Kingdom of God? of Heaven? What's it all about??

Winken said:

Question: What is the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew and the Kingdom of God in Mark? Are there other definitions of "Kingdom"?? What are they? (Identify scripture, please).

What about those who proclaim that the Kingdom of God is within us? Us? Is that the Body of Christ, or does it point to each of us? What about those who proclaim that we are living "as we speak" in the Kingdom of God? On earth? Within?

When Jesus returns is it to a Kingdom or THE Kingdom on earth? Where on earth? How is that Kingdom measured? Spiritually? Physically, with boundaries? If the latter, what will be beyond the boundaries.

Comments? (Please answer each question in order (sequentially) in each paragraph. I'm getting a little to old for rambling!

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Forgive me please, I'm not going to attempt to answer all of them. I'm interested in replying though because some of this has been on my mind for some weeks now, maybe longer.


And what has been on my mind is that the Kingdom of God is WITHIN US (or can be) ... meaning each of us, in what I'm saying. There is a deposit placed within us, and if we cooperate with God, fan that gift into flame, remain mindful of it - we can be aware of the very Kingdom of God within us, which supersedes everything on earth that surrounds us. Our life can be hidden there, lived there, even as we remain in this world.

I do also believe that we can corporately enter into the Kingdom of heaven as we join our worship with that in heaven, before the throne of God. Again, we have to be aware to experience this.

I think that's all I have to say about it right now though. Glory to God for all things.


ETA: seeing where the thread has gone, and how the question was asked - I do want to be clear that I don't speak for Orthodoxy in interpreting particular verses, and I'm not making a real distinction between the two terms. I'm speaking only of what I know to be spiritual realities, and that does align with what Orthodoxy teaches.

Nobody really knows what the truth is...

Winken said:

Question: What is the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew and the Kingdom of God in Mark? Are there other definitions of "Kingdom"?? What are they? (Identify scripture, please).
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I understand it so that Kingdom of God is the group of people that keep Jesus as their king. And it is where those people are. Kingdom of Heaven is same, but in heaven, I think.

The idea of the Kingdom of God being within us or the church comes from that verse in which Jesus says this to his Apostles who were arguing and speculating about being in the Kingdom by and by. Jesus said to them that the Kingdom was within them, meaning that HE was the Kingdom personified...and he was standing right there in the middle of them! He was 'within their midst.'

Unfortunately, a lot of us today place ourselves in the Apostles' place and make the same assumption they did.

Winken said:

Question: What is the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew and the Kingdom of God in Mark? Are there other definitions of "Kingdom"?? What are they? (Identify scripture, please).

What about those who proclaim that the Kingdom of God is within us? Us? Is that the Body of Christ, or does it point to each of us? What about those who proclaim that we are living "as we speak" in the Kingdom of God? On earth? Within?

When Jesus returns is it to a Kingdom or THE Kingdom on earth? Where on earth? How is that Kingdom measured? Spiritually? Physically, with boundaries? If the latter, what will be beyond the boundaries.

Comments? (Please answer each question in order (sequentially) in each paragraph. I'm getting a little to old for rambling!

Click to expand...

No difference really. Good summary here:

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. Based on Matthew’s exclusive use of the phrase and the Jewish nature of his Gospel, some interpreters have concluded that Matthew was writing concerning the millennial kingdom while the other New Testament authors were referring to the universal kingdom. However, a closer study of the use of the phrase reveals that this interpretation is in error.

For example, speaking to the rich young ruler, Christ uses “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” interchangeably. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven’” (Matthew 19:23). 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” (verse 24). Jesus makes no distinction between the two terms but seems to consider them synonymous.

Mark and Luke used “kingdom of God” where Matthew used “kingdom of heaven” frequently in parallel accounts of the same parable Compare Matthew 11:11-12 with Luke 7:28; Matthew 13:11with 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 instance, Matthew used the phrase “kingdom of heaven” while Mark and/or Luke used “kingdom of God.” Clearly, the two phrases refer to the same thing.
What is the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven?

my favourite subject. Starting from the bottom and move up in there proper order You have 1.The Kingdom of the earth,2.The Kingdom of God,3.The Kingdom Of heaven with four more above that. Since we are talking about those three I wont mention the others. They are all different. When we get born again we become spirit being not human beings. As a spirit being in Christ each Kingdom has a purpose and a function. We have a purpose and function in each of the kingdoms. The carnal mind does not understand the things of the spirit the Bible tell us. It till us to walk in the spirit. It is the only way to under stand this. I am only beginning to understand purpose a function and my part in this. The Bible tell us we are to rule and rein with Christ. That means now not when we die. Jesus is the King of Kings. The Bible tell us we are Kings a Priests.

