The Gospel of the Kingdom
Mark 1:14-15 “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Matthew 24:14 “And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
1- What is the Gospel of the Kingdom?
The Gospel of the Kingdom is the Good News of God’s rule and reign in men’s lives and in the earth. It is the one and the same Gospel called, ‘the Gospel of Jesus Christ” - Paul talks about the the Gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24-32 “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. 32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
Paul pronounces a curse on anyone who preaches another gospel
Galatians 1:6-9 “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”
2- What are the definitions of the words ‘Kingdom’ and ‘Church’?
Kingdom: The area over which a king reigns – the king’s domain. The Kingdom of God is the reign or rule of God, whether in heaven or on earth. It is the purpose of God, the extension of God’s rule.
Church: From the Greek ‘ekklesia’ literally ‘the called out ones’ God’s chosen people especially those who assemble for divine worship.
The Church is God’s final and ultimate instrument for the expression and demonstration of the Kingdom of God and to extend God’s sovereign rule on earth.
The Kingdom of God and the Church are interrelated and cannot be separated.
3- How long has the Kingdom of God been in existence?
The Kingdom of God is an everlasting Kingdom, there has never been a time when the Kingdom of God has not been in existence. The Kingdom of God is sovereign ruling over all kingdoms.
Psalm 145:13 Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Psalm 103:19 “The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His Kingdom rules over all.”
Revelation 11:15-17 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!” And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned. In each age there is a further revelation or revealing of the Kingdom of Heaven.
4- What is the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven?
There is absolutely no difference between these terms; they are synonymous. What is said of the Kingdom of God is also said of the Kingdom of heaven.
N.B. Matthew’s Gospel was specifically written for Jewish converts and almost invariably uses the phrase ‘Kingdom of heaven’ while Mark, Luke and John substituted it with ‘Kingdom of God’ (writing for Gentile believers). It was customary among the Jews to use the word heaven for God.
Jesus said in Matthew 23:22 that to swear by heaven is to swear by “the throne of God and Him that sit thereon”
Matthew 23:22 “And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.”
5- How is the Kingdom of God expressed on earth?
Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
In the Old Testament, natural Israel was meant to be the expression and instrument of the Kingdom of God on earth.
Exodus 19:1-6
“In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain.
3 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.””
In the New Testament, spiritual Israel (the Church) is to be the expression and instrument of the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 21:43 “Therefore I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.”
The instrument has changed but the purpose never changes.
6- What is the New Testament revelation of the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God is not of this world’s system. It is not nationalistic or materialistic.
John 18:36
“Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If My Kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My Kingdom is not from here. “”
The Kingdom of God is spiritual. It is with us.
Luke 17:20
“Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The Kingdom of God does not come with observation””
The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Romans 14:17
“for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
The Kingdom of God is power
1 Corinthians 4:20
“For the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”
The Kingdom of God is to be sought by us.
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
The Kingdom of God can only be entered by the new birth
John 3:1-5
“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
7- The Church is commissioned to preach the Gospel
Mark 16:15 “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. They preached the gospel of the Kingdom.”
We are all called to share the Good News of the Kingdom to everyone around us. Many think because they are not evangelists, they don’t have to bring others to Christ, but this is not true. The Evangelist has been given to the Body of Christ to train everyone to do evangelism. It is our responsibility to establish God’s Kingdom on earth by bringing men and women, young and old to Christ. You and I are workers in God’s amazing Kingdom, what a privilege!
Karina Maile