Are the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven the same thing?
The Kingdom of God was so central to the preaching of Jesus Christ that the “Kingdom of God” you could say is like the 'catch-phrase' in Jesus’ preaching.
Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Jesus was always talking about the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Heaven and the Gospel of the kingdom. In particular, the synoptic gospels are filled with texts about the kingdom of God. In the New Testament the phrase ‘the Kingdom of God’ occurs 66 times in 65 verses. The phrase ‘the Kingdom of heaven’ occurs in 32 times in 31 verses (Matthew only).
Most bible scholars think the phrases kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven are interchangeable although there is a difference in the Greek phrases. The reason scholars think they are the same are,
Only Matthew uses Kingdom of heaven and that he was trying to avoid upsetting his Jewish readers by constantly mentioning the name 'God'.
2. Matthew`s usage parallels that of the other Gospel writers i.e. it is used to say the same things, for an example see below,
Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Compare this to
Luke 13:20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
The Kingdom of Heaven is a kingdom from heaven, not heaven, not a kingdom in heaven. God reigns supreme in heaven. Heaven is the locus of His authority, the point from which he rules the universe. The words “of heaven” then are referring to the origin of this Kingdom. It is the place from which the Kingdom is coming from, not a destination in this context.
Mark 1:14 (see above)
The main thrust of the word for kingdom has the thrust of the reign of a king, or that which the king reigns over.
Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Thus, it is a fundamental truth for each born again believer that the kingdom of God means the rule of Jesus Christ is within you.
This means his kingly rule should be in each and every part of our lives, spirit, soul and body.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God
Introducing the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, we learn that King Jesus became a man who took the sins of the whole world onto his body on the cross. King Jesus suffered and died that he might enter His Father`s Kingdom.
If you are a seeker
Believe on King Jesus today, turn from your sins and receive his pardon and welcome the Kingdom of God within you.
Kneel at His feet, confess you are a sinner and make Him King over your life. Here is a way of how to do it.
The bible is clear Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
We now need to turn this belief into a prayer spoken from your heart (below is an example of this).
Dear Jesus , thank you for taking my punishment on the cross, which I deserve for all the wrong things I have done in the past. Help me turn away from the ways of this world and all its the false promises. I ask now for your forgiveness and a fresh start in my life. I invite the Holy Spirit into my heart and mind to show me how to live from this time on. Amen
You now need to start praying, reading your bible and find a church where they teach and believe the bible.
Bless you , the angels in heaven are rejoicing over your decision to turn to God.
If you are a believer
This is the Gospel of the Kingdom. Let us continue to introduce the unbelievers to King Jesus through his wonderful Gospel.
Amen
For a list of scriptures about the Kingdom of God please click on the link below
See also the teaching below 'Jesus explains the new birth'