The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Although most Christian denominations/groups have understood the Gospel message, groups like the Armstrong Churches of God (ACOG) and Jehovah's Witnesses (JW) have fundamentally misunderstood that message. Instead of the GOOD NEWS about salvation through Jesus Christ, they preach a message about the physical restoration of God's government over this earth. In short, their message is fundamentally a political one instead of a spiritual one. Oh sure, they pay lip service to the spiritual part - admitting that that is certainly part of the message. The focus, however, is clearly on the establishment of a literal kingdom on this earth. Even worse, they claim that the Christians who preach the traditional Gospel are promulgating a FALSE gospel! Which brings us to the point of this post: Who is preaching the right Gospel?
The ACOGs and the JWs love to cite certain prooftexts to support their contention that the more traditional gospel message is incorrect. For example, in the Gospel of Matthew, after Christ's temptation by Satan, we read: "From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'" (Matthew 4:17, ESV) A few verses down from that one, we read that Jesus "went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people." (Matthew 4:23, ESV) Likewise, in the Gospel of Mark, we read: "Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel 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, ESV) Indeed, the subject of the "kingdom of God" is ubiquitous to the canonical narratives about Christ's teachings.
Unfortunately, Christ had to deal with people's expectations - just as we have had to deal with expectations in our own time. When we talk about kingdoms, most folks think about government and all that that entails - authority, power, thrones, armies, territory, etc. In other words, most folks are very practical and literal when such things are discussed. Jesus of Nazareth, however, had a completely different conception of the Kingdom of God, and it did not meet the expectations of his audience.
Christ had to contend with these expectations throughout his ministry. In the Gospel of Luke, we read: "As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, 'A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.'" (Luke 19:11-12, ESV) People expected Jesus to reclaim his ancestor David's throne and immediately dispatch their Roman overlords. In short, they expected the Christ to reign from Jerusalem and forcibly put down all of his foes. In spite of numerous sermons and parables, these expectations persisted.
In the Gospel of John, we find a rather detailed account of Christ's trial before Pilate. We read: "So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, 'Are you the King of the Jews?' Jesus answered, 'Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?' Pilate answered, 'Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?' Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.' Then Pilate said to him, 'So you are a king?' Jesus answered, 'You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.' Pilate said to him, 'What is truth?'" (John 18:33-38, ESV) Notice, that when Christ was asked if he was the King of the Jews, he told Pilate that his kingdom was NOT of this world!
Indeed, right before Jesus ascended into heaven after his resurrection from death, his own disciples reflected this same expectation. In the book of Acts, we read: "So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'" (Acts 1:6-8, ESV) Notice that his own disciples still expected him to set up a literal, physical kingdom! This after listening to Christ's parables and messaging for over three years and having experienced his trial, death, crucifixion, and resurrection.
Why this expectation? Most of the Jews of that time were expecting a Messiah who would restore the Davidic Kingdom to Judaea. They were familiar with what the Hebrew prophets had predicted. Christ's disciples had read (or heard) the book of Isaiah. They knew about the prediction: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." (Isaiah 9:6-7, ESV) Once again, for many Jews, there was only one way to interpret this prophecy - that the Messiah would reestablish the throne of David in the Promised Land.
Even so, the writings of the New Testament make very clear that Christ had very different notions about the Kingdom of God, and what would constitute a fulfillment of the predictions of those Hebrew prophets. In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Christ said: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3-10, ESV) What? That doesn't sound very political! Indeed, it sounds like very spiritual language - even uncharacteristic of what we would normally associate with kings and kingdoms.
As the account of this sermon continued, we are told that Jesus elaborated on commandments dealing with moral or ethical behavior. Once again, not what one would normally expect in a discussion about government. Instead, he talked about anger, lust, retaliation, loving your neighbor, giving to those in need, and how to pray to God! (Matthew 5:31-48 and 6:1-15) He went on to say: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV) Jesus told his disciples not to worry about providing for their physical needs, but to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:25-33, ESV)
He went on to warn them against judging each other and told them that they should worry about correcting their own faults and sins (Matthew 7:1-5, ESV). Christ told them to ask God to provide for their needs and to treat other people the same way that you yourself would like to be treated (Matthew 7:7-12, ESV). Jesus went on to use a tree as a metaphor for human behavior, saying that good trees produce good fruit and vice versa (Matthew 7:15-20, ESV).
Finally, in this long discourse about the kingdom, Christ concluded by saying: "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:24-27, ESV) It is impossible to overstate the fact that this was NOT the kind of language that his disciples were expecting to hear about God's Kingdom!
