What is the meaning of Matthew 24:14? And this gospel of the kingdom - Jesus keeps the spotlight on “this” very gospel He has been proclaiming since Matthew 4:23: “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom…”. - The “kingdom” centers on the King Himself—His incarnation, atoning death, resurrection, and coming reign (Luke 4:43; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). - It is the same good news promised to Abraham that “all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3) and fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3:8). will be preached - Jesus guarantees success: the message will not merely drift out; it “will be preached.” - This lines up with the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20). - God uses: • Apostolic proclamation (Acts 2:14-41) • Spirit-empowered witnesses (Acts 1:8) • Everyday believers sharing (Philippians 1:12-18) - Romans 10:14-17 reminds that faith comes by hearing this preached word. in all the world - Scope is nothing less than the whole inhabited earth (Psalm 22:27; Isaiah 49:6). - Paul could already say the gospel was “bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world” (Colossians 1:6,23), showing the process was underway in the first century. - Revelation 14:6 pictures an angel announcing the gospel “to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people,” confirming global reach before the final judgments. as a testimony to all nations - “Nations” (ethnē) highlights ethnic groups, not political borders (Acts 13:47). - The gospel serves as both invitation and evidence: • Invitation to salvation (John 3:16-18) • Evidence for God’s justice if it is rejected (John 12:48). - Acts 15:14 notes God is “taking from the nations a people for His name,” and Revelation 7:9 shows the joyful result—“a great multitude… from every nation.” and then the end will come - The “end” refers to the climactic return of Christ and the close of this present age (Matthew 24:3; Revelation 19:11-16). - Worldwide gospel witness is a prerequisite, not a by-product; once fulfilled, nothing else must delay the Lord’s coming (compare 2 Peter 3:9). - Revelation 6:11 shows a similar principle: God waits until “the full number” of His servants is complete. - Romans 11:25-26 indicates a set timeline tied to the fullness of the Gentiles and Israel’s salvation, harmonizing with Jesus’ statement here. summary Matthew 24:14 gives a clear, literal roadmap: the very gospel Jesus preached must be proclaimed to every people group on earth. God Himself guarantees the mission’s success, using His church to herald the kingdom. Once that global testimony is complete, Christ will bring this age to its appointed “end” and inaugurate His visible reign. |
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