The gospel WAS preached
PART ONE: The gospel was preached
Jesus gave his Apostles and disciples a command, to preach the gospel of the kingdom to "all the world", saying, then the end would come. And according to the Bible, the gospel was preached to every creature under heaven in the first century.
REQUIREMENT:
Mat 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.
FULFILLMENT:
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
So Jesus said "in all the world", and Paul said the gospel was preached and heard "into all the earth", "unto the ends of the earth". And again Jesus had said:
REQUIREMENT:
Mar 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
FULFILLMENT:
Col 1:21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
Col 1:22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight:
Col 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
So Jesus said "preach to every creature", and Paul said it was "preached to every creature under heaven".
When I read this, I see clearly that the gospel is that of Jesus Christ which "Paul was made a minister", that same Gospel. And I see that it "was preached in all creation under heaven". The word translated "gospel" is unique to the gospel of Jesus Christ and savior of the world and his apostles and disciples and messengers of light. It is not an O.T. word or reference, was never used in the O.T.
Some may say "Did they preach in Ten-Buck too!" (LOL), but know this, Jerusalem WAS a multicultural magnate, she attracted people from all over the world for the feast of tabernacles, even every nation under heaven:
Act 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of EVERY NATION UNDER HEAVEN.
Act 2:9-11 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
PART TWO: "Published"- First to the Jew, then to the Gentile:
Jesus was a Jew, and the Jews were His chosen people. He came to them like a groom coming for His bride, but she cast Him away. So the groom sent out His servants into the streets and invited strangers. (Hear the parables of Christ, they were often about the Pharisees, and the Pharisees knew it, they wanted to kill Him every time Jesus spoke to them in parables. ) The twelve were first instructed to only go unto the Jews in Israel. Later there were seventy instructed to preach to everyone. Later, Paul was called as an Apostle to preach to the Gentiles as well (anyone who was not a Jew), He also preached to the Jews, of course.
This is about the gospel being preached to both Jew and Gentile.
Mat 10:5-7 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing THEM, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'
Jesus was instructing the twelve, and said:
Mat 10:23 When they persecute YOU in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to YOU, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Now Jesus also said this to His disciples. Many people make a big fuss about the verse that reads "published", saying that it means 1000's of years in the future, like via Publishers Clearing House (lol), so let's look into this one:
Mark 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say...
13:10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
Some say "published" means "printed", but Jesus was talking to his disciples here.
The Greek word translated "published" in the KJV also means "to herald", "to cry out", "preach":
Strong's Concordance:
G2784 κηρύσσω kērussō kay-roos'-so -Of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel): - preach (-er), proclaim, publish.
Many translations understand this, I am not trying to deceive you! :
Mar 13:10
(ALT) "And to all the nations it is necessary [for] the Gospel first to be proclaimed.
(ASV) And the gospel must first be preached unto all the nations.
(ESV) And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.
(HNV) The Good News must first be preached to all the nations.
(LITV) And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations.
(MKJV) And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations.
And this is very important, the Greek word translated "nations" in the KJV can be thought of as "Gentile people", and that's anyone who is not a Jew:
Strongs Concordance:
G1484 ἔθνος ethnos eth'-nos - Probably from G1486; a race (as of the same habit), that is, a tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication pagan): - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
And that was Paul's calling! First to the Jew from the Twelve, then to the Gentiles. At the end of the age, the time of the Gentiles was to be accomplished. We can rightly say Jesus was saying "And the gospel must first be preached to all the Gentile people too". And it was, in the first century. The time of the Gentiles was accomplished.
PART THREE: The Time of the Gentiles
Jesus had said:
Mat 24:3-4 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the age? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you...
And Jesus continued talking to them, saying many things, including: "Then they will deliver YOU up to tribulation and put YOU to death, and YOU will be hated by all nations for my name's sake". -Mat 24:9
And it was true, all the Apostles were hated, beaten, jailed, and even murdered. You cannot say this is not true. Jesus was not talking to YOU, or every single Christian. (It is said they were all put to death, many in the reign of Nero, except for John, and Jesus hinted at this, that John would remain.)
And Jesus spoke of Jerusalem being trodden of the Gentiles.
