He preached the coming of a great Kingdom that would turn this world upside down and establish His Father's rule over all things. The third phase may be referred to as the interim kingdom, the kingdom that resulted because of Israel’s rejection of her King. The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment Sign up for the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. But this primary emphasis of Jesus ministry is often misunderstood. shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.'" From John 17:11-18, we know that the Kingdom functions in the world, and Jesus is not going to take us out of it. Thus, our loyalties and submission go to it before everything else. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Explanation and Commentary of Matthew 16:19. He does not say He will remove persecution right away, but instead, He says that He has overcome the world. Our land is the Kingdom of God. On one hand, it is present and near in the people to whom God has given His Spirit and has chosen to represent Him. Again, in Mark 12:28-34, Jesus converses with a scribe whom He had complimented after seeing the man respond wisely, saying, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." One is that this is a positive suggestion of violence or aggression. Clearly, a person can enter into God's Kingdom, but there are also requirements. See what over 150,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. As you may be aware, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into full effect on 25th May 2018. In addition, it has both heavenly and earthly aspects. Thy kingdom come. In these verses, "of" shows possession, not location. It is the kingdom that both John and Jesus spoke of as being at hand (cf. We could use the Bank of New York as a more modern example. Why Does Matthew Use “Kingdom of Heaven” Instead of “Kingdom of God”? It is not on earth right now as a government, in the form of a nation or a kingdom, but the Kingdom of God exists. This is what Jesus means when He speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus was emphasizing the importance of making God, and His Will, the center of one’s life. David C. Grabbe Even nominal Christians suffer Muslim persecution in one part of the world, while others are blocked, ridiculed, and constrained by secularists and humanists in another. Or 'See there!' He means "forceful." In other words, the gospel message was not popular. Why? He reigns only in the hearts of those who know Him as Savior and Lord. When Jesus said that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17)—meaning nearby—He was referring to Himself. The Kingdom of God is still in heaven and will be established on earth at Christ's return. Matthew 6:10. Please contact the publisher to obtain copies of this resource. The fifth, and final, phase is the “eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” which “will be abundantly supplied” to all of His own (2 Pet. Philippians 3:20 reinforces this: "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven’ (vv.18–19). Jesus' words paraphrase the words of David in Psalm 37:11: "But the meek shall inherit the earth." When we read “kingdom of heaven,” we may think of harps, clouds, and angel choirs, but Jesus is clear that the … When we yield to God, and when we are accepted by Him as His sons and daughters, as it were, we become citizens of the Kingdom of God. Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:1). Having our citizenship (conversation, KJV) in the Kingdom of God by definition makes us aliens in the physical country in which we live. We did it voluntarily when we accepted Christ as our Savior. Nonetheless, they believe that the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew 13 should be rendered the realm, dominion, or reign of God. In Mark 1:15, Jesus dogmatically states, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand." It is evident that the Pharisees' conception of the Kingdom of God differs from that of Jesus. Theologians may argue over the interpretation of words, but Jesus' own testimony undoubtedly implies that the Kingdom of God was in their presence in His Person and ministry. 2.:44; cf. Our place in God's Kingdom is, in fact, being reserved by Him in heaven right now, until Jesus Christ brings it with Him: » [We are begotten again] to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. The first thing to be said for Ridley Scott's "Kingdom of Heaven" is that Scott knows how to direct a historical epic. From this passage some have mistakenly concluded that the Kingdom of God only exists in people’s hearts or minds. Nevertheless, we are aiming for that future reality when Jesus Christ comes back and sets His throne upon this earth—when all people will stream to Jerusalem to become part of God's Kingdom. People were hungry for the truth and would not be kept away. 10:16; cf. The first Beatitude is “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. Martin G. Collins Jesus then illustrates a matter that directly involves instruction for the church and its membership. The kingdom would not be inaugurated with spectacle or splendor; there would be no great and magnificent leader who staked out a geographical claim and routed the Romans; rather, the kingdom would come silently and unseen, much as leaven works in a batch of dough (see Matthew … Jesus tells them they will see the Kingdom of God present with power, and within a week they see Him transfigured. Jesus warns us it will not be easy. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. Bible Commentary / Produced by TOW Project At the beginning of his earthly ministry, Jesus announces that “the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). They believed in a spectacular, visible establishment of the Kingdom, even as we look forward to its fulfillment in the near future. It takes sweat. This is not the Protestant idea of "the Kingdom of God is within you," but the Kingdom of God does exist. He still lives for it! The entire Bible looks forward to this time, but there is a present reality of the Kingdom among His sons and daughters. After comparing the ways He interchangeably used the terms "kingdom of heaven" and "kingdom of God," it is obvious that He is referring to the government (Isaiah 9:6) that He will bring from heaven and set up on the earth when He returns. These examples show that Jesus taught His disciples that the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven exists now, but it is in a different form from what it will be when Jesus returns and sets up His government. In doing this, He is using the term "kingdom of heaven" in place of "the church"—He is virtually equating them. Our hope of being resurrected and changed to be part of that Kingdom, and all of the things that come with it, will all come about because the gospel of the Kingdom is the focus. When one is a loyal subject of the King, he or she will desire to please this King in everything he or she says and does. The God of heaven is the King of heaven, and the heavenly kingdom is God’s kingdom. The fourth phase can be described as the manifest kingdom, in which Christ will rule, physically, directly, and fully on earth for a thousand years, the Millennium. For the kingdom of heaven is at hand; that blessed state of the church (foretold by the prophets) under the Messias, wherein God will exhibit his Son as the King in Zion, and exert his power and kingdom, both extensively, subduing all nations to the obedience of his gospel, and intensively, in all the administrations of his government; for the kingdom of heaven is not to be understood here of the kingdom of glory, but … Nonetheless, Scripture also proves that it is a present, earthy reality having earth-bound, flesh-and-blood citizens who are, in the Bible's terms, "spiritually minded" or "in the Spirit.". The Kingdom of Heaven is something that happens now or can happen now. To be sure, the expression heavenly kingdom is found in 2 Timothy 4:18, but there is no contextual evidence that this is an identical expression. For indeed the Kingdom of God is among[as it is better translated] you.". For example, the theme of the kingdom envelopes the Beatitudes. Note Matthew 5:20, "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." It is a present reality for the firstfruits—though not in its fullness—and in the near future, it will be a worldwide reality. Register. While some may spiritualize this fact away, Paul's words come across as literal and real to those who understand that God has called us out of this world (John 15:19) and transferred us into His Kingdom (Colossians 1:13). Wherever the spirit of Satan is present, his children make the way difficult for those who are in Christ or who are being drawn to Him. Daniel also makes the statement that the “God of heaven” will “set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed” (Dan 2:44; confirmed in the prophecy of Dan 7:13-14, 27.) He means that the scribe is not far from being converted and entering the Family of God. So beware! The film is presented as a conscious piece of historical fiction and the majority of the film follows closely with historical records. The word "of" denotes possession, not location: It is Heaven's Kingdom. It will take a titanic struggle to enter it because so many things are acting against us. God's Kingdom as presently configured consists of God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and all the children of God who have entered the Family of God by means of God's calling, being born again, and receiving God's Holy Spirit. They preached the Kingdom of God with the same zeal as their Master, who had given them the example. John 3:1-21: Verses 1-2: "Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. There is also a present aspect, as we have already been conveyed into the Kingdom (Colossians 1:13), and now our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). God’s kingly rule over the hearts of men and over the world may be thought of as having a number of phases. 4:17). For those “the kingdom of God is … righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. Although the precise phrase is not found there, the kingdom of heaven is basically an Old Testament concept. The Kingdom of God is a spiritual entity. It must be preached, for by it salvation comes (Romans 1:16). That is what He preached! Acts can include miracles, conduct, and their messages. Staff This world's forceful and self-willed people "seize" that Kingdom as they would a fortified city, through opposing its citizens in some way. It does not mean "the Kingdom of God when Jesus Christ returns." To understand Jesus, we must comprehend the primary motif of His life: The Kingdom of Heaven. Its headquarters is in heaven, but at the same time its agents—initially Jesus of Nazareth then later the apostles and the church—were, as children of God, laboring on earth to make it better known and expand its citizenry. The scribes and Pharisees, as well as those influenced by them, persecuted those God was drawing into His Kingdom. The King returned to heaven and His kingdom on earth now exists only in a mystery form. God "calls those things which do not exist as though they did" (Romans 4:17). 