The Kingdom of Heaven
The Kingdom of Heaven…
If Jesus, or John the Baptist
for that matter, were to show up on the scene today proclaiming this message ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand!’,
what would you think? How would you react
to His message? Would His message, this message concerning the ‘Kingdom of God’,
cause you to make any changes in the
way you live and how you view life in the 21st century? Would it
affect us today? Would it have an impact on you personally?
How do you see the world that you live in?
Most of us view this world through the eyes of the concept
of ‘the Progression of Man’ …We call it ‘the Human Race’. It is a race to the
future, but, unlike other races, it contains some interesting dynamics.
First, it appears to be a race that has no finish. With each
major accomplishment or major technological breakthrough we quickly push that
discovery behind us and press ever forward. Some would ask ‘To Where?’ or ‘To
What?’ Where are we going? What drives
us? (This relates back to the ‘Betterment of or Progress of Man’ world view). The
goal of this race is not really clearly
defined; if there is a goal, we would have to admit that for most of us it
is a bit hazy what that goal is. However, we know that we are required to
participate in this race in some fashion even if we do not understand the
ultimate goal or purpose of it. If we
don’t participate, we will be left behind.
Underneath or behind this perspective is a strong force that
we call the ‘Global World System’. It is a Global Economic system that unites
mankind together even stronger than any common goal could. It is a system of
survival. It makes a demand on us, saying: ‘Belong or else.’ Although there are benefits to participating
in and plugging into this system, there are also consequences--some of them not
so nice, some even cruel consequences--for not giving it all of your life.
It is the dominant world system of our day and if we were to
think of a dominion as a kingdom this
dominion could be termed as ‘the Kingdom
of Earth’, for it is a kingdom and it includes all nations on the earth. The
Bible has much to say about this world system, kingdom, or power, especially in
the end days which could include us today.
So let’s look at the message and doctrine that Jesus brought
to the world in that day and take a
look at what His message might mean to us here today in the 21st
century. In Mark 1:14-15 it says that Jesus came to Galilee ‘preaching the
Gospel of the Kingdom of God’. Matt. 4:17, a parallel passage to Mk. 1:14-15,
says the same thing, but uses different terminology. Matthew uses
the term ‘the Kingdom of Heaven’ instead
of Kingdom of God. Most Bible expositors would agree that both Mathew and Mark
are saying the same thing using
different terms. It has been suggested that the difference in terminology might
be because of the different audiences
that the authors were addressing. However, both passages refer to a Kingdom and a dominion not of the earth, making it unique and different from the kingdom of earth.
In Mark 1:15 Jesus
makes an interesting statement. He says that the time is fulfilled or complete
as if what he is talking about was in
process prior to this time, waiting for
completion or waiting for the details to be all worked out. But, here in v. 15, Jesus makes a clear
statement. He says that the time is
complete or fulfilled…and that this Kingdom that had not been here before was about
to appear. He continues by giving instruction
and a warning, warning His hearers that they must prepare for the arrival of this new Kingdom, telling
them they must repent of their ways which
were contrary to the ways of this Kingdom and believe the Gospel or the aspects
and principles of this Kingdom. John the Baptist preached the same message
in Matt. 3:1-2 warning that the Kingdom
of Heaven was at hand and that they must
prepare for it.
In Mark 1:38 (Read)Jesus makes the statement that His main purpose for coming was to preach a certain message to the surrounding
towns. In its corollary passage in Luke 4:43 He makes the statement that His
purpose for coming is to preach the
Gospel of the Kingdom of God to other cities.
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So what
is this ‘Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God’? What is the Bible referring
to when it refers to the Kingdom of God? Is the Kingdom of Heaven…. Heaven? Or,
is what He is referring to something else, and if so what?
There are 31 references to the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ in the NT
and 63 references to the ‘Kingdom of God. All of the 31 references to the
Kingdom of Heaven are found in the book of Matthew, whereas the references to
the Kingdom of God are found in all of the Gospels, including the book of
Mathew where it is used several times.
References to the Kingdom of God are also found in the book of Acts and
the Apostle Paul’s Epistles.
But, again, the question comes up, ‘What is He referring to
when He preaches ‘the Gospel of the Kingdom’?
In Matthew Chapter 13 Jesus shares 7 parables with His
disciples explaining the Kingdom of Heaven to them. He spent a lot of time on
this topic. It is interesting that when He tries to explain to His followers
what the Kingdom of Heaven is like He chooses
to use parables to do so, using words to create pictures and examples that
they might already be familiar with.
