The Gospel of the Kingdom of God

20 Aug

📖 Mark 1:14-15 (KJV) Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

When it comes to this phrase “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God” there are different beliefs about what this means, and I feel people complicate this simple teaching.

✅ 1: One Gospel

📌 I want to point out that there is only one Gospel…

📖 Galatians 1:6-10 (KJV) I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

So there is only one Gospel which is obviously about salvation of mankind, and the kingdom of God is referring to heaven itself which encompasses the millennium reign and the new heaven, a new earth, as these both represent Gods kingdom,

✅ 2: Kingdom of God is Heaven

📖 Revelation 11:15 (KJV) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

If we see here the 7th angel sounded, this is during the wrath of God before the millennium reign and so this is referring to the millennium reign and forever because after the millennium reign of Jesus he have the New heaven and Earth and this is a continuation of Christs kingdom and these in other words are considered as heaven.

✅ 3: the Kingdom is at hand

📌 The confusion comes when we see verse about the kingdom of God is at hand, because some will say, well I thought the kingdom of God is at a much later time?

The kingdom is at hand means you can have access to the kingdom of God if you believe the gospel…

📖 Colossians 1:13-14 (KJV) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

This shows we are translated to the kingdom because spiritually we are saved in the inward man our spirit, this means that we now have access to the kingdom when is comes physical. This is what it means when the kingdom of God is at hand.

✅ 4: Different kingdoms?

📌 The confusion comes when we try to say there is more gospels or different kingdoms? For an example, in the book of Matthew it only use the word the kingdom of heaven times rather then the kingdom of God but these are the same thing.

📖 Matthew 19:23-24 (KJV) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

It’s used interchangeably here.

📖 Mark 10:23 (KJV) And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

It’s clearly the same kingdom.

✅ 5: The Political or Earthly Power Kingdom?

📌 Some teach that Jesus came to set up an earthly government during His first coming. They believe the "gospel of the kingdom" meant a military overthrow, or a Christian-dominated political system.

This view shows up in: The zealots of Jesus’ day (who wanted a militant Messiah).

Modern movements like Christian Dominionism / Theonomy, which claim the church must take over government and “usher in” God’s kingdom.

Certain cults like Jehovah’s Witnesses, who claim Christ’s kingdom began as a government in 1914, ruling through their organization.

📖 John 18:36 (KJV) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Jesus’ kingdom is not part of this present world system. The Bible tells us that this world as we know it will come to an end (Matthew 24:3; 1 John 2:17).

📖 Matthew 24:3-14 (KJV) And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

That doesn’t mean the earth itself will stop existing, but rather that the present age and its sinful order will pass away. When Jesus returns, He will establish His kingdom on the earth a new, righteous order where He rules as King. This is the Kingdom of God promised in Scripture, which replaces the temporary kingdoms of men with His everlasting reign.

It is wrong to say that this present world can be or will be transformed into God’s kingdom. The Bible makes it clear that Christ Himself will bring in the Kingdom when He returns not us. Trying to “usher in” the kingdom through human effort is a false hope.

Jesus warned that the end will not be an age of peace created by man, but a time like the days of Noah filled with violence, corruption, and unbelief (Matthew 24:37–39). This present world system is not headed for revival but for judgment. The first world perished by water in the flood, and Scripture says the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire at Christ’s coming.

📖 2 Peter 3:6-7 (KJV) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Some may ask, “Well, what’s the point of us being here then?” The answer is simple: we are here to win souls for Christ. Our mission is to preach the gospel so that as many people as possible can be saved and gain entrance into the Kingdom of God (Mark 16:15; 2 Peter 3:9).

📖 2 Peter 3:9-13 (KJV) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

So we see that God is preparing to end the world in fire and restart it again as his kingdom so Peter is explaining to us that our job is to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God that people may live and not perish.

✅ 6: Corrupted Examples

📌 It’s not a good idea for us to bring the kingdom in ourselves in this world because we have examples of this and it never was good, because men will always corrupt the rule and power.

❌ Roman Catholicism (Medieval / Papacy)

During the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church equated the “kingdom of God” with the political and earthly power of the papacy. Popes not only claimed spiritual authority but also temporal power — ruling over kings and nations. The idea was that the Church itself was the kingdom of God visibly ruling on earth.

Examples:

Popes crowned emperors (e.g., Pope Leo III crowning Charlemagne in 800 AD).
The Papal States existed where popes ruled as kings.
The claim of “plenitudo potestatis” (fullness of power) — the pope held supreme authority in both church and state matters.
Peter warned against “lording over” God’s people.

📖 1 Peter 5:2-3 (KJV) Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Paul wrote that Christ is the only “head of the church” (Colossians 1:18), not a pope.

📖 Colossians 1:18 (KJV) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

The Result:
This false teaching created centuries of corruption, wars, and abuses of power (the Inquisition, Crusades, indulgences, etc.). It confused people into thinking the visible institution of Rome was the kingdom rather than the future kingdom Christ Himself will establish on earth.

❌ Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs)

Jehovah’s Witnesses believe Jesus began ruling invisibly as King in God's heavenly Kingdom in October 1914, and that Satan was cast down to earth at that time.

They view the Kingdom as a literal government in heaven and see themselves as its representatives on earth.

While they no longer emphasize specific dates for future events, they continue to believe that Armageddon and Christ’s visible return are imminent, based on that 1914 beginning

Jehovah’s Witnesses do not believe Jesus physically returned in 1914. Instead, they teach that Christ’s invisible “presence” began at that time, marking the start of his heavenly rulership

🔎 Problem:

JWs preach a kingdom without the true gospel of salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9).

❌ Mormons (LDS, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

They teach the “kingdom of God” is basically their church organization on earth.

They believe Joseph Smith restored the true church and that the LDS Church is God’s kingdom preparing for Christ’s return.

They also link it with their belief in exaltation (becoming gods) and eternal families, which is not biblical.

🔎 Problem:

Jesus said “the kingdom of God cometh not with observation… for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you”(Luke 17:20–21).

Nowhere does Scripture teach God’s kingdom = a man-made organization.

✅ Conclusion

📌 Here is the problem about all of this, is that when we think that the gospel of the kingdom of God is about ruling this current world then our focuses will be political and not about the salvation of souls.

If we think that the gospel of the kingdom of God is an organization then our focus is on an organization rather than the gospel of Christ which save souls for the kingdom to come.

And so going back to the beginning of this message, the Gospel is one, its about teaching people about the free gift of eternal life, that Jesus paid for on the cross that we may have access to the kingdom of God, this is why the Bible states that the kingdom of God is at hand.

We need to emphasize soul winning by preaching the free gift of eternal life so that peoples souls will have the chance to enter into Gods Kingdom.

📖 John 3:3 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

📌 Being born again is spiritual and means you believed the gospel.

The Source – It is the work of the Holy Spirit.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6).
Salvation is not self-improvement; it is God giving new spiritual life.

The Means – It happens through the Word of God and faith in Christ.

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23).
“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17).

The Result – A new man, inward change of the spirit.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

📖 Ephesians 2:4-10 (KJV) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.