The Gospel of the Kingdom: Understanding Christ's Central Message

Part 1 of 2 by Don Bell | ⏱️ 12 minute read

When most people hear the word "gospel," they don't think about the Gospel of the Kingdom; they think about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the gospel message of grace and personal salvation. However, the gospel is actually more than that. Jesus' main message wasn't only about Himself; it was that He had brought the Kingdom of God right here to Earth.

What Is the Gospel of the Kingdom?

The "Gospel of the Kingdom" was and is the good news for everyone; it was the focus of Jesus' earthly ministry. It's also the gospel that He asked us to share until His return. So, we need to understand what this "Kingdom" is all about to experience it and share its message with other people. We'll dive into its history, figure out what it means for us now, and what its future holds.

The Ancient Foundations of God's Kingdom: Nine Major Events

The concept of God's kingship and the establishment of His rule on Earth has been around since ancient times, long before Jesus was born.

The Jewish people listened carefully whenever Jesus talked about God's Kingdom, because they held many different views and hopes concerning it at the time, especially when it came to their day-to-day living in the midst of a harsh Roman occupation.

As Christians living in the Church Age, the time between Pentecost and the future return of Jesus Christ, we also need to understand Jesus' message of the Kingdom to be mindful of our calling to proclaim it as a witness to the nations until He returns (Matthew 24:14).

1. The Creation: In the Beginning God

The Old Testament (Tanakh) begins with God as the Creator of everything visible and invisible. It reveals that before God created Earth, He first created the heavens and the heavenly host, including unique beings whom He set apart to form His divine council in the heavenly realm.¹ Whenever The Old Testament talks about these supernatural beings, they're called "gods" (Psalm 82:1) or "sons of God" (Job 1:6, 2:1) or "angels of God" (Genesis 28:12), but they weren't actually angels.

Scripture says they shouted for joy when Earth was created: "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4–7).

Much later, in The New Testament, Paul of Tarsus calls these same divine beings principalities, powers, and "spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). So what went wrong? To figure this out, we must go back to the beginning.

After God made Earth, He made human beings to represent Him and have dominion over His earthly realm (Genesis 1:26–28). God had lovingly given "free will" to all His created beings, including humankind, enabling them to make their own choices, but its misuse led to rebellions in both His heavenly and earthly realms, interrupting His divine plan.²

2. The First Rebellion: Eden's Fall

The first earthly rebellion took place in the Garden of Eden. Satan, a powerful cherub and possibly a high-ranking member of God's divine council, had tried to elevate himself above God (Isaiah 14:12–14; Ezekiel 28:12–17). He then influenced God's earthly representatives, Adam and Eve, to disobey God by choosing their own way instead of following God's direction (Genesis 3:1–7). Their rebellion severed the intended partnership between God and all humankind (Genesis 3:22–24).

3. The Second Rebellion: The Heavens Invade Earth & the Great Flood

A heavenly rebellion occurred when some sons of God abandoned God's divine council to mix with humans on Earth and create their own hybrid offspring called the Nephilim.³ The rebellion of these heavenly sons of God not only got them condemned and bound in Hell waiting for judgement, their evil deeds corrupted Earth's human population to such an extent that a worldwide flood became necessary to cleanse Earth and allow a fresh start with Noah and his family, the only righteous humans remaining then (Genesis 6:1–8; 2 Peter 2:4–5; Jude 1:6).

4. The Third Rebellion: Babel's Pride & Division

Following the Great Flood, human pride grew to hit its peak at Babel where the people gathered to decide their own future, not depending on God's plan for their well-being. In response, God confused their language and divided them into different nations, putting those nations under the rule of His divine council members, the sons of God who had remained true to Him (Genesis 11:1–9).⁴

However, even these heavenly sons of God would later rebel against God and lead those nations into idolatry, worshiping not only them but demons, the wandering spirits of the part-human Nephilim who died during the Flood and later at the hands of Israel's armies in their conquest of the Promised Land.