4:3). The kingdom has two aspects, the outer and the inner, both of which are spoken of in the gospels. Had God’s people Israel accepted their King when He first came to them, there would be no interim kingdom. Richard T. Ritenbaugh There was such animosity that the King Himself suffered the most awful violence that has ever been perpetrated: a mob of creatures wantonly crucifying their sinless Creator. ", Richard T. Ritenbaugh Enter your email address and we will send you instructions on how to reset your password. Jesus' frequently uses the words "Kingdom of Heaven," especially in Matthew 13, as in "The Kingdom of Heaven is like..." We should be careful not to be fooled by this. John 9:22 records that "the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue." David declares that “the Lord is King forever and ever” (Ps. (1997), Find more Bible verses about Kingdom of heaven: It does not suggest distance in either space or time. This is why Jesus says in John 16:33 that in the world, we will have persecution, but He also says to "be of good cheer." "The time is fulfilled" implies that nothing can be added to it, that time will be extended no longer. Jesus adds in Matthew 7:21, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord.' In true members of God's church, the Kingdom of God is already ruling in them. Those aspects are evident as one moves through Matthew. The completed registration allows us to send order and donation receipts to the email address you provided. It can be passive. In a sense, then, we all are in the Kingdom of God now. (From Forerunner Commentary). Guest. We can now apply this principle to Christ's statements. 14:17). B. Phillips has it: "The Kingdom of heaven has been taken by storm and eager men and forcing their way into it." The key to understanding Jesus' words lies in understanding how the phrase " kingdom of God " or " kingdom of heaven " is used. Unity (Part 8): Ephesians 4 (E). The country we live in is an alien nation. Is Heaven the Reward of the Saved? The kingdom at hand would have become the kingdom of a thousand years, which, in turn, would have ushered in the eternal kingdom. He is, so to speak, in a voluntary exile in heaven until it is time for Him to return again. However, we realize that the apostle Paul has challenged us to be ambassadors for Christ: "Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God" (II Corinthians 5:20). In explaining this point, Herbert Armstrong often compared the grammar of the "Kingdom of Heaven" with that of the "Bank of Morgan." Jesus’ answer was that the kingdom of God was not coming in the manner the Pharisees were expecting. He is the subject of the powerful description in Isaiah 40:9-18, and it is into His Kingdom we have been translated, meaning conveyed or transferred. The most basic requirement is taught in John 3—to be born again. The word translated is better rendered as "transferred." Some were then in the process of entering the Kingdom, and the resistance and oppression of the scribes and Pharisees were obstacles to that entrance. shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.'" The story is set during the Crusades of the 12th century. The King, in exerting His authority over unclean spirits, displays the reign or the rule of God. 29:10), that His kingdom is everlasting, and that His dominion “endures throughout all generations” (Ps. Notice especially verse 41. Kingdom of Heaven For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.". A person becomes part of it by being born again, and those who are born again become sons of God. Others hoped that the kingdom of Judah would be restored, and they were probably content to wait and watch this Man as He went about—as curiosity-seekers rather than opponents. He was in their midst, and He was within the Kingdom of God. To take this a step further, where the King abides in any person or where a person is in Christ, the Kingdom is also present. In this teaching, I will outline what Jesus meant with the words Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven, and how he proclaimed, explained,… Matthew 19:23–24 confirms the equality of the phrases by using them in interchangeably. Christians are not only presently God's children in the Kingdom, but tares fellowship with them in the church! Notice that neither Jesus nor David says anything about inheriting some mystical place in the heavens. It can be verbal. This is what Jesus means in Matthew 13. This article is also available and sold as a booklet. It is quite plain what the apostles preached (Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31). After clicking 'Register', you will receive an email with a link to verify your account and to complete your registration. Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. Israel rejected the Lord Jesus Christ as the Messiah when He first came because the religious rulers of Israel were only looking for a political Messiah King who would make Israel the ruling kingdom of the world. When this is combined with John 18:36 (where Jesus declares that His Kingdom "is not from here") and many other scriptures pointing to the establishment of God's Kingdom with power at Christ's return, we can understand that it is both a present and a future reality. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Christ was perhaps recalling His wrestling match with Jacob, centuries earlier, when He commented that "the violent take [the Kingdom] by force". When He told the Pharisees that the Kingdom of God was among them, or in their midst (Luke 17:21), He referred to Himself. Notice, for example, Jesus' words in Matthew 23:13: "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! (Part One). What the Bible says about Every time the word gospel appears—if Jesus qualifies the word at any point—it is always "of the Kingdom of God" or "of the Kingdom of heaven." Daniel speaks of “the God of heaven [who] will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed” (Dan. "You Must Be Born Again" Very little is known about Nicodemus, except that He was a highly educated, well to do ruler and teacher in the Jewish community, who came by night wanting to be taught by Jesus. The key to understanding Jesus' words lies in understanding how the phrase "kingdom of God" or "kingdom of heaven" is used. This is the same gospel—the same message—that His ministry must teach. Parable of the Persistent Friend. 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