Instead of ejecting the Romans from the Holy Land, Christ healed the sick, calmed a storm, and cast out demons who were afflicting people (Matthew 8 and 9). In fact, we are informed that "Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'" (Matthew 9:35-38, ESV) What was all of this talk about harvests? Wasn't he supposed to be setting up his administration in Jerusalem and establishing his own authority over the land?
Christ went on to compare the kingdom to a farmer planting seeds and experiencing different results based on which type of soil the seed fell into (Matthew 13:2-8, ESV). Later, he explained that the story about planting seeds was symbolic of folks who heard his message about the kingdom (Matthew 13:18-23, ESV). Next, he compared the kingdom to someone sowing good seed in his field, and then having an enemy later plant weeds in the same field (Matthew 13:24-30, ESV). Jesus also compared the kingdom to a mustard seed and a little leavening, indicating that it would begin small and spread throughout the world (Matthew 13:31-33, ESV). Once again, it is hard to overstate the fact that this was NOT the kind of language that his audience was expecting to hear about the Kingdom of God! They were expecting a political discourse, and they got instead a discussion about character and farmers harvesting crops!
Indeed, Christ's message bewildered everyone. When speaking with one of the leading religious leaders among the Jews, Jesus told Nicodemus that "unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3, ESV). Continuing the account, we read: "Nicodemus said to him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?' Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.' Nicodemus said to him, 'How can these things be?' Jesus answered him, 'Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.'" (John 3:4-17, ESV)
Try for just a moment to put yourself in the shoes of Nicodemus. He had been trained his entire life to look for a Messiah who would restore the Davidic kingdom, and this guy was talking about saving the world and eternal life! This was the Gospel of the Kingdom of God! Once again, this was an astounding turn of events. This was NOT what anyone was expecting from the Messiah! Moreover, the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) go on to tell the story of a Messiah who was arrested, put on trial, executed, and resurrected from the dead - never once having fulfilled their expectations of a political revolution!
What's more, when Jesus did talk about the exercise of authority/power, he did not speak of it in terms that his audience was accustomed to hearing. In the Gospel of Matthew, we read: "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" (Matthew 18:1-4, ESV) A little later, in the same account, Christ said: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:25-28, ESV) That this was NOT the style of leadership that his followers were accustomed to is apparent in the account!
Still not convinced that Christ's message was NOT a political one? Let's take a closer look at the Gospel message his apostles were preaching.
In his epistle to the Christians at Rome, Paul wrote that he was "called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:1-5, ESV) Although he mentioned the fact that Christ was a descendant of David, he emphasized the fact that he was also the Son of God, that he had been resurrected from the dead, and that he (Paul) had been commissioned to spread this message throughout the world.
Likewise, in his letter to the saints at Corinth, Paul wrote: "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (I Corinthians 1:4-9, ESV) Notice that there is NOTHING of a political nature in what Paul is preaching. Instead, his message is focused entirely on what Jesus has done (and would do) for them.
Finally, in his epistle to the Christians of Galatia, Paul wrote: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." (Galatians 1:3-5, ESV) With this context, Paul then went on to proclaim: "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9, ESV) Apparently, even in Paul's day, there were some folks who were trying to twist/pervert the Good New (Gospel) about Jesus Christ and salvation through him!
Likewise, in the epistle of Peter, we read: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (I Peter 1:3-9, ESV) Once again, we see that the focus of the message is salvation through Jesus Christ. This is the message that Christ and his apostles preached about the Kingdom of God!
Hence, we have demonstrated from Scripture that the Gospel of the Kingdom of God was focused on the person of Christ and what he was doing for humankind. It was a message about salvation - the salvation of the entire earth. It was a message about faith, grace, humility, mercy, love, and forgiveness. It was NOT a message about the human conception of governance or political systems. In short, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the good news about salvation and eternal life through Jesus of Nazareth - THE KING OF KINGS!
Posted by Miller Jones/Lonnie C Hendrix
54 comments:
And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.........Daniel 2:44 ESV
AI: “Is “king” a political term?” AI: “Yes, king is fundamentally a political word, functioning primarily as a title for a male monarch who acts as the head of state and sovereign ruler of a nation”.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them ... and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Lonnie it appears to me that you have been so traumatized by your experience in the ACOG that the future aspect of a kingdom ceases to have relevance for you. You appear to be following in the reverse of what Armstongites have done and are still doing.
“Evangelical Christians have been so exercised with the eschatological or futuristic aspects of the Kingdom of God that is has often ceased to have immediate relevance to contemporary Christian life except as a hope. Thus the very term, the “Kingdom of God,” to many Christians means first of all the millennial reign of Christ on earth. This, however, misplaces the emphasis of the Gospels. The distinctive characteristic about Jesus’ teaching is that in some real sense, the Kingdom of God has come in his person and mission (Matt 12:28)” (George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future, Rev. ed., p.xi).
