What does Matthew 24:14 mean?
Jesus has described difficult times to come for those who follow Jesus after He leaves the earth (John 16:5–7). He has pointed to an era of intense persecution, death, and hatred for any associated with His name. Many who seem to be true believers will fall away in response to the teaching of false prophets. Lawlessness will increase, and many will grow coldly unloving (Matthew 24:3–13).Still, none of this will stop the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom. The word "gospel" means "good news." The good news Jesus has been preaching about the kingdom of heaven is that it is coming and will soon be here. He Himself is the king, and He will reign forever (Matthew 4:17; 13:43; 26:29).
Letters written by apostles such as John, Peter, and Paul, will give more specific details about the astounding kingdom of God. The message Jesus' disciples preached to the world was that all who put their faith in Jesus will receive the grace of God (Acts 4:12). God will take Jesus' death on the cross as payment for the sins of those who believe (Romans 6:23) and will give them credit for the perfectly righteous life Jesus has lived (2 Corinthians 5:21). In short, the good news is that all who accept Christ are welcome in the kingdom of heaven through faith in the Son of God (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Aside from Judas, the men to whom Jesus speaks (Matthew 24:3) did indeed remain faithful through persecution. They succeeded in launching the delivery of the gospel throughout the world as a testimony to all nations. They did not complete that work, however. Bible teachers debate when and if the whole world has been reached with the gospel of the kingdom, though all agree that this good news has reached the vast majority of the earth.
The question matters, because Jesus prophesied that when the gospel had been proclaimed to all nations, the end would come, meaning that He would return as king and judge. This was His partial answer to His disciples about a sign that the end of the age was near.
