The Kingdom of Heaven/God Is?

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Reborn

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
216
63
#1
This pertains to a question on another post, that got me thinking, and talking to a few via PM.
What does the Kingdom of Heaven / Kingdom of God / and just simply the word Heaven, each mean, when they are used in the Bible?

Going through hundreds of past posts/ Google search, there seems to be a huge difference of opinion of what exactly each of these three mean-- or how each are to be understood, in context, in the verse in which they are being used in?

(KJV)


Matthew 16:19


And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 5:12

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.


Matthew 6:33


But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
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...and over and over again throughout the Books.

Question (s):
- Should it be obvious on all 3, or is it a deeper understanding?
- Are all 3 the same ?
- Are all 3 different ?
- Are 2 the same and 1 different?
- Do they slightly change depending on the verse?
- A physical place, a spiritual "place" , etc?
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Depending on what we believe this changes the meaning of each verse slightly...or rather drastically?


I ask, because I'm surprised at how many different interpretations of these 3 have been given throughout the Christian Era.....Some rather simple....some really complicated.

:DEven if this only gets a response or two, maybe it can help clarify a few things/questions for anyone who may stumble across this thread.​
 
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Marian29

Guest
#2
I'll study it before trying to answer to you. But I think you have already answered through your questionary list.
 
P

psychomom

Guest
#3
isn't Kingdom of Heaven used only in Matthew?
yet in chapter 19:23-24, Jesus says both. hmm...

do you think they really are one and the same?
it's a Theocracy, where God is sovereign in rule?

as Jesus taught us to pray, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
seems the first two phrases describe the Church, where God rules on the earth.
(i mean, He rules and is sovereign everywhere...but it's recognized in His Church)

a spiritual place now (for us)
a physical place now (for those who've gone ahead)?
 
N

Nicee

Guest
#4
The kingdom of God are Heaven, Earth, The Sky, Outerspace or anything scientists are trying to figure out in relations to earth. Don't think too hard. You'll hurt your brain :).
 

Atwood

Senior Member
May 1, 2014
4,995
53
48
#5


2:44 And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

I take it that "Heaven" is a circumlocution for God. Matthew is the only gospel that says, "Kingdom of Heaven" where the others say "Kingdom of God."

In the OT you find 2 main uses for "Kingdom of God,"
1) is the Messianic Kingdom of David,
2) is the universal Kingdom of God, God's sovereign rule over creation.

I take it that the Lord Jesus announced the imminence of the Davidic Kingdom of God. Israel was to repent, which is a pre-requisite for Israel's millennial kingdom. But Israel did not repent.


 

Reborn

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
216
63
#6
I'll study it before trying to answer to you. But I think you have already answered through your questionary list.
I don't know if I even have it right, that's actually why I
was asking questions,.......... and very carefully not stating an opinion up there.:D
I've seen some wild definitions, ( literal cities, some say all 3 are different?) and these thoughts could be true?
Always a growing experience to hear others ideas.
 
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didymos

Guest
#7
I don't know if I even have it right, that's actually why I
was asking questions....
Good, good... :)

'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.'

(Matthew 6:33 / KJV)
 

Chopper

Senior Member
Nov 8, 2014
402
11
18
#8
Seek and ye shall find

Mat 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Luk 13:18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of YHWH like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? Luk 13:19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
Luk 13:20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of YHWH?
Luk 13:21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
 

Reborn

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
216
63
#9
Good, good... :)

'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.'

(Matthew 6:33 / KJV)
I'm still a little confused?.......
'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.'

What am I seeking here....we haven't established what "the Kingdom of God" is yet?
I guess I'm wondering if this means you think the 'Kingdom of God" is heaven?
 