Mk 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the MYSTERY of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
“The mystery of the Kingdom (Mark 4:11) is the secret of its unexpected irruption in history. This is not to minimize the futuristic aspect of the Kingdom. The Old Testament prophets constantly looked forward to the Day of the Lord when God would establish his reign in the earth” (George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future, Rev. ed., pp.xi-xii).
Mk 10:30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time ... and in the age to come eternal life.
“It is clear in the Gospels that the Kingdom of God belongs to the age to come and is an eschatological blessing (Mark 10:23-30). It is the purpose of this book to expound how and in what sense the eschatological Kingdom has come become a present reality in Jesus’ mission... Our primary purpose is to expound the theology of the Synoptic Gospels as to the Kingdom of God” (George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future, Rev.ed., p.xii).
“The message of the entire Bible is that God has acted in redemptive history; and the Gospels represent Jesus as the place in history where God’s redemptive acts reached a definitive climax... the biblical record bears witness that God has acted in history, especially in Jesus of Nazareth, that in him God has disclosed his kingly rule” (George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future, Rev. ed., p.xiii).
Da 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
“The central thesis of this book is that the Kingdom of God is the redemptive reign of God dynamically active to establish his rule among men, and that this Kingdom, which will appear as an apocalyptic act at the end of the age, has already come into human history in the person and mission of Jesus to overcome evil, to deliver men from its power, and to bring them into the blessings of God’s reign. The Kingdom of God involves two great moments: fulfilment within history, and consummation at the end of history. It is precisely this background which provides the setting for the parables of the Kingdom” (George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future, Rev. ed., p.218).
Part 2
Da 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Da 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Da 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
“The mere fact that God proposes to bring his kingdom is no secret; practically every Jewish apocalyptic writing reflects that expectation in one form or another... That the Kingdom was to come in apocalyptic power was no secret; it was affirmed also by orthodox theology. The mystery is a new disclosure of God’s purpose for the establishment of his Kingdom. The new truth, now given to men by revelation in the person and mission of Jesus, is that the Kingdom which is to come finally in apocalyptic power, as foreseen in Daniel, has in fact entered into the world in advance in a hidden form to work secretly within and among men” (George Eldon Ladd, The Presence of the Future, Rev. ed., pp.224-25).
“The New Testament writers find many ways to maintain the balance between the present and future facet of the kingdom of God. If Acts 2:16ff. insists that the Old Testament promises of the kingdom have been realized in the event of Pentecost, Acts 3:19-21 pictures Jesus remaining in heaven “until the time comes for God to restore everything.” If the Epistle to the Hebrews can make the cross of Christ the climatic and complete sacrifice that ends all atoning sacrifices (9:26), two verse later it promises that Christ “will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (v.28). If Peter tells us that Christ has been revealed in these last times for our sake (1 Pet. 1:20) — a reference to Christ’s first coming — he also assures us that we “through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 1:5)” D. A. Carson, How Long, O LORD? pp.119-20).
Eze 45:17 It will be the duty of the [Millennial/Messianic] prince to provide the burnt offerings, grain offerings and drink offerings at the festivals, the New Moons and the Sabbaths—at all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel. He will provide the sin offerings, grain offerings, burnt offerings and fellowship offerings TO MAKE ATONEMENT FOR THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.
The only thing that I disagree with Donald Carson is that the atoning sacrifices for the purging of the flesh are not at an end. There was only one atoning sacrifice that could purify the conscience/save one from the second death - which no animal sacrifice could and there was no claim they could.
My understanding is that Jesus preached the Kingdom of God was at hand. Matt. 11:19-20 but the people did not repent. The Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Luke 19:14, We don't want this man to be our king". John 1:11 He came unto His own and His own received him not. John 19:15, We have no king but Caesar. The kingdom was offered but was refused. In Zech,, at the end of the tribulation, the Jews will accept Jesus and then he will return to rule the world in peace. Armstrong wasn't entirely wrong, his gospel was just incomplete. God made promises to Israel that are yet to occur. Paul said it in Romans 11, he isn't done with Israel. That's how I've come to understand this issue.
Daniel 2:44 is entirely consistent with the thesis of this post. It is the prophesied end of the human concept of governance.
Three thousand years ago, Akhenaten was the Pharaoh of Egypt. But he was also the son of God and son of the Sun.
Miller knows the Bible is riddled with error, yet he goes along with it. Sadly, people believe what they want to believe.
What is the gospel but the purported message of the purported disciples of the purported man Jesus. There have been many religions in world history. More than 4,000, by some estimates. Each of these has a different conception of God or the gods. Clearly, the vast majority of them must be in error. More likely, all of them are in error. They can’t all be right, but they can all be wrong.
