God is a great and benevolent King who delights to bestow on his repentant subjects all the glories of his peaceful kingdom.
People commonly think of the gospel as the message that saves individuals. But the gospel focuses both on individuals and the entire created universe. The gospel encompasses everything.
At the macro level, the gospel is all about the kingdom of God. Matthew 4:23 says Jesus “went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people” (ESV). Pay attention to that phrase “the gospel of the kingdom.” The kingdom of God is a vital part of the gospel message.
Jesus and the gospel of the kingdom
Jesus proclaimed the message of the kingdom of God at the beginning of his ministry, after his baptism and 40 days of testing. Mark says, “Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14–15).
And Jesus talked about the kingdom of God as part of the gospel message at the end of his ministry, as he taught his disciples about the End Times, saying, “This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).
Where God rules
The kingdom of God is his rule. Wherever God exercises his rule, in exorcism and healing and other wonders, his kingdom comes. Jesus said, “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20).
Whenever people surrender their lives to his rule, his kingdom has come in them. Colossians 1:13 says, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”
The great and benevolent King
What does the gospel of the kingdom teach us about God?
The gospel reveals that God is a great king ruling a great kingdom, which he is reestablishing in the earth and the universe after a horrific rebellion. His delight is benevolently to bestow on his repentant subjects all the glories of this joyful, loving, peaceful, eternal, righteous, beautiful kingdom. (See Romans 14:17; Luke 23:42–43; Isaiah 9:6–7; Revelation 11:15)
Jesus said, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
God’s kingdom is not the oppressive tyranny of a soul-grinding totalitarian state. Rather, God’s kingdom is a paradise into which he graciously welcomes his adopted sons and daughters. He gladly gives his kingdom to us as a gift and a reward, where we can flourish like trees planted by streams of water.
Our way and God’s way
Our way: Fallen souls rebel against God’s rule, even though his will is “good, pleasing, and perfect” (Romans 12:2, NIV), and his laws are “holy and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12, ESV).
God’s way: He invites all the rebellious earth to return to the fold of his life-giving kingdom, before he vanquishes, once and for all time, Satan’s evil empire.
Life principle: Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things [that is, the things of this created world that you need] will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
Jeremiah 9:23–24: “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.’” (ESV)