Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Two Names – Same Kingdom


I have been studying about the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God and have listened to Richard Jordan’s two-part teaching on it from the book of Luke.  My conception of what they are has changed drastically.  I now have come to the conclusion that the Kingdom of God (for Israel in the Gospels and early Acts) is usually referring to the spiritual circumcision in the heart (Romans 2 and Acts 7). 

Romans 2:29
But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

It also refers to the physical kingdom being brought about by the spiritual circumcision.  Is this correct?  Do you have any more insights about it?

When it comes to the issue of the kingdom of heaven vs. the kingdom of God, there are passages in the gospels where the two terms are used interchangeably.

Matthew 3:2; 19:23
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 21:31
So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Context is important.  A kingdom is the king’s domain.  It is God’s kingdom; it is the kingdom that belongs to God.  The term kingdom of heaven shows where it originates.  The Lord Jesus Christ said that his kingdom was not of this world.

John 18:36
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.

The key verse when it comes to the kingdom of God vs. the kingdom of heaven is in Daniel where God gives him the interpretation of his dream which speaks of the days of Messiah:

Daniel 2:44
And in the days of these kings (those being, the Antichrist and his cohorts in the Middle East in the latter days that are future from us) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

The God of heaven will set up a kingdom on this earth.  It is called the kingdom of heaven because it is set up by the God of heaven.  It is synonymous with the kingdom of God because it is his kingdom.  It can rightfully be called by either name.

Kingdom of God is more of a general term.  You said that, “The Kingdom of God (with Israel in the Gospels and early Acts) is usually referring to the spiritual circumcision in the heart.”  That is true.  It is also the physical kingdom that you mentioned.  It is both.  Inherent in the terminology is that it is a kingdom that belongs to God and it originates from the God of Heaven (the main issue).

Genesis 14:19
And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

It is a real, literal, physical, earthly, Davidic kingdom.  The qualification for entering that kingdom (spiritual circumcision) will be a reality for the believing remnant of the Jewish people of Israel (the old testament saints) in that kingdom.

Deuteronomy 30:6
And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

I know there are some who really want to make a huge issue of a difference between the two terms; but quite frankly, because similar passages in the Gospels where Jesus or John the Baptist is speaking in the same context, both terms are used to describe the same thing.  That is because Daniel 2:44 says that the God of heaven will set up a kingdom on this earth.  It is his kingdom and it originates in heaven.

I agree with Brother Richard Jordan.  They are two ways of saying the same thing.  The bible makes it clear that the kingdom is the fulfillment of Daniel 2:44, as opposed to any involvement by the god of this world – Satan…

2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Ephesians 2:2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

…and as opposed to humanity’s kingdoms of this world:

Revelation 11:15
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Daniel 2:44 is a prophecy of the future kingdom of Christ on this earth and it shows the contrast between his kingdom and that of men.

Daniel 2:44
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Where will this kingdom on earth originate?  Not from the earth; it will be from heaven.  And not just from heaven, because Satan and his angels/devils also have access to the heavenly places,

Job 1:6
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out [of heaven] into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

but from the God of heaven

Genesis 24:3a
And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth,

So it can rightfully be called either the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven.

Hopefully this helps...Maranatha!
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