(Matthew 24:14 KJV)
“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.”
You’ve probably heard this verse quoted in missions conferences or evangelistic rallies.
Many say, “Jesus won’t return until the gospel is preached to the whole world!”
Sounds inspiring — but is that really what Jesus meant?
Let’s see what the Bible actually says — rightly divided.
1. What Gospel Is This?
Notice Jesus didn’t say “the gospel of grace” or “the gospel of the cross.”
He said “the gospel of the kingdom.”
That’s not the same message Paul preached later.
The gospel of the kingdom was the good news that:
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand…” — Mark 1:14–15
It was the message that Israel’s promised Messiah and Kingdom were near — that Christ would reign on David’s throne in Jerusalem (Luke 1:32–33).
This gospel called Israel to repent and believe because the King was among them (Matthew 3:2; 4:17).
It had nothing to do with the cross or grace to the Gentiles yet — those truths were still hidden (Luke 18:31–34).
2. The Audience — Israel, Not the Body of Christ
When Jesus spoke these words in Matthew 24, He was answering a very specific question from His Jewish disciples:
“Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” — Matthew 24:3
This entire passage is part of what’s often called the Olivet Discourse, a prophecy about the Tribulation and Second Coming — not the Church, The Body of Christ’s Age.
The people in view are Israel, awaiting their King and Kingdom on earth (Matthew 24:15–22; 25:31–34).
3. The Timing — “Then Shall the End Come”
Jesus said this gospel would be preached “in all the world… and then shall the end come.”
That means the end of the prophetic program — not the rapture of the Body of Christ.
This worldwide preaching happens during the Tribulation, when God resumes His program with Israel after the Church is caught away (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
In that future time:
• 144,000 sealed Jews will proclaim the gospel of the kingdom (Revelation 7:3–8; 14:1–7).
• Two witnesses will preach with miraculous power in Jerusalem (Revelation 11:3–12).
• The message will again be: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
That’s when Matthew 24:14 will be fulfilled — not today.
4. Today’s Message Is Different — “The Gospel of the Grace of God”
After Israel rejected her Messiah and the kingdom offer was postponed (Acts 7), God revealed a new message through the Apostle Paul:
“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.” — Galatians 1:11
“The gospel of the grace of God.” — Acts 20:24
This gospel isn’t about a kingdom on earth — it’s about salvation by grace through faith in the finished crosswork of Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9).
It’s not about Israel’s covenants, but about a new creature — the Body of Christ, made up of Jew and Gentile alike (Ephesians 3:1–6).
5. Comparing the Two Gospels
Gospel of the Kingdom vs. Gospel of the Grace of God
Audience:
• Israel
• All nations (Jew & Gentile)
Message:
• “The Kingdom is at hand”
• “Christ died for our sins”
Focus:
• Earthly reign of Christ
• Heavenly Body of Christ
Condition:
• Repent & be baptized (Acts 2:38)
• Believe & be sealed (Ephesians 1:13)
Commission:
• Matthew 28:19–20 / Mark 16:15–18
• 2 Corinthians 5:18–20
Goal:
• The establishment of the Kingdom
• The calling out of the Body
End Result:
• “The end shall come” (Second Coming)
• “Caught up” (Rapture)
6. The Danger of Mixing Them
When people confuse these two programs, they end up preaching Israel’s gospel as if it were ours today.
That’s why some think:
• The Church will go through the Tribulation,
• Miraculous signs should follow believers,
• Or the Kingdom of Heaven is “spreading on earth now.”
But Paul warns us to:
“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” — 2 Timothy 2:7
If we fail to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15), we end up with spiritual confusion — mixing prophecy and mystery, law and grace, Israel and the Body of Christ.
7. Summary
Matthew 24:14 is not a prophecy about the Church’s global mission before the rapture.
It’s a prophecy about Israel’s future testimony during the Tribulation, before Christ returns to set up His Kingdom.
Today, our commission is different:
“We are ambassadors for Christ… beseeching men to be reconciled to God.” — 2 Corinthians 5:20
We preach Christ crucified, risen, and glorified — not the kingdom is at hand, but salvation is freely offered to all who believe.
Conclusion:
The “gospel of the kingdom” will be preached again — but not until after the Church is gone.
Right now, we proclaim the gospel of the grace of God — not waiting for “the end,” but for “the blessed hope.”