A King has a seat of authority. That means I have a seat in The Kingdom of the earth. If I am not setting in that seat in the spirit who is,that will be the devil. The Bible says on earth as it is in Heaven. Who's job is it to bring it to earth. We are to be like Jesus.What they teach in most places what being like Jesus is not what I see in the Bible.The Bible says Jesus when up to pray,He when up in the spirit to pray, He went up to the Father. Paul says he serves God with his spirit. Serve or walking in the spirit in not some mental attitude. If I was ruling with Christ it would be Heaven on earth in my neighbourhood,then my city. These are Question I ask myself everyday. I know these are the right question and I am heading in the right direction. Seek and you will find,knot and will be opened says the Bible. There is a principle about what the desire of your heart. What ever you desire you will pull it into yourself and it will manifest around you.
Well thatch enough on that. Blessings

"Kingdom of God" has to do with what is God's realm of His experience and how He has authority and control.

"Kingdom of heaven" means the same thing, but the word "heaven" brings out how God's kingdom is higher than all which is of this world. And it is superior.

"Kingdom of Heaven" is how Matthew usually renders what the other Evangelists render as "Kingdom of God". "Heaven" here is a euphemism for God. We can see this by a simple comparison of the Gospel texts. A Gospel parallel can make this pretty easy to compare, a simple Google search brings up Table of Gospel Parallels as one of the first results.

As far as what the kingdom is, it's not a location, rather it refers to the reality of God as being King. One could translate the Greek word here as "reign", the "reign of God", speaking of God's royal power and authority. Think of it this way: Jesus is telling us what it's like when God is king, and when God is king everything is different, because the way God is king isn't like the way human beings are kings; God doesn't rule as king through the force of violence, God rules as king by serving the lowly. The way God is king, ultimately, is seen in Jesus who offers Himself in humility and love, even to the point of death on the cross--which I think really should give a new dimension to where Jesus says, "The greatest among you is your slave." Because the greatest of all did come as a slave, even as St. Paul writes in Philippians 2.

-CryptoLutheran

ViaCrucis implies this, but let me make it more explicit: there was a tradition among Jews to avoid using God's name. This was to avoid the possibility of even accidentally taking it in vain ("building a fence around Torah"). Hence God tended to be referred to by using passives, or as "heaven." You can see examples of the use of passives in the Beatitudes. Mat 5:4 "they will be comforted" means "God will comfort them." Kingdom of heaven is a similar usage. It's just a way of saying "Kingdom of God." See also Mat 16:1, a sign from heaven means a sign from God.

imo :
Kingdom of Heaven AND Kingdom of God are almost used interchangably in Scripture...spiritual realms.

Daniel 4:34b
I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

And His kingdom...Hebrew 4437...malkuw (Aramaic)...
A.royalty, kingship, kingly authority
B.kingdom
C.realm (of territory)
D.reign (of time)

Matthew 5:10
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

of heaven...Greek 3772...ouranos...
I.the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it
A.the universe, the world
B.the aerial heavens or sky, the region where the clouds and the tempests gather, and where thunder and lightning are produced
C.the sidereal or starry heavens
II.the region above the sidereal heavens,
the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings

For may parables/comparisons SEE: Matthew 13; 18

Kingdom of God

Mark 1:15...Jesus'first sermon...and saying,
“The time (prophecy) is fulfilled, and the "kingdom of God" (the Divine Messiah come) is at hand;
repent (turn to God) and believe in the "gospel".”
"gospel" = Jesus the Divine Messiah has come down from heaven to save man!!

Luke 17:20-21 ...Jesus preaching among inquisitors
Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said,
“The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed;
nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’
For behold, the "kingdom of God"(Jesus) is(standing) in your midst.”

