Some believe that “gospel of the kingdom” is the gospel or the message about forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ, as preached in the New Testament epistles. Others, like myself, believe that it is more of a technical term that describes the coming of Christ’s kingdom, which we know as the millennium.
The Greek word “gospel” is a compound word made up of “good” and “message.” “It meant originally the reward given to the messenger, but came to be used for the good news he brought.” 1 The word by itself simply means “good news.” Good news about what? Well that depends upon what is being talked about. Here the phrase would mean good news about the kingdom.
During the time that the politico-religious system of the beast is in absolute control, the gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world (Matthew 24:14). The gospel of the kingdom was preached by both Jesus and John (Matthew 3:2; 4:17). This was the announcement of the good news that the kingdom was near. This message had both a soteriological and an eschatological emphasis.…The gospel of the kingdom as preached in Tribulation will have two emphases. On the one hand it will announce the good news that Messiah’s advent is near, at which time He will introduce the messianic age of blessing. On the other hand it will also offer men salvation by grace through faith based upon the blood of Christ.
What is this “gospel of the kingdom?” It must be the same good news as was described in Matthew 3:2; 4:17, 23; and Matthew 9:35. Entrance into the coming kingdom was based on repentance; that was and is the gospel of the kingdom. In the context, however, it would also portray the nearness of the kingdom during the Tribulation period.