Politicalized religion is a major problem in our world. If you wish to read some very good and interesting articles on this subject, go to william_branham.org The focus of this site is on a Pentecostal preacher named William Branham, but articles posted will make you think you're reading about the ACOG's. Since a lot of the ministers mentioned in these articles were into British Israelism, it might feel like old home week for some of you. And btw, HWA is mentioned one this site because of his BI teachings.
Does M.J. have a degree in theology? History? Literature? Mythology? Philosophy? Anything? A high-school diploma? Has he read any books on theology besides the Bible? If so, which?
All I know is that Lonnie is way ahead of HWA in terms of education and IQ, and ahead of all the AC Grad ministers whom HWA mentored, gave worthless degrees, ordained, and sent out to teach.
Look people, we can't know a lot of the specifics about the Kingdom! They are apparently intended to be a mystery, meaning that to a large extent, upon death, we are finally transformed from agnostic to gnostic. It is a mistake to believe we can know every little detail as we walk the lonesome valley of our current existence. All the guesswork and theorizing we were taught are not a proof that Herbert's church was the one true church. There is a cruel term I hate to use, but the term which immediately comes to mind when I think of HWA is bull$h)t artist.
I do have a high-school diploma, a degree in Education with majors in history and political science, and most of the coursework for a Masters in history. I have read many theological works besides the Bible, too numerous to mention here by authors like St. Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Ludemann, Ehrman, Tabor, etc.) Does that qualify me to have an opinion?
Multi-part Commentator,
I was traumatized by my experiences in the Armstrong Churches of God, but my views were motivated by an intensive reevaluation of my entire belief system. I do believe that the concept and reality of the Kingdom expands over time and will find its ultimate fulfillment in the future.
Everything written by men is imperfect, but we certainly wouldn't reject them on the basis of some errors. There is a great deal of wisdom in the Bible, and I believe there is evidence of the Divine breath in its pages.
That's NOT Christ's definition of a king!
Lonnie/Millar.
Many of us await the return of our Lord and King and Saviour. And He is returning to Jerusalem. And He will rule over the nation of Israel and the nations in their entirety. This is not conjecture, and cannot be ignored, but what the scripture leads us to. ‘Messiach Now’ Is the cry through out Israel today in her synagogues and within Jewish communities globally, especially at this time. It is what scripture points us too, a living hope. Never more so than today. With family in Ashdod and Jerusalem and friends scattered through Israel I take heart in His return. The angels told the disciples when they watched Him ascend into the clouds that He would return the same way. With power and glory. We await, all Israel awaits. And Israel’s eyes will then be opened and as we read, they will mourn for their blindness and finally acknowledge His divinity and Kingship. That day cannot come quickly enough.
The gospel was not about Jesus, it was about the Kingdom of God.
There is no need of salvation if there is no law as there is no sin where there is no law. If all one has to do is love his brother as himself and there are no directives regarding how to do that, it is difficult to do along with no need for salvation.
Or, one not only is not to do something, but not think about it. as Matthew 5:27-28 instructs, even thinking about smething that is wrong is wrong. Thus, if one who says he does not do something, but still labels himself as that even though not doing it, he is thinking of the wrongdoing say adultery or some other sin like maybe some other sexual sin instead of stopping, repenting, and moving on.
Of course, if all you need is love is where it's all at, then throw all of this religious stuff away like the stuff about if something causes you to sin, cut if off (get control over it) because it is stupid and useless. And don't bother reading long screeds that hope to impress by glowing words that make no sense in the real world and will not in the world to come.
The moral thing to do is to listen to both sides. If you have the guts.
Google CGI and you might get the impression that they are more interested in bashing HWA than in preaching their message about Jesus. I find that strange.
Please write for us a clear explanation of what is the kingdom of God using scriptures. Try to cover all teachings of what is the kingdom not just one element . It can be done without undue length.
unfortunately you repeat the message of the man who promoted himself an apostle. If we stick to the words of Matthew and try to understand what he is saying about gospel
(because the verse in Matthew ch 24 v 14 is the one used Armstrong and the like including Witnesses to turn it into a future kingdom only Gospel):
- then verses such as we read in ch 4 and 12 make clear the kingdom of God is about Jesus.
Indeed as one reads through Matthew in its entirety the message is where Jesus as the King is - then so is the kingdom.
Paul teaches the same it is the same gospel fulfilled in Christ.
Please write for us a clear explanation of what is the kingdom of God using scriptures. Try to cover all teachings of what is the kingdom not just one element . It can be done without undue length.
Please write for us a clear explanation of why you are too crippled to read the bible for yourself. Get a concordance. Or maybe a Bible.
In my experience of CGI Herbert Armstrong was rarely, if ever mentioned. Loma was talked about by her son Garner Ted but rarely mentioned his dad Herbert.
