THE
KINGDOM: OF HEAVEN, GOD, OR BOTH
07-09-2015
The Kingdom of
Heaven or the Kingdom of God
The book of Matthew uses the phrase, Kingdom of Heaven
and the other synoptic gospels use Kingdom of God. Comparing parallel passages, it could be assumed
that the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God are the same. Many commentators believe they are identical,
but a few notice a difference.
Which phrase did Jesus employ? Probably both of them at various instances,
but possibly to different groups of people depending on the delivered message. The majority of the Jewish leaders and the general
Judean population rejected Jesus as the Messiah because He did not meet their Messianic
standards of a conquering King and initially, the disciples could also be
included in this group. There are two
lines of Messianic prophecy presented in the Old Testament: one is the suffering servant; the second is
the conquering King. Two contrary
portraits would require two different individuals, however, true Christian
prophecy students know both portraits will be fulfilled by one individual,
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, with an interlude of approximately 2000 years
between the suffering servant and the conquering King.
The basic scripture prophesying the characteristics of
the suffering servant aspect of the Messiah can be found in Isaiah 53. The Judeans were not expecting a poor humble
teacher from Nazareth, even one Who healed the sick and raised the dead. They were anticipating a political Messiah, a
warrior leader who would militarily deliver them from the Roman Empire and the
remainder of the world. Their expected
Messiah would be a great leader who would transform Israel into the ruling
kingdom of the world. It can be asked,
to what person did they attribute the suffering and death described in Isaiah
53 and other scriptures? It is my
opinion they will receive their anticipated “messiah” during the last days in
the person of the beast/antichrist when Israel, particularly Jerusalem, will
become Mystery, Babylon. I suppose the
churches of today are not the only ones who misunderstand and misinterpret
scripture.
The Judean leaders and rulers of the first century have
been described as legalistic and ritualistic.
They had a fervor for works and considered themselves beyond the need of
repentance, spiritual deliverance and the righteousness of God. After all, they had the temple sacrificial
system to atone for their possible sins.
The Judean leaders and the majority of the Judean populace were
expecting a mighty warrior but instead, this is what was before them.
·
He was born in a stable with a manger as a bed.
·
He grew up in Nazareth, and can anything good
come from there.
·
He was the son of a carpenter.
·
During His earthly ministry,
He didn’t have a place to lay His head.
·
On the day all Jewish eyes were on Him, He rode
into town on a borrowed donkey.
·
He was crucified on a cross as a common criminal.
The Kingdom is
Within You
Although it can be argued the Kingdom of God did not
fully manifest until after the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, it
was proclaimed as being near or in one’s midst in a spiritual sense.
And when he was demanded of the
Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The
kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here!
or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-21 KJV)
The phrase “is within you” is alternately translated
as: inside you; not something that can
be observed; already among you; in your midst; does not come with
observation. “Does not come with
observation” is the number one translation.
The Kingdom is
Not of this World
Later, Pontius Pilate asked Jesus a question concerning
His Kingdom. The answer He gave is
somewhat different from the answer given to the Pharisees.
Jesus answered, My kingdom is
not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants
fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36 KJV)
The word “now” is definitely in the Greek manuscript version. A commentator, Gaines R. Johnson, stated that
“most of the translators of today’s Bibles are Amillennial in their prophecy
position and have removed the word ‘now’ because they do not accept the literal
return of Jesus or a literal Millennium (paraphrased rendition of Mr. Johnson’s
quote)”. The newer translations removing
the word ‘now’ include: NASB; AMP; NLT;
ESV; CEV, and there may be others.
In this particular scripture, Jesus is referring to a
literal political Kingdom initially located in the realm of Heaven. This Kingdom, located at the throne of God,
will be brought to the earth at the beginning of the Millennium. Jesus Christ currently reigns as the King of
the Kingdom of God. Prior to the
Millennium there will be a literal return of Jesus. He will reign as King of the earth, for a
literal thousand years.
The Kingdom of
Israel
Regardless of one’s rapture position, millennium
position, or dispensational position Jesus, the son of David, will literally
return to the earth and the Kingdom will be returned to the Israelites. An accurate identification of Israelites
today is uncertain for some individuals who research and study this situation. John Hagee and his minions maintain that an
Israelite is anyone calling themselves a Jew.
Other people are not so certain that all professed Jews are actually
Israelites. God will identify 144,000
Israelites from twelve different tribes during the 70th week of
Daniel. It may be that God is the only
one who knows for certain the identity of the Israelites.
Prior to His ascension, the disciples asked Jesus if this
was the time He would restore the kingdom to Israel again.
