In preparation for the kingdom, Christ chose 12 apostles. He told them, “when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.” They were to be his cabinet, so to speak. He sent these 12 to preach to Israel only, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He gave them the signs of the kingdom. Note that “the gospel of the kingdom” preached by Christ and his apostles is not the gospel we preach today. For one thing, those who believed the gospel were promised eternal life in the kingdom God will establish on this earth, not eternal life in heaven.