GOSPEL

In order to begin a study of the Gospel, we first must have a definition. According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word translated Gospel is euaggelion or euggelizo, both of which signify the bringing of good news, or good (glad) tidings. We will have to try to get a time line for the use of the word in the Bible, although it will be difficult to keep it exactly precise.

The first instance of the Gospel’s being proclaimed is to Abraham, as recorded in Genesis 12:3 and Galatians 3:8. New Testament Christians, the Body of Christ are blessed with faithful Abraham (Gal 3:9). While God spoke a number of things to Abraham, Galatians specifies one phrase as the gospel. That is, "in thee shall all nations be blessed."

While Abraham’s becoming a great nation was promised by God, that was not, according to the Galatians record, part of the Gospel. That had to do with the earthly promises given to national Israel. How this was kept separate is noted for us in other scriptures.

The "blessing of Abraham" is mentioned twice in the Bible. Genesis 28:4 tells of Isaac giving "the blessing of Abraham" to Jacob we he left for Padan-aram. The blessing bestowed on Jacob by Isaac was the earthly blessing, "that thou mayest inherit the land." Later in the same chapter, in verses 13 to 15, God Himself gives a blessing to Jacob. Note that God also spoke of the earthly blessing, but added that in thy seed shall all families of the earth be blessed.

The spiritual blessing, we are told, is to Abraham and his seed, and we are told in Galatians 3:16 that this seed is Christ. We do not know exactly how much Abraham saw of the work of Christ, but Jesus assures us in John 8:56, "your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad."

The "blessing of Abraham" is mentioned the second time in Galatians 3:14, "That the blessing of Abraham might come unto the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." This is the Gospel and has nothing to do with the earthly blessings promised to all the seed of Abraham. This is solely to those who are in Christ.

In his epistle to the Romans, Paul continues the theme of blessing through Abraham by using Abraham’s justification as an example of our justification. Abraham believed God, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness. God had already told Abraham that his seed would bless the entire earth (Genesis 12:3) and He gives Abraham the assurance that this seed shall be as the stars for multitude (Genesis 15:5). While he was not a part of the Body of Christ, Abraham was a justified believer and, the Lord Jesus tells us, he will sit in the Kingdom of God (Matthew 8:11).

The earthly blessing for national Israel comes from the Abrahamic Covenant

All spiritual blessing comes through Jesus Christ and is received by faith resulting in justification. This was first contained in the Abrahamic covenant of blessing to all peoples through his seed.

GLAD (GOOD) TIDINGS

To continue with our study, we will go to these phrases used mostly in the Old Testament and defined as the Gospel.

As is to be expected, most of these are from the Messianic prophet Isaiah. In chapter 40 verse 9 we reads, "O Zion that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice . . . say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God." The remainder of the chapter speaks of Christ the Good (Jn 10:11) and Great (Hebrews 13:20) Shepherd, the folly of idolatry and God’s final triumph as God’s redeemed mount up on eagles’ wings in glorious victory.

Isaiah’s references to Zion (Sion in the New Testament) are revealing. Sion is mentioned four times in the New Testament. In Romans 11:26 it says, "There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, speaking of the restoration of national Israel. In Hebrews 12:22 it speaks of our coming unto Mount Sion and unto the heavenly Jerusalem, to the spirits of just (justified) men made perfect (A designation for Christians, according to Hebrews 10:14)

In 1 Peter 2:6, we are told the chief corner stone (Christ) is laid in Sion, and in Revelation 14:1 we have the Lamb standing on Mount Sion with the firstfruits of those redeemed from among men.

Note also Isaiah’s mention of Jerusalem. We know from Galatians 4:25,26 that there are two Jerusalems, one earthly and one which is above, the mother (source) of us all;.

Linking Jerusalem with Zion, Isaiah’s prophecy must have meant the heavenly, or new Jerusalem. We see five new, or heavenly, Jerusalems mentioned in the new Testament.

As has been mentioned, we have the Jerusalem which is from above in Galatians 4:26. which is the mother of us all

Hebrews 12:22 links the heavenly Jerusalem with Mount Sion and angels, New Testament Christians and to other justified men.

