“ON EAGLES’ WINGS MINISTRIES”
“When Shall These Things?" Matthew 24: Part 12, January
2009.
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt. 24: 14.
We have made it into another year, and as we pause to give thanks for both the mountains and the valleys of the past year, I must personally convey my sincere thanks to those of you whose hearts were led to correspond with me throughout the past year. Your love and support have served as a bulwark to this ministry. Your letters, emails, and phone calls always seem to come in a timely manner, just when they are needed. Thank you so much for obeying the voice of our heavenly Father. May your obedience result in increased blessings!
There are many versions of what Jesus actually meant that have been going around for decades upon decades now. The prevailing and most accepted one is that this verse is linked to the Everlasting Gospel mentioned by John in Revelation 14: 6. This had to be done in order to have an end-of-time harmony within the entire chapter of Matthew 24. But as we have shown in previous lessons, there is grave error in carrying the truths of this chapter all the way past A. D. 70 to the year 2009 and beyond, thus, forcing us to believe that the words of Jesus recorded in Matt. 24 are meant for a time beyond even where you and I are today. One of the most important point to consider in Matt. 24:14, is the fact that Jesus said; “THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM!” It meant the gospel he, Jesus preached, the one he sent his disciples to preach, and the same gospel the apostles went about preaching up to their death.
Here is what Jesus said to his disciples as he sent them to preach! “And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matt. 10:7. “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and, saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1: 14-15. Doctor Luke in his narrative had this to say: “And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him.” Luke 8: 1. For Jesus and his group of merry men, there was no shortage of sermons on the kingdom of God. “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God.” Luke 9: 1-2.
One of the unique things about Jesus during his earthly ministry was that he did not gather a few people around him and straightway establish a “local church” installing himself as the “Bishop and Apostle.” Multitudes followed him, and if it were a matter of building up a following, he was not short of that. So what held him back from this noble venture? Simply put. “he came to die on Calvary, not to establish a religious organization that would display a special kind of name and characteristic. Getting people baptized and “joining church” were not his mandate! He knew all along that the kingdom of God could not be squeezed within the walls of an organization, and given the tag and name plate of a selected few. His kingdom is from sea to sea and those who seek to nurture a faithful few under their man-made banner have missed or not known the extent of God’s kingdom.
Paul would be very quick to take issue with the idea of someone, somewhere, preaching a gospel called the everlasting gospel that was unique and separate from what he himself preached. “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach and other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Gal. 1: 8. We have heard of the gospel of peace, the gospel of the grace of God, but no matter what name they were given, they are all a part of the one true gospel, which is the Kingdom of God. Jesus was very emphatic in laying out the line of demarcation between the laws and the prophets and the introduction of the New Testament Gospels which now govern our thinking and have opened before us, a door into what God has determined for his creation
Jesus said: “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.” Luke 16: 16. Do you remember what we shared from Mark’s gospel? “Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, saying, The time is fulfilled, (meaning that the allotted time for the laws and the prophets to minister was now over) and the kingdom of God is at hand (or at your hand’s length, so reach out and take it) repent ye, and believe the gospel (of the kingdom). Mark 1: 14-15. Please pay close attention to what we are about to share at this juncture!
We are told in Romans 5: 14; “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who was a figure of him (Christ) was to come.” But in truth, Moses, representing the law and we add the prophets prophesied (ministered) until John as we just observed. So then, death reigned from Adam to John and when Jesus hit the scene the administration of death came to an abrupt end. That is why John was able to announce the One who came after him, but knew very well that he was not worthy to untie his shoe. Among men, none was greater than John, but the least in the kingdom is greater than John. He announced the kingdom, but the message that got him killed was not exactly a message of life. To me, it seems that he pointed out the wrongs or the ills in a life, but did not, or could not offer a cure. Let me point out a truth in all modesty and I trust no one will come to the wrong conclusion. John said he was not worthy to undo the shoe of Jesus: “But one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose.” Luke 3: 16. But we are told something quite different! “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Eph.2: 6.
