The gospel of the kingdom refers to the good news that God’s kingdom has come and will come fully through Jesus Christ. It is the central message Jesus proclaimed during His earthly ministry according to the Gospels. The kingdom of God involves God’s reign and rule over all creation, which brings redemption, restoration, and reconciliation through Christ. Here is an overview of key elements related to the gospel of the kingdom:
The Kingdom of God
In the Old Testament, God was recognized as the true King over Israel and all the earth (1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Psalm 10:16). However, due to sin and rebellion, humanity rejected God’s reign. The prophets predicted a day when God’s rule would be established over all nations through a future messianic King (Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6). Jesus announced that the time was fulfilled and the kingdom was at hand (Mark 1:14-15).
The kingdom of God refers to God’s sovereign reign and the realm where His will is obeyed. It has present aspects but will be fully realized in the future. Wherever God’s rule is recognized and obeyed, His kingdom has come. Those who trust in Christ are part of His kingdom (Colossians 1:13-14). However, there is also a future fulfillment when Christ will return to establish His kingdom on earth in power and glory (Matthew 25:31-34).
The King and His Kingdom
Jesus is the divine King who was promised to rule over God’s kingdom. As the Son of God, Jesus is the heir who has been given all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). During His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated His kingdom authority through His teaching, miracles, healings, exorcisms, and control over nature (Matthew 4:23-24). His works verified that the kingdom of God had come in His person (Luke 11:20).
Jesus is the King who inaugurated God’s kingdom during His first coming. When He returns, He will consummate the kingdom and reign forever over the renewed heavens and earth (Revelation 11:15). The gospel of the kingdom proclaims that Jesus is the Christ who was promised to be the mediatorial Ruler over God’s people and creation.
The Arrival of the Kingdom
A key aspect of the gospel of the kingdom is that the time was fulfilled for God’s kingdom to arrive in Jesus (Mark 1:14-15). God’s rule was inaugurated at Christ’s first coming, even though it’s not yet fully manifested. Jesus announced that the kingdom was near (Matthew 4:17). He taught His disciples to pray for God’s kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10).
The kingdom is inaugurated but not yet consummated. While Jesus ushered in the kingdom, He also spoke of its future arrival in power (Mark 9:1). The King has come, but the kingdom has not yet come in fullness as described in prophecy (Revelation 20-22). The gospel includes the good news that the long-expected kingdom is here, though it’s still advancing and awaiting its culmination.
How to Enter the Kingdom
The gospel of the kingdom is a call to respond to the person and work of Jesus Christ, the King. He proclaimed that repentance was necessary to enter the kingdom (Matthew 4:17). Receiving the kingdom requires being born again by the Spirit (John 3:3-8). Those who have faith in the King enter the kingdom and have eternal life (John 3:16-18).
Jesus preached that the kingdom was a present reality one could enter (Matthew 12:28). At the same time, He taught that not everyone will inherit the kingdom in the future, only those who do God’s will (Matthew 7:21). The gospel demands a response of repentance, faith, and obedience to the King to receive salvation and a place in His kingdom.
The Values of the Kingdom
Jesus described the nature and values of God’s kingdom in His teaching. The kingdom belongs to those who are poor in spirit, gentle, hungry for righteousness, merciful, and pure in heart (Matthew 5:3-10). It is characterized by humility, servant hood, justice, and compassion for the vulnerable. Kingdom citizens follow the command to love God and neighbor by living according to the standards and priorities of God’s reign.
The kingdom produces the fruits of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Those who receive Christ’s kingdom are new creations who seek first God’s kingdom by serving Him wholeheartedly (Matthew 6:33; 2 Corinthians 5:17). The gospel calls for a wholesale reorientation of values around the principles of God’s kingdom under King Jesus.
The Defeat of Evil
An important part of the gospel of the kingdom is that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and deliver humanity from evil (1 John 3:8; Colossians 1:13-14). The kingdom has entered into the domain of Satan to release those held captive to sin and its consequences (Hebrews 2:14-15). Where God’s kingdom advances, the rule of darkness is overthrown.
Jesus exhibited His authority over the demonic realm during His ministry (Matthew 12:28-29). At the cross, He broke the power of Satan by paying the penalty for sin (Colossians 2:14-15). Believers have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into Christ’s kingdom. The gospel proclaims Christ’s victory over the evil powers which oppose God’s reign.
The Kingdom and the Church
Those who respond to the gospel become part of God’s kingdom, but they are also part of God’s family, the church. All who receive Christ by faith are spiritually reborn as children of God (John 1:12-13). The church consists of all believers who follow Jesus as Lord during this age (Matthew 16:18-19).
The kingdom creates the church as communities of disciples who are united to Jesus Christ. While the church is distinct from the kingdom, God’s people are instruments for the advancing and manifestation of His kingdom in this age. Believers called to live as salt and light by doing works of justice and mercy as the body of Christ (Matthew 5:13-16).
The Great Commission
After announcing that all authority had been given to Him, Jesus sent out His disciples to spread the kingdom to the nations (Matthew 28:18-20). The gospel of the kingdom must be preached in all the world before the end will come (Matthew 24:14). The church is commissioned to extend God’s kingdom by making disciples of Christ among every people group.
Believers witness to the kingdom by proclaiming the saving message of Jesus. As people repent and trust in Christ, they enter His kingdom. The gospel will permeate societies and cultures as God’s reign is established in hearts and communities. Evangelization and missions advance the kingdom until Christ returns.
The Return of the King
The New Testament highlights the future return of Jesus Christ, the King, in glory to consummate His kingdom. He will come to judge the world, resurrect the saints, and establish His throne in the new heaven and earth (Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 1:11). At His return, the fullness of God’s rule will be realized throughout creation.
The message of the kingdom thus looks forward to the coming of the King when righteousness and peace will reign supreme. The gospel includes the promise of Christ’s return and the restoration of all things. Believers are to watch and pray for the consummation of the kingdom when their redemption will be complete.
The Reign of God
The ultimate purpose of the gospel of the kingdom is for God’s sovereign rule to be embraced through Christ’s Lordship. His kingdom advances as more people bow to Jesus, the King, and align their lives with God’s will. The good news calls for personal and cultural transformation to live under God’s reign.
God’s kingdom redeems society and creation from sin’s corruption. In the end, God’s glory will permeate a renewed cosmos where love, justice and peace reign eternally. The gospel invites us to experience life under His benevolent reign both now and forever.
In summary, the gospel of the kingdom focuses on Jesus as the promised King who inaugurated God’s reign. The time is fulfilled for people to enter His kingdom by turning from sin and pledging allegiance to Him. His kingdom is forcefully advancing and will one day fill the new creation when Christ returns as King of kings. Those who respond to the gospel become citizens of His reign who live under His loving rule.
