The gospel of the kingdom announces the King is coming, while the gospel of grace proclaims Christ's finished work—His death, burial, and resurrection.
Les Feldick teaches that the gospel of the kingdom was preached by Jesus and the Twelve to Israel, focusing on the King's imminent arrival. The gospel of grace, revealed through the Apostle Paul, emphasizes salvation through Christ's finished work on the cross, apart from law and legalism.
Matthew 24:14 — Jesus explicitly mentions the 'gospel of the kingdom' to be preached in the future tribulation, contrasting it with the present gospel of grace.
In Matthew 24:14, Jesus speaks of the 'gospel of the kingdom' as a future proclamation: '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.' This points to a distinct message during the end times. The gospel of grace is articulated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: 'For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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.' This emphasizes Christ's finished work. Thus, Scripture presents two messages: the kingdom gospel centered on the King's coming, and the grace gospel centered on Christ's death and resurrection.
Les Feldick explains that the gospel of the kingdom was the message of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Twelve, proclaiming that the King (Christ) was present and ready to set up His kingdom, offered specifically to Israel. When Israel rejected and crucified the King, God turned to Paul, who revealed the gospel of grace—salvation through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, primarily for Gentiles. During the future seven-year tribulation, Les teaches that 144,000 Jewish men will again preach the gospel of the kingdom, not the gospel of grace, because the King's return is imminent. These are two distinct messages, not to be confused, as many have done with Matthew 24:14. Les emphasizes that the gospel of grace was not known during Christ's earthly ministry because the cross and resurrection had not yet occurred. The difference is as vast as 'night and day' (citing Paul Van Gorder).
During Christ's earthly ministry, the gospel of the kingdom was the good news that the King was present and ready to fulfill Old Testament promises to Israel. It was for Jews, not Gentiles. Les Feldick states that this message was for Israel only, as the King was in their midst.
The gospel of grace, revealed through the Apostle Paul, is that Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose again. It is free from law and legalism and is primarily for Gentiles. Les Feldick teaches that this gospel came after Israel's rejection of the kingdom offer.
Yes, during the seven-year tribulation, 144,000 Jewish men will be sealed and will preach the gospel of the kingdom, which declares 'the King is coming.' This is distinct from the gospel of grace, as the church age will have ended.
Tribulation and Israel
In the tribulation, God deals primarily with Israel, setting the stage for the 144,000 to preach the kingdom gospel.
Kingdom Gospel Defined
The gospel of the kingdom is that the King is coming, preached by Jesus and the Twelve.
Matthew 24:14 Clarified
Jesus referred to the gospel of the kingdom, not the gospel of grace, in the future tribulation.
144,000 Preach
The 144,000 Jews will proclaim the gospel of the kingdom during the tribulation, not the gospel of grace.
Kingdom Message Again
They will return to the basic message that the King is coming, as preached by Christ and the Twelve.
From Kingdom to Grace
Israel's rejection led to Paul proclaiming the gospel of grace, primarily to Gentiles, with no law.
Early Gospel Distinction
Even after Pentecost, the gospel of grace was not yet revealed; the kingdom gospel continued to be preached.
Paul's Grace Gospel
The gospel of grace from Paul is Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, distinct from the kingdom gospel.
Matthew 24:14: 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.
Jesus prophesies a future preaching of the kingdom gospel during the tribulation.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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.
Paul defines the gospel of grace as Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
No, they are distinct messages. The gospel of the kingdom proclaims the King is coming, while the gospel of grace proclaims Christ's death, burial, and resurrection for salvation.
John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Twelve preached it to the nation of Israel during Christ's earthly ministry.
The 144,000 Jewish men sealed by God will preach the gospel of the kingdom during the seven-year tribulation.
It is the message revealed through Paul that salvation is through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, apart from law and works.
Watch the Teaching: What Happens to the 144,000 Jews in the Tribulation?