The Everlasting Gospel

 1. – “Fear God and give Him glory.”

This part of the message is self-explanatory. The implication is clear, God has not been feared nor has He received the glory, honor and respect that He is due throughout the ages.

2. – “The hour of his judgment has come.”

The last moments of God’s mercy have come, and the kingdom of Christ is about to be established. Everyone on Earth during the Great Tribulation will have a chance to be a part of His coming kingdom.

God has come to test the human race – who will remain loyal to Him above everything else. (Revelation 3:10) The phrase, “the hour of God’s judgment” can apply two ways. First, this is the time when man will consider the authority of a Sovereign God. On the other hand, this will also be a time when God tests the behavior, loyalty and faith of every person.

Remember, the everlasting gospel explains the relationship that exists between the government of God, Jesus Christ, Lucifer and fallen man.

3. – “Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

This phrase identifies the elements destroyed by the first four trumpets. The heavens are dark. The earth and its crops have been burned beyond recovery. The sea has suffered an asteroid impact and the springs of water are contaminated. This message commands everyone to Worship the Creator. Who is the Creator of the heavens, the Earth, the sea and springs of water? The Bible says it is Jesus Christ. (Variations in the way the gospel Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2; John 1:1-14) How does Jesus want to be worshiped?

In His own words, here are the instructions (this is the fourth commandment of the Ten Commandments): “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (Exodus 20:8-11)

Understand that this first message does not go forward without enormous controversy. This message will not be widely received at first because it stands contrary to the claims of nearly all religions of the world! You might ask, how is it contrary?

Catholics and most Protestants teach that Sunday, the first day of the week is the Lord’s day. Moslems teach that Friday is the day of rest. Although Jews regard Saturday as a holy day, they reject Jesus as the Son of God and Creator of the universe, so they will not worship Him. Hindus also deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Savior of the world.

The few religious bodies that exist today that regard Saturday as God’s holy day either deny that the trumpets of Revelation are in the future or they have no explanation of the seven trumpets. Incredible as it may seem, there is no religious body on Earth prepared to deal with this emergency and explain it! This being the case, no religious group is qualified to present the everlasting gospel. Therefore, just before the trumpets begin to sound, God chooses 144,000 common people from all religions and nations to do the work of proclaiming His everlasting gospel.

They will accomplish the impossible. Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt 24:14)

How does this message relate to “Righteousness by Faith?” Simple. People who have open hearts toward God and His truth, will understand that God’s revealed wrath (the judgments) is justified. Our planet is in open, flagrant rebellion against our Creator and now the Creator commands all to render obedience and worship.

The observance of the seventh day Sabbath will again prove to be a sign between God and His people. (Exodus 31:17) The observance of the seventh day Sabbath will defy the laws that demand respect for another day. To willingly observe God’s Sabbath during the tribulation and suffer the resulting consequences will be a powerful test of faith.

God has everyone’s attention during the Tribulation and millions of people will be awakened for the first time to a knowledge of God’s commandments. On the other hand, God will reveal how religious systems of the world are bankrupt of truth. If, as they claim, they had the truth about God, why didn’t the religious leaders warn and prepare the people about God’s plans written in Revelation?

We must note that the fourth commandment is the only commandment in the Ten Commandments that requires man to do nothing – at the right time each week. If God required man to do something to be saved, then it would not be righteousness by faith – it would be salvation by works!

However, the Sabbath commandment is a command to rest on God’s holy day, the seventh day of the week. This is why I call this first message the announcement of the “Sabbath rest test.” This test will quickly separate those who put faith in God from those who do not. (For a comprehensive study on God’s holy day of rest, see DayStar – “Five Essential Bible Truths” – Study # 4 on the Sabbath.)

The Second Message of the Gospel

The survivors of the first four trumpets will scramble for understanding and information about the overwhelming wrath of God. Religious leaders will suddenly “figure out” that

1. God has wrath, and
2. God is responding to the world’s corporate evil and degenerate ways.

Religious leaders will suddenly call for reform and seek laws demanding respect for God because of this crisis sent from God. They will form a world organization and each religious system, will in its own way, attempt to appease God so that His judgments will cease. (See DayStar, March 1998 for an in-depth study on this coming crisis government.) Religious leaders will see that laws are quickly passed requiring all men to worship and honor God, including laws to respect His holy day.

However, the problem is that Moslems, Jews, Catholics and Protestants do not agree which day is holy!

