The Gospel
Good on you for reading this book. Most people never bother to look into these kinds of things.
I will try and keep it short and to the point for you. 
Rather than in chronological order, I first explain where we are now, then how we got into that situation, and finally how it all ends.
Most people will acknowledge that there is "something out there", but don't understand why there is suffering, so I have tried to face that head on.
I have also chosen to address the "hell is forever" lie, since that's one of the biggest misconceptions about the character of God.
If you don't have time, you can also read The Gospel in Short. Takes 20 seconds
Remember that God is a Friend, and that you can ask Him for help at any time (but you shouldn't leave it too late obviously).
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.
- Isaiah 55:6 (KJV)
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What is the Gospel?
John 3:16 is essentially a mini gospel.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
- John 3:16 (KJV)
Breaking it down, here are some of my thoughts on it.
I think it's pretty obvious that there is a God, and most people will agree with that, saying that there is indeed "something".
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
- Romans 1:20 (KJV)
This requires a little bit of faith on our part to start with of course.
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
- Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
When God created Adam and Eve, they only had the knowledge of good, and they were in full compliance with God's law - the Ten Commandments.
| 1. | No other gods |
| 2. | No idols |
| 3. | No blasphemy |
| 4. | Keep the Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) |
| 5. | Honour your father and mother |
| 6. | No murder |
| 7. | No adultery |
| 8. | No stealing |
| 9. | No lying |
| 10. | No coveting |
For the full version of the Ten Commandments, please see here.
Under God's law this world was a happy world.
When God created man, He gave them free will, and explained what the knowledge of evil would do.
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
- Genesis 2:16-17 (KJV)
When we break God's law (sinning) it is so severe that we are given the death penalty.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Romans 6:23 (KJV)
We have all broken these laws, over and over...
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
- Romans 3:23 (KJV)
When Adam and Eve gained the knowledge of evil (and started acting on it) things went bad pretty quickly.
And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
- Genesis 4:8 (KJV)
We simply don't know what is good, and what is evil. Only God knows where the dividing line is. That's why He created a law for that.
Because of our sins, God has hidden himself from us.
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
- Isaiah 59:2 (KJV)
God however loves us so much, that He has given us a way back to Him, e.g. the plan of salvation.
Jesus (the Son of God) has taken our place, and has died for our sins on the cross. This is important to understand.
Because of the sins we have committed we received the death penalty, and Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb who died in our place.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
- John 1:29 (KJV)
In short, our sins were put on Jesus, He died with them (paying the price), and because He had no sins himself, death had no power over Him.
There is much more to this, but at the heart of it, that's all you need to know and believe, e.g. that Jesus died for our sins.
That's why John 3:16 is such a powerful verse. A Father that gives up His Son (carrying your sins) to die on the cross. That has got to be the ultimate expression of Love.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
- John 15:13 (KJV)
If you believe that you are a sinner, and that Jesus paid for your sins with His blood, then your sins will be forgiven/forgotten.
I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
- Isaiah 43:25 (KJV)
You will be a new creature.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
And you will have peace, e.g. no more guilt and sorrow.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
- Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
And you will be given eternal life.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
- John 3:15 (KJV)
Jesus is the only way to life.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
- John 14:6 (KJV)
Can the gospel be that simple?!?
And he brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? So they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.
- Acts 16:30-31 (KJV)
And again, salvation is by grace through faith.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)
Grace is the gift of God. There's nothing you can do to earn it. It's a free gift.
God is more than willing to forgive your sins.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- 1 John 1:9 (KJV)
One thing though; believing alone, without turning away from sin (repenting), won't work.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
- James 2:20 (KJV)
When you truly believe something, it will be apparent in the way you live your life. The works mentioned above are the proof of what you really believe.
Final Thoughts
Ask God to reveal Himself to you, and He will.
God is willing to forgive you (for breaking His law), and He will give you eternal life to boot.
And that's why gospel means "good news". 
Why is There Suffering?
Most people know that God exists.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
- Romans 1:20 (KJV)
But an almost immediate question then is: Why is there so much suffering? And that's a very good question indeed.
The answer is "because of free will".
Adam and Eve chose to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and as a result of their choice, we are now in a similar situation. We know good and evil, but we have no idea where the dividing line is.
The only one who knows where the dividing line between good and evil is, is God.
God's "to here and no further" are written down in the "Ten Commandments".
| 1. | No other gods |
| 2. | No idols |
| 3. | No blasphemy |
| 4. | Keep the Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) |
| 5. | Honour your father and mother |
| 6. | No murder |
| 7. | No adultery |
| 8. | No stealing |
| 9. | No lying |
| 10. | No coveting |
Clearly, because of free will, these rules are being broken every single day, and that's why there is suffering. Evil people with free will. This situation is not acceptable to God, and He is working very hard to resolve it.
The solution is a situation where man voluntarily keeps God's law.
Because created beings can't keep God's law by themselves, God has offered to help with this.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
- Hebrews 8:10-11 (KJV)
But God will never force this on anyone, because God respects free will too much.
If God were to force this on us, we would be nothing more than mere robots, and the words "I love you" (to God) would be meaningless. Love only works when it comes from free will.
Sin originated with Satan (who tempted Adam and Eve), so why didn't God just kill him on the spot when he first sinned?