He would often start a parable with the phrase, ‘the Kingdom of Heaven is like’, meaning
it is ‘similar to’ and then espouse the parable using a familiar example of a life experience to which they could relate. In
using parables His purpose was to convey a main
point or two along with some of its
details. A parable is not intended
to be over-analyzed for minute details, but it is intended to convey an example
of the big picture or idea. By using parables His followers could relate to
otherwise difficult concepts.
The Kingdom of Heaven had many aspects that were different from any Kingdom here on
earth, so understanding the Gospel of the Kingdom was often difficult. These parables helped to bridge the gap in
their understanding. In the same way these parables can also help us today to
understand what He meant when He talked about the Kingdom of God and may give
us insight to what the Kingdom of God may mean to us today in a practical sense.
So, again, what is the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’? Is it Heaven or is it something else??
Let’s look at some parables concerning the Kingdom to see if
we can get a better idea of what they mean and how they may apply to us today.
Several parables in particular found in chapter 13 of Matthew reveal some
interesting details concerning this Kingdom of God or Heaven.
First, let’s read two of the parables. The first is found in
Matthew 13:24-30. Next read Matthew
13:47-51. Both of these parables are similar in detail and meaning to each
other, highlighting similar details of the Kingdom.
The first parable reveals some interesting details
concerning the Kingdom that require some thought. In this parable we see both wheat and tares mixed in the same field
and the passage makes the statement that the Kingdom of Heaven is like this. It is interesting that later in
this chapter our Lord personally
explains the meaning of the details of this parable. In v. 38 He says that the field talked about in this parable
is ‘the world’. He goes on to say that the ‘good seed’ that are sown are the ‘children of the Kingdom’ and that the
‘tares’ are the ‘children of the wicked
one.’ In v. 37 Christ tells us that He
was the one who sowed the ‘good
seed’ and He goes on in v. 39 and tells us that the enemy or the devil was
the one that sowed the tares or the children of the wicked one.
This explanation continues on into verse 41 where our Lord
makes another interesting statement: He says that He will send forth His angels
and they shall gather out of His Kingdom
all things that offend and do iniquity. Our Lord explaining these
details in this fashion clearly casts
doubts that the ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ referred to here can refer to Heaven itself. We know that no iniquity will enter into God’s heaven and the presence of
iniquity that has to be purged out here makes it clear that the kingdom He is
talking about has to refer to something else.
The same is true
concerning the second parable that we read. In the second parable (Matthew
13:47-51) we are given the image of a net that is cast in the sea and a sample
of creatures is gathered into the net for us to see. When brought to shore it
is revealed that there are two kinds of fish.…good fish and bad fish which need
to be separated out at the end of the
age. This again gives the impression that the Kingdom of God is a mixed bag
at present containing both good and bad. Considering these details and the
Lord’s interpretation of these parables, one would have to conclude that the
Kingdom He is speaking about is a Kingdom not found in Heaven itself, but a Kingdom established and initiated by God
on earth, a kingdom coming from heaven or from God. In other words, He is
referring to God’s Kingdom established
on earth!
Israel understood
this concept as they were taught about God’s Kingdom that was coming on earth in the future. As a
matter of fact, when Christ arrived at His first advent they knew when the coming
King would appear and some of them were poised and looking for His arrival. In
other words, those who had studied the Old Testament prophesies concerning the
coming Messiah were expecting the King.
Jesus entered through
the right prophetic door and was preaching the right message when He showed up
on earth. So, when Jesus told His disciples to go and preach the Gospel of
the Kingdom they knew what Kingdom He
was talking about. Christ’s
proclamation to go and preach the Gospel of the Kingdom was also important from
another aspect: by identifying with the fulfillment of the prophecy that the
Kingdom that they were looking for had arrived, He identified Himself as the coming King. (John also witnessed the
same concerning Him, Jn. 3:2-3.) He proclaimed that this coming Kingdom of God which He preached was the one prophesied of
old and it pointed to Him as being the prophesied Messiah!!
TWO WORLDS COLLIDE
When Jesus arrived on the scene two worlds or kingdoms collided! Two kingdoms squared off to oppose
each other. They were now, as it were, ‘in the ring’ and the match was about to
begin. God/Christ had come to earth to reclaim His territory.