In this setting, a second message from God will be sent throughout the Earth. Do not allow the brevity of this second message to mislead you. This is a very important message and it is also an extension of the first message. This message reveals certain matters about “Righteousness by Faith” that every Christian needs to know:

“A second angel followed and said, “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.” (Revelation 14:8)

This message declares two things:

1. – “Fallen!, Fallen is Babylon the Great”A crisis government (Babylon the Great) will quickly form in response to God’s judgments. This government will be lead by the world’s religious leaders – with politicians following. This message from God declares that this worldwide government is corrupt and blasphemous (or fallen). God has nothing to do with this global endeavor to appease His wrath. The whole system and theology upon which the crisis government is built is false. It is the work of the devil. Do not yield to its authority, have nothing to do with it for God will destroy it and all who obey its blasphemous laws.

2. – “Made all nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries” The crisis government (Babylon the Great) will demand cooperation from all nations. This message declares that all nations will drink (buy into) the lies advocated by the world’s religious leaders. The resulting laws will be conflicting and maddening. This crisis government is called adulterous and immoral because religious leaders and political leaders will be “in bed together” for a common cause. (See Jeremiah 25:15-16 for parallel language on this maddening wine.)

This message, like the first message, will reveal all who place the law of God above the laws of men. No one can hide from this test. People will demonstrate where their loyalties lie when tested with severe penalties for disobedience.

The greater the penalties, the clearer the outcome of the test. Just as winter strips the trees in the forest of their leaves, leaving the evergreens to stand out in contrast to the forest’s barren limbs, so the hardships of tribulation will strip away the pretexts of religion, and faith in God will be revealed. The Great Tribulation is a time of wrath for everyone. If we obey God, we will suffer at the hands of men. If we obey men, we will suffer torment and eternal death from God.

This is the great vortex coming upon the Earth. This is the great testing time of faith. Those who love God and His truth, those who render obedience as He commands, will have to live by faith – there is no other way to remain faithful to God.

The seriousness of the second message can only be understood within the context of the stringent laws and severe penalties imposed upon the nations. Anyone who disobeys, rebels, opposes or aids and abets people opposing the crisis government’s laws, will suffer greatly. The devil is the force behind the sudden and powerful rise of this crisis government. (Revelation 13:2-4)

The Bible indicates that all inhabitants of the Earth will submit to this government, all except those having their names written in the Book of Life. (Revelation 13:8) If you do not have a copy of the March 1998 issue of DayStar, I strongly encourage you to obtain one. It focuses on what the Bible says about this coming crisis government.

The Third Message of the Gospel

The gospel during the Great Tribulation will not have 20 or 30 points of faith, a unified creed, a catechism or a set of doctrines that all believers agree with. Actually, the everlasting gospel during that time will center on one poignant point: “Worship God as He commands.” In Noah’s day the testing truth was just as simple: “Get on the ark!”

Both messages are based on a faith response. Both messages cut to the crucial point. The command in Revelation 14 to worship God stands in contrast to the demands of the crisis government and its evil leader. Worshiping God on His holy Sabbath will be a great test for all people. Many Moslems, Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Hindus and others from every language will be saved. God will not require everyone to adopt the Western culture or concepts of Christianity.

All God wants to know during the Great Tribulation is whether or not we put our faith in Him. The just (those justified) will live by faith! (Romans 1:17) So, God sends a simple truth, an old truth, a profound truth throughout the world. (Remember, the sacredness of His Sabbath rest began when the Lord rested at Creation, blessed it and then asked man to follow His example. Genesis 2:1-4)

God sends His judgments, giving the great religions the world over an opportunity to organize as one global organization – proving that its leaders and all who follow, stand in direct opposition to His law. God watches as each person decides whom they will follow – this is how the test of faith is implemented.

Here is a profound point: God is not concerned about all the other ideas we have and believe to be true about His ways, He is only interested in knowing whether we will be loyal to Him at any price. This is why the Sabbath rest test will be so direct and simple. Be prepared to stand alone for God!

History confirms that those who make a stand for Christ, do not have the support of large numbers. The gospel proclaimed by the 144,000 will not be supported by large denominations or religious groups from which to draw their courage. Before we can stand together on the Sea of Glass, we have to stand alone as Christ stood before His accusers. The servant is not greater than His Master.