You might say "So, the gospel was preached to every creature under heaven in the first century, But the end of the WORLD did not come!", to which I understand! I would highly recommend comparing translations and even using a Strong's concordance if you can.
Here is an example:
Matthew 24:3
(ALT) Then as He is sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached Him privately, saying, "Tell us when these things will be? And what is the sign of Your Arrival and of the conclusion of the age?"
(ESV) As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?"
(HNV) As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the talmidim came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?"
The Greek word translated as "world" in the KJV is "aion", and it is properly an ""age", period in time."
Did I mention Jerusalem was trodden by the Gentiles and the Temple in Jerusalem was made desolate in 70AD?
Some amazing events took place as recorded in "Wars of the Jews" recorded 74/75 AD By Flavius Josephus. He was a Jewish priest and historian.
(You can download "Antiquities of the Jews", and "Wars of the Jews" as FREE add-ons to the e-Sword software, a FREE e-Bible that offers many translations and tools)
In 70 A.D. the Romans sieged Jerusalem. It was much more than just a war. It was an act of God.
HISTORICAL EVENTS OF THE THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM 70 A.D.:
-For seven years leading up to 70AD, 1,337,490 perished.
-Forty two months was the siege, roughly 66.5 - 70 A.D.
-A star appeared in the likeness of a giant sword in the sky.
-A comet was seen, lasted a week.
-There was a massive earthquake, more than 8000 died.-
-The sea roared and bodies of merchants washed up for weeks.
-An army of horsemen appeared in the sky!
-Visions of angelic beings were seen all over Judea
-A frightful noise was heard, a pop that sounded like the universe exploded.
-A heifer gave birth to a lamb on the temple grounds.
*And as the Temple was made desolate:
-A multitude of voices were heard born from heaven saying "LET US REMOVE HENCE!".
-The huge-massive door to the temple swung open welcoming the invaders.
-Tens of thousands were killed without discrimination in all Jerusalem and Judea.
-Not one stone of the temple was left upon another because there was gold between each one and the roman Army had a field day.
The gospel of the STONE
Hear a parable about the generation of the Messiah. Hear why his people were to be judged and when...
Mat 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
Mat 21:34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
Mat 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
Mat 21:36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
Mat 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
Mat 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
Mat 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
Mat 21:40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
Mat 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
Mat 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?
Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Mat 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
Mat 21:45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
Mat 21:46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
I would say those fellers perceived pretty well!
(Matthew 3:7) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
(Luke 3:7) Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Please try this, picture the Son of God teaching His disciples, warning the Pharisees, and walking around talking to people in the first century. Many gathered around Him and tried to write down everything He said! His Apostles and disciples were close enough to hear, and they recorded these events for us! Many feel as if it is not all about THEM, that the Bible is useless, but it is not useless! Some things apply to all mankind, like John 3:16, and some things do not, like Mat 24:9. You must rightly divide what applies to all mankind, and what applied to the Pharisees, and what applied to His Apostles and disciples, and the whole house of first century Jerusalem. I know this may be hard to digest, believe me, I know. Try this, Imagine Jesus walking preaching to all people, warning the Pharisees, and teaching His disciples, and saying in the first century:
"And Jesus answered them"...
Luke 21:22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.
Matthew 10:34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Mat 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!
Mat 23:38 See, your house is left to you desolate.
Luk 21:20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.
Luk 21:21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it,
Luk 21:22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.
Luk 21:23 Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people.
Luk 21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Luk 23:24 So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.
Luk 23:25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.
Luk 23:26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.
Luk 23:27 And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him.
Luk 23:28 But turning to them Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
Luk 23:29 For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'
Luk 23:30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Cover us.'
Luk 23:31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
Mat 13:40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age.
Luk 17:20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed,
Luk 17:21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."
Luk 17:22 And he said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.
Luk 17:23 And they will say to you, 'Look, there!' or 'Look, here!' Do not go out or follow them.
Luk 17:24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.
Mat 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Mat 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Joh 21:22 Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"
Joh 21:23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"
Mat 13:41-42 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out
of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43)* Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. *
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Luke 21:22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.
Rev 22:10 And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
Mat 23:36 Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.
Did you imagine Jesus speaking these things in the first century, not sitting down writing a book to people thousands of years in the future?
What Now?
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
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