What is the Gospel of the Kingdom?

Jesus used the phrase, "the Gospel of the Kingdom",  five times in the new testament.  And, perhaps most notable, the following verse:

This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.  Matthew 24:14

It's an interesting comment, but what did he mean?  To Jewish believers, it would not have been a foreign concept.  You see, in Jesus's day, they were anticipating a time when their messiah (the Davidic King) would bring forth a kingdom era, overshadowing all the kingdoms of the world.  However, many Jews of that day were shortsighted.  They had in mind supplanting Roman oppression, rather than the much broader view supported by the following verses: 

The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey him.  Daniel 7:27

The seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying, The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.  Revelation 11:15

The kingdom era would initiate God's earthly reign at the end of this age, lasting a thousand years.  John makes reference to this inaugural period five times in Revelation 21:1-6.  It will be an unprecedented time of world peace and prosperity, where the consequences of man's sin have largely vanished.  It precedes the establishment of the new heavens and new earth (the eternal age), also referred to as the world to come.  If viewing the following by phone, turn sideways.
 
     (Galatians 1:4)                                                       Age to Come    
    Present Evil Age ---> Day of the Lord ---> MESSIANIC AGE ---> New Heavens & Earth                          

Obviously, not all scholars agree on the literal thousand year reign of Christ.  But in an effort to provide more clarity on this important topic, it's critical we take into account  the teachings of the early church, prior to the entrance of Gnostic distortions.  I suggest viewing Joel Richardson's The Millennium and Church History.   

The term gospel, or good news, is used over 90 times in the New Testament and refers to the promise of this glorious coming kingdom.  Read more of this awesome era in Seek First the Kingdom.     

Which age are you living for?


  

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