The third message also reveals a great test of faith. Notice what it says: “A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.” This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” (Revelation 14:9-12)

Antichrist will be Worshiped

God’s timing is perfect. Immediately after the fifth trumpet, when Satan appears claiming to be God, the third angel’s message is presented. (Revelation 9:1-11) This message is directed specifically at those people who have not yet submitted to the demands of the gospel. In all the Bible, there is no stronger warning than this message. The message of Revelation 14:9-12 makes five declarations:

1. If anyone worships the devil (the Antichrist, the lamb-like beast) and receives his tattoo (the number 666 placed on the right hand or the name of the devil tattooed on the foreheads of his lieutenants), that person will receive the full wrath of God – no mercy will be shown.
2. Everyone who worships the devil (the beast) will be publicly tortured before Jesus and His angels because they willingly received the evil mark of the beast and stubbornly refused to acknowledge the Sovereignty of God. These also rejected the clearest evidences of truth.
3. Everyone who “goes along” with the devil (the beast) will have no peace of mind after making the decision.
4. The saints must endure this time-period patiently, for many will be killed because they refused to render homage to the Antichrist and his evil government.
5. The saints will be easy to identify during these days. They will worship God on His holy seventh day, whereas the devil and his followers will worship at another time. The two groups will stand in clearest opposition to one another – one group following the Lamb of God, the other submitting to the lamb-like beast.

The third gospel message completes the test and causes the final separation of the faith-full from the cowards. (Revelation 21:8) Eventually, the whole world will submit to the crisis government and its glorious leader (the devil) – all except those people who remain loyal to Jesus.

The necessities of life will be controlled by the devil and his government and if anyone wishes to buy or sell or conduct commerce, he will have to show that he has the mark, the evil tattoo. Otherwise, he will be “cut off” from what meager supplies of food and medicines are available.

Understand the picture: The remaining assets of the world are under the control of Satan. Those who refuse to receive his mark have no option but to live by faith. It will be God who provides for people who remain loyal to Him, just as He provided for Elijah during the apostasy of Israel. (See 1 Kings 17.)

Last Call

A few days before God closes the door to mercy, just when it appears that Jesus has done everything to reach every person on Earth with His everlasting gospel, He sends one last invitation to the rebels of Earth. God is not willing that anyone should perish. (2 Peter 3:9)

So, with the greatest of love, God reaches out to gather in that one last person who has not found the courage to take his stand for the right. At the conclusion of the gospel invitation, the power of the Holy Spirit is poured out as never before, urging people through the 144,000 to stand for Jesus Christ.

There are two reasons for this.

1. First, as just mentioned, God is waiting for the last decision to be made.
2. Second, God wants a watching universe to witness a most amazing fact: When truth is set before a “free will being” in the plainest and clearest terms, nothing more can be done to redeem that person if they choose to resist.

In other words, God does not destroy anyone for being misled or for believing a lie. Oh no, God only destroys people who stubbornly refuse to accept what is truth! Remember the problem with sinners? If the heart of a sinner remains unchanged and unregenerate, he is anti-God to the core.

If possible, he would even destroy God (as demonstrated by Lucifer)! Does this seem impossible? Read Revelation 17:14 and 19:19 and see what happens when Jesus comes. The wicked people on this Earth will attempt to destroy Jesus and His Kingdom with whatever weapons of destruction they have at their disposal! Can you imagine how insane this attempt will be – mere men attempting to destroy God? Before you shake your head in disbelief, just remember that Lucifer led one-third of Heaven’s angels in an attempt to do the same thing.

This is the nature of sin fully revealed for all that it is.

So, God reaches out one final time. Here is the message: “After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.” (Revelation 18:1-5)

You do not need a high school diploma to understand this last message. You do not need a priest, rabbi, holy man or preacher to explain it to you either. On the other hand, how tragic it is to realize that hundreds of millions of people will reject this serious warning? This is the very warning that introduces the seven bowls (seven last plagues) – the seven last plagues are not to be taken lightly. The world has never seen anything like them. They are awful and they are fitting.

In a future issue of DayStar, I will present a study on the seven last plagues. By the time the people of Earth hear this message, they should be able to make a fair comparison. The seven trumpets (God’s wrath mixed with mercy) have occurred in the precise order the Bible predicted they would. People will understand that the seven bowls (God’s wrath with no mercy) are next. By looking backward they will be able to anticipate something of the future.

Of course, the good news is that the seven bowls will not afflict the people of God who wait for their redemption. The seven last plagues are directed at those who receive the mark of the beast.

Summary

Now that we have considered the everlasting gospel that will be preached during the Great Tribulation, I will close on this thought: What do we learn about human nature when God is left with no other recourse than total destruction to inform and save the sincere of heart?

Isn’t it wonderful that God’s final test for humans is so simple, direct and easy to understand?

