The Gospel
Etymology. Gospel comes from the Old English translation of the Greek word evangelion (εὐαγγέλιον) which means "good news." In Old English evangelion is translated as gōdspel (gōd "good" + spel "news"). See Gospel in Wikipedia.
Introduction. What is the "good news" of the Bible? In a sentence: The "good news" is that through the life, death and resurrection of Christ, our sins can be forgiven through repentance, the power of sin has been broken (i.e. victory over the enslavement of sin) and we are given a new life after the divine pattern.
The Father is the life giver. It is through the Son that "the Father's life flows out to all."
DA 21.2: But turning from all lesser representations, we behold God in Jesus. Looking unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give. “I do nothing of Myself,” said Christ; “the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father.” “I seek not Mine own glory,” but the glory of Him that sent Me. John 8:28; 6:57; 8:50; 7:18. In these words is set forth the great principle which is the law of life for the universe. All things Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father's life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great Giver, the law of life.
Slaves to sin and under the power of sin. Through disobedience Adam came under the power of sin and became a slave to sin. This enslavement does not allow man to live a righteous life. He is ever selfish and ever lives contrary to the law of God, the principles of heaven.
- John 8:34: Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.
- Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
- YI March 26, 1903, par. 2: But no one can be strong in God until he acknowledges his helplessness, and comes to Christ as the only one who can save him from the power of sin.
Curse of the law. Through disobedience Adam was separated from God. As Satan was cast out of heaven, so also Adam was cast out of Eden. and under the "curse of the law." The "curse of the law" is that anyone who breaks the law is subject to death.
- Galatians 3:13: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
- RH April 22, 1902, Art. A, par. 19: Christ bore the curse of the law, suffering its penalty, carrying to completion the plan whereby man was to be placed where he could keep God's law, and be accepted through the merits of the Redeemer; and by his sacrifice glory was shed upon the law.
- ST December 15, 1914, par. 10: None but Christ could redeem man from the curse of the law. He proposed to take upon Himself the guilt and shame of sin,—sin so offensive in the sight of God that it would necessitate separation from His Father. Christ proposed to reach to the depths of man's degradation and woe, and restore the repenting, believing soul to harmony with God. Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, offered Himself as a sacrifice and substitute for the fallen sons of Adam, though in this offering all heaven was involved in infinite sacrifice.
Perfect obedience to God. Christ manifested in his life perfect obedience while in a sinful body.
Separation from God. Christ manifested on the cross perfect obedience while being separated from God ("being made a curse for us" Galatians 3:13). "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me!"
The power of sin broken. Christ's death on the cross broke the power of sin. Christ became our salvation in himself. Christ gives us his life for ours. We live the life of Christ.
Life given to us. By Christ, God is able to restore life in us, through his life-giving spirit (see 1 Corinthians 15:45; Galatians 3:14; Ephesians 4:10). We receive "the life of Christ" when we accept this gift through repentance and allowing God to work in our hearts and minds. We can become partakers of the divine nature.
Third angel's message
The last verse in the message of the third angel reads as follows:
- Revelation 14:12 (NKJV): Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
You may have a different translation. Your translation may read, "and the faith in Jesus." Well, the Greek there is pistin Jesou (Jesus' faith). It is Jesus' faith, not faith in Jesus. The saints will have Jesus' faith. This may sound odd to you, but that's how it reads. Now, here's a question for you. At the end of time, would you rather have your faith or Jesus' faith to carry you through? I personally would rather have Jesus' faith. His faith is better than mine, or yours or anyone else's.
The dual aspect of the gospel. It is both a message of (1) remission of sins and (2) partakers of the divine nature. There is the wrath of God against sin and the grace of God toward the repentant and those submissive to God's will.
- GC 467.3: The first step in reconciliation to God is the conviction of sin. “Sin is the transgression of the law.” “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” 1 John 3:4; Romans 3:20. In order to see his guilt, the sinner must test his character by God's great standard of righteousness. It is a mirror which shows the perfection of a righteous character and enables him to discern the defects in his own.
- GC 467.4: The law reveals to man his sins, but it provides no remedy. While it promises life to the obedient, it declares that death is the portion of the transgressor. The gospel of Christ alone can free him from the condemnation or the defilement of sin. He must exercise repentance toward God, whose law has been transgressed; and faith in Christ, his atoning sacrifice. Thus he obtains “remission of sins that are past” and becomes a partaker of the divine nature. He is a child of God, having received the spirit of adoption, whereby he cries: “Abba, Father!”
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