Saturday, September 28, 2013

Triplets of Faith: Everlasting Gospel

Photo by ForestWander 2011


Even in Florida, cooler mornings remind me to thank God for changing seasons. These evoke memories of admiring majestic mountains painted so vividly from autumn’s palette, as I breathe in the aroma of crisp leaves crunching underfoot and hickory smoke from a wood-burning stove, and savor warm apple cider spiked with cinnamon, cloves and honey. God designed man in His own Triune image, to seek Him, to know Him, and to love Him as our Savior, Father and Creator of all. How can so many fail to realize this basic truth?

He equipped our body with senses, working together so perfectly to perceive all the beauty of His universe. These cry out to our mind that only a Supreme Designer could do this. And in our spirit, the seat of our emotions and soul, we long for the love, joy and peace (Galatians 5:22) found only in fellowship with Him. Only the fool says in His heart there is no God (Psalm 14:1; 53:1), for the universe declares His glory (Psalm 1:11), and all who deny it are without excuse (Romans 1:18-25)

God is unchanging, for Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Yet He has revealed the specifics of His plan for mankind in different ways to different peoples throughout Bible history. Scripture speaks of  three true Gospels, or Good News of salvation, given by God’s grace as a freely given, unmerited gift that sinful man does not deserve and cannot earn (Ephesians 2: 8-9).

The Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 24:14), directed to the Jews and the nation of Israel (Psalm 98:2-3), tells of Jesus Christ as the coming King of His Kingdom. The Gospel of Grace (Acts 20:24) allows Gentiles as well as Jews to be saved by their faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only way to Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; John 14:6). And the Everlasting Gospel (Revelation 14:6-7) warns of judgment by the One True God Who is to be worshipped as the Creator.

The basis of the Everlasting Gospel, as well as of the other two true Gospels, is faith (Romans 1:17) that God is the Creator, Who is Who He says He is. and Who will do what He has said He will do. The Gospel is Good News to those who believe it, but judgment to those who reject it. Faith in the One true God results in eternal, abundant life with Him (John 3:16; 5:2410:10), but disbelief results in eternal damnation in hell (John 3:18), forever separated from His light and love (Luke 16:23-26).

The Everlasting Gospel was first revealed to Adam and Eve, and it will be confirmed shortly before Christ returns as Righteous Judge, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Even before Christ revealed the Gospel of Grace to Paul, allowing Gentiles who placed their faith in Him to share in salvation, there were occasional Gentiles throughout preceding Bible history who were saved by faith in what was known about God at that time.  These included Rahab (Hebrews 11:31), Ruth (Ruth 1:16), and the Roman centurion (Mark 15:39). Jews as well as Gentiles were saved by faith that God was Creator of all, worthy of our praise, worship, and obedience (Hebrews 11).

The Gospel of the Kingdom is the Good News of salvation to Jews who trusted in Jesus as their promised Messiah during His earthly ministry and those who will do so during the Tribulation. And the Gospel of Grace is the Good News of salvation to Gentiles (and Jews) who placed their faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only way to Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Although the third Gospel, the Everlasting Gospel, promises judgment rather than salvation, it is still Good News to the nation of Israel and to the faithful remnant who refuse to worship the beast during the Tribulation, because it means that their ordeal will soon be over as Christ returns to defeat the Antichrist and the enemies of Israel at the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16).

Just before the Vial Judgments of the Tribulation, the angel will preach the Everlasting Gospel to people of every nation, kindred, and tongue. The message will be a warning to fear God, give Him glory, and worship Him, as the hour of His judgment is come. God is to be feared, glorified and worshipped as the Creator of Heaven, earth and sea, making this an Everlasting Gospel known since Adam and Eve. (Revelation 14:6-7). Those who follow this warning and die in the Lord will be blessed forever more, resting from their labors and honored thereafter by their works (Revelation 14:13).

Praise God that all who have been saved before the Tribulation will have a heavenly perspective on these events, viewing them unfold from above, for God will spare us from the wrath to come! Meanwhile, may we have the patience of the saints, keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12).



© 2013 Laurie Collett
children's ministry blogs

Bible
Top 1000
Adorned From Above
No Ordinary Blog Hop

 

28 comments:

Brenda said...