Isn’t it wonderful that God’s offer for salvation is so simple and direct?

There is no wiggle room on what God wants. There is no way to pass the test without having complete faith in God for He will not accept anything less than total submission! He is Lord over all or He is not Lord at all. What God offers is far beyond anything we can return. Truly, His grace is amazing.

Jesus has promised, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

I like the words found in the song of Moses: “He [the Lord] is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. -“ (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Then again in Job: “It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.” (Job 34:12)

The Importance of a Proper Understanding of the Gospel

When answering this question, there are several important points regarding the gospel (ευανγελιον [euangelion], literally "good news") which should be born in mind. First among these is the importance which scripture places upon an understanding and acceptance or the gospel.

For example, in Mark 8:35, Jesus underscores the serious call of the gospel upon one's life. Those who fail to dedicate their life in the service of Jesus and the gospel are said to "lose" their lives, whereas those who pursue the call of the gospel with abandonment are said to "gain" life. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it (Mark 8:35). If we take this teaching of Jesus seriously, then it indicates that whatever else might be true concerning the gospel, there is great importance in knowing what it is and dedicating one's life in its service. Thus, it would seem the gospel, in its essentials, cannot involve a vague, uncertain, or variable message.

Elsewhere, Paul indicates that a knowledge of Jesus necessary for salvation is dependent upon hearing the gospel. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom 10:14-15). Whatever the gospel is, it must be specific enough to serve God's salvific purposes and bring people to a saving knowledge of God's plan of redemption.

Jesus raises the stakes even higher when He gives the Great Commission to the Church: And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16). Eternal salvation or condemnation hinge upon the hearing of the gospel and a correct response. How much more important could "the gospel" be?

Peter also indicates that disobedience of the gospel will result in the judgment of God, For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God (1Pe. 4:17)? Clearly, there is immense importance attached to the gospel message and its understand and acceptance. Since we do not worship a prevaricating God, and God created language, in part, to communicate the gospel to His creatures, this infers the essentials of the gospel can be clearly known such that each individual bears responsibility for his or her response

Warnings Concerning a Different Gospel

Notice too that the Apostle Paul condemns false gospels—“different gospels,” which are not the true gospel.

He warns the Corinthian Church of the danger of turning away from the simple message of the gospel to follow after other gospels which are not the true gospel. But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.; For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it! (2Cor. 11:3-4).

In a similar manner, he warns the Church in Galatia of the dangers of a perverted gospel. He goes so far as to say that the source of the gospel is immaterial if the content of the message differs in its essentials from the simple message of salvation—and should therefore be rejected. I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Gal. 1:6-9).

One way of Salvation

We also know that the uniform teaching of both Old and New Testaments is that there is a single way of salvation. The gospel message in every age, at its core, provides the essence of this way of salvation which depends upon on the work of Christ on the cross.

Are there two ways by which one may be saved? In reply to this question it may be stated that salvation of whatever specific character is always the work of God in behalf of man and never a work of man in behalf of God. This is to assert that God never saved any one person or group of persons on any other ground than that righteous freedom to do so which the Cross of Christ secured. There is, therefore, but one way to be saved and that is by the power of God made possible through the sacrifice of Christ.¹

...there are not two ways of salvation. All salvation of God stems from the Savior, the Son of God, and His work on the cross. ... The two great essentials of salvation remain the same from the salvation of Adam to the last soul which God takes to Himself in the future. Faith is the condition and the death of Christ is the basis.²

I discuss this issue in some detail in my article, Does Dispensationalism Teach Two Ways of Salvation?^a.

Progressive Revelation and the Gospel

If the essence of the gospel is neither vague nor varied and has been necessary for salvation down through the ages, how are we to understand the fact that the full revelation of the work of Christ on the cross only became known with time, as God progressively revealed His plan in Scripture?

When we examine scripture,

1. we find that the basis of salvation has always been the crosswork of Christ, but
2. the content of the salvation message—what was necessary for saints of a given age to trust in—grew progressively as history moved forward.

Paul indicates that the promise given to Abraham as far back as Genesis 12, included the gospel: And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed" (Gal. 3:8). The early form of the gospel message concerned the promised seed of Abraham through Whom all the families would be blessed. Abraham believed what God had revealed—even though the message was not as detailed as it would eventually come to be known—and God counted it to Abraham as saving faith (Gen. 15:6; Rom. 4:3-11; Gal. 3:6; Jas. 2:23).⁴ Many would say that the essence of the gospel is found even further back in history, as early as Genesis 3:15, in the protevangelium⁶, when God revealed to Adam and Eve that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent.

