Matt. 24.
The Gospel of the Kingdom.
THE gospel of the kingdom was preached by John the Baptist, and by Jesus, when they were on the earth; and it will be preached again by Jewish messengers of Jesus, the King, after the church is taken away, and when Jesus is about to return to Israel as their Deliverer.
After John the Baptist was put in prison, Jesus also preached the gospel of the kingdom, saying “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel.” But they rejected Jesus also, as they had rejected John the Baptist, and so the kingdom was not set up. They killed the King, and the setting up of the kingdom must wait until the King comes again from heaven.
While Jesus, the King, is now in heaven, the gospel of the grace of God is preached both to Jews and Gentiles. The rejection and murder of the gracious King proved man to be so bad that nothing but pure grace could meet his need. On the ground of the precious, atoning blood of Jesus, this grace is preached. His precious blood cleanses from all sin, and so the door of mercy is thrown wide open for all—for the Jews —for the Gentiles— for the best, and for the worst alike—for all need it. God in His great grace is ready to welcome, and pardon through the blood of Jesus all who will come. The preaching of this is called “the gospel of the grace of God,” because it is grace, and nothing but grace.
It is thus that God in His grace is gathering a people now from Jews and Gentiles, who are to be the bride of Christ, when He fills the heavens and the earth with His glory.
When the bride of Christ is completed, He will come, and take her to heaven, and then God will give Him the kingdom. But before He comes back with His church to reign, a work of grace will be begun among the Jews, and the King will send messengers from amongst them into all the world, to proclaim the good news that He is coming back again to establish His kingdom on the earth. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations: and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24:1414And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14). Many will believe the good news, and many will not believe. A number from all the tribes of Israel will receive it, and a great multitude from the Gentiles, too, while the unbelieving who follow the beast and the anti-christ will seek to kill the King’s messengers. But the Lord will help. His messengers, and they will finish their testimony. It will go to all nations, and will leave all without excuse. Then the end will come—the end of the Jewish age, and the end of all the trials and sorrows of those who will then suffer for Christ’s name. Christ will come, and crush His enemies, and bless those who have waited for Him; and He will establish His throne of glory on the earth, and reign over Israel and over all nations.
Great will be the joy and the blessing of those who have a part in this glorious kingdom in which Jesus reigns. But if you believe in Jesus now, dear reader, your blessing will be greater still, for instead of being a happy subject in the kingdom on earth, you will be one of the kings above, who will reign with Christ for a thousand years. Rev. 20:66Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6).
May such be your happy and glorious portion.
ML 02/21/1904