The answer is "because people would not understand". And when I say people, I mean the entire universe, e.g. man, angels, etc.
If God had killed Satan on the spot, you can imagine the reaction of the other angels, e.g. "Did you hear what God did to Lucifer? Why?! Man, I'm so scared, I better tell God that I love Him, otherwise He will kill me too".
There would always be a seed of doubt remaining. Satan was therefore allowed time to develop his character and his government (opposing God's law).
And indeed, at the cross we can now clearly see Satan's character, e.g. he was a murderer and a liar.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
- John 8:44 (KJV)
It's just sad to see that mankind fell for Satan's deceptions, because now we are literally caught up in the middle of all of this.
This conflict between good and evil is sometimes also referred to as The Great Controversy.
Final Thoughts
Satan chose to defy God, so there will be no pardon for him and his angels.
But man on the other hand was deceived, and God started the plan of salvation/redemption straight away, when sin entered this world through Adam and Eve. In other words, there is still hope for us.
And that brings us to today...
How Will This End?
This world has reached a point where God will no longer sustain it, and it will be destroyed according to the many prophecies in the Bible.
It is now just a matter of time before the end will come. It is unavoidable.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
- Matthew 24:14 (KJV)
Death, then judgment. That's how sobering it all is.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
- Hebrews 9:27 (KJV)
God however, in His Love for us, will give us the opportunity to choose between life and death.
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
- Revelation 3:10 (KJV)
You get to choose who you will worship/serve.
Choose you this day whom ye will serve.
- Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
- Romans 6:16 (KJV)
The test that God will put before us is the Sabbath/Sunday worship test, and it has everything to do with the Ten Commandments, and the changes that man is trying to make to them.
If you keep the seventh-day Sabbath (according to the Ten Commandments, e.g. Friday sunset to Saturday sunset), it is a sign that you worship God, and you will receive the seal of God.
If you keep the Sunday (according to the commandments of men), it is a sign that you worship Satan, and you will receive the mark of the beast (and the seven last plagues).
It is a choice between life and death. Life with God (His rules/commandments), or death.
God's rules are the Ten Commandments.
| 1. | No other gods |
| 2. | No idols |
| 3. | No blasphemy |
| 4. | Keep the Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) |
| 5. | Honour your father and mother |
| 6. | No murder |
| 7. | No adultery |
| 8. | No stealing |
| 9. | No lying |
| 10. | No coveting |
For the full version of the Ten Commandments, please see here.
God's Ten Commandments are eternal. They were written in stone by God's own finger, and in that same way that God can't change, nor can His law.
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
- Malachi 3:6 (KJV)
Satan has made a counterfeit version of the Ten Commandments. In his version it's okay to worship idols, and the Sabbath has been changed to Sunday.
That was actually prophesied in the book of Daniel:
And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
- Daniel 7:25 (KJV)
Sadly most churches today have gone along with this, and are now worshiping on Sunday as well.
The Roman Catholic Church (or the papacy to be precise) claims that the change from Sabbath to Sunday was their mark (of authority), and they see themselves as above God's law.
Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change [from Sabbath to Sunday] was her act. And the act is the mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters.
- Faith of Our Fathers, p. 14 C.F. Thomas, Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons
At the end of the day, God just wants to know who you worship.
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
- 1 Kings 18:21 (KJV)
Near the end God will reveal Himself to everyone on this planet, and explain the Sabbath/Sunday choice.
But not one is made to suffer the wrath of God until the truth has been brought home to his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. There are many who have never had an opportunity to hear the special truths for this time. The obligation of the fourth commandment has never been set before them in its true light. He who reads every heart and tries every motive will leave none who desire a knowledge of the truth, to be deceived as to the issues of the controversy. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Everyone is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently.
- Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p. 605
Sunday-keeping will ultimately be enforced by law (also known as Sunday laws, or Blue laws), so the pressure will be immense.
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
- Revelation 13:17 (KJV)
When Sunday-keeping is enforced by law, and people know about the Sabbath/Sunday issue, Sunday-keeping will turn into "the mark of the beast". And at that point there will be no more excuses. We're no longer deceived. We know what's going on. Time to choose.
The mark of the beast = knowingly keeping Sunday instead of the Sabbath.
Once there are Sunday laws, the test (of loyalty) will begin soon after.
It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
- Psalms 119:126 (KJV)
Don't think that it doesn't really matter what day to keep, because it matters to God.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
- Matthew 15:9 (KJV)
This world will be utterly destroyed at the Second Coming of Jesus, but there still is time to choose.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
- Acts 2:21 (KJV)
God is offering everlasting life with Him, but it has to be according to His rules.
The call to leave the Sunday churches is now given.
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
- Revelation 18:4 (KJV)
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that God loves you, but you are also a sinner, and it's time to choose.
In fires, in floods, in earthquakes, in the fury of the great deep, in calamities by sea and by land, the warning is given that God's Spirit will not always strive with men.
- Ellen White, Manuscript Releases, vol. 3, p. 315
Conclusion
It's hard to imagine sometimes what Heaven will be like.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
- 1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)
This glimpse of Heaven is what gives us hope however.
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.
- Isaiah 65:17-25 (KJV)
I can't wait...
Whose Commandments will you keep?