Last week we discussed the basis of all true spiritual discernment. This week, as we begin our study of the most famous of all of the biblical prophecies concerning the end of this age in Matthew 24, we immediately begin to see why having discernment is so critical.
And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you.
“For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many” (Matthew 24:3-5).
Many have interpreted this to mean that there would be many coming who would claim to be the Christ, and would therefore mislead many, but that is not what He said here. What He is saying is that many would come saying that He, Jesus, was indeed the Christ, and yet they would still be deceivers and mislead many. This has certainly proven to be true throughout history. Some of the most diabolical deeds in history were done by those claiming to be Christians.
It is also noteworthy that this is the first warning the Lord gives about the end of the age. As it has proven true throughout history, many obviously heard the warning, and did not believe everyone who came claiming to be a Christian. Even in the darkest of times there were many who remained faithful to the Lord and were not deceived.
Some have a hard time believing that one can claim Jesus is the Christ and still be a deceiver because of what Paul wrote in I Corinthians 12:3, “...no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.” This is true, but there is a difference between calling Him “Lord,” and calling Him “Christ.” “Christ” means “anointed,” and many call Him “anointed” who do not acknowledge Him to be the Lord. Muslims for example, believe that Jesus was anointed, and even a prophet, but they do not believe He is Lord. That He is Lord is the true point of separation. Those of many other religions consider Jesus to have been anointed as a teacher or prophet, but they do not acknowledge Him as the Son of God, or as Lord. It is when He is acknowledged to be the Lord that we know the Holy Spirit has revealed Him to that person.
The Lordship of Jesus was the basic issue from the beginning of this age, and will be the basic issue at the end of this age. This is more than just acknowledging Him as Savior. Understanding the atonement of the cross, and acknowledging the salvation that we have through Him is crucial for salvation. However, the full revelation of Him by the Holy Spirit goes beyond the cross to the resurrection, and where He now sits—above all rule and authority and dominion. Jesus Christ is Lord! Jesus Christ is Lord of all. He is the King of kings, the King above all kings that ever were or ever will be.
This is why He says in verse 14 of this great discourse, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come.” Throughout the Middle Ages the gospel that was preached was basically the gospel of the church, which promoted membership in the church as the means of salvation. Since the Reformation began more than five hundred years ago, the primary message going forth has been the gospel of personal salvation through personal faith. This is certainly “good news,” which is the meaning of the word “gospel,” but it is still not the good news that the Lord said had to be preached in the whole world before the end came.
The “gospel of the kingdom” has not yet been preached in the whole world, and in fact has hardly been preached anywhere at all. As the Lord stated, this must happen before the end can come. So, just what is the “gospel of the kingdom?”
It is the good news that Jesus is the King above all kings, that His kingdom is going to come to this world, and His will is going to be done here just as it is now done in heaven. This is much more than just an invitation to “accept Jesus as Savior,” as wonderful as that is, but it is the proclamation of Jesus as King—bow the knee! Whether voluntarily or involuntarily, all will bow the knee to Him.
The gospel of personal salvation is certainly too wonderful to ever adequately be expressed. We will be thanking Him forever for our salvation, and that will not be long enough! It is easy to understand how this would tend to overshadow almost everything else in the message that we present to the world. However, the “gospel of the kingdom” is the ultimate message that we are to preach in this world, and it has not yet been done.
The “gospel of the kingdom” is more than just personal salvation—it is the salvation of the world! When Jesus comes to restore the earth, He will take away all pain and mourning. The lion will lie down with the lamb, and children will play with cobras, and no one will hurt anyone else in all the earth. There is no philosophy, no teachings on utopia, there is no hope given by any other religion, which presents a hope for the future that can ever compare to the promise that we have been given by the “gospel of the kingdom.”
That gospel of the kingdom of God is founded on the acknowledgment of Who the King is—Jesus Christ! The “gospel of the kingdom” will certainly be the proclamation of His authority, and the command to bow the knee to Him, but it will also be the proclamation of the most glorious, wonderful hope that the world has ever been given.
This most brilliant hope will go forth during the darkest times that the world has ever known. Just as lawlessness is increasing to the point of anarchy, the greatest authority of all, the King above all kings, will be taking His seat in the hearts of many. The contrast of those who are in the grips of lawlessness, and those who have the law written in their hearts, will be apparent to all.
When the Lord comes, He will use His rod to smash the rebellious nations. Yes, there will be nations that continue to rebel even in the face of His glory and power. Just as Pharaoh so foolishly sent his army into the Red Sea to attack Israel, even after the overwhelming demonstration of the Lord’s power, human arrogance and foolishness has proven utterly irrational in many. However, for the wise and the humble who do bow the knee before Him, His grace, mercy, and love will prove to be even more boundless.
In spite of the eschatology that many hold to, and the way many have taught on the Lord’s return, He is not coming back to get even—to avenge Himself. He will destroy those who are incorrigible, but He is not coming back to destroy—He is coming again for the same reason He came the first time—to save. He did not go to the cross and suffer all that He did so that He could vent His revenge, but so He could save and restore.
The true “gospel of the kingdom” will go forth into all the world before the end can come. This will begin very soon.
