Some professing Christians argue that preaching Bible prophecy is irrelevant, or even contrary, to preaching the “gospel message.” Bible prophecy may be an interesting topic, they say, but prophecy is not significant to our salvation. Is this true? Many professing Christians believe that the gospel is only about the person of Christ, and they ignore what He preached. But what exactly did Jesus preach? Did His message oppose Bible prophecy? Or could it be that the gospel itself is prophetic?
Scripture describes Jesus preaching in Galilee: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people” (Matthew 4:23). Jesus continued to preach the gospel of the kingdom: “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (9:35).
So, we see the clear historic record of the message Jesus preached—the gospel of the kingdom. Scripture further explains: “Now after John was put in prison, 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).
What is this “gospel of the kingdom of God”? Many biblical references and prophecies show that Jesus Christ will come again to establish the kingdom of God on earth. He said: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:3). Yes, the Messiah, Jesus Christ will return to this earth to rule all nations, as Prince of Peace, and as King of kings and Lord of lords (cf. Revelation 11:15).
The gospel of the kingdom is the good news of the coming kingdom of God, and of how we can have a part in that kingdom! The gospel that Jesus preached is prophetic! His message is the good news of the future. So the charge that preaching Bible prophecy is contrary or irrelevant to the gospel is a false charge.
Salvation is a gift that we will ultimately receive at the resurrection (cf. 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4). The book of Revelation describes our ultimate destiny in the kingdom and the family of God for all eternity. The heavenly Jerusalem—the New Jerusalem—will come down to a renewed earth (cf. Revelation 21). You and I can be a part of that glorious future! The great Creator God tells us: “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son” (v. 7).
We can all be thankful that the living Jesus Christ is now guiding His servants to preach the true gospel. As Jesus said: “And 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). Thank God for the true gospel of salvation, and the coming kingdom that He prophesied!
The above is an adaptation of one of the many commentaries, on key topics facing our world, available at the www.lcg.org and www.tomorrowsworld.org Web sites.