Furthermore, the inspired writers make it abundantly clear that John the Baptist (the forerunner of the Messiah) and the Messiah Himself both focused on the kingdom of God. John the Baptist introduced his preparatory ministry with the words “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2). Mark summarizes the preaching ministry of Jesus as “preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14; cf. Matt. 4:17, 23). The focus in the Gospels on the kingdom of God only confirms and expands
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