What is the gospel of Jesus? Is it merely the news that he was born in a manger? Is it confined to the miracles and healing Jesus did while walking the earth? Maybe it's simply the news of his death and resurrection? Well, all of these things are a part of the gospel, but the good news that Jesus preached is much more "... Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God" (Mark 1:14). This is the gospel of Jesus. Nowadays many fail to preach the gospel of God's kingdom. Why? The bible teaches that Satan has deceived the whole world (Revelation 12:9). Jesus said that many would come preaching in his name and yet deceive many (Matthews 24:5). This is why pastors everywhere claim to be fulfilling the great commission (spreading the gospel all over the world), but never mention the coming of God's kingdom. Therefore, many people are deceived and have not heard the gospel of Jesus. Instead they hear and believe another gospel, which teaches that they are going to heaven. This is not the gospel of Jesus!
All over the bible, from the promise to Abraham in Genesis to the second coming of Jesus in Revelation, the Lord reveals that his kingdom will be on earth. This message is supposed to be good news to us, especially considering the condition of the world. We should be glad to know that God is going to straighten out the trouble and confusion that's presently in the world. Jesus even told us to pray for the fulfillment of his gospel, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). Jesus also warned us to repent (turn from our sins) and be prepared for the coming of his kingdom. If we truly believe the gospel, then we will obey God's commandments. "...The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (I Corinthians 6:9).
However, Jesus said the meek are blessed because they will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). Now why in the world would the meek want to inherit the earth if God is supposed to take us to heaven? Maybe the meek are not so blessed after all?! Yes, the meek are blessed because they will be on the earth, in God's kingdom. "...but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth" (Proverbs 10:30). Therefore, repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). Jesus never promised to take us to heaven. As a matter of fact Jesus said that no man went up to heaven except he (speaking of himself) that came down from heaven (St. John 3:13). Jesus promised us we would dwell with him on the earth. That's right, Jesus is returning to establish the kingdom of God. If we have faith and obey him, we will rule with him on the earth, "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:10).
First, in order to not not be confused with Belief Alone-ism or the sin and still be saved crowd, I need to state to you that I believe there are four aspects of salvation (as follows):
1. The Provisional Atonement (Christ's death, burial, resurrection, and asension).
2. Justification (Receiving God's grace by faith in Jesus, and in seeking forgiveness with Him).
3. Sanctification (Living holy by the power of God working in a believer).
4. Glorifiation (God taking the believer home).
For more details with Scripture on these 4 different aspects of salvation, check out my thread here:
The Four Aspects of Salvation.
Second, the gospel is defined for us in full detail in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. It's a part of our Justification.
But what is the gospel of the kingdom?
Well, the gospel means: “good news.”
But what is the good news of the kingdom?
The clue lies with with the words of Jesus when He said,
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
and they are they which testify of me”
(John 5:39).
In other words, "
The Kingdom of God" is in reference to "Jesus Christ."
To put it to you another way, John the baptist said, "repent" (seek forgiveness with God by way of prayer), for the Kingdom of God (JESUS) was at hand (near, or coming).
We can read about how the disciples preached the kingdom of God before the cross:
"And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." (Luke 9:2).
Yet, the kingdom of God was preached after the cross, too:
"Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." (Acts of the Apostles 28:31).
Kingdoms are made up of people.
Jesus is the head of the Kingdom.
For you cannot have a Kingdom without a King, and Jesus is the King of Kings.
The Kingdom of God is Jesus.
For the Kingdom can be within a person.
"Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:21).
Jesus says, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John 15:7). Jesus stands at the door of men's hearts and knocks to come inside them: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20). "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love," (Ephesians 3:17).
Jesus identifies Himself as the Kingdom of God when He says,
"But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you." (Luke 11:20).
When Jesus told His disciples that when they healed the sick, they are to say to them that the Kingdom of God has come near to them.
"And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’" (Luke 10:9).
This again is Jesus healing them. Jesus is the Kingdom of God. He is the One who heals.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised," (Luke 4:18).
Jesus is the One who lives in all believers thereby making up the Kingdom of God's people. It's why we are the body of Christ.
"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." (Romans 12:5).