The Preaching of the Gospel to All the World
One of the objections to preterism–which is the view that Jesus came on clouds in AD 70 (based on passages such as Matthew 16:28, 10:23, 24:30-34, 26:64 and Revelation 22:7) [1]–is that the gospel had not been preached throughout the world by AD 70. In fact, it still hasn’t, we’re told.
The passage often referenced is Matthew 24:14, where Jesus says, “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.”
Response: One way to show this passage must have been fulfilled by AD 70 is simply by reading a few more verses. After all, Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place” (Matt. 24:34). And one of “all these things” was the gospel being preached to all the world (v. 14). Moreover, a biblical generation equates to around forty years (see Heb. 3:8–10, Num. 14:30–34, Neh. 9:21). Therefore, it must have happened by around AD 70.
Another way to show the gospel had gone out to all the world by AD 70 is by considering a few statements by Paul. For example, in around AD 58, Paul said the gospel had already gone out to the “ends of the world” (Rom. 10:18). Likewise, in around AD 62/63, Paul said the gospel had gone out to “all the world” (Col. 1:6). In approximately AD 58, Paul said the gospel had been made known to “all nations” (Rom. 16:26) and “all the earth” (Rom. 10:18). A few years later, in AD 62/63, Paul said the gospel had gone to “all creation” (Col. 1:23).
Here’s a facinating chart showing that Paul used the very same Greek words when talking about the fulfillment as Jesus did in the prophecies (Note: the following information was obtained from Don Preston’s book Then Comes the End, pg 4):
| Prophecy | Fulfillment |
| Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world [oikoumene] as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” | Romans 10:18: “But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: ‘Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world [oikoumene].'” |
| Mark 13:10: “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations [ethnos].” | Romans 16:25–26: “…the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations [ethnos] according to the commandment of the everlasting God.” |
| Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world [kosmos] and preach the gospel to every creature.” | Colossians 1:6 “…the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world [kosmos]. |
| Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature [ktisei].” | Colossians 1:23: “…the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature [ktisei] under heaven…” |
| Acts 1:8: “…and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth [ge]“ | Romans 10:18: “But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: ‘Their sound has gone out to all the earth [ge], and their words to the ends of the world.'” |
The biblical evidence is clear. The gospel had gone out to all the world by AD 70…just like Jesus had prophesied!
How Could the Gospel Have Gone to All the World by AD 70?
How do we make sense out of this, given that we all know the gospel had not literally gone throughout the entire planet by AD 70? (In fact, it still hasn’t.)
Response: The Greek word translated “world” in Matt. 24:14 is oikoumene, and it often refers to the Roman Empire (as opposed to the entire planet). This is easy to see in Luke 2:1–2: “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world [oikoumene] should be registered [for the census].” Did this census of “all the world” include the Chinese, or the Aborigines in Australia, or the East Africans? Obviously not, even though the Romans knew these people existed. Caesar Augustus’s “world” consisted of the nations within the Roman Empire. See other examples of “world” (oikoumene) referring to the Roman Empire in Acts 11:28 and 17:6.
Likewise, in the Old Testament, the “world” often refers to “Israel’s world.” For example, the writer of Kings says, “The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart” (1 Kings 10:24). But again, did the American Indians or the Chinese or the Aborigines seek an audience with Solomon? Obviously not. These people most likely had not even heard of Solomon! Israel’s “world” was the nations within her reach.
We today often use the word “world” in the same nonliteral way. How many times have we heard someone ask “Has the whole world gone crazy?” or say “She rocked my world”?
The biblical writers used the same kind of hyperbole.
What About the Great Commission?
If the great commission (to preach the gospel into all the world) has been fulfilled–and yes, that is exactly what the above statements imply–does this mean Christians no longer need to evangelize?
Not at all. In fact, as long as there are people who have not heard the gospel message–which will always be the case as long as there are newborn babies–then evangelism will continue to be needed. There are many passages that imply evangelism will never end. For example, Isaiah says, “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isa. 9:6–7, italics mine). An ever-increasing kingdom implies evangelism never ends.
The book of Revelation, likewise, shows that evangelism and conversion continue on, even in the new heaven and earth. Chapters 21 and 22 talk about the conversion of nations (21:24–26) and the healing of nations (Rev. 22:1–2), which implies evangelism. Keep in mind, this is in the new heaven and earth…after the second coming!
The difference between the great commission of the first century and the evangelism of today is that the great commission was supercharged with “signs and wonders” (miracles) in order to quickly overturn centuries of deep-seated Jewish traditions, and to get the gospel message firmly established outside the borders of Judea before Israel was judged in AD 70. As Jesus told his apostles, “You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you” (Matt. 10:19–20). Today, a Christian would be a fool to walk into courtroom without intense preparation and/or a good lawyer; yet during the great commission (AD 30–AD 70), the Holy Spirit gave the apostles the exact words to say, and God confirmed their words with miraculous signs and wonders: “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs” (Mark 16:20).
So while the great commission has been fulfilled, Christians still need to evangelize.
By Alex Polyak, Director of The Bible Fulfilled.
For more about these issues, see my book The End Is Here: How the New Testament’s Prophecies Were Fulfilled.
[1] For example, Jesus said in AD 33: “There are some standing here who shall not taste death [die] until they see the Son of Man coming with his kingdom” (Matt. 16:28; see also Matt. 10:23, 24:30-34, 26:64 and Rev. 22:7).