The Grace Gospel vs. The Everlasting Gospel

 QUESTION:

How do we know that the “grace dispensation” doesn’t coincide with the “everlasting gospel” and that both have been present since the foundation of the world?

ANSWER:

The present dispensation is called “the dispensation of the grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2). This message was a mystery hidden from ages and generations (Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26), not revealed since the foundation of the world but made known through Paul after Christ’s ascension. Paul affirms that his gospel came “by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12). Its content is the finished work of Christ: “how that Christ died for our sins… and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Salvation today is by grace through faith, “not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Since this gospel was kept secret until revealed (Romans 16:25), it cannot have been present from the foundation of the world.

By contrast, the “everlasting gospel” appears in Revelation 14:6-7, where an angel proclaims: “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.” This is not Paul’s gospel of grace but a call to worship God as Creator and prepare for judgment during the tribulation. It is “everlasting” because it reflects the eternal truth of God’s worthiness, yet its proclamation is tied to judgment, not the present dispensation. Unlike the mystery gospel revealed to Paul, this message is openly declared by angels to the nations in a time of wrath.

Therefore, Scripture shows the two are distinct. The grace dispensation was hidden until revealed to Paul, while the everlasting gospel is future and judgment-focused. To merge them denies the mystery and confuses God’s separate programs. Right division makes clear: today we preach Christ crucified and risen for salvation, while the everlasting gospel belongs to the tribulation, calling men to fear God before His judgment falls.

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