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Marian29

Guest
#10
I found this little study here, it may be useful to you... God bless you! (Source: :: Comunidade Cristã Ministério da Fé :: | Estabelecendo o Reino de Deus)

God's purpose is simple, he wants to manifest the influence of heaven here on earth, that is, His kingdom (Matthew 12:28). God wants to populate the earth with heaven's culture, He wants to bring heaven to earth. God called us to be great and extraordinary. The will of God is to manifest on earth the influence of the kingdom, for its purpose is to populate the earth. God wants to bring heaven, the government and his colonization to the land.

How to bring the kingdom of heaven to the earth:

1 - Receiving Strategies (Matthew 12:29)

Colonize the land means expanding the kingdom of God. No one colonizes something without first receiving their strategies, and this begins with the new birth (John 3.3,5). What happens in the sky should happen on earth, but the colony decided to become independent. How to regain the kingdom? Breaking his defense strategy and disarming the areas where there is resistance.

2 - Setting the Domain (Luke 9.2)

Adam, the first man, lost the government of the kingdom and dominion he had on earth. Adam lost the kingdom, but not religion (Hosea 6.7). The religion dictates rules and regulations to override the government of God. The kingdom gives you freedom, the kingdom of God directs you to proclaim liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61.1). Jesus did not come into the world to preach a religion, He came to earth to proclaim the Kingdom of God and the culture of His nation (Matthew 12:25). The church can not forget that Jesus said we should be One so that the World could recognize Him (John 17.20,21).

3 - Developing its expansion (Mark 16:15)

Jesus came not establish religion. Jesus came to establish the kingdom. Jesus came to found the kingdom. True citizens bring the world of God. (John 17:18). Jesus said to make a difference in the world. Jesus spoke to God does not take us out of the world, but to be free of Satan (John 17:15). The development comes through the word of power (I Corinthians 4:20). John the Baptist preached, repent (Matthew 4:17).
 
Jul 22, 2014
10,350
51
0
#11
I'm still a little confused?.......
'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.'

What am I seeking here....we haven't established what "the Kingdom of God" is yet?
I guess I'm wondering if this means you think the 'Kingdom of God" is heaven?
It's like the phrase, "when in Rome." You know that is a phrase to act like one of the Romans or the inhabitants of a city you are in. The same thought and expression is being made here. " Seek ye first the kingdom of God", is to seek in behaving like one who is a part of God's Kingdom. For you can't have a kingdom without people; And God's Kingdom would not exist without God.
 
O

oldthennew

Guest
#12
you have to have a RULER, subjects, land area and a government.
the kingdom of God meets all of the criteria.
 

Reborn

Senior Member
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
216
63
#13
isn't Kingdom of Heaven used only in Matthew?
yet in chapter 19:23-24, Jesus says both. hmm...
True...I believe? Over 20 times?
Then He uses "Kingdom of God" in the following books.
Since He started a lot of parables this way, I just wondered if everybody just assumed He was referencing Heaven, or whatnot?
Sort of important / or a reason why He chose these particular words, to me?
Depending on what you believe it to be, it does change the meaning slightly.
 
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Hizikyah

Senior Member
Aug 25, 2013
11,634
372
0
#15
The word heaven is;

3772 - ouranos
ouranos: heaven
Original Word: οὐρανός, οῦ, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: ouranos
Phonetic Spelling: (oo-ran-os')
Short Definition: the sky, the heaven
Definition: heaven, (a) the visible heavens: the atmosphere, the sky, the starry heavens, (b) the spiritual heavens.

3772 ouranós – heaven (singular), and nearly as often used in the plural ("heavens"). "The singular and plural have distinct overtones and therefore should be distinguished in translation (though unfortunately they rarely are)" (G. Archer).