Hi Laurie,
yes there are good comparisons to be noted with the Jews and gentiles and belief and faith, and one of them which I believe is to encourage us to continue in God's kindness is spoken of, to those who stand by faith, in Romans ch.11 vs 19 - 23. ' You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.' Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.'
God bless

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Brenda! Praise God for His plan of salvation for all who trust Him by faith!
God bless you and your ministry,
Laurie

Janis Cox said...

Beautiful words: He equipped our body with senses, working together so perfectly to perceive all the beauty of His universe. These cry out to our mind that only a Supreme Designer could do this.
Blessings,
Janis www.janiscox.com

Frank E. Blasi said...

Dear Laurie,
Again thanks for sharing this and giving me an understanding of the three Gospels. Also how significant is God presenting himself in a trinitarian manner, as you have so well demonstrated.
God bless.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Janis, for your kind words and encouragement!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Frank,
Thanks so much for your encouragement -- as always, it is greatly appreciated.
May you have a blessed week in Him!
Laurie

mail4rosey said...

I loved your post again this week. This is the third time in a short time I've heard/read the reiteration that God is unchanging and always the same. On the surface that is good news. When you look into it more, it is great news!

Thank you for linking to Super Sunday Sync.

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Rosey -- with Him there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning! We can trust Him completely! Good News indeed! Thanks for your lovely comment & for hosting & God bless!
Laurie

Donald Fishgrab said...

The three Gospels can be summed up as three basic truths. 1. That salvation is available through faith in Christ. 2. That those who place their faith in Christ will be rewarded in the kingdom, and 3. That those who refuse will be judged for their rejecting him. His plan has not and will not be changed. Praise God!

Nadwrażliwiec said...

I wrote almost the same in our church magazine :)
Yes, God's Word is eternal - Heaven and Earth can be over, but His Word will not be over.
This Sunday in my church there will be baptism of a few people and I started to think about my baptism. It was November 2009...
Greetings from cool Cracow.

Ceil said...

Hi Laurie! How blessed are we to be saved by Christ?

I loved your review of the sense and the Fall Season. God gives us so much, and then so much to perceive him with too.

God give the patience I need to wait for his coming!
Ceil

Laurie Collett said...

Very well said, Donald! Praise God that He is faithful and unchanging!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Zim -- God and His Word are unchanging and eternal. I was baptized December 2010, shortly before Christmas. Greetings & blessings to you,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Ceil! There is no greater blessing than to know we are saved by His grace. No matter what happens here, we will enjoy eternity in His presence. Like you, I'm eagerly looking up each day, hoping that today might be the day of his return.
Thanks for your lovely comment & God bless!
Laurie

Karina said...

Hi Laurie,
What a beautiful post! Bible readings are so insightful and sometimes so simple. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for linking up to the Thumping Thursdays Blog Hop. I look forward to seeing you back.

Sincerely,

Karina

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Karina, for your sweet comment and for hosting! I look forward to linking up again next week.
Many blessings to you,
Laurie

Michell Pulliam said...

Great insight Laurie! With ALL the evidences that our God, not only exist, but is omnipresent...how can one say there's no God? For in Him we live, move and have our being. Yes, we as Believers must have the fortitude to continue on and fight the good fight of faith, knowing that in the end we shall receive our prize! Thanks for sharing...have a blessed weekend!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Michell, for your uplifting comment! Without Him, we can do nothing, for He is the source of life itself. Thanks for your encouragement to all believers to continue in His service until He comes again!
May you have a blessed week in Him,
Laurie

Jennifer said...

"Seek Him, know Him, and love Him" amen!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Jennifer, for your sweet comment! Amen indeed!
God bless,
Laurie

BARBIE said...

Thank you for sharing these truths and linking up with The Weekend Brew!

Kathy Penney said...

It is so comforting to know that God's love for us is the same yesterday, today, and always. Thanks for sharing at All Things Pretty!

Karina said...

Hi Laurie,
Thank you for sharing this link on last week's Thumping Thursdays Blog Hop. It will be featured on tomorrow's hop. Much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Karina
http://www.momintheusa.net

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Barbie, for your kind comment & for hosting!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Kathy, He is unchanging in His infinite love for His children! Thanks for hosting & for your sweet comment.
Blessings,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Hi Karina,
I am blessed and honored by the feature! Thanks so much & God bless!
Laurie

Tim said...

Refreshing way of putting things. Nice easy flow and allowed me to enjoy the love of Christ as I read.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Tim, for your kind comment & for following!
God bless you,
Laurie