“For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them (us) brethren.” Heb.2:11. We are partakers of something more glorious than what John had experienced. John served like a gallant ship captain who heroically got his passengers off his ill fated ship and pointed them to the rescue ship pulling in close by, but he goes down with his ship. John saw his own disciples turning away to follow Jesus, but he knew that his day had drawn to its close and he acknowledged that “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3: 30. John’s ministry was like getting pre-approved over the phone for a mortgage before you even start house hunting. He baptized “unto repentance” and honestly stated that he who comes after me is preferred before me, because he will baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
Something caught my eye the other day when considering the message of the kingdom of God versus the popular sermons we hear from time to time just about anywhere we go. Listen to this! “And it came to pass afterward, that he (Jesus) went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him.” Luke 8: 1. It should not be surprising that great multitudes followed him, just to hear him teach the word of God. Here is a man, much like Barak Obama who brings hope to Americans and to a greater degree, the world, after eight years of a downward spiral under the Bush Administration. The gospel of Jesus Christ inspired a people who, for the past four hundred years had no open vision from God, and they lived in a time and in a land being torn apart by zealots and radicals of every sort. Depression and poverty were everywhere in so much that the human spirit was often broken, and hope was nowhere over the horizon.
Just about here, the words of a well known song come to mind! “One sat alone beside the highway begging, his eyes were blind, the light he could not see; He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows, then Jesus came and bade the darkness flee. When Jesus comes, the tempter’s power is broken; When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away. He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory, For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.” What a difference Jesus makes when he walks in! His message of hope, peace, and love resonated beyond the regions far and wide, and multitudes came and had their spirit lifted and renewed. “And the multitudes marveled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel.” Matt. 9: 33b.
I grew up hearing about the wrath of God that was about to be poured out on the ungodly. The thought of talking rocks and locusts eating man’s flesh sent chills all over me. I have lived for almost 74 years now (will be in March) and for many years I hear what is called the “prosperity message” of “name it and claim it.” On the other side of the coin, many are still stoking the fires of hell as they see the day of God’s judgment fast approaching when all sinners will have their part in the lake of fire. And yet, the glad tidings of the kingdom of God still holds out the only hope for mankind. Some years ago, I ministered in Rochester, New York and I remember the message I shared. It was entitled, Until Christ Be Formed In You, taken from Galatians 4: 19; “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” At the end of the service a well dressed young lady came to me with tears streaming down her face. She said to me, “thank you Evangelist for the message tonight; Now I know that there is hope for me.”
If our message, if our lives, if our efforts cannot bring hope, love, joy, and peace to others, what is the purpose of being around and of going through the motion of everything religious? Back in London, England in the late sixties when I sought God desperately, I use to say, “God I do not want to be a fruitless tree, just taking up space. If that is to be the case, please remove me and let a tree that can produce fruit take my place.” People can live with very little and learn to survive. What surprises me and leaves me in awe when I visit my home back in Jamaica is how those folks worship God with fire and enormous seal. It does not take much for them to bring the roof down. And yet, in their everyday life, things are tough and many just barely scrape their way through from day to day. But when they meet to worship one would not think that they have a care in the world. Because they have hope! Because they have joy! Because they have the peace that Jesus Christ alone can give! They shout with ease and it’s real!
Sure enough, some followed Jesus for the fish and bread, but the masses sought him out for the hope that he inspired in them. A person’s station in life matters very little if he has hope, for Paul said to the Roman saints, “we are saved by hope.” A person without hope is lost! I often think of the mindset of a person thrown in prison any where in the world, without being charged, without being given a lawyer, with no hope of ever being freed as the years go by. What a state of hopelessness! How can a human being live like that for 5, 6, 7 or more years? Jesus came on the scene when the whole world (the Roman world) was being taxed and the Jews groaned under Roman oppression. The religious leaders of that day had nothing to offer the populous. They paraded themselves in long robes and held high seats among the people, and possibly the Romans adopted a “live and let live attitude” where these religious leaders were concerned.
