Reclaiming the Words, Vol VIII: Gospel
What if “the gospel” isn’t just about going to heaven — but about announcing the reign of the King?
Reclaiming the Words, Vol VIII: Gospel
What if “the gospel” isn’t just about going to heaven — but about announcing the reign of the King?
About the Series: Reclaiming the Words
Language forms faith — and over time, sacred words lose their shape.
Reclaiming the Words is a weekly series dedicated to recovering the original meaning of key biblical terms. By exploring the Hebrew and Greek roots of words like believe, grace, law, repent, holy, faith, and now gospel, we rediscover their covenant context, cultural grounding, and Kingdom purpose.
Each word reclaimed becomes a doorway to deeper discipleship, rooted in the life and teachings of Yeshua.
Part 7: What Is the Gospel?
Reclaiming Besorah and Euangelion as the Proclamation of Yah’s Reign through the Messiah
“Yeshua came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”
— Mark 1:14–15
In many modern contexts, “the gospel” has been reduced to a formula: say a prayer, avoid hell, go to heaven. But in the Scriptures, the gospel is not just about personal salvation — it is the royal announcement that Yahweh is King, Yeshua is Messiah, and the Kingdom has arrived.
The Hebrew Word: Besorah (בְּשׂוֹרָה)
The Hebrew word besorah means:
Good news
A joyful announcement, especially of victory or deliverance
In the Tanakh, besorah often referred to the announcement of a military triumph or the arrival of a king.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news [mevasser], who publishes peace, who brings good news [besorah] of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”
— Isaiah 52:7
The gospel begins in Zion, not Rome. It is not abstract theology — it is a prophetic declaration that Yahweh is returning to rule through His anointed one.
The Greek Word: Euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον)
In the New Testament, euangelion means:
Good news
A royal proclamation
The announcement of a new kingdom or emperor
In Roman culture, euangelion was used to celebrate the birth or rise of Caesar. The apostles reappropriated this word to declare a subversive truth:
Caesar is not lord — Yeshua is.
“The beginning of the gospel of Yeshua the Messiah, the Son of God.”
— Mark 1:1
The gospel is not advice. It’s not a spiritual upgrade. It is news — something that has happened in history that changes everything.
The Gospel Yeshua Preached
Yeshua didn’t come to preach about how to get to heaven. He came proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom.
He announced the restoration of Yah’s reign on earth (Matthew 4:17)
He fulfilled the promises to Israel through His life, death, and resurrection (Luke 4:18–21)
He offered forgiveness, healing, justice, and inclusion — and called people to repentance and loyalty to Him as King
The gospel is not just about where we go when we die — it’s about how we live under the reign of the Messiah now.
The Apostolic Gospel
The apostles preached the same gospel Yeshua did — that He is the risen King of Israel and Lord of all.
“We preach Yeshua Messiah as Lord… the power of God for salvation.”
— Romans 1:16–17“God has made Him both Lord and Messiah — this Yeshua whom you crucified.”
— Acts 2:36
To believe the gospel is to submit to Yeshua’s kingship, enter into His Kingdom, and walk in His ways.
Why the English Falls Short
The English word “gospel” has become so churchified that it often feels disconnected from its Jewish foundation and royal urgency.
In Scripture, the gospel is not just good news for your soul — it’s the announcement of Yah’s cosmic victory and the invitation to join His covenant Kingdom.
Practical Application:
Live as a Citizen of the Kingdom You Proclaim
If the gospel is the royal announcement of Yahweh’s reign through Yeshua, then to believe it means to live under that reign.
It shapes:
How you spend your time — under Kingdom priorities
How you speak — as a herald of hope
How you treat others — with the justice and mercy of your King
How you suffer — with the confidence that the victory has already been won
You don’t just believe the gospel.
You embody it — in every sphere, every conversation, every ordinary day.
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Messiah.”
— Philippians 1:27
Five Discussion Questions
How has your understanding of “the gospel” changed from formula to proclamation?
Why is it important that the gospel begins in Isaiah and not just the New Testament?
What does it mean to live under the reign of the King in your daily life?
How do you see the gospel as more than just personal salvation?
What would it look like for your life to become good news to others?