Kingdom Of Heaven Vs Kingdom Of God
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KINGDOM OF HEAVEN VS KINGDOM OF GOD
(Dispensationalism)
I. KINGDOM OF GOD (A SPIRITUAL KINGDOM WITHIN US)
1. Kingdom Of God Is Spiritual: Its Not Meat And Drink But Righteousness, Peace And Joy In The Holy Ghost
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
* not meat and drink (physical)
* it is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost
2. Kingdom Of God Is Spiritual: Take No Thought Of Physical Things (Eat, Drink, Body, Clothes) But Seek Ye First The Kingdom Of God And His Righteousness
Matthew 6:25-26, 30-33 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
* Take no thought for your life - physical
* what ye shall eat - physical
* what ye shall drink - physical
* nor yet for your body - physical
* what ye shall put on - physical
* BUT...... seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness (spiritual)
3. The Kingdom Of God Is Spiritual: Its Something We Cannot See, Nor Can We Pinpoint Its Physical Location, It Is Something Within Us
Luke 17:20-21 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.
* Noticed verse 20: “cometh not with observation” = its not something physical that we can observe and see
* Noticed verse 21: “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there” = we can't pinpoint the physical location of the Kingdom of God
* It is something within us (its spiritual)
4. How Do We Get Into The Kingdom Of God: Its By Spiritual Birth, Salvation, To Be Born Again: Except A Man Be Born Again, He Cannot See The Kingdom Of God, Need To Be Born Of The Spirit
John 3:3-7 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.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
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.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again
Wrong Teachings:
* This verse has been corrupted by many pastors and teachers. They say that in order to be born again, it is by water baptism. When christians see the word water, they immediately add baptism to it.
* There are denominations which have water baptism as a part of the plan of salvation written down in their statements of faith and their confessions and their creeds. That’s horibble. Its because they failed to rightly divide the word of truth
a. What Does Jesus Mean? Jesus Meant 2 Births: Born Of Flesh & Spirit
(i) Jesus Defines What Born Of Water Means: Its Our 1st Birth, Physical Birth, Water Birth (Born Of The Flesh)
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Eg. Water broke during pregnancy
(ii) Jesus Defines What Born Of Spirit Means: Its Our 2nd Birth, Spiritual Birth (Born Of The Spirit). The Holy Spirit Gives A New Birth To Our Dead Spirit
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
* The Holy Spirit gives a new birth to our dead spirit
Note:
* 1st Birth = Physical Water Birth eg.Water broke (Born of flesh is flesh)
* 2nd Birth = Spiritual Birth (Born of Spirit is spirit): Holy Spirit regenerates, made alive, gives birth to our dead spirit
* Unless we have these 2 births, we cannot enter the Kingdom Of God
b. Born Of The Spirit Means Being Born Of God
John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
5.How Do We Get The Image Of God? Its By The Gospel Of Christ: Lest The Light Of The Glorious Gospel Of Christ Who Is The Image Of God Shine Unto Them
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
* If we have the spiritual birth, we also have the image of God
* The image of God is found in the gospel of Christ
* When we believe on Jesus for salvation, that's when we receive the image of God
6. Kingdom Of God Is A Spiritual Kingdom For Us In The Church Age: The Book Of Acts Never Uses The Term "Kingdom Of Heaven" Rather Only Uses The Term "Kingdom Of God"
Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Acts 20:24-25 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
Acts 28:23, 31 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
7. Christians Are Delivered From The Power of Darkness And Transformed Into The Kingdom Of His Dear Son
Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
8. These Christian Fellow Workers Are Working Within A System Of The Kingdom Of God
Colossians 4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
Note:
* When we get saved, we get the image of God which is connected to the Kingdom of God
II. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (AN EARHTLY PHYSICAL KINGDOM)
A. EARTHLY PHYSICAL PROMISES GOD MADE WITH THE JEWS
A. ABRAHAMIC COVENANT
1. The Covenant With The Jews Is Everlasting, Never Broken
a. The Covenant Is Everlasting
Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
b. The Covenant Is Never Broken
Judges 2:1 And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.
