2007-10-21 15:16:36 · 9 answers · asked by Virginia B (John 16:33) 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good question. In fact there is no difference. See the bottom of my study on the kingdom of God at http://www.bcbsr.com/survey/kingdom.html where I prove there is not distinction in meaning in view of parallel passages.
2007-10-21 15:42:53 · answer #1 · answered by Steve Amato 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This explanation makes good sense to me.
Matthew was Jewish and would have preferred not to write the word "God". So he used Kingdom of Heaven instead.
A couple of good verses to ponder -
Mark 10:15 "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Luke 17:20,21 "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you."
Put those two verses together and the concept becomes clearer.
2007-10-21 15:22:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The kingdom of heaven is when Christ has put down all those opposed to Him and rules as King of kings- Rev 11:15
That term is only used in Matthew where Christ is portrayed as King.
the Kingdom of God is a spiritual state where one can serve the living God getting to know Him and His Son Jesus Christ
"Neither shall they say Lo here! or, LO there! for behold the kingdom of God is within you" Luke 17:21
2007-10-21 15:27:06 · answer #3 · answered by jason d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
This is Jesus talking.....referring to himself....for Jesus is the kingdom of God. And Matthew does use the word God here...
John the Baptist....while he was baptisting in the Jordon River....said these words
Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
This was referring to Jesus again. Jesus is the kingdom of heaven.
Here a couple of verses which are clear that the kingdom of God is both Jesus and the place where God is.....
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
I see this verse as this.......unless one becomes born again. and their spirit is born anew....they can not "see" Christ. The world is blind to Christ.....however
Joh 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.
You can also not enter or "get into" the kingdom of God .....i.e...Heaven.....unless you are born again.
So I think that the kingdom of God/heaven is both Jesus and the place where Jesus reigns forever....heaven. Depending on the verse, or could mean both places, depending on the verse.....
2007-10-21 16:00:54 · answer #4 · answered by bandaidgirl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They both mean the same thing.
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.
2007-10-21 15:36:29 · answer #5 · answered by Freedom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
These are different terms that describe the same thing.
The Kingdom of God, will rule from the heavens.
2007-10-21 15:20:18 · answer #6 · answered by Tim 47 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The kingdom of God is the Lord's true restored church on earth--the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The kingdom of heaven is the eternal place where God and His Son reside.
2007-10-21 15:20:27 · answer #7 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Sounds like the same thing to me.
2007-10-21 15:23:00 · answer #8 · answered by Sick Puppy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing, they both exist in minds of the brained washed ones.
2007-10-21 15:20:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