Kingdom

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JohnDB

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2021
5,630
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#1
So...
I'd like to start a discussion about the "Kingdom of Heaven" the Kingdom IN Heaven" the "Kingdom of God" and etc.

What exactly are each of these different terms describing? (If they are different)

What are the nuances? Why the shift in use?
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
56,031
26,154
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#2
Hello John :) Perhaps it bears mentioning that heaven is God's abode :geek:
 
Aug 2, 2021
7,317
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113
#3
So...
I'd like to start a discussion about the "Kingdom of Heaven" the Kingdom IN Heaven" the "Kingdom of God" and etc.

What exactly are each of these different terms describing? (If they are different)

What are the nuances? Why the shift in use?
They are all related and come from the Giver of Life and His Plan & Purpose for Salvation
 

Deuteronomy

Well-known member
Jun 11, 2018
3,227
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67
#4
Here are a couple of articles that may be helpful (at least as a place to start .. taken from www.gotquestions.org)

What is The Kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God is referenced often in the gospels (e.g., Mark 1:15; 10:15; 15:43; Luke 17:20) and other places in the New Testament (e.g., Acts 28:31; Romans 14:17; 1 Corinthians 15:50). The kingdom of God is synonymous with the kingdom of heaven. The concept of the kingdom of God takes on various shades of meaning in different passages of Scripture.
Broadly speaking, the kingdom of God is the rule of an eternal, sovereign God over all the universe. Several passages of Scripture show that God is the undeniable Monarch of all creation: “The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19). And, as King Nebuchadnezzar declared, “His kingdom is an eternal kingdom” (Daniel 4:3). Every authority that exists has been established by God (Romans 13:1). So, in one sense, the kingdom of God incorporates everything that is.
More narrowly, the kingdom of God is a spiritual rule over the hearts and lives of those who willingly submit to God’s authority. Those who defy God’s authority and refuse to submit to Him are not part of the kingdom of God; in contrast, those who acknowledge the lordship of Christ and gladly surrender to God’s rule in their hearts are part of the kingdom of God. In this sense, the kingdom of God is spiritual—Jesus said His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36), and He preached that repentance is necessary to be a part of the kingdom of God (Matthew 4:17). That the kingdom of God can be equated with the sphere of salvation is evident in John 3:5–7, where Jesus says the kingdom of God must be entered into by being born again. See also 1 Corinthians 6:9.
There is another sense in which the kingdom of God is used in Scripture: the literal rule of Christ on the earth during the millennium. Daniel said that “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44; cf. 7:13–14), and many of the other prophets predicted the same thing (e.g., Obadiah 1:21; Habakkuk 2:14; Micah 4:2; Zechariah 14:9). Some theologians refer to the future, open manifestation of the kingdom of God as the “kingdom of glory” and the present, hidden manifestation of the kingdom of God as the “kingdom of grace.” But both manifestations are connected; Christ has set up His spiritual reign in the church on earth, and He will one day set up His physical reign in Jerusalem.
The kingdom of God has several aspects. The Lord is the Sovereign of the universe, and so in that sense His kingdom is universal (1 Timothy 6:15). At the same time, the kingdom of God involves repentance and the new birth, as God rules in the hearts of His children in this world in preparation for the next. The work begun on earth will find its consummation in heaven (see Philippians 1:6).
What is the Difference Between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven?
While some believe that the Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven are referring to different things, it is clear that both phrases are referring to the same thing. The phrase “kingdom of God” occurs 68 times in 10 different New Testament books, while “kingdom of heaven” occurs only 32 times, and only in the Gospel of Matthew. Based on Matthew’s exclusive use of the phrase and the Jewish nature of his Gospel, some interpreters have concluded that Matthew was writing concerning the millennial kingdom while the other New Testament authors were referring to the universal kingdom. However, a closer study of the use of the phrase reveals that this interpretation is in error.
For example, speaking to the rich young ruler, Christ uses “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” interchangeably. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 19:23). In the very next verse, Christ proclaims, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (verse 24). Jesus makes no distinction between the two terms but seems to consider them synonymous.
Mark and Luke used “kingdom of God” where Matthew used “kingdom of heaven” frequently in parallel accounts of the same parable. Compare Matthew 11:11-12 with Luke 7:28; Matthew 13:11with Mark 4:11 and Luke 8:10; Matthew 13:24 with Mark 4:26; Matthew 13:31 with Mark 4:30 and Luke 13:18; Matthew 13:33 with Luke 13:20; Matthew 18:3 with Mark 10:14 and Luke 18:16; and Matthew 22:2 with Luke 13:29. In each instance, Matthew used the phrase “kingdom of heaven” while Mark and/or Luke used “kingdom of God.” Clearly, the two phrases refer to the same thing.

God bless you!