2. Jews Will Have Their Land Grant (River of Egypt to Great River Euphrates)
Genesis 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
* not fulfill yet
* The land God promised to the Jews is way much bigger than what they are having now. They are only occupying a very small part of this promised land
3. Those Who Bless And Curse The Jews Will Get The Same In Return
Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
4. Jews Will Multiply
Genesis 17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
* not fulfill yet
5. Abrahamic Covenant Theme Is Bound By Promise
a. Abraham’s Covenant Was Bound By Promise
Galatians 3:17-18 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
b. With Abraham: Blessed To Become A Great Nation
Genesis 12:1-2 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
c. With Isaac: Getting Promises Of Abraham, Blessings, Getting Countries, Multiplication Of His Seed, Because Of His Seed All Nations Blessed
Genesis 26:1-4 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
d. With Jacob: Getting Promises Of Abraham, The Land, Fruitful And Multiplication Of The Jews
Genesis 28:3-5 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
4 And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.
5 And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.
e. With Jacob’s Descendants: About Getting The Promised Land
Genesis 50:24 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Note:
* This is about God’s promises to the Jews about their promised land, blessings and multiplication of Jews
B. DAVIDIC COVENANT
1. Jews Will Live In a Place Of Peace Where No One Will Inflict Them
2 Samuel 7:10 Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime,
* not fulfill yet
2. David's Seed Will Built a Temple For God, David's Seed Will Be The Messiah Who Will Reign Forever
a. This Verse Is About Solomon And Jesus
2 Samuel 7:12-14 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
* partial fulfill (fulfill Solomon’s part but not Jesus part as the Messiah who will reign forever)
* This verse is not only applicable for Solomon but to Jesus Christ too
* Noticed verse 13 (part b) and verse 14 (part a): “I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son”. This is talking about Jesus
* Noticed verse 14 (part 2): “If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:” This is not about Jesus, this is refering back to Solomon
* Here we can that this verse splits itself into a different time period and to different people
* This shows dispensationalism is in this verse and why it is so important to righthly divide
* Compare it with Hebrews 1:5. It shows that it is refering to Jesus and not Solomon
b. This Verse Is About Jesus Christ
Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
* Noticed what God said about Jesus, His Son (capital S)
* Noticed verse 5 (part b): “I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?"
* Where was this verse quoted from? Its From 2 Samuel 7:14
* So, 2 Samuel 7:14 is refering to Jesus but not all of 2 Samuel 7:14 refers to Jesus. The 2nd part is refering back to Solomon
* How do we confirm this is the right interpretation? Because other verses shows it. We are to compare scripture with scripture to find the right interpretation
3. The Jewish Kingdom Will Reign Forever
2 Samuel 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
* not fulfill yet
C. MESSIANIC PROPHECIES AND DAVIDIC KINGDOM
1. Prophecy To The Jews About Their Messiah Who Will Govern And Reign On The Throne Of David On Earth Forever
Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
* Noticed it’s a promised of a physical earthly kingdom reign of Jesus on the throne of David
* the verse talks about Jesus forming a government with judgement and justice and increase of governance with peace forever
Note:
* These covenant and prophecies shows that God made many earthly physical promises with the Jews
* Here we can also see there are many promises of God to the Jews still are unfulfilled
* Abrahamic Covenant is about God’s promise to the Jews about their promised land, blessings and multiplication of Jews
* Davidic Covenant is about God’s promise to the Jews about an everlasting Davidic kingdom where they will stay in peace where no one will afflict them and they will have their ruling Messiah
* Prophesy from Isaiah is also about the everlasting kingdom on earth where their Messiah will reign on the throne of David forever
* The Jews lost their kingdom and their land at the time of Jeconiah (David’s line of kings) during the babylon captivity.
