Lesson 6
Those who proclaim only the gospel about Jesus, bring the good news that mankind’s sins can be forgiven and will receive eternal life. Those called by God to follow Jesus in faith now, have a new life reserved for them in heaven. Their blessings are kept safe for them in heaven until the last day when they will receive their salvation.
1 Peter 1:3-5 Easy-to-Read Version
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has great mercy, and because of his mercy he gave us a new life. This new life brings us a living hope through Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death. 4 Now we wait to receive the blessings God has for his children. These blessings are kept for you in heaven. They cannot be ruined or be destroyed or lose their beauty. 5 God’s power protects you through your faith, and it keeps you safe until your salvation comes. That salvation is ready to be given to you at the end of time.
Those who are not called to Jesus by God, and only hear the message to repent are left believing they will die in the fires of hell, with no Godly hope for their future happiness. This is where the gospel of the Kingdom of God proclaimed by Jesus differs. The full gospel gives hope to those not chosen during this life to follow Jesus. Having a Godly promise of a future resurrection, they will determine their own success in the coming kingdom, for it will be ruled with justice. In the Kingdom of God everyone will learn about Jesus, and will decide for themselves if they want to follow. How do these different gospels complement each other? How do they differ? How would declaring the full gospel give everyone listening hope? Does God want all of mankind to accept Jesus?
Romans 15:12 Easy-to-Read Version
12 And Isaiah says, “Someone will come from Jesse’s family. He will come to rule over the nations, and they will put their hope in him.”
Isaiah 2:2-4 International Standard Version
2 “It will come about in the last days that the mountain that is the Lord’s Temple will be established as the highest of mountains, and will be raised above the hills; all the nations will stream to it. 3 Many groups of people will come, commenting, “Come! Let’s go up to the Temple of the God of Jacob, that they may teach us his ways. Then let’s walk in his paths.” “Instruction will proceed from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations, and will render verdicts for the benefit of many. “They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nations will not raise swords against nations, and they will not learn warfare anymore.