When they therefore were come
together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again
the kingdom to Israel?
(Acts 1:6 KJV)
Jesus did not deny them the restoration of the kingdom
but confirmed that it would occur, but just not yet. The disciples were inquiring about a literal
kingdom and Jesus answered saying that it was not for them to know the time of
the actual restoration of that literal kingdom.
It would happen, but in the meantime they were to preach and teach the
Kingdom of God throughout the earth.
And he said unto them, It is not
for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own
power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:7-8 KJV)
A Gaines R. Johnson quote concerning Acts 1:6-8:
This is one of the most hated
and least understood doctrines of the Bible, yet one of the most important in
rightly dividing the truth; the separation of Church Age doctrine from Tribulation
doctrine. Some churches do not want to hear this, because they think that the
Church has replaced Israel. Certainly the whole world reviles at the prospect
of hated Israel becoming the head of the Kingdoms.
Two Kingdoms,
Yet Only One Kingdom
It has been said that Jesus actually taught two different
Kingdoms or at least referred to them in different instances: the Kingdom of God for now and the Kingdom of
Heaven for the Israelites and the world at His return. These two phases of the Kingdom would be
similar to the suffering servant and conquering King prophesied in the Old
Testament. One Kingdom but two
presentations. Both would be fulfilled
by the same Messiah at two different time periods. In like manner both Kingdoms will be
fulfilled by the same Messiah at two different time periods.
The first iteration of the Messiah was as the Lamb of God
or the suffering servant. The second
iteration will be as the Lion of Judah or the conquering King. Now the Kingdom of God is within us: by thoughts and actions; by repentance and
good works. The Kingdom of Heaven will
occur at the return of the Messiah in which all Kingdom prophecies will be
fulfilled. As one commentator stated,
“The Kingdom is now, but not yet”.
To the original Judeans, and the Gentiles (nations or
non-Israelites), who accepted His Messiahship, He preached the Kingdom of God –
repent unto righteousness.
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)
To the Judeans of His earthly time Jesus preached the
Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven. The
Judeans were the prophesied heirs of a literal political kingdom and this
literal physical kingdom was to come.
Kingdom
Differences
The difference between the Kingdom of Heaven and the
Kingdom of God may be inferred from Matthew 11:12.
And from the days of John the
Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent
take it by force. (Matthew 11:12 KJV)
From Robert Utley:
There has been much discussion
about the meaning of this verse and how it should be translated. The first
phrase in a positive sense, can indicate that the kingdom of heaven is vigorously
pressing forward, or in a negative sense, can refer to the violent reaction of
the Jewish leaders to the preaching of both John the Baptist and Jesus.
The second phrase seems to be a
play on the word " vigorous" and was used of sinners eagerly grasping,
or responding to, the gospel.
From Warren Wiersbe:
Suffereth violence literally, is forced,
overpowered, taken by storm. Christ thus graphically portrays the intense
excitement which followed John's ministry; the eager waiting, striving, and
struggling of the multitude for the promised (conquering) king.
The violent take it by force: This was proved by the multitudes who
followed Christ and thronged the doors where he was, and would have taken
him by force (the same word) and made him a king (John 6:15). The word take
by force means literally to snatch away, carry off.
The literal political physical Kingdom as
prophesied to the Israelites was attempted to be taken by force. Jesus entry into Jerusalem on the back of a
donkey colt. Why did Jesus plan
this demonstration? For one thing, He was obeying the Word and fulfilling the
prophecy recorded in Zec_9:9.
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of
Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding
upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zechariah 9:9 KJV)
This prophecy could apply only to Jesus Christ, for He is
the only One with credentials that prove He is the King of Israel. The Judeans apparently misinterpreted this
prophecy because they were proclaiming Him as the triumphant King, but of
course He did not fulfill their expectations at that point in time. This section of scripture is usually referred
to as “the rejection of the King” by most commentators. The decline to perform the warrior Messiah
role resulted in the rejection by many.
For I would not, brethren, that
ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own
conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of
the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written,
There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness
from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their
sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as
touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts
and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not
believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: (Romans 11:25-30 KJV)
In the midst of the Sermon on the Mount concerning
swearing, Jesus added a small phrase that initially appears innocuous but has
much significance.
But I say unto you, Swear not at
all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his
footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it
is the city of the great King. (Matthew
5:34-35 KJV)
Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Jesus will rule from Jerusalem during the
Millennium. Actually, Jerusalem will be
destroyed during the wrath of God but will be rebuilt.
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