"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. In response to this, some interpreters have come to the conclusion, with the understanding of the Jewish nature of the Gospel of Matthew, that Matthew was writing concerning the millennial kingdom while the other New Testament authors were referring to the universal kingdom. However, a study of the use of the phrase reveals that this interpretation is in error.For example, in the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-24, Christ uses “kingdom of heaven” to speak of the spiritual kingdom. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven’” (v. 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.” So, in answer to the rich young ruler’s question concerning eternal life (v. 16), Christ uses the phrases “kingdom of God” and “kingdom of heaven” interchangeably.Mark and Luke used “kingdom of God” where Matthew used “kingdom of heaven” quite frequently. In the same parable, the authors used different words, indicating that the two are referring to the same thing. Compare Matthew 11:11-12 with Luke 7:28; Matthew 13:11 with 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 of these instances, Matthew used the phrase “kingdom of heaven” while Mark and/or Luke used “kingdom of God.” Clearly, the two phrases are interchangeable because they refer to the same thing.
Kingdom of God vs Kingdom of Heaven
- Thread starter Christina
- Start date
-
Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
Kingdom of the heavens is a term used exclusively by Matthew , indicating that the kingom of the heavens differs from the kingdom of God., the latter being mentioned in the other three Gospels. The kingdom of God is God's general reign from eternity past to eternity future. It comprises eternity without beginning before the foundationn of the world, the chosen patriarchs (including the paradise of Adam), the nation of Israel in the Old Testament, the church in the New Testament, the coming millennnial kingdom (including its heavenly part, the manifesttion of the kingodom of the heavens, and its earthly part, the Messianic Kingdom.) and the new heaven and the new earth with the New Jerusalem in eternity without end.
The kingdom of the heavens is a specific section within the kingdom of God, a section composed only of the church today and the heavenly part of the coming millennial kingdom. Hence, in the New Testament, especiially in the other three Gospels, the kingdom of the heavens, a section of the kingom of God, is also called the kindom of God." In the Old Testament the kingdom of God, generally, already existed with the nation of Israel (21:43); the kingdom of the heavens, specifically, had still not come, and it only drew near when John the Baprist came (3:1-2; 11:11-12)
According to Matthew there are three aspects concerning the kingdom of the heavens: the reality, the appearance, and the manifestation. The reality of the kingdom of the heavens is the inward content of the kingdom of the heavens in its heavenly and spiritual nature, as revealed by the new King on the mountain in chapters 5--7. The appearnce of the kingdom of the heavens is the outward state of the kingdom of the heavens in name, as revealed by the KIng on the seashore in chapter 13. The manifesttion of the kingdom of the heavens is the practical coming of the kingdom of the heavens in power, as unveiled by the KIng on the Mount of Olives in chapters 24--25. Both the reality and the appearance of the kingdom of the heavens are with the church today. The reality of the kingdom of the heavens is the proper church life (Romans 14:17), which exists in the appearance of the kingdom of the heavens known as Christendom. The manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens is the heavenly part of the coming millennial kingdom, which is referred to as the Kingdom of the Father in 13:43; the earthly part of the millennial kingdom is the messianic kingdom, which is referred to as the kingdom of the Son of Man in 13:41, and which is the restored tabernacle of David, the kingdom of David (Acts 15:16). In the heavenly part of the millennial kingdom, which is the kingdom of the heavens minifested in power, the overcoming beleivers will reign with Christ for a thousand years (Rev. 20:4, 6); in the earthly part of the millennial kingdom, which is the Messianic kingdom on earth, the saved remnant of Israel will be the priests and will teach the nations to worship God (Zecharia 8:20-23).
If we are poor in spirit, the kingdom of the heavens is ours: we are in its reality now in the church age, and we will share in its manifesattion in the kingdom age.
The kingdom of the heavens is a specific section within the kingdom of God, a section composed only of the church today and the heavenly part of the coming millennial kingdom. Hence, in the New Testament, especiially in the other three Gospels, the kingdom of the heavens, a section of the kingom of God, is also called the kindom of God." In the Old Testament the kingdom of God, generally, already existed with the nation of Israel (21:43); the kingdom of the heavens, specifically, had still not come, and it only drew near when John the Baprist came (3:1-2; 11:11-12)
According to Matthew there are three aspects concerning the kingdom of the heavens: the reality, the appearance, and the manifestation. The reality of the kingdom of the heavens is the inward content of the kingdom of the heavens in its heavenly and spiritual nature, as revealed by the new King on the mountain in chapters 5--7. The appearnce of the kingdom of the heavens is the outward state of the kingdom of the heavens in name, as revealed by the KIng on the seashore in chapter 13. The manifesttion of the kingdom of the heavens is the practical coming of the kingdom of the heavens in power, as unveiled by the KIng on the Mount of Olives in chapters 24--25. Both the reality and the appearance of the kingdom of the heavens are with the church today. The reality of the kingdom of the heavens is the proper church life (Romans 14:17), which exists in the appearance of the kingdom of the heavens known as Christendom. The manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens is the heavenly part of the coming millennial kingdom, which is referred to as the Kingdom of the Father in 13:43; the earthly part of the millennial kingdom is the messianic kingdom, which is referred to as the kingdom of the Son of Man in 13:41, and which is the restored tabernacle of David, the kingdom of David (Acts 15:16). In the heavenly part of the millennial kingdom, which is the kingdom of the heavens minifested in power, the overcoming beleivers will reign with Christ for a thousand years (Rev. 20:4, 6); in the earthly part of the millennial kingdom, which is the Messianic kingdom on earth, the saved remnant of Israel will be the priests and will teach the nations to worship God (Zecharia 8:20-23).
If we are poor in spirit, the kingdom of the heavens is ours: we are in its reality now in the church age, and we will share in its manifesattion in the kingdom age.
Each Gospel presents Christ in a different manner; as King in Matthew, the Servant in Mark, the Man in Luke, and as YHVH himself in John. The kingdom of Heaven has to do with the millennial time frame, the Kindom of God is further reaching. A good read on this in the Companion Bible is appendix 144 and also 96.
Irish
Irish
Miss Hepburn
Well-Known Member
Christina,
I always thought they were the same. So thank you.
Miss Hepburn
They are the same.
Similar threads
