It’s been echoed by preachers far and wide that Jesus can’t return until we preach the gospel to the whole world. That’s not true; at least not entirely. The idea that the gospel must go world-wide before the Lord can come has been drawn from a verse in Matthew’s gospel.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matt. 24.14)
Since Jesus said these words, they are true, just greatly misunderstood. The gospel is not the same as the gospel of the kingdom. Here’s Paul’s definition of the gospel.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand . . . For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15.1-4)
While delivering His Olivet Discourse, Jesus mentioned the gospel of the kingdom being preached amidst other events that take place at mid-point of the last seven years (the onslaught of Jewish persecution and an encouragement to flee from it, the abomination of desolation . . .) This wasn’t just some arbitrary thought He interjected into the mix of those other events. He was referencing something very specific; something He knew would come about at that precise intersection of time. His kingdom!
In a previous post (Timing is Everything) I explain why the inception of Jesus’ kingdom must begin at mid-point of the last seven years. That being so, the gospel (good news) of the kingdom Jesus was referring to will be preached world-wide at the onset of His kingdom, not before. The fact is, it’s not even going to be preached by men, but an angel.
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. (Rev. 14.6)
It just so happens this angel shows up in the Book of Revelation at mid-point of the last seven years, right in the midst of the other events Jesus said would be going on at that time. In fact, the only reason this angel will be able to preach the gospel to men at all is due to Jesus’ reign over the kingdoms of this world getting underway. There’s a distinct and notable change in the nature of how God deals with men on the earth immediately following the outset of Jesus’ reign. On that account, for the time being, while Satan retains that authority, it would seem God’s angels can’t preach the gospel of Christ. That’s been left to us.
The gospel of Christ doesn’t need to be preached world-wide prior to His appearing (that’s no excuse not to try though.) On the other hand, once He does appear and His reign begins (2 Tim. 4.1,) the angel will have three and a half years to preach the gospel of the kingdom world-wide before the Second Coming of Christ.
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Wow! Your take on prophecy is so unlike most of the big-name guys. I like it!!!