Paul, one of Jesus’ followers, described the gospel in this way: “that Christ died for our sins… that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day…and that He appeared…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-5) He even said that this Gospel can save us. But how? And for what purpose?

We must begin with a basic understanding of God’s kingdom. As it stands now there are two, largely separate kingdoms: God’s heavenly kingdom, and the earthly kingdom. But in the beginning, both kingdoms “overlapped” and God and man walked and talked together as people do today. He created mankind in His image, and it was His design that we would fill the earth with His image – His love, justice, peace, goodness, beauty, and so on. But we rebelled – and so the kingdoms could no longer overlap as they had.

In time God chose a people (Israel) and built a tabernacle as a “dwelling place” among them – bringing a little piece of His kingdom here to earth – so that He could be near us and so that we might follow Him.

Then, many generations later, He sent His Son, Jesus, to “tabernacle” in us. Now, Jesus tells us that it is our job, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to continue the work of spreading His kingdom here on earth, making disciples of Him everywhere we go, bringing world revolution by filling the earth with His image.

We who choose to believe these truths, trust Him, follow Him, and become His disciples take on this work of building His kingdom; and in-so-doing are promised that He will be with us now, and we will be with Him in eternity – and thus, we are saved.