Heaven word #8064
Hebrew Word Study (Transliteration-Pronunciation Etymology & Grammar)
1) heaven, heavens, sky
1a) visible heavens, sky
1a1) as abode of the stars
1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc
1b) Heaven (as the abode of God)


Heaven word #8065
Hebrew Word Study (Transliteration-Pronunciation Etymology & Grammar)
1) heaven, heavens, sky
1a) visible sky
1b) Heaven (as abode of God)
 
Jul 22, 2014
10,350
51
0
#16
Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world. The Kingdom of God is not of this world. We are pilgrims in a strange land. One day this evil world will one day be destroyed by Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus will destroy all nations that will come up against Him in the End Times. So...... folks can forget about trying to make a Heaven here on Earth. It's not going to happen. Now, I am not saying that we cannot let the Light of Christ shine within us to a dark and dying world. But we are not out to create a country, or a kingdom, or to set up a one world governement or anything silly like that. Many of the apostles were persecuted for their faith. We are to be like Christ and take up our cross.
 

Hizikyah

Senior Member
Aug 25, 2013
11,634
372
0
#17
Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world. The Kingdom of God is not of this world. We are pilgrims in a strange land. One day this evil world will one day be destroyed by Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus will destroy all nations that will come up against Him in the End Times. So...... folks can forget about trying to make a Heaven here on Earth. It's not going to happen. Now, I am not saying that we cannot let the Light of Christ shine within us to a dark and dying world. But we are not out to create a country, or a kingdom, or to set up a one world governement or anything silly like that. Many of the apostles were persecuted for their faith. We are to be like Christ and take up our cross.
Phillipians 3:20, "But our citizenship is in heaven, out from which we also eagerly wait for our Ruler, Yahshua Messiah the King."
 
May 2, 2014
1,060
12
0
#18
This pertains to a question on another post, that got me thinking, and talking to a few via PM.
What does the Kingdom of Heaven / Kingdom of God / and just simply the word Heaven, each mean, when they are used in the Bible?

Going through hundreds of past posts/ Google search, there seems to be a huge difference of opinion of what exactly each of these three mean-- or how each are to be understood, in context, in the verse in which they are being used in?

(KJV)


Matthew 16:19


And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 5:12

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.


Matthew 6:33


But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[TABLE="class: maintable3, width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD]

...and over and over again throughout the Books.

Question (s):
- Should it be obvious on all 3, or is it a deeper understanding?
- Are all 3 the same ?
- Are all 3 different ?
- Are 2 the same and 1 different?
- Do they slightly change depending on the verse?
- A physical place, a spiritual "place" , etc?
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Depending on what we believe this changes the meaning of each verse slightly...or rather drastically?


I ask, because I'm surprised at how many different interpretations of these 3 have been given throughout the Christian Era.....Some rather simple....some really complicated.

:DEven if this only gets a response or two, maybe it can help clarify a few things/questions for anyone who may stumble across this thread.​
The kingdom of God and the kingdom of Heaven are one and the same, Mathew is the only one who writes kingdom of Heave, the other writers use kingdom of God. Heaven is a word that refers to the sky and it can refer to the place where the Father is.

The kingdom of God will be a physical kingdom on earth. What many don't realize is that it is the kingdom of God that is the Gospel. Christians today have tunnel vision about salvation, however, If you look at Jesus' teaching and preaching, it is the Gospel of the kingdom.
 
May 2, 2014
1,060
12
0
#19
Jesus said his kingdom is not of this world. The Kingdom of God is not of this world. We are pilgrims in a strange land. One day this evil world will one day be destroyed by Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus will destroy all nations that will come up against Him in the End Times. So...... folks can forget about trying to make a Heaven here on Earth. It's not going to happen. Now, I am not saying that we cannot let the Light of Christ shine within us to a dark and dying world. But we are not out to create a country, or a kingdom, or to set up a one world governement or anything silly like that. Many of the apostles were persecuted for their faith. We are to be like Christ and take up our cross.

Christ's inheritance is the world, why would He destroy it?

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. {the decree: or, for a decree} 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. (Psa 2:1 KJV)
 
Jul 22, 2014
10,350
51
0
#20
Phillipians 3:20, "But our citizenship is in heaven, out from which we also eagerly wait for our Ruler, Yahshua Messiah the King."
Thank you; One of my favorites is the passage from Hebrews, too.

Hebrews 13:14
"For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come."