It was here that the Kingdom of God gained its foothold, so
to speak, and shortly after a series of events dealt the final blow, winning
the victory, and establishing a permanent
Heavenly Kingdom here on earth. Jesus proclaims this in
Mathew 28:18 where He makes one of the most important proclamations found in
the Bible by telling His disciples: ‘All
authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth!’ As He was
preparing His disciples to be sent out on the earth to preach the Gospel of His
Kingdom, He tells them that the transaction is complete: Satan no longer has a
position of authority in this world. All that is left for him is that he is awaiting
sentencing. Jesus gives the disciples marching orders to make His, Christ’s,
Kingdom a reality on earth. They are also told that they will not go alone (Mt.
28:20) and that He will remain with them always!
So, the question that we need to ask ourselves is: ‘Is the
Kingdom of Heaven still on earth today or did it leave with Christ on His
ascension?’ And, if it is still on earth, where is it and what is its purpose? How
does it look and what is its destination or final outcome? Where is it headed? Is there an ultimate goal? What practical
applications does knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven being on earth today have
to us as believers in our day? Can it affect our perspective and focus in
ministry while carrying out His orders or directions given in Mathew 28:18?
The Kingdom of earth is loud and cocky and brassy and gives
you the impression that it is the only show in town. In doing so its message to us is one of
tolerance and, all too often, compromise, saying in essence that we must somehow fit in to the kingdom of earth. In other words saying, ‘there are
no other options.’ Knowing that the Kingdom of God already exists in our world
today gives us another choice, the Right
choice. Even though we will have to deal with this present world kingdom, we
can make the choice and align ourselves with His Kingdom and His Kingdom work
already in progress right now in this world.
This view of the presence of the Kingdom of God being active
in our world today makes sense from another perspective. If you recite the Lord’s
Prayer slowly, preferably out loud, thinking about the specifics in that prayer,
you will notice some interesting components. One of the requests found in that
prayer that He instructed us to pray was that His Kingdom would come and His
will would be done on earth as it is
already done in heaven. I don’t know about you, but knowing that the Father
always heard Jesus’ prayers and that, I believe, every prayer that Jesus prayed
was in accordance with the Fathers will and therefore will come to pass, then
the Kingdom will come and is already coming on earth as in heaven heading
toward the Day of it being fully operable and fully established.
Christ had a purpose and objective in sharing these parables
found in Matthew chapter 13 with His disciples. Seeing our world through
Christ’s perspective and vantage as explained through His parables and
teachings reminds me that this kingdom of earth that seems so dominant and
appears so confident may not be as all powerful as it wants us to believe. Its
approach to gain support and secure followers is through threats evoking fear if
you don’t comply and also through the use of intimidation. We know from Scripture
that this current world kingdom/system along with its leader has a limited amount
of time left before receiving their judgment. This kingdom of earth we know from
Scripture will not last, nor will its leader.
Knowing this, should we as His followers not embrace the
Kingdom that is coming, and is already here, and its King even though this
Kingdom is in process? We know that this Kingdom of Heaven is a Powerful
Presence in our world even today and we are told that this Kingdom will fully
make its presence completely known with the return of our Lord at the end of
the Great Tribulation. The Bible tells us that this Kingdom of Heaven will one
day be the dominant and only world system on the earth. All others will be put
down and the Kingdom of God and its King will take center stage and will be IT,
the only and the right choice.
Not all will agree with this, Christ’s, message. Some/many
will align with the Kingdom of earth. However, we as believers and followers of
Christ and His message indeed have another choice. Not a future choice, but one
present and available today. What Christ
offered His followers in that day was a Kingdom that had indeed arrived and was
right now available to them. Does He not offer us the same and more today? We
need to be strong in embracing God’s Kingdom in our world in our day. His Kingdom
has come to earth. It did so upon His first arrival and according to the
Scripture has remained here ever since. His Kingdom is coming and will continue
to manifest until God’s plan for His Kingdom on earth is complete. Ponder these
things…Matt. 6:33 Dan. 7:13-4 Jn. 1:49
The Lord’s prayer
Recite the Lord’s Prayer slowly thinking about the meaning
of each phrase of that prayer…
Our Father
Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name
Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth
As it is I heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
Forgive us our debts
As we forgive our debtors
Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
Preaching the coming
of the Kingdom of God was always a central part of the Gospel message…Share
this message with your friends!
