the sounding of the 7th trumpet... which is the last trumpet announcing Christ's return in glory to assume His role as king of kings and commence the 1,000 year rule of God on earth.

Hebrews 4:1-2 this "gospel/good news/evangelion" was preached to Israel. That they were redeemed from slavery in Egypt… that they would enter into the promised land… that they would come directly under the rule of God… that they would in this way serve Him as holy nation… that they would be a teaching example to other nations, so they too might also submit themselves to the rule of God on earth. THAT’S THE GOSPEL of the KOG!

Israel failed to enter into that... because they disobeyed... because they themselves would not submit to the will of God in the here and now.

Galatians 3:8,16 this gospel was preached to Abraham. That God's plan was to bring the blessing of His righteous rule to all nations and people through his offspring: Israel who we have just discussed, through Jesus Christ the one seed, and through the children of faith (which is the Church).

Remember what we just read about Jesus' resurrection... so that He might exercise power and dominion over all things.. as the new Adam… administering God's will  on earth as it is in heaven.

Remember what we read earlier about the Church (the children of faith). They have taken on the role of holy nation, ministering the the whole world, bringing them willingly to God, to submit themselves to His rule.

Remember we are told flesh and blood cannot enter in to the kingdom of God... so our full participation in that rule of God is yet future... after our resurrection… at Christ’s return

Matthew 25:31-34 this message about God's will being done on earth has been the plan from before creation. The inheritance for Israel was a small strip of land called Canaan… in the inheritance of the spirit born children of God is the whole earth... the inheritance is a role helping Christ administer the rule of God on earth...and throughout all creation. THAT’S THE GOSPEL of the KOG!

Proclaimed By God's Servant Prior to Jesus' Earthly Ministry

Daniel 7:27, Isaiah 9:6-7, Psalm 145:10-13

Jesus' preaching and proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom of God was built upon a foundation already established in the law and the prophets... the promises given to Abraham, the almost 1,000 year of Israel's nationhood, the prophecies concerning the Messiah and rule.

A Message Heard But Not Understood

Matthew 13:11-15 Everyone with a bible sees and reads the phrase "kingdom of God". But it seems to mean wildly different things to different people. Is it a spiritual reality only found within the heart, or is it physical as well, is the kingdom here and now, or is the kingdom only a future hope?

These are some of the other questions we will look into in coming weeks.

If we are going to include the preaching of the kingdom of God as one of our identifying characteristics of the Church of God we need to know what that phrase means.