The surest cure for the fear of death is the certainty of eternal life. That’s the essential ingredient of the Gospel. The word “Gospel” sounds very religious to us in the 21st century and conjures thoughts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. We think of the “Gospels” as books of the Bible. They are of course, but the word “Gospel” communicates so much more. It’s the 
wonderful old Greek word “euangelion.” The prefix “eu” means good. The stem word “angel” means message. The Greek word for the beings we know as angels literally means messengers. Literal the Gospel is a “Good Message.” You and I have often heard it called “Good News.”
If you were trapped in a collapsed cave, running out of air, shut in claustrophobic darkness, and were becoming overcome by fear, how would you feel if you heard workmen breaking through the rubble to rescue you. One of them shouted, “Hold on we’re almost through to you.” Would you call that “good news?” I sure would. If you knew you would be rescued you’d have the hope you need to wait it out and quell the rising tide of panic knowing that any minute you’d be rescued. Well, here we are, separated from God by sin, trapped on a doomed planet, facing death and hell. And God Himself became a man, dying in our place, rising from the dead to give us life. Is that good news? Yes, but it’s more than good news. We don’t have a word to describe it. The angels put it: “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior.”
The salvation of the rescue workers would only be to resume the mortal life again. The salvation that Jesus brings is one that transcends every other imaginable salvation. Thus for thousands of years the Gospels have brought to the world the ultimate good news to all mankind. The assurance of eternal salvation is based only on the promise God makes in His Word that everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ alone possesses eternal life. Jesus himself says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.” That’s what I call GOOD NEWS!
Chuck
“…Christ Jesus…abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel…” 2 Timothy 1:10