* Every Jew is hoping and waiting for their promised Messiah, kingdom and land
B. JESUS COMING MATCHES ABOUT FULFILLING THE PROMISES GOD MADE WITH THE JEWS (ABOUT THEIR MESSIAH AND KINGDOM)
1. The Bible Tells Us Jesus Ministry Was To The Jews
a. Paul Tells Us Jesus Came For The Jews To Confirm The Promises Made Unto The Fathers
Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
* circumcission = the Jews
* Who are the fathers? They are the older generation Jews (Abraham to David)
* What are the promises made unto to the fathers? Its the covenant promises and Messianic prophecies
b. Jesus Tells Us He Came Only For The Jews
Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
c. Jesus Even Told The Disciples Only To Go To The Jews And Don't Go To The Gentiles
Matthew 10:5-6 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
* At this time, God was not ready to go the gentiles yet, only to Jews right now
2. The Jewish Mindset Is They Were Waiting For Their Promised King, Their Messiah Prophesied In The Old Testament: When Jesus Came, The Jews Were Rejoicing
a. Hosanna Blessed Is The King Of Israel
John 12:12-13 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
b. They Cried Hosanna, Blessed Is He That Cometh In The Name Of The Lord, Blessed Be The Kingdom Of Our Father David
Mark 11:9-10 And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
Note:
* The Jews were waiting for their promised King, Messiah who will setup His kingdom
* The Millenium 1000 rule of Jesus literally on this earth is the "Kingdom Of Heaven"
* The Jews thought that Jesus would be their King and setup His kingdom and kick out the Romans out.
* Why would they think that? Because Jesus preached that
3. What Did Jesus Preach To The Jews?
a. Jesus Preached To The Jews About The Gospel Of The Kingdom
Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
* Before we say this is the same gospel of the death, buriel and ressurection of Jesus Christ, the easy answer to debunk this is that there was no death, buriel and ressurection Jesus Christ yet at that time.
* By the way, none of the people knew about the death, buriel and ressurection of Jesus Christ.
* How can the disciples preach it if they don't even know it?
* This is another gospel. Its the gospel of the kingdom
(i) This Gospel Of The Kingdom Is For Jews
Matthew 4:23-25 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.
* This gospel is for Jews. Why? Because Jesus is preaching about the kingdom that they've always been waiting for
* Noticed all the names of these places and the Jews are accompanying Him: Galillee, synagogues, Syria, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, Jordan
4. Jesus Emphasizing To The Jews That He Is The Promised Messiah. He Is Here. And Asking Them To Accept Him
a. Jesus Said He Came In His Father's Name
John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
b. Jesus Telling He Is The One Sent From The Father
John 7:26-30 But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?
27 Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
28 Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.
29 But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
30 Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come.
* The pharisees rejected the message that Jesus preached, that Jesus was He, the Messiah, the promised seed of Israel
c. Jesus Says "I Am The Messiah, I Am He"
John 4:25-26 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
d. Jesus Keeps On Emphasizing "I Am He"
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
John 9:9 Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he.
John 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
John 18:5-6 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
John 18:8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
Matthew 16:13-16 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Note:
* God is telling the Jews was that He is the promised Messiah they are waiting for. He is here to setup their promised Messianic Davidic Kingdom on earth. Its coming, its at hand, any moment now if the Jews would just accept him
C. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN MATCHES THE PROMISED EARTHLY PHYSICAL DAVIDIC KINGDOM
1. The Kingdom Of Heaven Is An Earthly Physical Kingdom: Kingdom Of Heaven Suffereth Violence And The Violent Take It By Force
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
* Noticed the verse: kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force
* Its talking about an earthly physical kingdom
Wrong Teachings:
* Many christians teach that Kingdom of Heaven is the same as Kingdom Of God
* Or there are some people who are confused thinking that Kingdom of Heaven means going to heaven
* Look at that verse again, how can heaven or the spiritual Kingdom of God have violence and chaos?
