Have You Heard The True Gospel?
Christ started His earthly ministry by making an announcement, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). If we are not careful, we can read over this scripture and completely miss both its meaning, and the enormity of what it says. Modern-day Christians have been virtually brainwashed into believing the message of the gospel is solely about Jesus Christ and their personal salvation. They find it hard to believe they have not learned the truth about what Christ himself taught. That is why it is important that this notion concerning the gospel be rejected.
The gospel Christ taught revealed the plan of God for mankind. Up until the time of Christ, man did not understand about God the Father (Matthew 11:27). They did not know He existed (John 1:18). Christ came to reveal Him, and to proclaim that his Father’s kingdom would some day be established on the earth; that he, Jesus, was going to return to this earth to replace Satan as ruler over the earth; and that he was going to make a way for mankind to enter into that kingdom. That message dispels the idea many hold that they will ascend to heaven upon death to float endlessly about, strumming harps or staring up into the face of God. Rather, Christ taught about a literal Kingdom to be established on the earth that would be under the government of God the Father and ruled over by Christ and the saints (Revelation 5:10). Entrance into that kingdom was the goal he wanted all men to strive for.
Not long after the founding of the church, however, a false gospel began to supplant the true gospel. Paul alludes to it in Galatians 1:8-9:
Galatians 1:8-9: 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. 9 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. NKJV
You will notice that in the above scripture, Paul actually pronounced a curse on any who would preach another gospel! He knew that to alter the gospel by making it a message solely about salvation or about Jesus Christ would cause Christians to lose the knowledge of God’s plan for his creation. And it has, because that gospel message about the Kingdom of God is not proclaimed in the Christian churches of this world to this very day. Rather, they preach a false gospel – one that Paul warned against!
Christ’s recurring proclamation about the coming Kingdom of God prompts the question, “What is the Kingdom of God?” To answer the above question, it is important that we define what a kingdom is. Literally, a kingdom is a nation ruled by a king. That’s simple enough, yet many confuse this plain statement by replacing it with ideas like: The kingdom of God is something in your heart, or it is a particular church organization. By redefining the kingdom, much of what God has planned for man has been hidden from professing Christians. The penalty for that error will some day be laid at the door of those who have preached a false gospel to those seeking the truth of God.
So let’s understand: The kingdom is simply a nation ruled by a king that has laws, territory and subjects. Christ, we are told, was born to be a king:
John 18:37: Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born…” NKJV
But the kingdom Christ was born to rule was not of this world – not of man’s devising – as he clearly stated:
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.” NKJV
Christ wasn’t simply going to take over the small nation of Israel and begin ruling from Jerusalem at that time, as his disciples hoped. Rather, the kingdom Christ was being prepared to rule over lay yet in the future, and was to be established on the earth after many Christians had qualified to enter into it. The Bible further reveals that the kingdom Christ is to rule over will not be limited to one small area of the earth, Israel. Rather, the Kingdom of God will encompass the entire earth. The following scriptures describe the one who is coming to rule over the nations of this world:
Revelation 19:11-16: Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He (Jesus Christ) who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. NKJV
Zechariah 14:9: And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be — “The LORD is one,” And His name one. NKJV
The above verse makes it clear that there will not be a border for the Kingdom of God as kingdoms have today. Rather, it will encompass the entire earth, ruling over all mankind. There will be one world-ruling government. Man’s diverse governments will be thrown down; and Satan the Devil, whom Christ has deposed, will no longer have power (Revelation 20:10). The continual turmoil brought about by mankind’s kingdoms or governments warring with other governments will be brought to an end.
The question now arises, How do you enter into the Kingdom of God? The simple answer from your Bible is that you must repent – that is change – from living a life that is contrary to God’s way, and then you must be baptized for the receiving of God’s holy spirit. One obvious way to repent is to begin practicing the principles laid out in the Ten Commandments; but in this world at this time, that is not as easy as it may initially sound. However, that is what God requires of all those who worship him:
Revelation 22:14: Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the (Holy) city (The New Jerusalem). NKJV
By learning to live according to the principles of God’s laws now, you prepare yourself for living in His soon coming Kingdom.
For further understanding about the Kingdom of God, we recommend you request your free copy of our booklet, The Gospel According To Christ. You can also download your copy from this website.