The Gospel of the Kingdom

 

Today’s Church has succumbed to worldliness. Yet not the worldliness that most believers think of as worldliness. Rather, the worldliness we’ve succumbed to is much deeper: It’s rooted in a thought process completely divorced from the kingdom reality presented by Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and the Apostles of the Lamb. The Gospel they preached was “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” Matthew 3:2, HCSB. Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14, NIV. That’s what I’d like to talk about in this post.

The kingdom of God was the message of Christ. It was also the message of John the Baptist who was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah: “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” John 1:23 KJV.  John the Baptist declared, “The Lord is Come!” And Jesus, the Messiah, had come in flesh, and blood, and bone, as a man. What was prophesied took place, the Lord had come, and He was rejected by His people, Israel. Nevertheless, Christ’s kingdom had come; His kingdom had entered this world to remain. 

The Apostles of the Lamb understood that truth, preached that truth, and demonstrated that truth: “Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is,’ or ‘There it is.’ For you see, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” Luke 17:21, Berean Standard Bible. Jesus made that statement to His Apostles and disciples. They understood what it meant and acted upon it. The kingdom of God was actively in their midst. They recognized and demonstrated the kingdom of God. There was no doubt in their minds as to who was Lord, when the Lord had come, and what the Lord expected them to do: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” Mark 16:15, NLT.

What Good News were they to preach? No other Gospel than the Gospel preached by Christ and John the Baptist. The Gospel they preached was about the truth that God’s kingdom had come. Yet today, that truth has been muddled by a multitude of messages. We are divided because we haven’t united under the truth Christ brought: His kingdom had come. Not a kingdom of this world, for Christ said to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” John 18:36, NIV. Further, He said, “My kingdom doesn't have its origin on earth." John 18:36, God’s Word Translation.

The kingdom of God isn’t only now; it’s forever and always. Jesus isn’t coming back to reign. No! He reigns right now, according to the Apostle Paul, “[f]or He must reign until He puts all His enemies under His feet.” 1 Corinthians 15:25, HCSB. Jesus “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Colossians 2:15, ESV. That’s something He has already done in the spiritual realm. Yes, the Devil was defeated. His story ends in total defeat, always and forever. Christ reigns eternally. And Jesus Christ chose to establish His kingdom through the proclamation and revelation of His kingdom. He didn’t choose to use the power of the sword to establish His kingdom. No! Rather, He chose the message of the cross. 

By and through the cross, we have access into His kingdom. The shedding of Christ’s blood has opened the door of the kingdom to all who believe in Him. It’s time for the Church to preach this message of God’s kingdom. Not a muddled political message, nor a muddled message focusing on the rapture of the Church, but the relevant message of Christ’s ever present kingdom today. The gospel of the kingdom that’s not of this world, but invaded this world: not with the hope of heaven, but the reality of a forever kingdom where Christ reigns. Yes, the Messiah has come and the world will never be the same; forever His kingdom will reign. 

“What happens to those who refuse to submit to Him and His kingdom? They are removed…forever and always.”— Scott Wallis

That’s the gospel of the kingdom: it’s now, it’s forever, and it’s always. Every other kingdom will be subdued by the gospel of the kingdom. Satan has no defense against it. Whether through the Islamic hoards who promote a murderous satanic kingdom predicated on the violence of the sword, an LGTBQIA+ demonic kingdom that promotes sexual perversion and confusion of identities, a radical socialist and communist state that seeks to impose the devilish religion of government rule, or any other ideology presented against Christ, it will fail, falter, and fall. 

As it says in Revelation 11:15, Berean Standard Bible, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” How? As it says in Revelation 11:17, Berean Literal Bible, “We give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty, the One being, and who was, that You have taken Your great power and reigned.” Christ has given us power over all the power of the enemy. Luke 10:19 KJV.  But when Christ comes again to judge those in the earth, He will take His power, the same power He gave to us, to establish and cement His dominion over death, hell, and the grave. Christ reigns now through preaching of His gospel. But there is coming a day when He will reign by the power of the sword.

In Revelation 19:13, 15, Berean Literal Bible, He is “clothed with a garment dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And out of His mouth proceeds a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations; and He will shepherd them with a rod of iron. And He treads the press of the wine of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.” That’s Jesus! Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. That Word preached is the Good News of His kingdom. That’s the message we, the Church, are called to preach. That message will subdue all nations under His rule and reign. 

What happens to those who refuse to submit to Him and His kingdom? They are removed…forever and always. As Jesus foretold in Matthew 13:30, Berean Literal Bible, “I will say to the harvesters: First collect the weeds and bind them into bundles in order to burn them up”. The weeds will be burned in eternal flames forever. No escape for the wicked. He will establish His justice on those who pursue evil. Yes, the Day of the Lord is coming. “What sorrow awaits you who say, ‘If only the day of the LORD were here!’ You have no idea what you are wishing for. That day will bring darkness, not light.” Amos 5:18, NLT. Yes, eternal judgment awaits the wicked. Christ does reign, will reign, was born to reign, and it’s now time to receive Him as King. 

Will you receive the King? “Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.”                   2 Corinthians 6:2, NLT. Irrespective of what you choose, As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” Joshua 24:15, Berean Standard Bible. I say to the King of every nation and Lord of all creation, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 KJV.

Let us pray!

— Scott Wallis