One can safely assume that the underlying thought of every Jew in those days was to get rid of the Romans one way or another. John the Baptist hit the scene and crowds went out to hear him, and some got baptized. Then, the man himself, Jesus the Christ came on the scene and replaced John in short order. Before long, some saw Jesus as the man to lead an army against the Romans, while others with less militant ambitions saw him as the man with the message of the day. Jesus began to preach and teach about a kingdom that will supersede every earthly kingdom man has ever known. Sure, he said the kingdom is within! Sure Paul said it is joy, peace, righteousness in the Holy Ghost! Yes, it is not in word but in power! All of the above is true! But it is not the end of the story of the kingdom yet to be revealed before men.
Jesus was very clear in saying that this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world as a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. As we said before, there is only ONE gospel, even if we divide it into several segments, such as the gospel of your salvation, the gospel of the grace of God, the gospel of peace, etc. The next important thing to understand is that when Jesus said “in all the world” he meant the world that was known at the time. The Americas, the Eastern and Western Caribbean, Australia and New Zeeland were not known as part of the world when Jesus and Paul lived. Even in Revelation, when we read of the world, it means the Roman World or the Roman Empire that stretched as far as Great Britain. Preaching the gospel to the world does not mean that every person alive, even in the remotest jungle must hear the gospel before we can conclude that the gospel has been preached in all the world---all the world does not mean every single person. Let us revisit Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost for a while and review the crowd!
Listen to Luke’s narrative for a moment! “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Let us go through the list for the fun of it! Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians. We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. Acts 2: 5,9-11. Do you see what I see? Peter got up to preach that day, and his sermon was heard by people out of every nation under heaven. Jesus did not say the gospel of the kingdom was to save every nation, neither did he indicate that every human being must here the gospel, but it should simply serve as a witness; and here in Jerusalem in one day every nation under heaven being represented, heard and saw that witness.
But there is a downside to this magnificent gospel extravaganza that took Jerusalem by storm. We do not know how many days these people of all nations remained in Jerusalem after the day of Pentecost. But we do know that Peter’s preaching on that day brought in about three thousand souls, and later on another eight thousand came in, and we are told that the Lord added to the church daily, such as should be saved. Peter was not the first Pope of Rome as the Catholic Church would have us believe. Actually, when Peter arrived in Rome, he found churches or at least ONE church already established and functioning. The newly converted souls at Pentecost went back to their several countries and carried the zeal and a new experience with them, but they had no doctrinal foundation; the result was that these churches came forth with a great mixture of beliefs and practices. The most available belief accessible to them was salvation by works, patterned after the Jewish religious structure. Salvation by faith was not known to them and by practicing salvation by works, intentionally or not, they introduced and practiced the doctrine of antichrist in every one of those local churches.
John puts it this way! “Little children, it is the last time: (end of the world in his opinion) and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come (like preachers are telling us today) even now are there many antichrists; ( not a single super-human being as certain false prophets of our day would have us believe) there are many antichrists—whereby we know it is the last time. Now notice how this scenario developed over time! They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1 Jn. 2:18-19. Look at a classic example of how good intentions can backfire or get sidetracked.
“Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.” Excellent start it was for Simon Magus, but what was his end? “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” Acts 8: 13, 20-21. The headstone, chief corner stone, and sure foundation of true salvation is based upon this concept: “Not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ before the world began.” 2 Tim. 1: 9. Paul, learning very early what his salvation is based on, came to this radical conclusion! “I am crucified with Christ: (yes, I died when he died) nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me (and instead of me) and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20.
