What Is the Kingdom of God?

Next Part Christ’s Message—An Advance Announcement

(Video http://www.worldtocome.org/player.html#!Item=558796,1)

Just what is the KINGDOM OF GOD—and when does it appear? Is it in heaven? Is it the British Empire? Is it the universal church? Is it the Millennium? Is it “in the hearts of men” or merely the “good within each person”? Millions believe these popular ideas—yet they are ALL wrong! Unnecessary confusion and disagreement reign. Here is the Bible explanation made plain!

In 1966, as God began to call me into His truth, I had the opportunity to meet with my United States congressman from Ohio. I had applied to attend the United States Naval Academy and all applicants were required to have a personal interview with their congressman in the final stages prior to acceptance. At the end of the interview, he asked me if I wished to ask him any questions. Here was a highly respected, long-time member of Congress giving me the opportunity to ask him any question on my mind.

I had only one.

I was learning about the soon-coming, world-ruling, supernatural government to be established at the Return of Jesus Christ. With this on my mind, I asked the congressman his opinion of one world government, if it were in the hands of men. His answer was immediate and emphatic, “I do not believe it would work, but if I did, I would shout it from the housetops.” He went on to express various concerns.

This made a lasting impression. I have never forgotten my conversation with this congressman of over thirty years’ experience in the federal government.

Since that time, many have suggested that one world government is the only way to save civilization. But many questions arise. Who would bring it? How would it be phased in? What laws would it administer? How would they be enforced? Would sovereign nations relinquish their authority to it? Would it succeed, or would it eventually oppress and enslave all mankind? These questions always stop thinkers, planners, leaders and scientists in their tracks!

What is the Gospel?

Jesus stated, “Repent you, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). But just what is the gospel? Most never concern themselves with this question. The truth of the gospel has remained hidden from view to the vast majority of professing Christians. Ever since the first century there has been a conspiracy to deceive would-be Christians about the meaning of the gospel. Shocking as it seems, this has happened.

Most believe that the gospel is about the Person of Jesus Christ. Certainly, Christ’s role is enormous, but He is not the gospel. The Bible shows that Jesus Christ is preached in conjunction with the gospel.

Others proclaim a “gospel of salvation” or “gospel of grace.” Still others believe a “gospel of miracles” or a “social gospel” or a “gospel of foods” or of “healing” or “faith.” There are also those who merely think of “gospel music” when the word gospel comes to mind. These are all man-made ideas that are not what the BIBLE says!

Notice Mark’s account once again! “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.” That is the gospel Jesus preached. It was in this context that He had said, “Repent you, and believe the gospel.” What gospel?—of the “KINGDOM OF GOD.” Verse one refers to this very message when it says, “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” The gospel of Jesus Christ was about the KINGDOM OF GOD—not something else! One must believe and understand that gospel to be saved—not a counterfeit or substitute.

Strong Warning Not to Pervert Gospel

The truth of this subject is so important that God inspired the apostle Paul to warn the Galatians then—and us today: “I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:6-9).

This is a very strong statement! In the next chapter (Gal 2:5), Paul went on to stress the hope “that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.” So there is the true gospel, with all others false.

Plainly, Paul never taught a different or additional gospel, as some allege. Ironically, God used him to be the one to warn against ever allowing such false teaching. He even pronounces a curse (Gal 1:8) on any man, angel or even apostle—“But though we [apostles]…preach any other gospel”—who chooses to violate this command. What a powerful scripture!

Paul further explained that the apostles were entrusted by God to preserve the true gospel. Notice I Thessalonians 2:4: “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts.” This is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. True ministers always teach what God commands, not what “pleases men” or Bible “scholars.” So any idea that Paul taught another gospel (usually thought to be about Christ) is silly. He would have been literally pronouncing a curse on himself!

All who preach a false gospel automatically pronounce a curse on themselves. Why do men not fear to do this? Why are so many willing to teach any one of a variety of false gospels? The churches of mainstream Christianity cannot agree on what the gospel is. Why?

Since Christ said the gospel was about the kingdom of God, and men do not know what the kingdom of God is, they have concluded that the kingdom may be a particular church denomination or Christianity collectively. Others reduce it to a “warm feeling” in the “hearts of people.” Still others believe that it is the “millennium” or even the “British Empire.” Some have even concluded that the gospel of the kingdom of God is not for mankind today!

What incredible ignorance!

The masses are deceived (Rev. 12:9) by the god of this world (II Cor. 4:4), who uses his ministers as instruments to spread the most popular false gospel, about the Person of Christ, instead of the message of the kingdom of God, which Christ brought.

Notice II Corinthians 11:13-15, where Paul wrote, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness…”

This is a blunt, shocking scripture. Yet it is true that Satan has ministers who appear to be the ministers of God.

The following verses continue Paul’s description of the work of false ministers. Notice: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that comes [speaking of false preachers] preaches another Jesus…or if you receive another spirit…or another gospel, which you have not accepted…” ( II Cor 11:3-4). If Christ IS the gospel, then why are “another Jesus” and “another gospel” listed as two separate problems?

People need to wake up to the deception—the mass delusion—of a supposed Christianity that denies virtually all the PLAIN TRUTHS of the Bible! God’s plan for mankind is staggering—incomparable to anything human beings have devised to replace what He says. The world ignores plain, clear, unmistakable scriptures found throughout the Bible about the kingdom of God.

This booklet explains the astonishing truth that so many ignore!