In Revelation 3:12 the overcomer in church in Philadelphia will have written on him the "name of the city of my God, which is the new Jerusalem, which comes down from Heaven" ((Revelation 21:10)

Revelation 21:2 speaks of the holy city, New Jerusalem, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband and Rev 21:9,10 speaks of that great city, the holy Jerusalem, which is the Bride of Christ.

The next is Isaiah 41:27, "The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings (the Gospel)

Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings. That publisheth peace that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth.

Isaiah 61:1 is partially quoted by Jesus in Luke 4:16. "The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek."

Hebrews 4:2 - The gospel preached unto us as well as unto them (people led out of Egypt – Hebrews 3:16-19).

During this era, the Church, the Body of Christ, is functioning on the earth, but has no function in Heaven.

The Bride (New Jerusalem) will consist of all justified people of all eras. Most pre-millennial scholars agree that the Church is called into Heaven in Revelation 4:1 Then, in chapter 7, John sees a great multitude, which no man could number (see Genesis 13:15, 15:5)

National Israel was an earthly people; Redeemed Israel will share in the New Jerusalem. Isaiah 60:11 – Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces (strength, might, wealth) of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought

Revelation 21:24 – and the kings of the earth do bring their honor and glory into it, and the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there

Hebrews 10:16 – God’s promise is to believers that He will put laws into their hearts, and in Hebrews 8:10 we have an identical promise to Israel.

Added is that "I will be to them a God." Revelation 21:3 promises to believers that "God Himself shall be their God"

God’s Kingdom is the New Jerusalem, which will entail God’s rule upon the earth and is the answer to the prayer of Matthew 6:10, Thy Kingdom come. God chose Israel to be His special nation, and they were known as the olive tree into which Gentile believers were graffed. Jeremiah 11:16 says that Jehovah called Israel’s name a green olive tree, and Romans 11:24 calls the olive tree into which we were graffed "their (Israel’s) own olive tree." National Israel were an earthly people with earthly promises, but God also included spiritual promises in the blessing of Abraham (Galatians 14) The earthly promise was given to Jacob by Isaac in Genesis 28:4; the heavenly promise was added by God (verse 14)

Another prophecy linking redeemed Israel with the New Jerusalem is Zechariah 14:9, which prophesies God’s kingdom on the earth. We read there of Benjamin’s gate, and in Revelation 21:12, we see that the names of the 12 tribes of Israel are on gates of new Jerusalem

Zechariah 14:8 tells of living waters from Jerusalem. This is probably the new Jerusalem because we read in Revelation 22:1,3 that throne of God is in new Jerusalem, and that pure water comes from the throne of God. The description of the new Jerusalem starts in Revelation 21:23.

Isaiah 60:15 says, "I will make thee an external excellency, a joy of many nations." This is a fulfillment of the Gospel message to Abraham (in thee shall all nations be blessed) and the role of the new Jerusalem in Revelation 21:24, "and the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it. For the judgment of the nations see Matthew 25:31-46.

Isaiah 60:19 says that Jehovah shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and Revelation 21:23 says the city has no need of the sun . . . for the glory of God did lighten it.

Isaiah 60:20 promises that the days of mourning will be ended, and Revelation 21:4 speaks of God’s wiping all tears from our eyes.

Isaiah 61:6 promises redeemed Israel that they "shall be named the Priests of the Lord," and five times in the New Testament the word priest is used for a company of God’s people. In 1 Peter 2:5 we are called an holy priesthood; in 1 Peter 2:9, a royal priesthood. In Revelation 1:6 and 5:10 we are made priests unto our God and those who have a part in the first resurrection will be priests and reign.

Lastly, Isaiah 61:7 speaks of everlasting joy, and Matthew 25:21,23 tells of faithful Christians who are invited to enter into the joy of the Lord.

We have correctly made a distinction between the earthly promises to Israel and the heavenly promises to the church, but have lost sight of the fact that those same heavenly promises are given to redeemed Israel. There are mysteries in God’s plan that we can delve into, but probably never solve. Still, we know God’s purposes will come to pass, even though we must exclaim, with Paul "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable (Greek: cannot be searched out) are His judgments, and his ways past finding out (Greek cannot be comprehended)."

Paul didn’t understand it all; possible neither did Scofield, and we certainly don’t expect to. But we stand on His promises, and know that He is still the God that does all things well!