the gospel of the kingdom

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. Matthew 24:14

Though it is very true, and indeed good news, that Christ is the redeemer and savior of our souls on an individual level, the egocentric western version of the gospel is far from complete.  Sin is the beginning of problems faced by all the seed of Adam, but its corruption extends far beyond that of the individual.  As sin affects every facet of human life, from the individual to the societal level, so will our deliverance affect every facet.  Even creation must bear the burden of the corruption of sin, but it too will be delivered.

For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.  For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Romans 8:19-21

The hope of creation (including, but not limited to, the children of God) is in the coming Kingdom of God and therein is found the complete gospel.

The Gospel, and it is good news to those that believe and obey it, is that the Kingdom of God is at hand.  It is coming and is come.  It has presently come and is now manifest as the rule of Christ in the minds, bodies, and souls of the saints.

Now when He [Jesus] 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; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’  For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

The Kingdom of God is come, though presently it is not perceptible to the natural eye.  There is yet a coming time when the Kingdom will come and be established for all the world to see.  This second, and manifest, coming of the Kingdom is in correspondence with the second coming of her King, the Lord Jesus.

For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew 24:27

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. Matthew 25:31

The hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants, And His indignation to His enemies.  For behold, the Lord will come with fire and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire.  For by fire and by His sword The Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many. Isaiah 66:14-16

We have assurance in His resurrection that the Lord shall return in judgement and to establish His kingdom on the earth.

…He [God] has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.  He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. Acts 17:31

Our hope in His resurrection is two-fold.  We have assurance not only that He will return in judgement to reward the righteous and to punish the wicked at the establishment of His Kingdom, but also that we will be made like Him through the resurrection and transformation of our corrupted bodies.

For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection… Romans 6:5

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2

For whom He [God] foreknew, He also preordained to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

With regard to the Gospel of the Kingdom, even our hope of resurrection to eternal life can and must be seen in terms of the Kingdom.  In fact, one purpose of the resurrection is to make us able to inherit the Kingdom.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.  Behold, I tell you a mystery: we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed — in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:50-53

It is in the Kingdom of God that we will live and dwell and have our being after the resurrection, forever more.  A resurrected body without the Kingdom is like a fish without water.  Our hope is for the Kingdom as it provides the context for our eternal salvation.  No kingdom is complete though without a king and just as our hope is for the Kingdom, our hope is in her King, Jesus Christ.  In Him we find the love, justice, peace, joy, liberty, rest, restoration, and comfort that characterize the Kingdom and that are the promises of the Gospel.  To once again point out the shortcoming of an egocentric gospel focused only on the individual, Jesus’ lordship extends far beyond the lives of individual persons.  He is Lord of all and all things have been put under Him.

The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. John 3:35

…one has testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You take care of him?  you have made him a little lower than angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands.  you have put all things in subjection under his feet.”  For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him.  But not we do not yet see all things put under him.  But we Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Hebrews 2:6-9

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.  and He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. Colossians 1:15-17

As stated above, we have assurance in His resurrection that it is only a matter of time before the blast of the seventh trumpet announcing Jesus’ return to claim what is His and to rule with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15).

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 worshiped 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.  The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.” Revelation 11:15-18

And the Lord shall be King over all the earth.  In that day it shall be — “The Lord is one,” and His name one. Zechariah 14:9

And so, the summation of these things is this:  The Gospel of The Kingdom is that it is at hand; it is coming and is come.  Repent, therefore and believe the gospel.  Only in the coming King is the hope of abundant life.

Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat.  Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?  Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is food, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.  Incline your ear and come to Me.  Hear, and your soul shall live;  and I will make an everlasting covenant with you — the sure mercies of David.  Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, a leader and commander for the people.  Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you.  Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:1-7