I will go past the unpleasant nature of your reply. There is no need for such unpleasantness.
I was merely seeking your explanation as to why you said the gospel is not about Christ. I looked up the concordance , not being too crippled, and noted “gospel of the kingdom” is but one description (it occurs in a few verses only), whereas the word ‘gospel’ alone - without ‘kingdom’ - occurs in 99 verses.
I understand now why many in this site go anonymous including myself.
PS and as invited I also looked up 'kingdom of God'' /Kingdom of heaven using a concordance. There are a number of meanings, about 5 or 6, that was apparent.
Included were God’s eternal kingship; Kingdom arrives in Jesus’ ministry; Kingdom in believers now; Church as kingdom people; and verses relating to the apocalyptic consummation or millennium.
And in every case there is no separation of the gospel of the kingdom from the person of Jesus. Thus, it is all about Jesus.
Armstrong taught it was all about the future millennial rule only and he called that the true gospel. He was dead wrong.
the crippled one
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth in him.
Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Once again, we see the evidence that the Good News/Gospel is a message about Jesus Christ and the salvation which is available through him. Christ's kingdom is a spiritual one, and Christians can be a part of it now!
I encourage you to go back and look at Christ's parables about the Kingdom of God and look at what he was saying in them. They were stories that illustrated something about that kingdom. Things like it beginning small and spreading over the whole earth.
Mr. Armstrong's perspective was so myopic and literal that he even taught that people would receive ten or five cities to rule over in the kingdom - totally missing the point that the wise management of the spiritual resources entrusted to a person would result in greater reward than those who were not as diligent in using those same resources. The Kingdom of God is like...the hidden treasure, pearl of great price, a lost sheep, workers in a vineyard, a wedding banquet, dividing sheep from goats, etc.
The prophecies about the Kingdom found in the Hebrew prophets can likewise all be interpreted literally or spiritually. Like Armstrong, the people of Israel tended to interpret them literally. That is why Christ's own people rejected him. They were expecting someone to overthrow the Romans and reestablish the Davidic Kingdom. They weren't expecting God to come to this earth and give himself as a sacrifice for their sins! In short, they weren't expecting the good news which Christ brought them.
Pretty good paper by Lonnie. A little lengthy… the Kingdom, ( or perhaps Family), of God is spiritual. That millennial period which is to come is physical and is NOT the Kingdom. Lonnie pretty well showed that by the scriptures in John 3. The ‘Gospel’ message was not and is not about Israel being restored to prominence —— although that will happen. Jesus did not come announcing something they already knew about from the prophecies. His disciples knew those prophecies and that is why they asked “Will you at this time restore ….” They knew that. Expected that. Looked forward to that, but Jesus brought that Good News that few had ever understood even partially. The Gospel of Christ is about how to enter that KOG and He demonstrated that way.
RCG/WCG and the continuing splinters still refer to that 1,000 year period as the ‘kingdom’, writing songs, putting on children’s plays picturing that wonderful time of plenty and peace, but that is still physical. The Kingdom is Spititual, and those who enter must be Spirit as they enter Eternity.
Jesus’ own disciples did not understand until He breathed on them and opened their eyes. That Gospel message was something beyond what most had ever heard, and it was difficult to grasp as their eyes were still focused on those prophecies of a wonderful promised life on earth. Those prophecies pointed to Israel and promises made, but this new Gospel of the Kingdom included Gentiles as well. NEW wine not to be put in old wineskins! Isn’t it amazing how churches miss out on this most important announcement and opportunity, as their focus is still on physical life?
Miller Jones wrote, “Instead of the GOOD NEWS about salvation through Jesus Christ, they preach a message about the physical restoration of God's government over this earth.”
While the Gospel may encompass a number of topics, Paul is clear on what is of “first importance.” The scripture quoted below is from 1 Corinthians 15 (ESV) at the start of the chapter.
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the GOSPEL I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are BEING SAVED, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of FIRST IMPORTANCE what I also received: THAT CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCRIPTURES …”
Sorry for the HWA Capitals. This is what Paul claims that Jesus passed along to him. Note the words, “what I also received.” It is a message about salvation in Christ. If someone brings you a different Gospel other than the one that Paul carefully describes, given to him by Jesus, then that person is seriously mistaken about what the Gospel is. Along with the Doctrine of God, the definition and meaning of the Gospel is one of the doctrines you don’t want to be wrong about. It is a pivot point. Being in error here will change your religion from a Christian religion to a non-Christian religion. Review HWA’s published beliefs about the Gospel and see if he lines up with Jesus and Paul.
Scout
Why this complaint about some groups mentioning politics? There's the common expression that politics is downstream of religion, meaning that every political ideology has a certain moral foundation. It seems that Miller doesn't agree with the conservative moral foundation. These splinters are only giving out spiritual milk, yet Miller wants even that taken away.
