What is the gospel?

The "gospel" is a term that is used a lot.  Gospel music, preach the gospel, share the gospel, the gospel books, etc....  Such a term as this must be defined in the Bible, right?  But how would you define the gospel?  Again, there is a difference between being able to defend a position and being able to define it.  Wouldn’t it be nice it there were a chapter and verse that could be pointed to rather than relying on memorizing a canned presentation?
I submit that the gospel is defined in Bible and the definition clearly states who God is and what He requires from us.  Ready...


Revelation 14:7 “...Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:  and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”


Why do I think that is a good definition for the gospel?  Well, look at Revelation 14:6.  That verse reads “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people," and then the beginning of verse 7, “Saying with a loud voice....” Verse 7 is the message that the angel is delivering which is identified in verse 6 as being the everlasting gospel. 
Whatever is shared as the "gospel" can use this verse as its framework.  People need to know who God is and what he requires from us.
Who is God? He is the creator and the judge.
What does he require from us?  To fear him, to give glory to him, and to worship him.
 That also covers the Bible from Genesis through Revelation.

 Give that some thought, there is more to come...