What is THE Gospel?

I received this email today from my father-in-law today:

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Here’s a question for you.  What is the gospel?  Answer that first, and then go to Mk. 1:14-15.

Here’s something else I found.  Matt. 3:1-2 and Matt. 4:17.  Interesting, huh?
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I looked up the verses and noticed that the "gospel" seemed to refer to coming of God's Kingdom on Earth. But instead of rehashing all of my thoughts, I'll just share with you my response.

-- My Response --

In the Greek, the word "Gospel" is commonly defined as a verb (Preaching the Good News) or noun (The Good News). Typically we as Christians equate the "Gospel" as the general story of Christ's death and resurrection, but as you have pointed out that isn't the whole of "The Gospel," though it is certainly good news in part. Within the contexts of the passages which you cited above, "The Good News" for the Jews would certainly have been that the Kingdom of Heaven was drawing near. For them it might have meant that Israel's line of David was being restored ultimately throwing off the Roman Empire's grip over them. But regardless of how they might have understood it, John's Baptism was preparing them for the establishment of God's Kingdom through Christ, and this is very Good News indeed.

So "What is the Gospel?" I think it is that, through Jesus Christ, God's Kingdom is nearer to us now than ever before. It is so close that just through believing in Christ's resurrection, we not only have access to, but also complete citizenship in that Kingdom! This is gospel: "good news!" But neither does it stop there, because God's Kingdom is still expanding through evangelism and will itself endure forever (See Daniel 2:44). Then there is the return of Jesus Christ which is also part of the "good news," though it doesn't stop there either. The wedding feast of the Lamb as well as the New Heavens and New Earth we look forward to as well.

The Kingdom of Heaven is near, we all have the opportunity of becoming its citizens, and his Kingdom will endure forever and ever! Amen! This is real Gospel!

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I am not claiming that is "The Gospel" and therefore all encompassing of "The Good News" that our Christian Faith professes. It suffices to say, then, that "Gospel" is a term we use for "good news" as it pertains to God's plan for his people. Regardless of how painful that plan might turn out to be, it will always work for "the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).