Let us understand and believe one thing! John did not point a single person as the dreaded antichrist, like so many pushing their books today are teaching. He said, “even now (in his day) there are many antichrists.” The vast landscape of Christendom is littered with the doctrine of antichrist because the word means against or instead of, so if your salvation is based upon what you do for yourself, it is instead of Christ and if that be the case, it is also against Christ. Luther stepped away from the Roman Church by announcing justification by faith which had to do with the inward need for salvation, but he did not discard the outward rituals and requirements of working out one’s salvation. In fact, the very early apostles made the mistake of combining both faith and works and the church experienced trouble throughout their lives. They continued daily in temple and in breaking of bread from house to house. Perhaps the apostles acted with good intentions, but God’s idea was to discard the old, move it out of the way, and to introduce something completely new.
When Jesus arrived on the scene, he did not seek to appease the established religious hierarchy, and when he taught his disciples, it was not based upon Moses and the prophets. They prophesied until John and now the age of the kingdom came, being carried in the hands of the King of the kingdom himself. He could not afford to send an angel to set up this kingdom, and because he came as the Son of man, he included all mankind who will open their eyes to the vision of the day. Suppose you want your faith perked up a little like John? “Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached unto them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Matt. 11: 2-6.
Listen to this little nugget! “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matt.7: 28-29. Why was he so effective in what he said? because the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power! 1 Cor. 4: 20. Many cannot see that Peter preached a dynamic sermon about the Kingdom of God on the day of Pentecost. He spoke how David as a prophet knew that God had promised that of the fruit of his loins, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne, thus, he seeing this before, spoke of the resurrection of Christ from the dead. David was a type of Christ in many aspects of his life, but now that the genuine product is on the scene, there was no more need for a type. Peter further explained that David has not gone into heaven himself, so in truth he cannot sit on his throne. But he saw this before and exclaimed that “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2: 29-36.
I would encourage everyone to read this entire passage and picture yourself standing with the eleven and listening to Peter expounding on this great subject. I get goose bumps every time I go into this lesson, because it is so profound and powerful. When the Holy Ghost burst into that upper room like a mighty rushing wind, and the Holy Ghost sat upon each of them, the kingdom of God had made its debut among earthly men. From then on, it was no more Christ with you, but it became Christ IN YOU. With Philip, the kingdom of God swept into Samaria because he preached Christ unto them. You want me to tell you something? Back in those days, it would have been out of necessity that Philip should preach a message of “prosperity” to the people. Or, he would no doubt be justified in preaching a message of “self improvement” on how to reach within and build up one’s self. There was an ongoing strife between the Jews and the Samaritans, and the rigid hand of Rome was being felt throughout all the land. But Philip preached Christ unto them, and unclean spirits cried and came out of people, and many taken with palsies, and that were lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.
When we preach Christ, we are actually invoking or applying the potent power of the kingdom of God, because Jesus came into a world torn by strife, malice, hatred, slavery, human trafficking, witchcraft, black magic, murder and the grim shadow of death hovering over the human race. As he came into the world, the entire landscape changed and with the angels singing they announced a new day of goodwill to all men, and peace on earth. It was as if the whole world began to awake out of a terrible dream. It was like the dawn of Spring and the trees began to bloom, while little animals began to break out from their dens deep under the snow. The skies began to fill up with birds on a joy ride. It was as if the trees and brooks began to clap and sing his praises. “The Lord hath done great things for which we praise his name.” That is how the kingdom of God affects the human heart and spirit, because it is not a form of doctrine crafted for human exhibition, but rather, it is God himself (the Word) putting on flesh and dwelling among us and IN US. Paul and Barnabas came down through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and to realize that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14: 21-22. As we can observe here, it is not enough to say the kingdom of God is within, because we must also enter into it. Paul took the thought a little further and noted that we have been delivered from the power of darkness, and hath been translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. Col. 1: 13. We do not preach another gospel, because the gospel of the kingdom has been designed to accomplish God’s will throughout his creation.
Royce O. Kennedy