The writer of Hebrews indicates that the message of the gospel, in simple form, was made known to Israel in the wilderness. Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it (Heb. 3:17-4:2) At that time, Israel lacked the details concerning the gospel which would eventually be revealed, but belief in the promises of God—including the promises which underlie the Abrahamic covenant—served as the content of saving faith, although many in Israel failed to believe.

Paul indicates that the gospel was also made known through the messages of the various prophets of the Old Testament. Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:1-4). Paul mentions several aspects concerning Christ which are revealed in the Old Testament, such as those involving the promises to David of an eternal house and throne (e.g., 2S. 7), and that the Messiah would rise from the dead (e.g., Ps. 16:11; Isa. 53:8-12).

In the 53rd chapter of the prophet Isaiah⁸ we find what is perhaps the most complete description of the crosswork of Christ to be found in the Old Testament. No wonder Isaiah 53 is considered by many to the “the Holy of Holies” of the Old Testament and remains a stumbling block for unbelieving Jews even today!

As God's revelation progressed, the content of saving faith varied based upon what God had revealed, but the basis of salvation—the essence of the gospel—always remained the same.

The basis of salvation in every age is the death of Christ; the requirement for salvation in every age is faith; the object of faith in every age is God; the content of faith changes in the various dispensations. It is this last point, of course, that distinguishes dispensationalism from covenant theology, but it is not a point to which the charge of teaching two ways of salvation can be attached. It simply recognizes the obvious fact of progressive revelation. When Adam looked upon the coats of skins with which God had clothed him and his wife, he did not see what the believer today sees looking back on the cross of Calvary.⁹

The understanding of the average Israelite concerning Messiah at the time Jesus walked the earth was very feeble (John 1:21; 7:40), and even the prophets lacked comprehension (1 Peter 1:10-11). These passages make it impossible to say that Old Testament saints under the law exercised personal faith in Jesus Christ.¹⁰

It makes no difference which period of time or what condition one refers to; the salvation of a sinner has always been, and will always be, by God’s grace through faith. The basis upon which God forgives sin has always been the substitutionary death of Christ. Men have not always known what we know about the person and work of Christ, simply because all that has been revealed in the New Testament was not made known to the men of God who wrote the Old Testament. Therefore, while God has always required personal faith as the condition of salvation, the content of that faith has not always been explicit. Those who lived before Calvary knew very little of the atoning blood of Christ. Many of the sacrifices and offerings were types of the Savior and the final and complete work he would do, but it is doubtful that the Old Testament Pharisaic types understood all of that. Certainly the believing remnant did not trust in the blood of bulls and goats. Yet God accounted their faith to them for righteousness. He accepted the work of his Son as already finished.¹¹

Salvation was and always is by grace through faith. While the content of faith has changed from age to age, depending on progressive revelation, the means of salvation never changes. The law was not given to serve as a means of salvation (Rom. 3:20,28; Gal. 2:16; 3:11,21).¹²

Attributes and Emphasis of the Gospel Message

So how are we to understand the different ways the gospel is described within various passages of Scripture? Although the basis of saving faith always remains the crosswork of Christ, different aspects of the gospel message are emphasized in different passages and historical contexts.

The majority of passages associate the gospel with "God," "His Son," or "Christ" (Mark 1:1; Rom. 1:1,9; 1:16; 15:16,19,29; 1Cor. 9:12,18; 2Cor. 2:12; 9:13; 10:14; 11:7; Gal. 1:7; Php. 1:2; 1Ti. 1:11; 1Pe. 4:17; 1Th. 2:2,8-9; 3:2; 2Th. 1:8). This association of the gospel with God or Christ indicates God as either the source of the gospel (subjective genitive) or the object of the gospel (objective genitive)—as determined by examining the context within which each phrase appears. Both are true: the gospel came from God and was made possible by the work of Christ, yet, in the Church Age, the gospel also requires an understanding of the work of Christ—it is fundamentally about Christ.¹³

As has already been mentioned, Paul refers to false gospels as "different" or "other" gospels (2Cor. 11:4; Gal. 1:6; Gal. 1:9). These differ from the true gospel to such a degree that they are condemned and have historically been considered as heretical.

Paul also refers to "my gospel" or "our gospel" (Rom. 2:16; 16:25; 2Cor. 4:3; 1Th. 1:5; 2Ti. 2:8). Paul's use of this terminology may simply denote the gospel which he personally had preached, or perhaps he meant to differentiate the true gospel, which he proclaimed, from the other false gospels.

