4:23 gospel of the kingdom. This is the first mention of “gospel” in the New Testament. It is significant that this beginning of the gospel looks forward to the future kingdom, when Christ will finally be acknowledged as King of kings. Compare with the final mention of “gospel” (Revelation 14:6-7), which looks back to the creation. The gospel (good news) of Christ thus embraces all aspects—past, present, future—of His great work, from creation to consummation. The central focus of the gospel (see I Corinthians 15:1-4) is on the substitutionary death of our Creator for our sins, followed by His burial, and then His glorious victory over sin and death by His bodily resurrection.