Q: I’ve come across a lot of talk about “getting saved” and “accepting Jesus,” but someone recently mentioned, “We must preach the Gospel of the Kingdom.” What does that mean? How does it compare to the usual gospel?
—Believer in Jesus

Answer:

Believer in Jesus,

Thanks for the brilliant question. You’ve just stumbled into the heart of Jesus’ entire message. Seriously—this is what He talked about more than anything else. Let’s dig in.

Now, when most people hear “gospel,” they think “Jesus died for my sins so I can go to heaven.” That’s not wrong—but it’s not the full picture. That’s like calling the trailer the entire film.

The Gospel of the Kingdom is not just about getting us into heaven; it’s about getting heaven into us—and through us—right here, right now.

Let’s go to Jesus’ own words:

Matthew 4:23 — “And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (Gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people [demonstrating and revealing that He was indeed the promised Messiah].”

See that? The Gospel Jesus preached was about the Kingdom. Not just forgiveness, but a whole new way of living under God’s rule.

So what is the Kingdom?

The Greek word is “basileia,” which means the authority, rule, and reign of a king. In this case, it’s not a political kingdom—it’s the realm where Christ is King and His will is done. When Jesus cast out demons, healed the sick, or taught forgiveness, He was showing what it looks like when heaven governs earth.

The Gospel of the Kingdom means this:
The reign of God has come in Christ. Through His death and resurrection, He defeated sin, Satan, and death—and now invites us to live under His government. It’s both a present reality and a coming fulfilment.

Colossians 1:13 — “For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.”

Notice it’s past tense. You’re not waiting for the Kingdom; you’re in it—if you’re in Christ.

And here’s where it gets even better (and mind-boggling): The Kingdom doesn’t just rescue you; it reforms you. It renews your mindset, redefines your priorities, and realigns your entire life around the King’s heart.

So yes, forgiveness of sins is part of the Gospel. But the Kingdom gospel says, “Now that you’ve been forgiven, come live under the rule of the King. Let Him form Christ in you. Let heaven be expressed through you.”

It’s not about escaping earth; it’s about transforming it.

Romans 14:17 — “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

That’s the Kingdom: righteousness (alignment with God), peace (wholeness), and joy (delight in the Spirit). Not just on Sundays. Daily. In your job, in your family, in how you treat your enemies—your lifestyle.

So next time someone says, “We preach the Gospel,” just smile and ask, “Which one? The escape plan, the rapture plan or the Kingdom?”

Spoiler: Jesus never once said, “Go and preach the gospel of going to heaven.” He said:

Matthew 24:14 — This good news of the kingdom [the gospel] will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end [of the age] will come.”

I believe that much of Matthew 24, including verse 14, was fulfilled in the first century, especially leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. The words, “the whole world” (Greek: oikoumenē) is not as the modern globe, but as the Roman Empire—the known world of that time.

And indeed, Paul says in:

Colossians 1:23 — “…the hope of the gospel which you heard and which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven…”

That supports the idea that the gospel had, by their time, reached “all the world” as they understood it.

But It’s still a reality now, but with a different audience and expression, and it captures the heart of how kingdom preaching continues—not to bring about a future apocalypse necessarily, but to manifest the rule and reign of Christ in every generation.

So yes, with a kingdom-now, Christ-in-you emphasis.

In other words: the Kingdom gospel is the message that wraps everything up. It’s the one we’re called to preach, live, and embody.

Alright, I’ll stop before I turn this into a full sermon. But yeah—Kingdom gospel? It’s the full-fat version. No artificial sweeteners. Keep seeking the King and His Kingdom. Everything else follows.

Further reading: The Open Door of God’s Kingdom, Unveiling the Kingdom: A Journey Through Time and Truth

Bless you for asking,
Shaliach.