The first message of Jesus was followed up by His apostles, and those who were called into the ministry down through the ages. Somewhere along the way, the message has been watered down to a luke warm happy dance — outward appearance of a temporary conversion that awaits Heaven before any real change occurs. That is not the message of the Bible.
The first message has not changed: “From that time, began Jesus to preach, and to say ‘repent ye, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’” Matthew 4:17. The sinner must repent, and this is the requisite for one to enter the kingdom of Heaven that is at hand.
Until this first thing is said and until this first thing is done the Kingdom of Heaven is not at hand. Jesus began to preach and said, “repent ye, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” This must always be the first message, or lost men cannot receive the King of the Kingdom. Without this first note of the divine message of Jesus, any and all messages will not change the heart.
The herald, the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist came preaching, and saying, “Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:1-2. The same message that Jesus gave: “Repent; the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
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