2007-07-22 16:10:11 · 21 answers · asked by leikevy 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There is some debate on this issue. Some believe that the Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven are referring to different things. In contrast to the phrase “kingdom of God” which occurs 68 times in 10 different New Testament books, the phrase “kingdom of heaven” occurs only 32 times, and only in the Gospel of Matthew. In response to this, some interpreters have come to the conclusion, with the understanding of the Jewish nature of the Gospel Matthew, that Matthew was writing concerning the millennial kingdom while the other New Testament authors were referring to the universal kingdom. However, a study of the use of the phrase reveals that this interpretation is in error.
For example, in the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-24, Christ uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven” to speak of the spiritual kingdom. “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.” (Matthew 19:24) So, all in near context to one another, Christ uses the phrase “kingdom of God” and “kingdom of heaven” with both referring to the spiritual kingdom in answer to the rich young ruler’s question concerning eternal life (Matthew 19:16). Christ used both phrases interchangeably to refer to the spiritual kingdom.
Mark and Luke used the phrase “kingdom of God” where Matthew used “kingdom of heaven” quite frequently. In the same parable, the authors used different words, indicating that the two are interchangeable. Compare Matthew 11:11-12 with Luke 7:28, Matthew 13:11 with 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, Matthew 22:2 with Luke 13:29. In each of these instances, Matthew used the phrase “kingdom of heaven” while Mark and/or Luke used “kingdom of God”. Clearly, the two phrases are interchangeable, with the meaning being determined solely by the immediate context.
Recommended Resource: The Moody Handbook of Theology by Paul Enns.
2007-07-22 16:15:50 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Kingdom of Heaven = Planet Heaven, where the Father has HIS Throne (for now)
Earth is a copy of Planet Heaven.
Kingdom of GOD = Parallel Universe to Our Universe, where GOD Almighty Reigns Supreme
When you Enter the Kingdom of GOD and your on the Earth, you are Walking in Holiness.
GOD can use you to perform Miracles then.
HIS Power can Flow through You, at that Time, if GOD so desires.
If you have not Entered the Kingdom of GOD, GOD cannot use you in a Powerful way (no Miracles).
To go to Heaven, just get Saved.
To go to Heaven and have alot of REWARDS waiting for you, get Saved and Learn how to Enter into the Kingdom of GOD.
2007-07-22 16:23:27 · answer #2 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Kingdom of God goes on past the current Heaven and Earth. Heaven and Earth will pass away.
2007-07-22 16:18:20 · answer #3 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When we speak of the Kingdom of God, we are referring to God's rule of his people; both here on the earth as well as in Heaven. In the Kingdom of God, He is the eternal King. A person becomes a part of the Kingdom of God, from the time that they accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The Kingdom of God is not necessarily referring to a place, but to his eternal rule. Heaven is referring to the eternal place where Christians go when they leave this earth; whether it takes place by them facing death upon this earth, or if they live until the rapture of the Church; when Jesus returns to take all of his children back to Heaven with Him.
2007-07-22 16:24:23 · answer #4 · answered by Calvin S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term the Kingdom of Heaven appears mostly in the Gospel of Matthew and is equivalent to the term the Kingdom of God. Matthew's Gospel was directed chiefly towards Jewish readers and they were (and are) loath to use the word God (which is why you will frequently see them write G-d), as this is deemed irreverent. Otherwise of course heaven is used in the spiritual sense of the realm where God dwells. Technically the term Kingdom of God is broader in the sense that it refers not only to the Heavenly realm but also to wherever God's authority and rule are submitted to. The Kingdom of God is spoken of in the New Testament as a present reality which true believers experience (eg., "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17); but also a future reality where Jesus the Messiah (Christ) will physically rule and reign over the earth in the Millennium from His throne in Jerusalem.
2007-07-22 16:22:09 · answer #5 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are the same thing. People just use different words to refer to Heaven. Examples: Kingdom of God, Heaven, Eternity, Glory, Promised Land, etc.
Personally, I like to refer to Heaven as HOME!!!
2007-07-22 16:45:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kingdom of God inside the hearts
kingdom of heaven His place,with the saved peoples.
Revelation 21:3
he siad ask first for kingdom of God not heaven.
2007-07-22 16:28:52 · answer #7 · answered by Mosa A 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heaven is part of the Kingdom of God, which is everything he created. There is no "difference". Heaven is just one part of the kingdom.
2007-07-22 16:13:36 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Kingdom of God is all inclusive (Heaven and earth and the universe) and Heaven is the Dwelling place of God.
2007-07-22 16:13:13 · answer #9 · answered by Nora Explora 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Think of heaven as a country, and the Kingdom of God spans countrywide.
2007-07-22 16:14:38 · answer #10 · answered by nobody 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