* There's no way that's talking about holy heaven or the spiritual Kingdom Of God where there's suffering and violence especially violent people taking it by force
* The bible is talking about the promised earthly Davidic kingdom for the Jews and the Jews understood it
* Kingdom of Heaven is definitely not the same as Kingdom of God and it does not mean going to heaven
2. First Time Mention Of Kingdom Of Heaven Is By John The Baptist: Repent For The Kingdom Of Heaven Is At Hand, Its A Prophecy From Isaiah
Matthew 3:2-3 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
* Is at hand = its coming, its nearby
* what were the Jews waiting for? They were waiting for their promised Messiah who will bring in their promised Davidic Kingdom and and give them their promised land
* When John the baptist said this, it was a fulfillment of the book of Isaiah where it said that there will be a prophet who will prophesy about a physical kingdom for Israel
3. Look At The Book Of Isaiah: Voice Of One Crying In The Wilderness, Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord
Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
a. Look At The Context To See What Isaiah Thinks About It When Isaiah Quoted It. Isaiah Thinks About It As An Earthly Kingdom
Isaiah 40:4-5, 9, 15-16, 23 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
23 That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.
* Verse 4: valley, mountain, hill = earthly
* Verse 5: all flesh shall see it = everybody on earth shall see God
* Verse 9: Zion = located on earth,
* Verse 9: cities of Judah = located on earth
* Verse 9: Behold your God = look at God, because God is going to be on the earth
* Verse 15: nations of the earth = they are conquered
* Verse 16: Lebanon = an earthly area is conquered
* Verse 23: the princes = they are done
* all this proves God will rule on earth. Its a physical kingdom on earth
* Its an earthly conquest, and earthly kingdom that God's going to establish on the earth
* That's what was prophesied, a Messiah who will rule over the earth
* When John the baptist preached to the Jews, the Jews knew what it was about, its an earthly kingdom
4. What Did Jesus Preach To The Jews?
a. Jesus Preached To The Jews About The "Kingdom Of Heaven" Is At Hand, Its Near, Its Coming And How To Go About Living In That Kingdom
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 5:3, 10, 19, 20 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
b. Jesus Even Preached To Them About The Rules To Enter God’s Earthly Kingdom (Matthew 5-7): Its Not Faith Alone In Jesus Death, Buriel And Ressurection. It Sounds Like A Works Gospel
Matthew 5:20, 22, 29-30 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
* That's why it makes sense about the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus gave all these rules of what to do when this Kingdom of Heaven comes.
* Why? When you have God Himself ruling on the earth as King over the world, His kingdom is going to be full of rules and its going to be a land of perfection where people can't commit sins.
* See, dispensationalism makes sense. Sermon on the Mount Is talking about that physical earthly kingdom that God is going to bring.