Paul called his message “my/our gospel” in distinction from a message “peddled” (cf. 2 Cor. 2:17) by other preachers in the early communities. Sometimes the variant message had only a change of emphasis; Paul regretted this but did not oppose it since “Christ is being proclaimed; and in that I rejoice” (Phil. 1:12-18 . . .). More seriously, there were in Galatia (Gal. 1:1-11) and at Corinth (2 Cor. 11:4)—and probably elsewhere (Philippi, Thessalonica, Ephesus [1 Tim. 4; 2 Tim. 2:17f ])—those whom Paul labeled “false apostles” (2 Cor. 11:13) and Satan’s servants (2Cor. 11:15). They preached “another Jesus” and “a different [héteros] gospel from the one you accepted.” [Martin, R. P.]¹⁴

Elsewhere, Paul describes the gospel as being "glorious" (1Ti. 1:11), bringing peace (reconciliation) between God and man (Rom. 10:15; Eph. 6:15) resulting in salvation for those who respond (Eph. 1:13). Since the gospel is priceless in value, yet freely available by faith, it is also said to demonstrate God's grace (Acts 20:24). The gracious function of the gospel extends beyond individual redemption and reveals the glory of Christ Himself (2Cor. 4:4).

On several occasions, Jesus refers to "this gospel" (Mat. 24:14; Mat. 26:13; Mark 14:9 [MT¹⁵]). In two of the settings, "this gospel" is associated with Christ's prophesied death (Mat. 26:13; Mark 14:9 [MT]). He also indicates that this will be the same gospel that will be preached during the global evangelistic effort which began with the Great Commission. In another passage (Mat. 24:14), "this gospel" is associated with the proclamation of the kingdom (discussed below).

The Everlasting Gospel

In the revelation given John concerning the time of turmoil preceding the return of Christ, the "everlasting gospel" is said to be proclaimed globally by an angel flying in the midst of heaven (Rev. 14:6-7).

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”¹⁶

This characteristic of the gospel probably has in view the New Covenant which is referred to as an eternal covenant (Isa. 51:6; Tit. 1:1-3; Heb. 13:20). Unlike the Old (Mosaic) Covenant, broken by Israel (Jer. 31:31-32), the gospel stands upon upon Christ's ratification of the New Covenant at His death on the cross (Mat. 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1Cor. 11:25; Heb. 12:24). The New Covenant also has everlasting results in that it provides for eternal life.

In the Revelation passage, the global message of the angel is described as follows, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Some interpret this as the sole content of the gospel message preached by the angel. But it seems unlikely that the words that John heard the angel say constitute the entire gospel message delivered to the earth dwellers. Rather, it summarizes what their response should be. The specifics of the gospel message itself are not recorded. The response to the gospel message called for by the angel relates to the Tribulation and recognizes the series of judgments God is pouring forth as well as His sovereignty over creation.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

Probably the most noticeable difference in emphasis concerning the gospel message is found in passages in Matthew which refer to preaching "the gospel of the kingdom" (Mat. 4:23; 9:35; 24:14). These proclamations occur in historical contexts which are associated with either the first or second coming of Christ—when the offer of the Davidic kingdom to Israel is in view (Mat. 10:5-6; 15:24; Mark 7:27; John 1:11; Acts 10:36). This offer of the kingdom was rejected at Christ's first coming, only to be made again and accepted prior to His second (Mat. 23:37-39). In Jesus' eschatological teaching in the Olivet Discourse, He refers to "this gospel (τοῦτο τὸ εὐαγγέλιον [touto to euangelion], 'this, the gospel') of the kingdom—implying at the time of the end there will be a similar emphasis on the kingdom as the message given by John the Baptist and Jesus during the first coming (e.g., Mat. 3:2; 10:7; Mark 1:15). Although the essentials of the gospel message will not change, in these historical settings there is more of an emphasis on God's mediatorial kingdom coming fully to earth (Acts 1:6-7). As at Christ's first coming, His second coming emphasizes covenantal aspects of the gospel message which find fulfillment only at the establishment of God's kingdom on earth (Jer. 31:33-34; Mat. 5:5; 6:10; Luke 21:31).

