19 April 2026

THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM

(Biblical Teachings on The Christian Life.: BTCL 30)

In the OT Jesus is prophesied as the coming Messiah that will rule the whole world. Messiah means “the Anointed One” – i.e. One that is anointed as the King chosen by the LORD (YAWEH). Jesus arrived in the fullness of time to set up the Kingdom of God on earth. The wise men from the east discovered this Truth from their study of the stars in the heavens. Hence, they came to Jerusalem asking, “Where is He Who is born King of the Jews?” (Matt.2:2). This frightened King Herod so much that he killed all children from the age of two downwards.

Jesus came to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. His very first message was, “The time has come. Repent and believe the Gospel; for the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). This is confirming what His herald, John the Baptist, had been preaching: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matt.3:2). He told Nicodemus the devout and religious Pharisee, “You must be born again. Unless you are born again you cannot enter the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3, 5). That means everyone must be born again if they wish to ever see Heaven one day.

Almost all the Parables of Jesus are about the Kingdom of God/Heaven. Even when He taught His disciples to pray, He said, “When you pray, say “Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. They will be done on Earth as it is (now) in Heaven” (Matt.6:9-10). When Jesus sent out the Twelve and the 72, He told them, “As you go, proclaim this message: “The Kingdom of Heaven is here,” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt.10:7-8; Luke 10:9-10).

Why this great emphasis on the Kingdom of God/Heaven?

1. Up till now (before Christ arrived) the devil had already set up his evil kingdom and captivated all sinners under his control. 1 John 5:19: “The whole world is under the control of the evil one”. He is the thief that has come “to steal, to kill and to destroy” mankind in hell (John 10:10a).
2. Jesus came to announce the destruction of Satan’s kingdom. He said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven” (Lk 10:18). Satan’s fall is the fall of his kingdom.
3. Jesus came to set captives free: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted and set captives free” (Lk 4:18-19). When sinners repent and believe in Jesus, they are set free: “If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed” (John 8:36). Paul tells us that “He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of His Son Whom He loves” (Col.1:13). Jesus came on a rescue mission.

The Kingdom of God has subdued and overcome the kingdom of darkness. A new day has come. There is hope for all mankind. A new beginning is possible. Heaven on earth can be experienced by faith in Christ alone. The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to all who acknowledge Jesus as Lord!

Click HERE to return to Biblical Teachings on The Christian Life Series

Click HERE to return to Articles Main Menu