1 Corinthians 15:50[ The Mystery of Resurrection ]
Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Ron Gurley said:

Kingdom of Heaven AND Kingdom of God are almost used interchangably in Scripture

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Thank you. All one has to do most of the time is to compare scripture with scripture and allow it to interpret itself and recognize the synonomy within:

17 From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mt 4

14 Now after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God,
15 and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe in the gospel. Mk 1

Winken said:

Question: What is the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew and the Kingdom of God in Mark? Are there other definitions of "Kingdom"?? What are they? (Identify scripture, please).

What about those who proclaim that the Kingdom of God is within us? Us? Is that the Body of Christ, or does it point to each of us? What about those who proclaim that we are living "as we speak" in the Kingdom of God? On earth? Within?

When Jesus returns is it to a Kingdom or THE Kingdom on earth? Where on earth? How is that Kingdom measured? Spiritually? Physically, with boundaries? If the latter, what will be beyond the boundaries.

Comments? (Please answer each question in order [sequentially] in each paragraph.) I'm getting a little too old for rambling!

Click to expand...

Excellent questions.

Most important, Jesus brought the Kingdom when he came the first time, and he explained it will not come down from the sky, but is within and among us.

The City (Revelation, and Old Testament) is a people, not a place. We are scattered through out the world, though united in Spirit.

Ultimately, The City will be without walls (as it is already), and innumerable in population. Just as 'knowledge of God will cover the earth as the waters cover the seas'.

The City is seen coming down from Heaven to earth. It is only metaphorically "in the clouds". And it is metaphorical that "we rise" (or, more specifically, the dead in Christ rise first, then after, those on earth). That said, this is a very true metaphor.

The cloud, as in, we are hidden from "earth". In quotes, as using Revelation's terminology for "earth" there.

The City is seen coming down from Heaven to earth in Revelation. And Revelation continues to describe the City as being on earth, as does the Prophets.

Every saint has their own angel, who is also described in the plural. These angels maintain our own respective worlds, and other angels maintain the world. Though, the world is subjected to us.

Another good metaphor I have heard for our own little paradise is as "an island". Which is a very good one. As is an airplane metaphor. We see the outside world as if from on above, as through windows on an airplane.

While paradise and Heaven truly, we do "carry our cross everyday", though 'our burden is light and our way easy'.

The mechanics and structure of the Kingdom are fearsome in design and implementation, I might add. You can be there without even knowing it.

But, eventually, we are all there and know it.

Winken said:

Question: What is the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew and the Kingdom of God in Mark? Are there other definitions of "Kingdom"?? What are they? (Identify scripture, please).

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Matthew 19:23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I tell you, it is difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”…

Both terms used in same scripture...

Winken said:

What about those who proclaim that the Kingdom of God is within us? Us? Is that the Body of Christ, or does it point to each of us? What about those who proclaim that we are living "as we speak" in the Kingdom of God? On earth? Within?

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It is within each of us as it relates to the image being revealed within and how (or where) we are perceiving from. The spirit of Christ in you/me/us must awaken. It is not an over here or over there physical place coming down out of the sky. When we perceive only from our own mind, we see things divided and measured...more than one, something separate/outside of self. God's kingdom is within and is the whole earth and heaven. When we can see/perceive from that spirit dwelling within, a doorj(to heaven) opens that no man can shut. In our own perceiving of the mind, it becomes a bottomless pit with a serpent that bites.

Winken said:

When Jesus returns is it to a Kingdom or THE Kingdom on earth? Where on earth? How is that Kingdom measured? Spiritually? Physically, with boundaries? If the latter, what will be beyond the boundaries.

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Behold the lamb...slain before the foundation of the world. Alpha and Omega, first and last Adam...has to do with God consciousness within and the son we have always been revealed and entered into the gates of the city/the kingdom. Single of eye. No boundaries, for He is God of all and has always ruled...just that for a time we are not able to perceive it.

In the garden since the fall, the tree of life is guarded by cherubim with flaming swords relates to the layout of the tabernacle/temple Holy of Holies, and the cherubim above the mercy seat...we are the temple not made with human hands...those who diligently seek in spirit and in truth will find it....His glory fills the temple. Adam in the beginning had dominion and clothed in glory.

Winken said:

Comments?

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All paths that begin in heaven lead to heaven.