Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God the same?

[DaveM]

Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God the same? I have heard some say these are two different things in the bible, does anyone have any scripture to help me understand one point of view from the other?




thanks

 

[eleos1954]

Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God the same? I have heard some say these are two different things in the bible, does anyone have any scripture to help me understand one point of view from the other?




thanks

There is no real difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. The two phrases are simply two different ways to indicate the same thing: a kingdom or system of government that is ruled by God.

This power and authority to rule has been given to Jesus Christ by the Father, who is enthroned in Heaven. Christ is currently seated at the right hand of the Father. At a designated future time, the time of His second coming, Christ will then bring this rule to earth from Heaven. In this way the power and authority behind the reign of Christ can be said to be both “of God” and “of heaven.”

The phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" is only found in the gospel of Matthew. The other gospel writers stuck with the phrase "Kingdom of God." You can compare parallel verses like Matthew 4:17 with Mark 1:15 or Matthew 5:3 with Luke 6:20, where Matthew uses the phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" while Mark and Luke use "Kingdom of God" in quoting Jesus during their individual accounts of the same events.

 

[Hammster]

They are the same.

 

[HTacianas]

Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God the same? I have heard some say these are two different things in the bible, does anyone have any scripture to help me understand one point of view from the other?




thanks

They are sometimes used interchangeably, but the Kingdom of Heaven is what we think of as "heaven" while the Kingdom of God is what is planted on earth. If you read the account of Jacob's Ladder in the old testament, the ladder is a bridge between the two kingdoms.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God the same? I have heard some say these are two different things in the bible, does anyone have any scripture to help me understand one point of view from the other?




thanks

They are interchangeable. One and the same. Jesus Christ of Nazareth uses them both in the same sentence.
" Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to 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.”

 

[Der Alte]

They are interchangeable. One and the same. Jesus Christ of Nazareth uses them both in the same sentence.
" Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to 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.”

I would say that pretty much settles it.

 

[Jonaitis]

Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God the same? I have heard some say these are two different things in the bible, does anyone have any scripture to help me understand one point of view from the other? thanks

The Jewish nation called it the 'kingdom of heaven,' and envisioned it as a place where the patriarchs will reside. Thus why Lazarus was described as laying at the bosom of Abraham, and why Jesus described it as a feast where their forefathers will eat together with those who are invited. It shows how they saw the afterlife, and most Jews today still see it that way. They only fathomed that place as being with the fathers, which was heaven.

However, these descriptions meant very little for non-Jewish audience who were unfamiliar with the history and culture and beliefs of the Jewish nation. So to compensate, the other writers, including Paul, called it the 'kingdom of God.'

That is the reason.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God the same? I have heard some say these are two different things in the bible, does anyone have any scripture to help me understand one point of view from the other?




thanks

Look up parallel passages from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). In almost all cases that Mark and Luke use "kingdom of God" Matthew uses "kingdom of heaven". "Heaven" in "kingdom of heaven" is used euphemistically to speak of God. It's not really too different than, say, how in English the phrase "Heaven forbid!" means the same thing as "God forbid!" or "Heaven help us" means "God help us".

Some examples:

"And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." - Matthew 13:10-13

"And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." - Mark 4:10-12

"And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand." - Luke 8:9-10

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"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof." - Matthew 13:31-32

"And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it." - Mark 4:30-32

This happens time after time after time. Find a reference to "the kingdom of heaven" in Matthew, or the "the kingdom of God" in Mark or Luke, and you'll almost certainly find that in parallel passages, where Mark and Luke have "kingdom of God", Matthew uses "kingdom of heaven". There's no difference.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[rwb]

Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God the same? I have heard some say these are two different things in the bible, does anyone have any scripture to help me understand one point of view from the other?

thanks

The way I've come to understand the distinction between Kingdom of God/Heaven is through understanding the Kingdom of God is entered through new birth in life. And we enter the Kingdom of heaven when we die having the Spirit of God in us.

We enter the Kingdom of God when we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit by grace through faith when we believe the Gospel. John tells us that none can enter or see the Kingdom of God until we are born again of the Spirit. This is defined as Spiritual re-birth from death to life spiritually. Whoever in life have entered into the Kingdom of God in this life will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven through the Spirit of God in us when we physically die and we will be like the angels as living (spirit) souls in heaven. We will remain in the Kingdom of Heaven until Christ comes again, and we receive our resurrected immortal, incorruptible physical bodies and will live with Christ on the new earth.

 

[Guojing]

Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God the same? I have heard some say these are two different things in the bible, does anyone have any scripture to help me understand one point of view from the other?

thanks

Who will not inherit the kingdom?

In summary

1. The term “the kingdom of God” includes all of God’s workings. It is divided into two realms: “the kingdom of heaven” (redeemed nation Israel) and the Church the Body of Christ (Christians from our Dispensation of Grace). The context of the verse determines which of the two spheres is being referenced. In “the kingdom of God,” the God of the Bible is worshipped and served as King. This would immediately rule out lost people (unbelievers) and Satan and his angels. Satan is called “a king over all the children of pride” (Job 41:34).
2. The phrase “the kingdom of heaven” refers strictly to the literal, physical, visible, earthly kingdom of Israel’s program, when heaven is brought down to Earth. Paul never uses the term “kingdom of heaven” to apply to us, the Church the Body of Christ. We have no inheritance in Israel’s earthly kingdom. We are God’s heavenly people, with an inheritance in the heavenly places. The Church the Body of Christ has a role in the government of heaven, as Israel has a role in the government of earth.
3. Paul applies the term “the kingdom of God” to us, the Church the Body of Christ. Remember, opposite to redeemed Israel, the Church the Body of Christ is the other half of “the kingdom of God.” As the God of the Bible is glorified in redeemed Israel (Earth), so He is glorified in the Body of Christ (Heaven). He works in and through both of them. He is King (Ruler) in respect to both.
4. In Israel’s program only, “the kingdom of God” and “the kingdom of heaven” are sometimes used interchangeably. Remember, for Israel, “the kingdom of heaven” is the literal, physical, visible representation of “the kingdom of God.” In the form of the Messiah/Christ Jesus, Father God will be with Israel, physically, literally, and visibly.
5. The only aspect of “the kingdom of God” operating today is the Church the Body of Christ. There is no redeemed Israel today (yet future). Israel is currently fallen, and she will be restored after our dispensation. Today, there is no “kingdom of heaven” being preached, no earthly kingdom about to established, et cetera. Hence, Paul never used “kingdom of heaven” with reference to us in his epistles.