The word Gospel in our Bibles literally means good news or glad tidingsand is the English translation of the Greek word 'evangelicon'. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14) preached by Jesus and the Apostles (Acts 19:8) was a message of good tidings to men and women both in their day and also in our own.

What is the good news?

The gospel message in the Bible is one of great hope in that it offers mankind the opportunity of eternal life. This good news is in total contrast to the certain death which naturally faces each one of us...

"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten" (Ecclesiastes 9:5)

On the other hand, an appreciation of the gospel can save us...

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth" (Romans 1:16).

We are invited then to learn and understand precisely what the "Gospel of the Kingdom of God" is (Luke 8:1) in order that we may partake of this wonderful salvation from death. So that we may appreciate what is meant when Jesus went about all the cities and villages "teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom" (Matthew 4:23), it is necessary to consider firstly what constitutes the Kingdom of God and then to see what part Jesus has in the divine teaching.

The Kingdom of God

Jesus taught his disciples to pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done IN EARTH, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). The Bible teaches that the Kingdom of God, or heavenly kingdom, to be established on earth is the re-established ancient kingdom of Israel (Acts 1:6, Micah 4:6-8, Obadiah vs 17,20,21) with Jerusalem as its capital (Jeremiah 3:17). Furthermore the re-established kingdom of Israel will be governed by Jesus sitting on David's throne in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 7:10, 12-13; Luke 1:27-33; Acts 2:29-31). This Kingdom shall subdue all other nations and kingdoms. In the book of the prophet Daniel we read the following,

"The God of heaven shall set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand for ever" (Daniel 2:44).

Jesus the saviour King

Jesus (Saviour) Christ (Anointed) will shortly return to the earth...

"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven , shall so come, in like manner, as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:6,11).

He will come to sit on David's throne in Jerusalem and rule a conquered world in righteousness and peace. He will also share the inheritance of the Kingdom with his faithful followers - styled the saints...

"But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever" (2 Timothy 4:8; Daniel 7:18,27).

In order that all things which God had promised to faithful men of old be fulfilled it was necessary that sin, the cause of death, should be overcome and eventually abolished from the earth...

"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption" (1 Corinthians 15:50).

Jesus, by living a life in total obedience to his Father's will, was able to accomplish this feat culminating in his sacrifice on the cross. "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Hebrews 9:26-28).

Offer of eternal life

God raised Jesus from the dead. He now sits in an immortal state at his Father's side in heaven waiting for the appointed time to return to the earth and fulfil the promises. Through an understanding and belief of the teachings of Jesus and apostles WE can, through baptism "put on Christ" and as "immortal beings" partake of the glories of the future age to live and reign with him as kings and priests...

"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:9-10).

The gospel is indeed good news for us mortal, death-stricken creatures, with its offer to us of eternal life in association with the glories and blessings of God's kingdom on earth.