Though this [Mat. 24:14] will be a terrible time of persecution, the Lord will have servants who will witness and spread the good news concerning Christ and His soon-coming kingdom. This message will be similar to that preached by John the Baptist, Jesus, and the disciples at the beginning of Matthew’s Gospel, but this message will clearly identify Jesus in His true character as the coming Messiah. This is not exactly the same message the church is proclaiming today. The message preached today in the Church Age and the message proclaimed in the Tribulation period calls for turning to the Savior for salvation. However, in the Tribulation the message will stress the coming kingdom, and those who then turn to the Savior for salvation will be allowed entrance into the kingdom. Apparently many will respond to that message (cf. Rev. 7:9-10). [L. A. Barbieri, Jr.]¹⁷

Many Bible teachers make a distinction in the following: (1) The Gospel of the Kingdom. The good news that God’s purpose is to establish an earthly mediatorial kingdom in fulfillment of the Davidic covenant (2 Sam. 7:16). Two proclamations of the gospel of the kingdom are mentioned, one already past, beginning with the ministry of John the Baptist, carried on by our Lord and His disciples, and ending with the Jewish rejection of the Messiah. The other preaching is yet future (Matt. 24:14), during the Great Tribulation, and heralding the second advent of the King. Closely connected, although perhaps not identical in its emphasis with the gospel of the kingdom, is the everlasting gospel (Rev. 14:6) preached to those on earth during the latter part of the Tribulation. (2) The Gospel of God’s Grace . . . Paul calls this gospel of the grace of God “my gospel” (Rom. 2:16) because the full doctrinal content based upon the gospel of the grace of God embraces the revelation of the result in the outcalling of the church, her relationship, position, privileges, and responsibility. This distinctive Pauline truth, honeycombing Ephesians and Colossians, is interwoven in all of the Pauline writings. [R. K. Harrison]¹⁸

Although the kingdom aspect of the gospel received greater emphasis at Christ's first coming and will do so again at the time of the end, the gospel emphasis of the Church in this age is clearly set forth in Paul's letter to the church at Corinth (1Cor. 15:1-4):

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures . . .¹⁹

In conclusion: there has only ever been one gospel requiring a response, by faith, to the promises God had revealed concerning His plan of redemption by the time the listener occupied in history. The basis of salvation, whether before or after the death of Christ, has always been the work of Christ on the cross. 

Rev. 14:6.

This Gospel will be proclaimed just before the "Vial judgments," and by an angel. It is the only Gospel committed to an angel. It is neither the Gospel of the "Kingdom," nor of "Grace." Its burden is not SALVATION but JUDGMENT-"Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the HOUR OF HIS JUDGMENT IS COME."

It is "Good News" to Israel, and all who are passing through the "fires of judgment," because it declares that their troubles will soon end in the judgment and Destruction of Antichrist and his followers. It calls on men to worship God as "CREATOR," and not as "Saviour" and so it is called in the Revised version-"THE ETERNAL GOSPEL," the Gospel that has been proclaimed from Eden down by Patriarchs and Prophets, and not an "Everlasting Gospel" in the sense that it saves men for all eternity. Its burden is not "Repent," or "do this" or "do that," but-"FEAR GOD, and give GLORY TO HIM; for the HOUR OF HIS JUDGMENT IS COME; and WORSHIP HIM THAT MADE HEAVEN, AND EARTH, AND THE SEA, AND THE FOUNTAINS OF WATERS."From this we see how important it is to distinguish between the various Gospels, not only as to their message, but the period to which they apply, other wise there will be confusion and false teaching. See Chart, "The Four Gospels."

God’s Plan of Salvation Before the Tribulation

Before the Great Tribulation, people are saved by their belief in Jesus Christ. According to Scripture, by believing in Jesus Christ, and what He has done, people can be forgiven of their sins and inherit eternal life with God; this is salvation, and we receive it by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). In this regard, Jesus said that “God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not judged, but anyone who does not believe is already judged, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God” (John 3:16-18). It is also written that “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

In relation to Jesus Christ, the Bible states among many other things that Jesus (1) is God (John 1:1) and the one and only Son of God (John 3:16), (2) is the expression of God the Father to all of humanity, and called “the Word” (John 1:1-14), (3) became a man, having been born of the virgin, Mary (Luke 2:1-7), (4) is a lineal descendant of Israel’s King David (Matthew 1:1-16), (5) lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21), (6) died on a cross, shedding His blood as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of mankind (John 19), and (7) now sits at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 1:1-4), waiting to return to the Earth in glory as the King of Kings at the time determined by the Father (Matthew 24, Revelation 19).