* So, did the Jews accepted it? No. So that's why that kingdom wasn't there
c. Many Shall Sit Down With Abraham, Isaac And Jacob In The "Kingdom Of Heaven"
Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
* In that kingdom, Jesus is going to let those old testament Jews comeback
d. Jesus Called The Pharisees And Scribes Hypocrites, They Are Shutting The Door Of The "Kingdom Of Heaven"
Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
* The Pharisees and scribes are fighting against God setting up the physical earthly kingdom to Israel
* Jesus called them hypocrites because they are shutting the door of the kingdom, so they can't go in and people who wants to go in can't get in either
e. God Even Told His Disciples To Go Only To The Jews To Preach The "Kingdom Of Heaven" Is At Hand
Matthew 10:5-7 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
* Go only to the Jews and preach kingdom of heaven is at hand
Note:
* When Jesus preached about the kingdom, why did the Jews think of it as a literal earthly physical kingdom? Because it was fulfillment of old testament covenants and prophecy where it says that a Messiah will come with a literal physical kingdom and the Jews were expecting that
* Even the disciples were anticipating and expecting that promised physical kingdom on earth for the Jews after Jesus raised Himself from the dead
5. Disciples Anticipating Their Promised Kingdom: After Jesus Resurrected, They Asked Jesus If He Will At This Time Restore Again The Kingdom To Israel
Acts 1:6-7 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
* Restore again = that means they previously already had a kingdom
* Kingdom to Israel = that means the kingdom that Jesus was preaching was the physical Kingdom of Heaven for the nation of Israel
III. HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND KINGDOM OF GOD
1. God Appointed Adam To Take Charge Of God's Physical Kingdom Of Heaven: Be Fruitful, Multiply, Replenish, Subdue, Have Dominion Over Every Living Thing
Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Note:
* Originally God appointed that physical kingdom to Satan, that's why at Genesis 3, Satan tempted Adam & Eve so that he can get his kingdom back
* Did Satan get his kingdom back? Yes, that's why he is the god of this world
2. God Also Gave Adam The Spiritual Kingdom Of God: When God Created Adam, Adam Was Created In The Image Of God
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
* Adam and born again christians are in the image of God. When we're in the image of God, it connects to the Kingdom of God
Note:
* Adam was in charge of physical and spiritual areas (full dominant control)
* Creation was in full perfection this time
3. Adam Sinned And Lost The Image Of God: This Verse Contrast Adam With Jesus Christ, Jesus Has The Image Of The Heavenly (The Image Of God) But Adam Only Has The Image Of The Earthy
1 Corinthians 15:45-49 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
* When Adam ate the fruit, the spirit died. Since the image of God is spiritual, the Kingdom of God was also lost
4. All Mankind After Adam Are Not In The Image Of God, They Are In The Image Of Adam
Genesis 5:3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:
Note:
* God appointed Adam to take charge of the physical Kingdom Of Heaven and was also given access to God's Spiritual Kingdom Of God.
* Adam lost the spiritual Kingdom of God because he lost the image of God when his spirit died after he sinned by eating the fruit.
* The Kingdom Of God is absent and is not available from this time onwards until Jesus comes to the scene
* The Kingdom Of Heaven was also corrupted as mankind corrupted the earth
* The devil took control over the physical Kingdom of Heaven and Adam now has a limited control
* From now onwards, we are going to see two different physical kingdoms on earth that is a physical kingdom of satan and a physical kingdom from God which is the Kingdom Of Heaven
5. After The Flood, Noah Carried On The Kingdom Of Heaven: Noah Was Appointed To Take Charge Of God's Physical Kingdom Of Heaven: Be Fruitful, Multiply, Replenish, Fear Of You Upon The Animals, In Your Hands Are They Delivered
Genesis 9:1-2 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.
2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
* Notice verse 2: into your hand are they delivered
6. What Happened To Mankind After Noah? Tower Of Babel: Mankind Sinned Againts God And The Kingdom Of Heaven Was Corrupted
Genesis 11:5-8 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
Note:
* Mankind has control over the physical kingdom of Heaven through Noah but mankind mess up again by building the Tower Of Babel and God’s judgement to them was to scatter them.
7. Abraham Carried On The Kingdom Of Heaven: Abraham Was Appointed. God To Bless Abraham To Be A Great Nation
Genesis 12:1-2 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Note:
* So now God's physical Kingdom Of Heaven became smaller and it was appointed to Abraham (God chose a race through the nation of Israel)
* Abraham is the father of the Jews
* That's why Kingdom of Heaven is aimed towards the Jews
* What happened to the nation of israel? they kept messing up and God sent them Judges
* We notice the gap how mankind falls more and more into apostasy and the Kingdom Of Heaven is getting more and more limited
* Even during the time of Moses, the nation of Israel kept messing up
* We will notice throughout history while God's appointed physical kingdom (the Kingdom Of Heaven) was running with the Jews, we are able to notice that Satan also had his own physical kingdoms operating simoultaneously
8. God's Physical Kingdom Was Constantly At War With Satan's Physical Kingdom
Deutornomy 13:12-16 If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying,
13 Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;
14 Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;
15 Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.
