Mark 1 " The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
The gospel - the good message.  Verse 15 " The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."  The time had come, the waiting was over,  centuries had passed in anticipation of this day.  Galatians 4:4 " But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son..." There is a completion of the waiting period.  Something new was beginning.  Jesus proclaims that it is now the time for the "kingdom of God".  No longer would God's kingdom be just a future or heavenly concept.... the Kingdom came to earth in the Presence  and in the Person of the King of kings.

This Kingdom is like no other.  For, men are not born into it, nor are they enslaved and dragged there.
No, we must come into the Kingdom, willingly, meeting the requirements of citizenship... first we must repent and secondly we must believe.  John had preached " a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." Those who came to be baptized by John confessed their sins.  They acknowledged that they were sinners and they were baptized - overwhelmed with repentance.  In that confession and repentance they found forgiveness.  Jesus calls His followers to this same repentance. A confession, an acknowledgement of one's own sin and a act of renouncing and turning away from that sinful life.  Then He calls them to believe.  Believe the gospel, the good news. Believe in His Kingship.  Put faith in His Words and to entrust ones self to Him.

Jesus began His Kingship by calling for men to follow Him.   He called Simon and Andrew, James and John as He walked along the Sea of Galilee.  He came into the synagogue and taught with authority.  He rebuked demons and healed the sick.  He had compassion on the leper and cleansed him of his disease.  His calling extended to all who would hear His voice and follow.

In Matthew, Mark, and Luke when Jesus is before Pilate and he is asked "Are you the King of the Jews?" it is record that Jesus answered, " It is as you say."  But, John writes this, " My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."  Pilate asks "So You are a king?" And Jesus answers, " You say correctly that I am a king.  For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. "   In Luke 22:69 Jesus, speaking to the Sanhedrin says, " But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the Right Hand of the power of God."  

The Kingdom of God has come.  In Matthew 12:28 Jesus said, " But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, the the kingdom of God has come upon you."  The Pharisees had accused Jesus of being part of Satan's kingdom.  Jesus told them that if He was then He wouldn't be able to cast them out.  But since He did cast them out, then that proved that a greater Kingdom was there, for a greater King binds the lesser one.  Paul wrote in his prayer found in Colossians 1:13 " For He delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son."

Jesus is King.  He was born for that purpose.  All things were created by Him and for Him.  Every throne, dominion, ruler, and authority, on earth or in heaven are His and under His rule.  He sits on the throne. He rules His Kingdom and that is the good news... the gospel. There was a set time for the beginning of this good news and there is a set time for Him to come again.  He will come as King and every knee will bow.  What a day that will be!

King Jesus, come quickly.  Amen.