Universal Preaching of the Gospel Before Jesus' Return

The concept of the universal preaching of the Gospel before Jesus' return is rooted in biblical prophecy and has been a significant point of theological discussion. Jesus himself stated, "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" (Matthew 24:14) ^[5]. This verse is central to understanding the doctrine.

The "Gospel of the kingdom" refers to the good news concerning Jesus Christ, his person, and his work ^{[2, 5]}. This includes his incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, which is considered a cardinal fact and doctrine of the Gospel ^{[3, 8]}. The resurrection, in particular, is seen as essential for the forgiveness of sins, justification, and the efficacy of both preaching and faith ^[4]. The early Christian preachers, known as evangelistai, proclaimed this message, which was centered on the arrival of the Savior ^[2].

The scope of this preaching is described as "in all the world" or "unto all nations" ^{[5, 6]}. This universal reach is understood by some as a prerequisite for Christ's second coming ^[7]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, interprets Matthew 24:14 to mean that the Gospel, which was initially confined to Judea, would spread globally, bringing people into the "kingdom of the Messiah" ^[5]. Similarly, the Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Revelation 14:6 suggests that before the end, the Gospel will be preached "for a WITNESS unto all nations," implying that all nations will have the opportunity to hear the message, even if not all are converted ^[6].

There are different interpretations regarding the fulfillment and timing of this universal preaching. Some scholars, like those at Tyndale House, suggest that the "Good News" was already considered to have been preached to every nation in the Apostle Paul's day, citing passages like Romans 16:26, Colossians 1:6, and Colossians 1:23 ^[9]. This perspective suggests that the initial spread of the Gospel by the apostles constituted a significant fulfillment of this prophecy, particularly before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 ^[9].

However, other interpretations view the prophecy as requiring a more complete global dissemination of the Gospel before the final return of Christ. John Gill, for instance, links Christ's return to a time "after the Gospel has had a general spread all over the world, and the Jews are converted, and the fulness of the Gentiles brought in" ^[7]. This suggests a future, more extensive evangelistic effort than that of the first century.

The historical context of the early church also shows a pattern of widespread evangelism. John the Baptist, for example, preached a "baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel" before Jesus' arrival ^[1]. The dispersion of the Jewish people throughout the world before Christ's coming is also seen by some as having prepared the way for the apostles' preaching, making them effective instruments for spreading the message ^[10].

The concept emphasizes that the purpose of this global preaching is not necessarily to convert every individual in every nation, but to serve as a "witness" ^[6]. This witness provides an opportunity for people to decide for or against Christ ^[6]. The trials faced by early Christians were even seen as a means through which the Good News would be preached to all nations ^[9].

Sources

Acts “Acts 13:24 (BSB) — Before the arrival of Jesus, John preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resurrection of Christ, The — Foretold by the prophets -- Ps 16:10; Ac 13:34,35; Isa 26:19. Foretold by Himself -- Mt 20:19; Mr 9:9; 14:28; Joh 2:19-22. Was necessary to The fulfilment of Scripture. -- Lu 24:45,46. Forgiveness of sins. -- 1Co 15:17. Justification. -- Ro 4:25; 8:34. Hope. -- 1Co 15:19. The efficacy of preaching. -- 1Co 15:14. The efficacy of faith. -- 1Co 15:14,17. A proof of his being the Son of God -- Ps 2:7; Ac 13:33; Ro 1:4. Effected by The power of God. -- Ac 2:24; 3:15; Ro 8:11; Eph 1:20; Col 2:12. His own power. -- Joh 2:19; 10:18. The power of”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 24:14: And this Gospel of the kingdom,.... Which Christ himself preached, and which he called and sent his apostles to preach, in all the cities of Judah; by which means men were brought into the kingdom of the Messiah, or Gospel dispensation; and which treated both of the kingdom of grace and glory, and pointed out the saints' meetness for the kingdom of heaven, and their right unto it, and gives the best account of the glories of it: shall be preached in all the world; not only in Judea, where it was now confined, and that by the express orders of Christ himself; but i”
Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 14:6: Here begins the portion relating to the Gentile world, as the former portion related to Israel. Before the end the Gospel is to be preached for a WITNESS unto all nations: not that all nations shall be converted, but all nations shall have had the opportunity given them of deciding whether they will be for, or against, Christ. Those thus preached to are "they that dwell (so A, Coptic, and Syriac read. But B, C, ORIGEN, Vulgate, CYPRIAN, 312, read, 'SIT,' compare Mat 4:16; Luk 1:79, having their settled home) on the earth," being of earth earthy: th”
Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 19:14: And it came to pass that when he was returned,.... Which return was either in power to Jerusalem, in the destruction of that city; or which will be in person to this earth, at the end of the world; and will be local and visible, and in great glory, attended with the holy angels, and with all the saints: the time is fixed and certain, though unknown, and will be sudden and unexpected; but will not be till after the Gospel has had a general spread all over the world, and the Jews are converted, and the fulness of the Gentiles brought in, and then will Christ come: havi”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 26:13: Verily I say unto you,.... The following words are prefaced in this manner, to excite attention, and command belief: wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world. The Syriac version reads it, "my Gospel"; and so the Persic version; and has respect chiefly to the doctrine of his death, burial, and resurrection, which this action of the woman had relation to; for though the incarnation of Christ, and all the actions of his life, and whatsoever he did for the good, and in the room and stead of his people, are good news and glad tidings to the sons of ”
Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 13:10: 13:10 Such trials (13:9, 11) would be a means through which the Good News would be preached to all nations. This would all take place first—i.e., before the destruction of Jerusalem. For Paul’s understanding of how the Good News had already been preached to every nation in his day, see Rom 16:26; Col 1:6, 23 (see also Rom 1:5, 8; 10:18; 15:19, 23).”
Zechariah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Zechariah 10:9: sow them among . . . people--Their dispersion was with a special design. Like seed sown far and wide, they shall, when quickened themselves, be the fittest instruments for quickening others (compare Mic 5:7). The slight hold they have on every soil where they now live, as also the commercial and therefore cosmopolitan character of their pursuits, making a change of residence easy to them, fit them peculiarly for missionary work [MOORE]. The wide dispersion of the Jews just before Christ's coming prepared the way similarly for the apostles' preaching”

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