The "this" in Jesus' gospel.

If you are a Christian the term “gospel” should be at least mildly familiar to you.

It’s just, you know, like the most important thing to us in the universe. Jesus gave a commission to all His followers that they should “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). In fact, not only is giving the gospel to the world to be the modus operandi of every Christian, it’s actually the very thing that must happen before Jesus returns! “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).

Pretty serious stuff this gospel business is, ehy?

Now, let’s zoom in and take a closer look at the gospel Jesus says will be preached in all the world. Let’s notice the curious adjective Jesus uses to describe gospel. He says, “this gospel.” By using the word “this” Jesus is directing us to take a look at the direct context of His statement. So, let’s now look at the preceding verses to look for some clues.

“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 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 24:11-13).

The context of Jesus’ “this gospel” which is preached to all the world:

1.      False prophets who deceive many

Simply put, a prophet is someone who speaks on behalf of God. So Jesus is saying that there will be a time where lots of people are claiming to speak on behalf of God but are actually just giving people their own opinions, theories and traditions in place of what God actually says.

2.      Many disregarding God’s law of love

Paul tells us that “love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10). So then, you can’t keep the law without love as the motivator, and “we love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Therefore, people will not be appreciating the love of God which empowers them to keep His law, thus leading them deeper into sin, selfishness and lawlessness.

3.      A few who endure

In contrast with the many who lose sight of God’s love and law, there is a smaller group who endure. Endure what? They endure the vast spread apostasy of those false representatives of Christ whose teachings deceive the majority into a state of lovelessness and law breaking. This smaller group obviously must be enduring by keeping themselves, by faith, in the love of God which is empowering them to keep His law in the midst of the many who disregard it.

4.      Practicing what they preach

Whatever the specific content of the message is that is preached, those who are preaching it are living it out in their lives. For Jesus didn’t say that it will just be preached, but that it will be preached “as a witness.” They are those who endure, clinging by faith to God’s love and law, which leads to them being saved at Jesus’ return.

Now watch this.

The book of Revelation is devoted almost entirely to end-time events, but, interestingly enough, there is only one reference to the term “gospel” in the entire book. It is found in Revelation 14:6 where there is depicted an angel (or messenger, “angel” literally means “messenger”) who preaches the “everlasting gospel” to the entire world. Next, two following messages are given which warn the world about false worship and teachings. Then is presented a group of saints who practice patient endurance, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Lastly, there is displayed Jesus’ great end-time reaping of those on the Earth.

This is basically an exact repeat and enlargement of Jesus’ teaching about “this gospel” being preached in all the world. Seriously, check it out! That would mean whatever the contents of these messages are, it would be the most precious, important and applicable truth for every professed Christian to be looking into, studying, practicing and proclaiming to the world!

If you study the contents of the everlasting gospel as summarized in Revelation 14, I guarantee you will walk away with a clearer purpose and direction in your Christian experience. You will understand much more clearly what you are called to practice and proclaim to prepare both yourself and the world for Jesus’ soon return.

Check back for a future post where we will look to further unfold the specifics of the gospel these three angels be preachin’ :)