God’s Plan of Salvation During the Tribulation

Unlike now--the period before the Great Tribulation--the Bible indicates that during the Great Tribulation period, additional requirements must be added to a person’s faith in order to obtain salvation. Indeed, Jesus said, “[b]ut the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:13-14).

Rejection of the Mark of the Beast and Refusal to Worship the Antichrist

The endurance described by Jesus is further explained by reference to detail provided in the prophetic book of Revelation wherein John writes, “[t]hen another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb’” (Revelation 14:9-10). From this passage in Revelation, we know that during the Great Tribulation period, a person must, in addition to faith in Jesus, (a) refuse to worship the antichrist beast or his image, and (b) reject the mark of the antichrist kingdom (also known as the “mark of the beast”) that is mandated to be affixed to the right hand or forehead of all persons. The mark of the beast appears to be some form of identification with the religious, economic and/or social system promoted by the antichrist.

Consequences for Rejection of the Mark of the Beast and Refusal to Worship the Antichrist

The rejection of the mark of the beast will indeed constitute endurance, because the proposed mark will be required to participate in commerce. As Revelation 13:16-18 indicates, the antichrist administration will cause “all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, and he decrees that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.” (See also Revelation 14:9-11, 15:2, 16:2, 20:4; Revelation 9:4.)

Therefore, people who desire to be saved and inherit the Kingdom of God during the time of the Great Tribulation will, if they reject the mark and refuse to worship the antichrist and his kingdom, be unable to purchase food and water, to travel, to have a bank account, and otherwise engage in many of the simple activities of life that are needed to live. Moreover, these saints will be hunted down by the antichrist for their insolence against his kingdom, and they will be imprisoned and martyred. As John writes about the antichrist in this regard: “It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority was given to him over every tribe, people, language, and nation. All who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slaughtered. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints” (Revelation 13:7-10).

To make matters even worse, Jesus warns, in another end times discussion that "[b]rother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved" (Matthew 10:21-22). Thus, it will be difficult to trust anyone during that time, because the inability to participate in commerce and persecution will cause people to do the unthinkable. Family members who have hidden, or or supplied food, water and other needs to their family member "saints" (who haven't taken the mark and cannot participate in commerce) will suddenly turn on them--disclosing them to the antichrist government. The pressure on all will be great, which is why Jesus' counsel is to run (Matthew 10:23, 24:16) (and hide, Isaiah 26:20, Proverbs 22:3, Proverbs 27:12, Proverbs 28:12, Psalm 27:5, Psalm 31:20, Psalm 64:2, Exodus 2:3, 1 Samuel 19:2)--presumably so that the identity of the persecuted saints is not known.

The End of the Great Tribulation Period

The Great Tribulation period culminates in the exceedingly terrible and momentous “the Day of the Lord,” when Jesus, the One and Only Son of God, will return to Earth to establish His kingdom, and He will reign over all mankind (Daniel 7:13-14, Joel 2, Amos 5:18-20, Zechariah 12:10, Matthew 24 and Revelation 19). This event is known as the “Second Coming of Christ.”

Reward for Endurance

As noted above, Jesus promises that those who endure to the end will be saved (Matthew 10:22). In addition, for those whose endurance “to the end,” as Jesus describes, culminates in their martyrdom, Scripture indicates that a very special reward is promised:

Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their foreheads and on their hands; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).

Eternal Condemnation for Failing to Endure

For those who fail to endure “to the end,” as Jesus describes, that is to say, those who succumb to the desire to engage in commerce, perhaps because of starvation, by getting the “mark of the beast,” or the desire to stop the persecution, perhaps because the threat of death is too frightening, Scripture indicates, as mentioned above, that a very devastating consequence is promised--a consequence far worse than death:

“[t]hen another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb’” (Revelation 14:9-10).

Conclusion

Therefore, considering the immense significance of the reward for endurance relative to the punishment for failing to endure, we encourage all saints during the time of the Great Tribulation to embrace the following Gospel of the Tribulation:

• Believe that Jesus Christ is the one and only Son of God and that, as God and Lord, Jesus Christ died on a cross for your sins, rose from the grave, lives forever, and will one day return as the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

• Reject the application of any mark (necessary for you to buy or sell) required by any government, kingdom, world leader or religion to be affixed in any form to your person, particularly on your right hand or forehead. If you have to do so, as the Word of God instructs, run and hide.

• Refuse to worship any person or thing other than God as described in the Bible.

• Hold fast and endure to these commitments until the first to occur of the end of your life or the end of the Tribulation period, which will be marked by the arrival of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, as described in Revelation 19:11-16.