5. God's Restoration Begins: Abraham's Promise & Israel's Beginning

It was time for God's backup plan; it was a secret plan that He had already prepared for this kind of crisis. It set the stage for the unique role of Abraham and his grandson Jacob who received a new name from God — Israel. After Jacob's death, the name "Israel" became the collective term for his descendants, organized into twelve tribes, and the nation that God chose to be a light to the other nations got its start (Deuteronomy 32:7–12).⁵

God had promised Abraham that through his descendants, all nations would be restored and blessed. But, God's chosen people saw repeated failures and divine interventions, as corrupt kings and prophets played out their roles. God inspired Isaiah and Daniel to prophesy of a future where a Messiah, an anointed king, would bring justice, healing, and peace to a broken world. The people of Israel were praying, hoping, and waiting for their promised king to arrive and make everything right and then — Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

6. The Advent: The Kingdom Arrives in Christ

Scripture records: "Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom 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, emphasis added). Jesus began His ministry by declaring the wait was finally over. The promised Kingdom had arrived through Him!

But, Jesus didn't only talk about the Kingdom; He actually demonstrated it. His lifestyle, teaching, and miracles (healing sickness, casting out demons, and raising the dead) showed the Kingdom's reality and power, and He also told stories or parables about it to give the people a better idea of what it's really like.

7. The Church Age

The Church Age began on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in Jerusalem, empowering them to be Christ's witnesses "to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). This marked a dramatic shift in God's redemptive plan. The Kingdom of God, which Jesus had inaugurated through His life, death, and resurrection, would now advance through His followers as they proclaimed the gospel and demonstrated His power.

From that moment until Christ returns, we live in this unique era where the Kingdom has come but is not yet fully realized. During this time, God is calling people from every nation to enter His Kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ, and He's doing it through His Church.

The Church is the Body of Christ and not the Kingdom itself; it's the community of born-again believers who have entered the Kingdom to live under Jesus' kingship and continue what He started. It's also a preview of the Kingdom to come, and it has been given an important role to play.

Scripture says, "All things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18–19). This ministry of reconciliation isn't just for Church leaders, its for ALL believers.

Jesus prophesied, "'This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come'" (Matthew 24:14). WE are called to announce God's message of reconciliation to the world, "as though God were pleading through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20), and it's the job of anointed Church leaders to prepare us, the Body of Christ, for this important work (Ephesians 4:11–12).

8. The Second Coming: Jesus Returns

Jesus has promised to return one day to fully establish His Kingdom on Earth. This "Second Coming" (Matthew 24:30–31) will be seen as a worldwide event that brings an end to all evil, injustice, and suffering. It's not the escape from a troubled Earth to a peaceful Heaven that some might think; it's life on Earth where King Jesus fully reigns in righteousness and peace and joy.

9. The Kingdom Fulfilled: New Heavens and a New Earth

Scripture says, "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). God will restore all creation to its intended purpose, ushering in a "new Heaven" and a "new Earth"; it's the consummation of the story that began in Creation.

The Present and Yet Future Kingdom

There is a present and future aspect to God's Kingdom: It's already present in Christ, but it's not yet fully complete. Let's take a closer look at it.

Experiencing the Present Kingdom

God's Kingdom is supernatural; it's above and beyond politics and worldly governments. Jesus told Pontius Pilate, "'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight...'" (John 18:36).

He further explained to the Pharisees, "'The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, "See here!" or "See there!" For indeed, the kingdom of God is WITHIN you'" (Luke 17:20–21, emphasis added).

Before Jesus had left for Heaven, he told His followers to wait in Jerusalem for "the Promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4). On the day of Pentecost, the dramatic entrance of the Holy Spirit totally changed those ordinary believers who sat waiting in the Upper Room into extraordinary witnesses for the Kingdom. This divine empowerment, made noticeable by supernatural manifestations such as speaking in tongues and prophesying, began a new chapter in God's plan to heal the nations and save everyone on Earth.

Jesus emphasized the Kingdom's present reality, saying, "'The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and EVERYONE IS PRESSING INTO IT'" (Luke 16:16, emphasis added). This invitation to press into God's Kingdom opens the door to connect with God in new ways, with every step of faith.

When believers walk in the Spirit, following the Holy Spirit's leading, they show both the present and future aspects of God's Kingdom to people in need of help. As they manifest His anointing, they get to witness the subtle growth of God's Kingdom, one restored life at a time, as people are born again.

