The content of the message in the Gospels is that the kingdom of God has drawn near because Jesus is the king. The gospel’s primary purpose follows from that: we need to know who the king is and to become allegiant to him. As the installed king, King Jesus saves and rescues and justifies and sanctifies and glorifies. Those acts don’t make him the king. Those acts are because he is the king. Bates is right: first king.