~Deut
 

Deuteronomy

Well-known member
Jun 11, 2018
3,227
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#5
I'll add this article too, as I believe that it will certainly come up in this discussion (this is also taken from GotQuestions.org, which I have found to be an excellent place to find basic answers and/or begin a deeper look into a Biblical topic, just FYI)

What is the Gospel of the Kingdom?
The phrase gospel of the kingdom and references to “the kingdom of God” and “the kingdom of heaven” are used repeatedly in connection with the Lord Jesus and His work on earth. The word gospel simply means “good news,” and the term translated “kingdom” is the Greek word basileia, which means “the realm in which a sovereign king rules.” Throughout the New Testament, the word kingdom consistently refers to the rule of Christ in the hearts of believers, since, for the time being, Christ’s kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).
When Jesus began His three-year earthly ministry, He preached that “the kingdom of God is near” (Luke 10:9; cf. Matthew 4:17). Mark 1:14–15 gives a concise description of Jesus’ primary focus during His time on earth: “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” When asked to define His kingdom, Jesus explained it this way: “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed. . . . The kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (Luke 17:20–21). Romans 14:17 says that the kingdom of God is a matter “of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
The gospel of the kingdom is the good-news message of repentance, redemption, and restoration offered by God to all who will receive Christ. Those who accept this offer become part of His eternal kingdom (John 1:12). Those who choose to remain in their sin cannot be a part of this kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Galatians 5:19–21). Although grace makes this offer available to anyone who will receive it, Jesus warned that it would be very difficult to enter His kingdom and few would do so (Matthew 7:14).
The gospel of the kingdom is the news that there is freedom from our slavery to sin if we will repent and turn to God (Romans 6:18–19). Our Redeemer has come, but it is difficult to enter God’s kingdom, not because God requires impossible standards for us, but because we do not want to repent and change. We tend to love the darkness more than the Light (John 3:19). Many would rather cling to their old sinful identities than allow Jesus to create them anew (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Those who receive the gospel of the kingdom become citizens of heaven and are freed from bondage to this world (Galatians 4:3–9). Second Corinthians 5:20 refers to God’s children as “ambassadors” for our heavenly Father. Just as an earthly foreign ambassador retains his national identity when representing his country in another, the spiritual ambassadors of God’s kingdom owe their allegiance to God even as they reside in this world. We must follow our heavenly Father’s code of conduct while sojourners on earth. We need not conform to this world’s habits, values, and lifestyle, because this is not our home (Romans 12:1–2; 1 John 2:15–17).
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). So, although we must live here until God calls us home, we are not to live for ourselves or according to this world’s value system. Those who have been bought by the blood of Jesus have been given the right to live according to God’s value system. Citizens of the kingdom of God live here on assignment from our Father the King. Living with a kingdom mindset empowers us to make wiser decisions as we invest our lives in furthering the gospel of the kingdom.

~Deut
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,497
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#6
I'd like to start a discussion about the "Kingdom of Heaven" the Kingdom IN Heaven" the "Kingdom of God" and etc.
The Kingdom of Heaven is the Kingdom of God and vice versa (compare Matthew and Luke when discussing the parables of the Kingdom). The Kingdom of God means that God is King and Ruler over His Kingdom, therefore sin and evil have been banished. At the same time God the Father has handed over the Kingdom to God the Son in order for Him to be King of kings and Lord of Lords. There are actually three aspects to the Kingdom of God:

(1) the rule and reign of Christ as Lord of the believer (which is internal and spiritual and applies to those who have been born again and have entered the Kingdom of God spiritually and also spiritually see the future Kingdom established on earth. This presently the invisible Kingdom of God.

(2) Christendom or (Christianity on earth) since the first century, which is a mixture of tares and wheat, good fish and bad fish, genuine believers and mere professors, etc. This is presently the visible Kingdom of God.

(3) The future literal visible, tangible, physical and spiritual Kingdom of God in earth with Christ ruling the nations with a rod of iron and eventually establishing universal peace and righteousness on earth. This happens only after all of God's judgments (as described in Revelation) are completed.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
12,311
4,977
113
#7
The
So...
I'd like to start a discussion about the "Kingdom of Heaven" the Kingdom IN Heaven" the "Kingdom of God" and etc.

What exactly are each of these different terms describing? (If they are different)

What are the nuances? Why the shift in use?
Theres no difference Matthew

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭

mark

“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

luke

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭4:18-19, 21, 43‬ ‭KJV‬‬

these are all theee accounts of Jesus beginning his ministry matthews language calls it the kingdom Of heaven mark And luke call it the kingdom of God. They offer details Of the same ministry

Matthew says

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

luke says

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for your's is the kingdom of God.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

they are witnessing the same sermon but use different language


the apostles also have differing terms for the gospel of the kingdom but it’s all
Witnessing the same gospel.

“who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

All of the witnesses agree they just use different terminology to express the same points and each offer more details And more understanding of the one gospel when we allow them all In
 
L

Live4Him2

Guest
#8
Hey, John.

You’ve already received some good answers in relation to how “the kingdom of God” and “the kingdom of heaven” are synonymous and in relation to what they are, so I’ll just focus upon “the kingdom IN heaven” in my response.

