Prophecy Vs. the Gospel?

Many people find prophecy fascinating.  Others are skeptical.  Many people have seen that there are a lot of “fakes” who claim to know prophecy, but who are just guessing at best…or intentionally misleading at worse.  And many people simply wonder if prophecy is even important or relevant?  Does a Christian need to care about prophecy?  Does Jesus want us to understand prophecy?  Is prophecy important to you, to your family…and to your relationship with God?

Prophecy Vs. the Gospel?
Richard F. Ames

In some religious circles, 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 that true? Many professing Christians believe that the gospel is only about the person of Christ, and they ignore what He preached. So, let's first of all examine what the author of true Christianity preached. What gospel did Jesus the Messiah preach? Did His message oppose Bible prophecy? Or could it be that the Gospel itself is prophetic?

In some religious circles, 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 that true? Many professing Christians believe that the gospel is only about the person of Christ, and they ignore what He preached. So, let's first of all examine what the author of true Christianity preached. What gospel did Jesus the Messiah preach? Did His message oppose Bible prophecy? Or could it be that the Gospel itself is prophetic?

The gospel writer Matthew describes Jesus' ministry in Galilee. What gospel did Jesus preach? "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). Later in the book of Matthew, we see that Jesus continued to preach the gospel of the kingdom! "Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching [what?] the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people" (Matthew 9:35).

So, we see the clear historic record of Jesus' preaching the gospel, the gospel of the kingdom. The gospel writer Mark further describes the gospel this way: "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"? When you read through the New Testament, you will understand through many biblical references and prophecies that Jesus Christ will come again to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. He said in John 14:3: "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." 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! You can read that dramatic announcement in Revelation 11:15!

The gospel of the Kingdom is the good news of the coming Kingdom of God, and how we can have a part in that Kingdom! Let's understand this truth: the gospel that Jesus preached, the gospel of the Kingdom of God, is prophetic! The gospel is the good news of the future. Therefore, the charge that preaching Bible prophecy is contrary or irrelevant to the gospel, is a false charge.

Again, let's understand: salvation is a gift, and there are past, present, and future aspects of salvation. Our ultimate salvation is future! It takes place at the resurrection. Be sure to read the resurrection chapters in your Bible: 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4. The good news of humanity's future is revealed throughout the New Testament. Be sure you read the book of Revelation in your Bible—it is the revelation of Jesus Christ, your Savior! 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—comes down to a renewed planet earth. You can read about that in Revelation 21. You and I can be a part of that glorious future! The great Creator God tells us in Revelation 20:7: "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son."

The good news that Jesus preached, the good news of the coming Kingdom of God, IS prophetic. And prophecy reveals that you can be a part of that Kingdom. For more information on this subject, be sure to request your free copy of our informative booklet: Do You Believe the True Gospel?

We can all be thankful that the living Jesus Christ is now guiding His servants to preach the true Gospel. As Jesus said in Matthew 24:14: "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."

Thank God for the true gospel of salvation and His coming Kingdom.

Adapted from “Prophecy Vs. the Gospel?” from www.TomorrowsWorld.org.