Miller is an under the table crown stealer.
The incident below highlights indirectly that Jesus Christ is the heart and center of the Gospel - there can be no kingdom without Jesus.
(Kingdom of God = reign of God = reign of Jesus — a present and future reality).
Mt 26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
Mt 26:12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Mt 24:14a And this gospel [euangelion] of the reign shall be preached [kērychthēsetai] in all [holē] the world [oikoumenē] for a witness unto all nations; (AV, emended).
Mt 26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel [euangelion] shall be preached [kērychthē] in the whole [holō] world [kosmō], there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. (AV).
“Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached. This weighty promise and prediction is introduced by the emphasizing formula, Verily I say unto you. The gospel is the story of the incarnation of Jesus—his life, teaching, death, resurrection, which implies written documents as well as oral exposition. Our Lord had already (Mat 24:14) intimated that the gospel of the kingdom should be published throughout the world; he here affirms that Mary’s deed shall be enshrined therein for all time” (Arthur Lukyn Williams, Matthew, Pulpit Commentary, e-sword.net).
“In the proclamation of the gospel, the true story behind this story will be told that she is performing an act of worship to her Lord in setting him above all other values. Her example should set a high precedent for all subsequent disciples of Jesus” (Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, NIVAC, p. 830).
“Current preaching of the Christian gospel seldom gives to the woman’s act the place which Jesus says it deserves. In her anonymity she is not much remembered” (R. T. France, Matthew, NICNT, p. 976).
Rom 1:1 the gospel of God,
Rom 1:3 concerning his Son,
Rom 1:4 declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
Ro 1:16 ... the gospel of Christ ... it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;..
Ro 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
“... the gospel of God... is the gospel from the one God about ‘Messiah Jesus’... the gospel reveals that God’s plan for humanity’s salvation CENTRES on his Son... the gospel proclaims that Jesus is Lord and King... It is [good] news about GOD’S REIGN that brings eternal salvation...” (David E. Garland, Romans, TNTC, pp.46-47).
Mk 1:14 ... Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of the REIGN [BASILEIA] OF GOD, (YLT).
Mk 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the REIGN [BASILEIA] OF GOD has arrived: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (paraphrase).
Lk 19:11 ... and spake a parable ... because they thought that THE KINGDOM [BASILEIA] OF GOD should immediately appear. (AV).
Luk 19:11 And while they are hearing these things, having added he spake a simile, because of his being nigh to Jerusalem, and of their thinking that THE REIGN [BASILEIA] OF GOD is about presently to be made manifest.
Luk 19:12 He said therefore, 'A certain man of birth went on to a far country, to take to himself a KINGDOM [BASILEIA], and to return, (YLT).
“This tension between the “already” and the “not yet” — the kingdom has already arrived, and the kingdom has not yet come — is a commonplace of biblical thought” (D. A. Carson, How Long, O LORD? p.120)
Part 2
Rev 17:18 and the woman that thou didst see is the great city that is having REIGN [BASILEIA] over the kings of the land.' (YLT).
Mat 4:8 Again doth the Devil take him to a very high mount, and doth shew to him all the KINGDOMS [BASILEIA] of the world and the glory of them, (YLT).
“BASILEIA ... IS PRIMARILY AN ABSTRACT NOUN, DENOTING SOVEREIGNTY, ROYAL POWER, DOMINION, e.g., Rev 17:18... then, by metonymy, a concrete noun, denoting the territory or people over whom a king rules eg., Matt 4:8... The Kingdom of God is (a) the sphere of God’s rule... [and] ... (b) the sphere in which, at any given time, His rule is acknowledged” (W. E. Vine, Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, p. 294).
2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his HEAVENLY [EPOURANIOS] KINGDOM [BASILEIA]: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Eph 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the HEAVENLY [EPOURANIOS] realms in Christ Jesus,
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the HEAVENLY [EPOURANIOS] realms [lit. “heavenlies”].
Luk 4:5 And the Devil having brought him up to an high mountain, shewed to him all the KINGDOMS [BASILEIA] of the world in a moment of time,
Luk 4:6 and the Devil said to him, 'To thee I will give all this authority, and their glory, because to me it hath been delivered, and to whomsoever I will, I do give it; (YLT).
When the “not yet” arrives the “kingdom” is going to consist of two realms — the earthly and heavenly. Jesus and the saints are going to replace Satan and demons in the “heavenlies’.
2Sa 5:7a Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion
2Sa 5:9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David.
Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
Just as David conquered the fortress of Zion, expelled the Jebusites and made it his city, Jesus will expel Satan and the demons from the ‘heavenlies’ and make the ‘heavenlies’ His kingdom. [‘heavenlies’ used in the sense of the lower realm of heaven - corresponding to the heavenly mount Zion].
Brother Scout has pointed out that the Gospel encompasses a number of topics. This is evident by its many descriptive titles. We have
The Gospel of the kingdom.
The Gospel of God, the gospel of His Son, the gospel of Christ.
The Gospel of peace.
The Gospel of the Grace and Glory of Christ.
The everlasting Gospel.
Why this diversity concerning the Gospel? I believe it is due to the intended purpose each aspect the gospel has for its intended audience. In other words, different gospels (aspects) addressed to different audiences for different reasons.
Christ preached the Gospel of the kingdom to the masses (a collective). He preached to them in parables for it was not given to them at that time to know the mysteries of the kingdom (Matthew 13). They had neither eyes or ears for understanding.
Matthew 24:14 states: And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a WITNESS unto all NATIONS (a collective).
Concerning the "everlasting gospel", we read this in Revelation 14:6-7:
And I saw another angel having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them which dwell on the earth (a collective), every NATION, kindred, and tongue; SAYING, Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement is come. We clearly see a specific theme with a specific purpose for a collective audience.
The apostle Paul on the other hand was sent forth by Christ on a special mission to preach the gospel of the grace and glory of Christ to those individuals called to be saints (the ecclesia). To open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God, that they (individually) should receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance in the kingdom of God. This was not a witness or warning message, but a message of salvation, a calling out a people for God's name sake (Acts 26:18-20, 15:14).
Regardless of whether the Gospel is directed toward nations or chosen individuals, the message is vast, broad, and in a very real way encompasses the entirety of Scripture. One can see this by comparing Romans 1:15-17 with 2 Timothy 3:15-17: The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes. The holy scriptures are able to make one wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Christ is the gospel, and the Bible from beginning to the end is about Christ. Enough said.
You are correct, 6:46. That absolutely applies if you have no prior experience with either side. The fact is, most of us listened very intently to the Armstrongite side during the entire time that we were Armstrongites. Obviously that side left us wanting, so now we are in search of greater concepts and truths. Why go back to something that is known not to work?
Well, uh, 4:51, that was Herbie's half a gospel! Jesus also made the gospel about Himself!
Multi-part,
I liked this exposition very much, especially the careful wording you employed in it. There are several places in Scripture where Christ and the Kingdom/Reign appear to be synonymous. Christ reigns and will reign (and we with him), but in a manner very different than most humans would anticipate. We will serve and love as God and Christ have loved us. The Kingdom of God will not follow the human or demonic pattern of exercising authority or self-aggrandizement. Is it possible that we actually agree about the Gospel and the nature of God's Kingdom?
That was me that just posted a comment. I'm never going to get used to being able to post comments anonymously.
The Bible project organisation believe the bible is a unified story that leds to Jesus.
I would add that Jesus leads people to God the Father and the restoration of mankind's relationship to both.
I mentioned Scout's comment concerning the diversity of the gospel (containing a number of topics) but failed to acknowledge Lonnie and multi-part man's demonstration of said fact. What was I thinking? I believe all 3 have covered the subject as well as it can be!
It was the religious leaders and the rich who rejected Jesus as Messiah in Israel. It was the underdogs of society, the blind beggar, the convict on the cross, the leper, the lame and the sick who saw Jesus Messiahship.
The likelihood of any of this happening through HWA is about as remote as you hearing a noise outside and looking out your window to see an elephant grazing in your garden.
Well that is just not true, the way I read your comment, but then I don't know what is actually in your heart and attempt to 'explain'.
BP8, Monday, March 23, 2026 at 8:43:18 PM PDT, wrote:
"Brother Scout has pointed out that the Gospel encompasses a number of topics. This is evident by its many descriptive titles. We have
The Gospel of the kingdom.
The Gospel of God, the gospel of His Son, the gospel of Christ.
The Gospel of peace.
The Gospel of the Grace and Glory of Christ.
The everlasting Gospel...
...Christ is the gospel, and the Bible from beginning to the end is about Christ. Enough said."
******
FWIIW, I'd like to share for consideration a little bit more to that: "Enough said."
The Gospel of God, Jesus' Father (Isaiah 64:8), Jesus' God, is about the fact that God is love, and will demonstrate that to all nations/families: one and all before all is said and done.
For example, another description of the gospel, as Paul was inspired, follows:
Galatians 3:8 "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed."
And what was "the gospel unto Abraham?"
Genesis 12:3 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
But to conclude that: "...Christ is the gospel, and the Bible from beginning to the end is about Christ?"
May it be better to conclude with saying something like: ...God's love is the gospel, and the Bible from beginning to the end is about Jesus' God's love, Jesus' Father's love?
