READING • ISAIAH 55
Good news from God
The word “Gospel” means good news. The Bible’s Gospel is the good news of what God has done through the Lord Jesus Christ and of the Kingdom that Jesus will establish when he returns to the earth.
What does the Gospel tell us?
The first four books of the New Testament are commonly called the Gospels because they give four accounts of the good news concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Son of God, born of Mary, and his life showed the character, love and power of his Father.
Jesus also did something no other person has done: he lived without sin. He willingly gave his life, and God raised him from the dead. Others in the Bible were restored to life, but Jesus was raised to immortal life and “dieth no more” (Romans 6:9). His resurrection is therefore at the centre of the Christian hope.
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has opened a way for sinful men and women to receive forgiveness and the hope of life beyond the grave. The Gospel tells us that sin and death need not have the final word.
THE GOOD NEWS IN BRIEF
Jesus is the Son of God.
He lived without sin.
He gave his life willingly.
God raised him from the dead.
He will return to the earth.
He will establish God’s Kingdom.
But there is more
The Lord Jesus Christ is now in heaven, but the New Testament says that he will return to this earth. Revelation looks forward to that day:
“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”
Revelation 1:7 • King James Version
When Jesus returns, he will establish the Kingdom of God on earth. His rule will bring righteousness and peace, and God’s purpose will ultimately remove the evils that now bring suffering to the world. Isaiah looks forward to the final victory over death itself.
“He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 25:8)
God offers men and women a place in this Kingdom. That is an extraordinary invitation, but the Bible also explains how we are to respond to it. We therefore need to read God’s Word carefully and learn what He asks of us now.
The Gospel was known in Old Testament times
The Gospel did not begin when the New Testament was written. Galatians 3:8 says that the Gospel was preached beforehand to Abraham. Because Abraham trusted God and obeyed Him, God made great promises to him and to his descendants.
Abraham was promised the land which later became the land of Israel. Yet he grew old and died without receiving the promised inheritance in its fullness. God’s promise therefore requires resurrection. Hebrews 11:19 tells us that Abraham believed that God was able to raise the dead, and Hebrews 11:10 says that he looked for the city “whose builder and maker is God”.
Abraham and the future Kingdom
The promises to Abraham join together land, blessing, resurrection and the future purpose of God. Abraham will be raised from the dead and share in the Kingdom when the Lord Jesus Christ returns.
King David also received promises concerning a descendant who would rule. These promises to Abraham and David form an important part of the Gospel and will be examined in later lessons.
When will the Lord Jesus Christ return?
The Bible does not give us a date for the second coming of Jesus. Jesus himself taught his disciples to watch and be ready. Christadelphians believe that the signs described in Scripture show that his return is near.
One important feature is the restoration of the Jewish people to their ancient land. For many centuries the Jews were scattered among the nations; in 1948 the modern State of Israel was established. Christadelphians see this return to the land as part of the fulfilment of Bible prophecy.
The Bible also describes a world troubled by fear, violence, war and distress. Jesus said:
A world troubled by fear
“Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” — Luke 21:26, KJV
The purpose of these signs is not to encourage speculation about dates, but to make disciples watchful and ready for the return of their Lord.
Jesus will return as King
Jesus told Pontius Pilate that he was born to be a king (John 18:37). At his crucifixion the title placed over him identified him as “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS” (John 19:19). Yet the Bible presents his future rule as far greater than a national kingship.
“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.” (Psalm 72:8)
When he returns, the Lord Jesus Christ will reign over the nations and establish God’s righteous government on the earth.
What will happen when Jesus returns?
The return of Jesus will bring resurrection and judgement. Those whom God accepts will receive everlasting life and will share with Christ in the work of his Kingdom. Jerusalem will become the centre of his rule, and the purpose of God will extend to the whole earth.
Jesus taught his disciples to pray for this coming Kingdom. In the Lord’s Prayer he said:
“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. … For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:10, 13)
The Kingdom will continue until every enemy of God has finally been overcome. At the end of the thousand-year reign described in Scripture, sin and death will be removed and God will be “all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28). The prophet Habakkuk describes the goal of God’s purpose:
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
Habakkuk 2:14 • King James Version
The wonderful Gospel message
The Gospel is not simply information about a future world. It is an invitation from God: men and women can become part of His Kingdom and receive everlasting life through the Lord Jesus Christ.
How can we be given a place in God’s Kingdom?
The Gospel requires a response. The first step is to recognise that all of us are sinners and need God’s forgiveness. When the apostle Paul preached in Athens, he said that God now calls people everywhere to repent:
God commands repentance
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” — Acts 17:30–31, KJV
To repent means to turn away from living simply to please ourselves and to begin seeking to please God. The New Testament joins repentance with faith in the Gospel and baptism in water. After baptism, disciples are called to continue following the example and teaching of Jesus.
Those who faithfully follow Christ look forward to the gift of everlasting life when he returns. The hope of the Gospel is therefore not that people go to heaven at death, but that God will give life in His Kingdom on earth.
A hope centred on the earth
The Bible’s Gospel brings together the return of Jesus, resurrection, judgement, the Kingdom of God on earth and everlasting life for those whom God accepts.
Summary
SUMMARY
What this lesson has shown
1
The Gospel means good news.
It is the good news of God’s purpose through the Lord Jesus Christ and His coming Kingdom.
2
Jesus died and was raised.
He lived without sin, gave his life willingly, and God raised him from the dead.
3
Jesus will return to the earth.
He will come again as King and establish the Kingdom of God on earth.
4
The Gospel was known before the New Testament.
The promises to Abraham and David point forward to resurrection, blessing and the Kingdom.
5
There will be resurrection and judgement.
Those whom God accepts will receive everlasting life and share in Christ’s Kingdom.
6
The Gospel calls for a response.
We are called to believe, repent, be baptised and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verses to read
Isaiah 45:18 • Zechariah 9:9 • Matthew 25:31–34 • 1 Corinthians 15:28
LEARN BY HEART • GENESIS 12:1–3
“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 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.”
Genesis 12:1–3 • King James Version
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