Matthew 24:14 is a verse that has sparked a variety of interpretations, especially within the dispensational tradition. Dispensationalism, a theological system popularized in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly through the writings of figures like John Nelson Darby and later C.I. Scofield, offers a specific way of understanding biblical prophecy, the end times, and how God’s plan unfolds throughout different periods of history, or “dispensations.” In this context, Matthew 24:14 plays a crucial role in understanding the Great Commission and the end of the age.
The Verse: Matthew 24:14
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” — Matthew 24:14 (NKJV)
This verse is part of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, where He discusses the signs of the end times, the destruction of the temple, and the coming of the Son of Man. Dispensationalists interpret Matthew 24:14 within their framework of a future, prophetic timeline that includes the Tribulation, the Second Coming of Christ, and the Millennium.
Key Dispensational Concepts in Understanding Matthew 24:14
1. The Gospel of the Kingdom: A Distinct Message
In the dispensational view, the “gospel of the kingdom” refers specifically to the message of the millennial kingdom that Jesus Himself proclaimed during His earthly ministry. Unlike the gospel of grace that Christians typically preach today, the gospel of the kingdom was centered on Jesus’ rule and reign on earth, which would be established during the Millennium (a future 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth, as described in Revelation 20). This gospel is often seen as the message of Israel’s promised restoration and the establishment of God’s earthly kingdom.
- Matthew 4:23: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.”
For dispensationalists, this “gospel of the kingdom” is not the same as the message of salvation through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection, which is seen as central to the present Church Age. Instead, it’s seen as the kingdom message that will be re-emphasized in the end times.
2. Preaching to All Nations: A Global Mission Before the End
Dispensationalists emphasize the importance of the gospel being preached “to all nations” as a key sign that the end times are approaching. This aligns with the dispensational view that, during the final seven years (the Tribulation), the gospel of the kingdom will be preached worldwide, leading to the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy.
In this interpretation:
- The Church Age (the current age in which we live) is seen as a parenthesis in God’s plan, wherein the gospel of grace is preached to the Gentiles.
- During the Tribulation, however, the gospel of the kingdom will again be preached, particularly by the 144,000 Jewish evangelists (Revelation 7:4–8), who will spread the message of the coming kingdom.
Matthew 24:14 is seen as prophetic in the sense that it points to a future time when the message will go out to all nations, right before the Second Coming of Christ. The fulfillment of this global mission serves as a precursor to the end of the age. Dispensationalists believe that once this preaching happens, the end will come, marking the beginning of the Great Tribulation and the eventual establishment of God’s kingdom.
3. The “End” and the Tribulation
In dispensational thought, “the end” in Matthew 24:14 refers specifically to the end of the present Church Age and the onset of the Tribulation. The end is not simply the final judgment but rather a distinct event in the prophetic timeline that signals the transition from the current age to the Millennium.
- The Tribulation is a seven-year period (often divided into two halves: 3.5 years of relative peace followed by 3.5 years of intense persecution, often associated with the rise of the Antichrist). During this time, God’s plan to bring Israel back into focus and to prepare the world for Christ’s second coming unfolds.
- Matthew 24:14, therefore, points to the preaching of the gospel as a sign that the Tribulation is coming to a close, signaling the imminent return of Christ.
The end of the age marks the end of human history as we know it and the beginning of a new chapter — the Millennium, a thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, where He will establish His kingdom in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about Israel’s restoration and the establishment of God’s rule over the earth.
4. The Role of Israel in Dispensationalism
A hallmark of dispensationalism is its strong distinction between Israel and the Church. Dispensationalists believe that God has specific plans for both Israel (the nation) and the Church (the body of believers), and these plans unfold in different dispensations (periods of time).
- In the Olivet Discourse (including Matthew 24), Jesus is addressing His disciples in the context of Israel’s future restoration and the coming Kingdom.
- During the Tribulation, Israel will play a central role in God’s plan, particularly in the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom to the nations.
- This is why, for dispensationalists, the passage in Matthew 24:14 is often viewed through the lens of Israel’s role as the chief instrument in the fulfillment of God’s end-time plan.
5. Practical Implications: The Global Mission and the Rapture
For dispensationalists, Matthew 24:14 also has significant implications for the global mission of the Church in the present age and its relationship to the Rapture. Dispensationalists believe that the Rapture (the event where believers are taken to meet Christ in the air) will occur before the Tribulation. As the gospel of grace is preached and the church’s mission continues, Matthew 24:14 is seen as an eschatological milestone: once the gospel has been preached to every nation, the Rapture will occur, initiating the end of the age and setting in motion the Tribulation.
Conclusion: The Dispensational View of Matthew 24:14
In dispensationalism, Matthew 24:14 serves as a prophetic marker that points to the eventual preaching of the gospel of the kingdom to all nations, which will take place before the Second Coming of Christ. It highlights the future global mission, particularly in the Tribulation period, when the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed by Jewish evangelists. For dispensationalists, this is not just about the current gospel of grace but a future message focused on the restoration of Israel and the establishment of Christ’s millennial kingdom.
- The end that is referred to is not just a moment of final judgment but marks the beginning of a new era: the end of the Church Age and the beginning of the Tribulation.
- The passage underscores God’s future plan for Israel and the global proclamation of the kingdom message that will precede the return of Christ, ushering in the Millennium.
Understanding Matthew 24:14 within a dispensational framework encourages believers to view global missions not just as an ongoing effort to spread the gospel of salvation but also as a key piece of a larger, unfolding prophetic plan that leads to the return of Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.