It's about God's love, that will include God's blessings upon all families/nations: a situation not true today and shall not be reality until after Satan exits the bottomless pit and God's wrath via 7 Vials/Plagues are poured out.
And where does Jesus fit within the gospel that He shared with so many?
"But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him." I Cor 8:6
But time will tell...
John
Thank you for your contribution John. I agree, God's love is definitely the driving force behind all aspects of the biblical gospel.
Your reply to my comment is unwanted.
Why how spiritual!
Anonymous talking to oneself.
You as well 6:58 I see.
Your use of absurdism to express a point is unique to yourself and i recognise the style.
Anon, Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 12:17:46 AM PDT, wrote:
The Bible project organisation believe the bible is a unified story that leds to Jesus.
I would add that Jesus leads people to God the Father and the restoration of mankind's relationship to both.
******
You may continue to believe your words that: "...the bible is a unified story that leds to Jesus...;" however, the Bible says that ultimately all will eventually learn to know Jesus's God, Jesus' Father, who is The God.
For example, here's a verse many are acquainted with, and it says the opposite of the words you wrote:
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:44
Why will people come to Jesus? The Father will draw, or drag, one to Jesus. Without that happening, why would anyone go to Jesus. One may read places in the NT where Jesus was present and many were healed, and afterwards they gave glory to Jesus? No, they gave glory to Jesus' God, Jesus' Father: the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob (Acts 3:13)!
Matthew 15:30 "And great multitudes came unto him, having with them [those that were] lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus feet; and he healed them:
:31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel."
The gospel is for all families/nations to be blessed, so will God eventually draw all, not just the few to become part of God's Church, of the rest of mankind to Jesus?
John 12:32 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me."
The word for draw is the same as used in John 6:44 above.
Why is Jesus' God to eventually be acknowledged?
"One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all." Eph 4:6
To elevate Jesus above Jesus' God, Jesus' Father, is kind of like idolatry, when so much focus is on Jesus, and His God, his Father, is like back in some corner as if non-existent.
Is Jesus an important part of God's Plan of salvation to save all humanity, and subsequently take and destroy Satan and his angels? Yes! How so?
"But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him." I Cor 8:6
Even to some degree Isaiah was inspired to say something about Jesus' God:
"But now, O LORD, thou [art] our father; we [are] the clay, and thou our potter; and we all [are] the work of thy hand." Isaiah 64:8
Now, if you want to continue to put your focus on Jesus, fine, go ahead. After all, Jesus' God is not imposing His law on this world at this time. He also winks at the times of ignorance, ignorance is okay. God even had a sacrifice in the OT to provide for ignorance: not ignorant people or the Israelites would have run out of animals to sacrifice.
"For God [is] my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth." Psalm 74:12
We have yet to see the reality of the endo of the matter, but in the meantime, is Jesus' God, Jesus' Father working salvation in the midst of the earth?
Time will tell...
John
I am 12:17. I did not write or have any responsibility in the construction of The Bible Project vision statement! Perhaps take it up with them. They welcome comments!
Any reader can see I mentioned God the Father in my own sentence below BP vision statement.
Anon, Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 4:58:44 AM PDT, wrote:
I am 12:17. I did not write or have any responsibility in the construction of The Bible Project vision statement! Perhaps take it up with them. They welcome comments!
Any reader can see I mentioned God the Father in my own sentence below BP vision statement.
******
Anon 12:17, thanks for your clarification of what you wrote.
Those of the Bible Project, like you, are welcome to believe whatever you want. I have no need/desire to comment to them.
Today isn't all that different than those days Jesus Christ walked this earth, which is a world deceived by Satan and his angels, who were made to be taken and destroyed...later.
This deceived world for the most part does not know about God the Father. Some may even worship what they think is God, and it may be that other god: Satan. How would any deceived people know the difference? It's allowed.
What did Jesus tell us?
"O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee..." John 17:25
Is it true, 2000 years ago and today, that the world has not known Jesus's righteous Father, Jesus' God?
Time will tell...
John
John 14:9 Jesus answered "Don't you know me, philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say "Show us the Father?"
John 10:10 I and the Father are one.
John 8:19 "If you knew me, you woukd know my Father also"
“Paul Newman has said of him [Robert Redford], "I have known the man for over 40 years and I don't know him, not really"”(Suzie Mackenzie, American dreamer, guardian.co.uk, August 14, 2004).
“Indeed, part of the problem with the book is that we do not seem to know very much about [Richard] Gatling’s internal life. “We know him, but we don’t know him,” the author says at the end, which is probably the sort of thing that a biographer should admit at the beginning of a book” (The Economist, A little Gatling music, economist.com, June 12, 2008).
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