Turning to the very first verse of the Bible, we read:

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

Although the underlying Hebrew word “šāmayim” is translated here in the singular as “heaven” in the KJV, the suffix “-im” in Hebrew is plural, and it is the equivalent of our “s” in the English language:

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8064/kjv/wlc/0-1/

With such being the case, this verse would be better translated to read:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)

In fact, this same underlying Hebrew word is translated in the plural as “heavens” as early as Genesis chapter 2, where we read:

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.” (Genesis 2:1)

As I trust you already know, the Bible speaks of three distinct “heavens”, with “the third heaven” being the place where both God the Father and Jesus presently dwell.

In relation to the same, we read:

II Corinthians chapter 12

[1] It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
[2] I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) such an one CAUGHT UP TO THE THIRD HEAVEN.
[3] And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth)
[4] How that he was CAUGHT UP INTO PARADISE, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

The Apostle Paul was “caught up to the third heaven” or “caught up into paradise” where he received “revelations of the Lord” and “heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for man to utter”.

In other words, this is the place where God and Jesus presently dwell.

Although the creation account in Genesis chapter 1 doesn’t really tell us anything about “the third heaven”, we are told much about it elsewhere in scripture.

For example, we know that there is a Jerusalem in “the third heaven” from portions of scripture such as these:

“But JERUSALEM WHICH IS ABOVE is free, which is the mother of us all.” (Galatians 4:26)

Again:

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, and to an innumerable company of angels,” (Hebrews 12:22)

Furthermore, we know that there is a temple in “the third heaven” or in “the heavenly Jerusalem”.

In relation to the same, we read:

Hebrews chapter 8

[1] Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
[2] A minister of the sanctuary, and of THE TRUE TABERNACLE, WHICH THE LORD PITCHED, AND NOT MAN.
[3] For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
[4] For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
[5] WHO SERVE UNTO THE EXAMPLE AND SHADOW OF HEAVENLY THINGS, AS MOSES WAS ADMONISHED OF GOD WHEN HE WAS ABOUT TO MAKE THE TABERNACLE: FOR, SEE, SAITH HE, THAT THOU MAKE ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN SHEWED TO THEE IN THE MOUNT.

The earthy tabernacle which Moses pitched merely “served unto the example and shadow of heavenly things” in that it was an earthly representation of “the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” or the true tabernacle in “the third heaven”. This is “the pattern” that Moses was “shown in the mount”.

In relation to the same, we read:

Exodus chapter 25

[8] And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
[9] According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Moses was not only given “the pattern of the tabernacle” that the Lord pitched in “the third heaven”, but he was also given “the pattern of all the instruments thereof”.

For example, we read several times in the Old Testament or in the Old Covenant about “the ark of the testimony” (Exod. 25:22, 26:33, etc.) or “the ark of the covenant” (Num. 10:33, 14:44, etc.) in relation to a tabernacle or temple here on earth, and we similarly read in the New Testament or in the New Covenant about “the ark of the testament” in the temple of God in heaven:

“And THE TEMPLE OF GOD WAS OPENED IN HEAVEN, AND THERE WAS SEEN IN HIS TEMPLE THE ARK OF HIS TESTAMENT: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.” (Revelation 11:19)

Further still, there’s not only a heavenly Jerusalem, and a heavenly temple full of heavenly instruments, but Isaiah actually saw the pre-incarnate Christ sitting upon a throne in heaven as “the King”.

In relation to the same, we read:

Isaiah chapter 6

[1] In the year that king Uzziah died I SAW ALSO THE LORD SITTING UPON A THRONE, high and lifted up, AND HIS TRAIN FILLED THE TEMPLE.
[2] Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
[3] And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
[4] And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
[5] Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: FOR MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE KING, the LORD of hosts.
[6] Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
[7] And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
[8] Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
[9] And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
[10] Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

We can know, of a certainty, that this King whom Isaiah saw sitting upon a throne in the temple in heaven was, in fact, Jesus:

John chapter 12

[39] Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
[40] He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
[41] THESE THINGS SAID ESAIAS, WHEN HE SAW HIS GLORY, AND SPAKE OF HIM.

Based upon portions of scripture like these, and this is by no means an exhaustive list, we can safely conclude the following:

1. There is a heavenly Jerusalem.
2. There is a temple in the heavenly Jerusalem.
3. Jesus Christ sits upon a throne inside the temple in the heavenly Jerusalem, and he is the King.

If we come to properly understand this, then we can also properly understand why God called the nation of Israel to initially represent him on this earth.

In other words, Israel’s kings, reigning from within a temple in Jerusalem, were supposed to represent the true King, Jesus Christ, and his temple in the heavenly Jerusalem to all the inhabitants of this earth.

Sad to say, more often than not, they terribly failed to do so, and their worst is yet to come.

Yes, they will ultimately broker a deal with the literal antichrist who will briefly reign within a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem prior to the second coming of Christ.

Anyhow, I said all of that to say this:

Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come”, and it ultimately will come.

Yes, “the kingdom IN heaven” will one day be truly represented right here on earth at Christ’s second coming.

I hope that this helps.