When I Was a Child, I Spoke Like a Child… (1 Corinthians 13:11)

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
(1 Corinthians 13:11)

As we grow in Christ, our understanding must also mature. Many know and believe in the Gospel of the Cross, which reveals how God saves sinners through Jesus. But the Bible also mentions another gospel—the Everlasting Gospel—which reveals God’s eternal judgment and calls humanity to worship Him. These two gospels serve different purposes and appear in different stages of redemptive history.

1. The Gospel of the Cross – The Message of Salvation (Soteriology)

This gospel is centered on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of sinners. It is the “power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16). It is also known as the Gospel of Grace because it is based on God’s mercy, not human effort.

John 14:6 
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

1 Corinthians 1:18 
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Paul warned against accepting any other gospel besides the true one:

2 Corinthians 11:4 
“For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached… or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!”

This Gospel is preached through human messengers—pastors, missionaries, and believers.

Romans 10:14–15
“How shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?…”

2. The Everlasting Gospel – The Universal Call to Worship (Natural Theology & Eschatology)

The Everlasting Gospel is found in Revelation 14:6–7 and is proclaimed not by people but by an angel, during the period of the end times—just before God’s final judgment is unleashed on the earth.

Revelation 14:6–7
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth… saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come…’”

Key theological theme:

• Natural Revelation – This gospel appeals to all creation, urging people to worship the Creator (cf. Romans 1:20).
• Eschatological Judgment – It announces God’s impending wrath, demanding immediate repentance and reverence.

Unlike the Gospel of the Cross, which offers salvation, the Everlasting Gospel issues a final call to worship God in light of imminent judgment. It is a gospel of accountability and divine justice.

3. Comparison of the Two Gospels

4. What About Those Who Never Heard the Gospel? (General Revelation & Accountability)

Some ask: What about those who never heard of Jesus?

Romans 1:19–20 
“…what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them… even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

This refers to general revelation—God reveals Himself through nature, creation, and conscience. Even those who never heard the name of Jesus still have access to the knowledge of God.

Romans 2:14–15 
“…the Gentiles… show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness…”

This is why no one can claim total ignorance of God’s will. The Everlasting Gospel ensures that God is just in judging every person.

5. God Speaks Through Conscience – Don’t Ignore It

(Sanctification and Moral Theology)

The voice of conscience is part of God’s moral law written in our hearts. When we sin, we feel guilt—not just because society says it’s wrong, but because God’s Spirit convicts us.

• When you lie or steal, your conscience reacts.
• When you commit sexual immorality, something inside says, “This is wrong.”
• When you dress immodestly or act in rebellion, you feel unease.

John 16:8 
“And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

Those who continually ignore that voice become hardened.

Romans 1:28 
“Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind…”

6. The Door of Grace is Still Open – For Now

(Dispensational Theology & Eschatology)

Right now, we live in the Age of Grace. This is the time for the Gospel of the Cross. But when the Church is raptured, this door will close. The message will shift to the Everlasting Gospel—one of judgment, not salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2 
“‘Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’”

Hebrews 3:15 
“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…”

7. Listen Before It’s Too Late

God is speaking—through His Word, through your conscience, and through His creation. Whether you’ve heard the Gospel of the Cross or are only aware of right and wrong through conscience and nature, God is calling you to repentance and faith in Christ.

If you ignore His voice now, you may only hear Him later in judgment.

Call to Action:

Romans 10:9 
“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Come to Jesus today—not because of fear, but because of truth and love. The Gospel of the Cross invites you into eternal life, but the Everlasting Gospel warns that time is running out.

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