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

Part 1 of 2 by Don Bell | ⏱️ 13 minute read

The gospel of the Kingdom was not a vague spiritual slogan to those who first heard Jesus announce that God's rule was at hand. It sounded like a revolution, a promise that God's reign was breaking into their ordinary lives under Roman oppression. Picture yourself standing in that Galilean crowd, hearing those words for the very first time.

Today, many Christians reduce the "gospel" to getting saved and going to Heaven when we die, and miss the larger story Jesus actually preached. In this article, we'll explore what He meant by this Kingdom message, tracing its roots from creation through Israel's story to Christ's arrival.

You'll see how this Kingdom is both a present, inner reality and a future, physical reign, and why being "born again" is the doorway into it. Finally, we'll look at what it means to live as an ambassador of this Kingdom right now, partnering with the Holy Spirit to carry its message and power into your everyday world.

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.

Is the "Kingdom of Heaven" Different From the "Kingdom of God"?

The phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" (Malkut Shamayim) as seen in the Gospel of Matthew was commonly used as a substitute term for the Kingdom of God before and at the time of Jesus because of the rabbinical custom to avoid any accidental misuse of the name of God. Both terms are identical in their meaning.

How to Enter the Kingdom of God

When a Jewish leader, Nicodemus, came 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.

We can 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).

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

Currently, the Kingdom of God is primarily a spiritual reality, manifested in the hearts and lives of believers. Jesus emphasized its 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). He explained to the questioning 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).

This means God's Kingdom isn't advanced through political power or by reshaping worldly institutions to reflect our values. As 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). Rather, it grows as we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from within. When our lives reflect Christ's character, His righteousness, peace, and joy, we reveal the Kingdom that already dwells within us.

Our calling isn't to conform the world to God's standards through legislation or intimidation but to be transformed ourselves, becoming living demonstrations of His Kingdom reality. As we yield to the Holy Spirit's work, others see Christ in us and are drawn to the King Himself. As we walk in the Spirit, following the Holy Spirit's leading, we reveal both the present and future aspects of God's Kingdom and witness its peaceful growth, one restored life at a time, as people are born again.

This spiritual reality will one day become fully physical. When Jesus returns, God will establish His eternal, physical Kingdom on the New Earth, where righteousness dwells forever (Revelation 21:2–4; 2 Peter 3:13). Until then, we're called to manifest His Kingdom through transformed lives.

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 existed since ancient times, long before Jesus was born. That's why the Jewish people listened intently whenever Jesus spoke about God's Kingdom. 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 believers living in the Church Age — the period between Pentecost and Christ's future return — we also must grasp Jesus' Kingdom message. Understanding it enables us to live out its truths and share them with everyone we meet until He comes again (Matthew 24:14).

1. The Creation: In the Beginning God

The Old Testament begins with God as the Creator of everything visible and invisible including the heavenly host, which included unique beings whom He set apart to form His Divine Council in the heavenly realm.¹ Whenever The Old Testament refers to 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), though they weren't actually angels.

Scripture says, "all the sons of God shouted for joy" when God created Earth (Job 38:4–7), but 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 lovingly gave "free will" to all His created beings, including humankind, enabling them to make their own choices, but the misuse of this freedom 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 spiritual being who had turned against God (Isaiah 14:12–14; Ezekiel 28:12–17), influenced God's earthly representatives, Adam and Eve, to disobey. They chose their own way instead of following God's direction (Genesis 3:1–7). Their rebellion severed the intended partnership between God and humanity, introducing sin and death into the world (Genesis 3:22–24).

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

As time passed, rebellion against God’s rule did not stop at Eden; it spread and intensified. A rebellion occurred in the heavens when some sons of God abandoned God's Divine Council, mingling with humans on Earth to create their own hybrid offspring called the Nephilim.³ Their rebellion not only resulted in their condemnation and binding in Hell awaiting judgement, their corruption of God's creation became so severe that a worldwide flood became necessary to cleanse Earth and allow a fresh start with Noah and his family, the only righteous people remaining (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 instead of 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. Abraham's Promise: Israel's Beginning

It was time for God's foreordained plan, which He had prepared knowing the nations would turn to other gods. It set the stage for the unique role of Abraham and his grandson Jacob who received a new name from God — Israel. The name "Israel" became the collective term for Jacob's 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. Yet, God's chosen people experienced 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 merely talk about the Kingdom; He 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 event marked a dramatic shift in God's redemptive plan. God's Kingdom, which Jesus had inaugurated through His life, death, and resurrection, would now advance through His followers.

From that moment until Christ returns, we live in a unique era where the Kingdom is present but not yet fully realized. During this time, God is calling people from every nation to enter His Kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ. The Church serves as the community of believers who live under Jesus' kingship, commissioned to demonstrate His reality to the world until He returns.

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 an escape from a troubled Earth to a peaceful Heaven, as 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 Kingdom.

How Different Christians View the Gospel of the Kingdom

While all Christians agree that Jesus is King, various 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).

Your Role and Ministry in God's Kingdom

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, it's given to ALL believers!

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 note this: He has called some believers to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to prepare us for this important work (Ephesians 4:11–12).

YOU have a vital part to play in the Kingdom. It means you are called to be an ambassador for Christ, representing the King's interests on Earth. Your role is to announce God's peace to a broken world, inviting others to be reconciled to Him. As 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).

Empowered by the Holy Spirit

You aren't expected to do this in your own strength. The Holy Spirit gives believers supernatural abilities to advance the Kingdom. These gifts of the Spirit — including prophecy, healing, discernment of spirits, and faith — are not optional; they are necessary tools that enable you to reveal the Kingdom's power and reality (1 Corinthians 12:8–10).

To fulfill your ministry role, follow the example of Jesus by doing what the Holy Spirit shows you to do (John 5:19). Whether through a word of encouragement, a prayer for healing, or simply sharing the good news of the Kingdom, you are called to demonstrate the Kingdom's values of justice, mercy, and love. Above all, you're not left on your own. As Jesus promised, "'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

We're beginning to understand the gospel of the Kingdom, having looked at its ancient roots, its present reality, and its glorious future. Yet 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.

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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 walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

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Hi, I'm Don…

It's great to meet you! I'm not a pastor or 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. Let's discover together what God has in store for you.