It doesn't take long for the perceptive Bible reader to realize that there is a Kingdom of God and a Kingdom of Heaven, mentioned in the pages of the B'rit Hadashah, the New testament. Some say they are the same. Most agree that the Kingdom of Heaven began at the time of Y'shua, Jesus and continues through the end times and into eternity. This is supported by 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."
However, nestled in the Matthew 25:34, we find this reference to a separate Kingdom beginning immediately after the end times.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world."
We know that the Kingdoms are not straightforward. They are mysterious and contains secrets. Matthew 13:11.
"...it has been given to you to know the mysteries and secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven."
The references to the Kingdom of Heaven are contemporary, not future, and contains warnings concerning the infiltration of Satan and his cohort. While the Kingdom of God can be seen as synonymous with the Kingdom of Heaven, in numerous coinciding verses, we can also see that the Kingdom of God is also in the future, with verses like Mark 14:25.
"Yes! I tell you, I will not drink this ‘fruit of the vine’ again until the day I drink new wine in the Kingdom of God.”
and Luke 13:28-29, which could be seen as pointing back to the Kingdom, mentioned in 25:34.
"You will cry and grind your teeth when you see Avraham, Yitz’chak, Ya‘akov and all the prophets inside the Kingdom of God, but yourselves thrown outside. Moreover, people will come from the east, the west, the north and the south to sit at table in the Kingdom of God."
Could the answer to this question be found in Ephesians 5:5, where it hints at the dual kingdoms of the Messiah and God?
"For of this you can be sure: every sexually immoral, impure or greedy person - that is, every idol-worshipper - has no share in the Kingdom of the Messiah and of God."
Could the Kingdom be representative of the destinies of the Bride of Christ and the Wife of Yahweh?
Or could it simply mean the Kingdom has it's beginning in the Messiah and will be fulfilled, immediately upon the return of the Son of Man?
Only the Spirit of God will lead you into the truth and reveal the mysteries/secrets of the Kingdom(s).
And that's what you'll find, When You Search For The Truth.
Hi Keith, I enjoyed reading this post. Matthew ch. 25 v. 14 reminds me of born again believers (the church) being given the gifts of the Spirit. I believe the rest of that parable speaks of what we are to do with those gifts and whether or not we do what we are called to do.
ReplyDeleteI do believe there are two separate Kingdoms - one of Heaven and one of God.
Regarding 'Heaven', I have always been fascinated by where Jesus says to the thief on the cross 'Today you will be with me in Paradise', because 'Paradise' is referred to as 'the third Heaven' in 2 Corinthians ch. 12 vs. 2-4, and this is the place I believe I was taken to in my NDE, as what was spoken by Paul regarding the man being taken there fits exactly with my experience.
If this is called the 'third' Heaven, I have to wonder how many heavens there are. There is much we still do not know and I believe that is what was taken away from me when I was brought back from the place I was taken to - a knowledge that I could not speak about here on earth.
I'm glad that you enjoyed the post. I've been studying the two kingdoms for a while now. It's clear to me, at least that there are two separate kingdoms spoken of. I do like the idea that the levels of heaven could be part of this.
ReplyDeleteHi Keith,
ReplyDeleteI have been so busy lately that I really have not had a lot of time to study what is written in other people's blogs, including yours - which I always find interesting.
I was lying awake early this morning and something came into my mind regarding the two kingdoms.
I believe the Kingdom of God is introduced at the time that is spoken of in 1 Corinthians ch. 15 vs. 23-25:-
'But each in his own turn: Christ the firstfruits; then at His coming, those who belong to Him. Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.… '
There is a time for everything isn't there, and I love how everything fits in according to God's plan.
Hi Brenda, I have also been so busy. When the outside temperature increases, my free time decreases.
ReplyDeleteYes, I totally agree. I love how you pick up upon the nuances, within the Word. The Spirit is definitely present within you. 1 Corinthians 15 clearly shows that the Kingdom of Heaven is handed over God, himself, after his son, Y'shua has prepared it and completed the work. Cool stuff. Thanks! I just taught this last night, at our weekly bible study. The scriptures show that the Kingdom of Heaven, which Y'shua has made possible. The Kingdom of God is where we inherit the Kingdom given to Y'shua, due to his righteousness and obedience, to live in the presence of God, through Y'shua. Again, cool stuff!
Amen, and Amen Keith.
ReplyDeleteThere is also the verse in Matthew 21:43 that says therefore I say to you the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. so it almost seems to be referencing that the kingdom of God has already existed but then given to those who bear the fruit for the kingdom of God. In Matthew 19:23 and 24 yeshua says it's hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven but then in the next verse he uses the kingdom of God while speaking of the same Rich man, there is nothing indicating within these two verses why yashua would have changed from kingdom of heaven to kingdom of God when talking about the exact same type of person. That is my two cents not sure what to make of it yet though .
ReplyDeleteGreat Question, Brandon! That would fall into the duality of the Kingdoms. This is where the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven have the same beginning. I agree that the Kingdoms exist as a promised inheritance. When God promises, you can accept it as a done deal. However, within our time space, it hasn't materialized yet. I think it's important to remember that the Kingdom of Heaven is always referred to being "at hand", ready to begin. However, the Kingdom of God is always referred to as a promised inheritance. In that aspect, the Kingdom of God, the inheritance promised to Abraham, would be taken from them. Your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteThat seems to make a lot of sense and I agree with what you say that the kingdom of heaven is always referred to being at hand ready to begin and the kingdom of God being referred to as a promise inheritance I do see that in the Scriptures.
ReplyDeleteWhat is coming into my mind now is what the thief on the cross said to Jesus, and Jesus' answer, spoken of in Luke ch. 23 vs. 42, 43:-
ReplyDelete'Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!' And Jesus said to him, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'
Paradise being referred to as the third heaven in 2 Corinthians ch. 12 vs. 2-4:-
'I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. And I know that this man — whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows — was caught up into Paradise. '
So does this appear to say that the third heaven is Jesus' kingdom?, which would make it the kingdom of heaven, where everyone who dies in Christ while believing and being born of the Spirit will be with Him until the time of the end.
There is a lot more that is coming into my mind but it would make what I am trying to say complicated.
I'm sorry Brenda for taking so long to get back with you.
ReplyDeleteGood Point! Could the third heaven be the new heaven, encompassing the new earth?