What Is the Good News in the Bible?

Throughout history, mankind has desired to live in a world filled with joy, well-being and happiness. However, the efforts of man to replace the horrors of war, disease, fear, anxiety, poverty, hatred, oppression and injustice have mostly failed.

Looking back over the history of past civilizations, we have to sadly conclude that all governments and world organizations have failed to bring us universal peace and prosperity. As a result, people struggle with a sense of despair.

Cause and effect

Why do we live in a world where so many people are living in poverty, plagued by crime and disease, and filled with a sense of hopelessness? There is a cause for every effect, and these problems will not go away unless the causes are removed.

The Bible foretold today’s world conditions and problems. But it also gives good news that Jesus Christ will return to earth in power and glory and bring about universal prosperity, happiness and joy!

From the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus highlighted and emphasized the gospel (which simply means good news) of the Kingdom of God. Our problems won’t just go away. Their causes will need to be removed and replaced with a way of life that produces a happy and peaceful world. And this utopia will not depend on the governments or organizations of men, but on the power and authority of Almighty God.

Where humans have failed, God will succeed. When Christ returns with divine power, He will accomplish what humans have failed to do.

Will we respond to God’s warnings—and His good news?

God has not left us without clear and unmistakable warnings. The Bible is filled with serious warnings about the results of sin, such as:

• “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil . . . They have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 5:20, 24).
• “Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing that you have forsaken the LORD your God. And the fear of Me is not in you” (Jeremiah 2:19, emphasis added throughout).
• “Hear, O earth! Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people—the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not heeded My words, nor My law, but rejected it” (Jeremiah 6:19).
• “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).

God is not a harsh, cruel and unreasonable being, as He is sometimes depicted. He desires that people live happy and productive lives. If we will only listen, respond and obey Him, then His love and generosity will be poured out in abundance (Deuteronomy 30:11-16). But if we refuse to obey and submit to Him, our problems will continue to increase (verses 17-18).

What is the good news that Jesus preached?

When Jesus Christ began His earthly ministry, what was the primary message He preached?

His major message focused on the good news of the coming Kingdom of God. Jesus said, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent” (Luke 4:43). Jesus’ dominant theme was preaching the good news of the future Kingdom of God (Matthew 4:17, 23).

From the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus highlighted and emphasized the gospel (which simply means good news) of the Kingdom of God.

Notice Mark’s account: “Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15). Jesus gave a clear instruction to His followers to believe His gospel message and also to pray for the coming of His Kingdom (Matthew 6:9-10).

Fortunately, after Christ returns in power and glory, He will establish His Kingdom on the earth (Revelation 11:15). It is certainly not part of this present civilization (John 18:36).

Good news: the benefits of the Kingdom of God

Let’s place the spotlight on the good news of the Kingdom of God, the wonderful world of tomorrow, when God’s government will be installed after Christ’s triumphant return to this earth. He promised that His rule would produce peace and prosperity, with people’s lives filled with abundant happiness.

God has supreme power, and nothing is too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:17, 27). And He cannot, and will not, lie (Titus 1:2). He will accomplish what He has promised!

Notice a few examples of the good news God’s miraculous power will bring:

• God will replace sorrow and crying with joy and happiness (Isaiah 14:3; 35:10). God is the God of all comfort and lovingkindness (Isaiah 41:10, 13; Jeremiah 30:17). This is incredible good news to look forward to!
• Health will be restored as nations are taught the principles of healthful living. Notice: “And the inhabitant will not say, ‘I am sick’” (Isaiah 33:24). No more overwhelmed health-care services or overcrowded hospitals. Those who are lame, deaf, mute and blind will be healed (Isaiah 35:3, 5-6)!
• People facing mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression and fears, will be delivered (verse 4).
• Poverty will be eliminated as food production escalates to new heights. The vast and unproductive wastelands will be turned into lush farmland and hunger will be stamped out (Isaiah 41:14-20; Amos 9:13).
• God will set up a perfect world-ruling government over all nations, with Jerusalem as the headquarters of Christ’s reign (Jeremiah 3:17). God revealed to Daniel what His future Kingdom would look like: “And in the days of these kings [ruling at the end time] the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed . . . and it shall stand forever” (Daniel 2:44). No contentious elections, inept human governments and despots, but one world government ruled over for the benefit of all by Jesus Christ.
• People will be educated and taught to obey God and His ways: “I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (Jeremiah 31:33). The blessings that follow will be abundant!

For a more in-depth picture of the coming world tomorrow, download our free booklet The World to Come: What It Will Be Like.

Entrance into the Kingdom

In writing to fellow Christians, the apostle Peter admonished them, “Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure.” Then he gave this assurance: “For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11). What an incredible promise!

Humans who enter the Kingdom will be joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17) and will participate as children of God in His family (1 John 3:1-3). It is up to each of us to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33) and to realize it is “the Father’s good pleasure” to give us the Kingdom (Luke 12:32).

That’s truly good news!

May we be filled with a deep-seated desire to seek God’s Kingdom and be part of His family forever and ever. Only you can make the decision to respond to that offer! For a study of the choice before you, download Change Your Life!