As Paul describes it, "The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17, emphasis added), and as we live out these divine qualities and share the Gospel of the Kingdom, we're doing our part in helping to restore all creation to its intended glory.

How Different Christians View the Gospel of the Kingdom

While all Christians agree that Jesus is King, different traditions emphasize different aspects of His Kingdom. Understanding these views can help clarify why the "Gospel of the Kingdom" is often described in varying ways.

• Pentecostal/Charismatic: The Kingdom is here "now" in supernatural power, demonstrated through the Holy Spirit, miracles, and spiritual gifts, while awaiting full consummation. "For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power" (1 Corinthians 4:20).
• Evangelical/Reformed: The Kingdom is primarily God's spiritual rule in the hearts of believers and His sovereign control over history, focused on salvation and future glory. "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).
• Sacramental (Catholic/Orthodox/Anglican): The Kingdom is visibly manifested on earth through the Church, the liturgy, and the sacraments as the means of grace. "I will build My church... and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 16:18-19).

How to Enter the Kingdom of God

When a Jewish leader, Nicodemus, had come to Jesus in secret to ask about the Gospel of the Kingdom, Jesus said to him, "'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God'" (John 3:3). This spiritual rebirth is needed to enter the Kingdom, but it can only happen when we repent, and believe in Jesus' gospel message.

The Greek word (metanoeō) translated as repent, means more than just being sorry for our sins or wrongdoing; it's asking us to reconsider and think differently. This is good news; it means we can leave behind our past mistakes and selfish way of living and through faith in Jesus be spiritually reborn to start fresh and follow after Jesus, experiencing God's presence in our lives from that point on.

As Scripture says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Your Role and Ministry in God's Kingdom

The Holy Spirit gives believers the supernatural abilities needed to push the Kingdom forward. These gifts of the Spirit are not presented as an option but as necessary tools. The gifts of tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, discernment of spirits, faith, gifts of healing, and miracles (1 Corinthians 12:8–10) enable the followers of Christ to reveal the Kingdom's power and reality to the world around them.

To fulfill our ministry roles, we must follow the example of Jesus by doing what the Holy Spirit shows us to do (John 5:19), keeping our hearts and minds in line with what God wants to do "on earth as it is in Heaven" (Luke 11:2). Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are called to demonstrate the Kingdom's values of justice, mercy, and compassion in a broken world.

By living in unity and love, believers show the world around them what God's Kingdom looks like, inviting others to enter and take their part in spreading the message of the Kingdom until Jesus returns. And we haven't been left on our own. Jesus promises, "'I am with you always, even to the end of the age'" (Matthew 28:20).

Frequently Asked Questions About the Gospel of the Kingdom

Your Kingdom Adventure Begins

You now understand the Gospel of the Kingdom; its ancient roots, its present reality, and its glorious future. But understanding is just the starting point. The Kingdom isn't just something to know about; it's something to live in, breathe in, and seek with your whole heart.

Jesus promised that when we seek His Kingdom first, everything else falls into place (Matthew 6:33). But, what does that look like on a Monday morning? How do we seek the Kingdom while paying bills, raising a family, or navigating difficult relationships?

That's exactly what we'll explore in Part 2's Seeking the Kingdom of God: From Religion to Relationship. There, you'll discover seven practical steps for making Kingdom living your daily reality, not as another religious burden, but as the freedom and joy Jesus intended.

A Prayer for Kingdom Understanding: Father, thank You for revealing Your Kingdom through Jesus. Open the eyes of my heart to see what You're doing in the world and in my life. I don't want to just know about Your Kingdom, I want to live in it, seek it, and share it with others. Make me a faithful ambassador of the Gospel of the Kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.

---

About the Author

Don Bell is the creator of the Kingdom Anointing website, and a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. He shares insights from his spiritual journey to encourage ordinary believers to seek God's Kingdom and lead extraordinary lives in the Holy Spirit.

---

Blessed by This Page? Please Share It

Hi, I'm Don…

It's great to meet you! I'm not a pastor or a theologian, but a believer who discovered the power of the Holy Spirit through personal experience. My prayer is that Kingdom Anointing™ will help you, a fellow believer, build your faith, walk confidently in the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, and realize your full potential in the Kingdom of God.