16 And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.
9. Who Is The God Of This World? Who Does These Physical Kingdoms On Earth Belong To? Its Satan
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
* God gave these kingdoms to Satan, that's why it belongs to Satan
10. God Speaking To The King Of Assyria. Why Did God Call Satan The King Of Assyria? The Actual Real King Of Assyria Is Satan
Ezekial 31:1-9 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness?
3 Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs.
4 The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.
5 Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth.
6 All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.
7 Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.
8 The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chesnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.
9 I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him.
11. This Is Not Some Human Pharoah. This Also Refers To Satan
Ezekial 29:2-4 Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt:
3 Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers, which hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself.
4 But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.
* Somethings in the bible can be refered to the human king but somethings cannot because it is Satan within it.
12. Coniah (Jechoniah) Was The Last King Who Lost The Kingdom Of Heaven. Israel Lost Their Physical Kingdom
Jeremiah 22:28-30 Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?
29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.
* This was the last king of Israel and he was the guy who caused the Jews to loose their nation and their physical kingdom
13. The Nation Of Israel Lost Their Kingdom After The Babylonian Conquered Israel: Lamentation Of Jeremiah Recognising They Lost Their Physical Kingdom
Lamentations 5:16 The crown is fallen from our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned!
Note:
* Because mankind kept falling into apostasy, the Kingdom Of Heaven became smaller and smaller and now its gone
* Israel lost their nation here and they never had their nation until 1948
* Now the physical kingdoms of this world completely belongs to Satan
* This time onwards is known as the "Times Of The Gentiles" and the gentiles are in charge of the physical kingdoms of the world under the control of Satan
* The Jews had to be under the submission to the Gentiles
14. Times Of The Gentiles: Rome Was In Charge Of The Kingdom, Under Satan, John The Baptist Came To Make Path For Jesus
Luke 3:1-3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,
2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
15. Jesus Came And Offered Them The Kingdom Of God And Kingdom Of Heaven To The Jews
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Note:
* Why would Jesus say Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and Kingdom of God is at hand?
* If God reigned a physical kingdom on earth, we will already have God present and because God is a spirit, thus a spiritual kingdom is also available as well
* So there will be both physically kingdom and spiritual kingdom together present
16. Times Of The Gentiles: Satan Showed Jesus All The Kingdoms, God Gave The Kingdoms To Satan And Satan Can Give It To Whomsoever Satan Wants
Luke 4:5-6 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
* Satan told Jesus that these kindgoms were delivered to him and Satan can give it back to Jesus
17. The Jews Rejected Jesus As Their King And Chose Caesar As King Instead
John 19:15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
18. Disciples Anticipating Their Promised Kingdom: After Jesus Resurrected, They Asked Jesus If He Will At This Time Restore Again The Kingdom To Israel
Acts 1:6-7 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
* Restore again = that means they previously already had a kingdom
* Kingdom to Israel = that means the kingdom that Jesus was preaching was the physical Kingdom of Heaven for the nation of Israel
19. 3 Times The Jews Rejected God To Setup The "Kingdom Of Heaven"
a. God The Father: John Was Sent By God The Father
Matthew 21:23-27 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?
24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.
27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
John 1:23, 33 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
* When they rejected John the baptist, they rejected God the Father
* John the baptist was sent by God the Father
b. God The Son: Crucify Jesus
Mark 15:11-14 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.
12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?
13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.
14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.
* When they rejected Jesus, they rejected God the Son
c. God The Holy Spirit: Stephen Was Stoned To Death
Acts 7:51-59 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
* Jesus was standing ready to come back to setup the physical kingdom of Heaven
* When they killed Stephen, they rejected God The Holy Spirit
20. What About The Kingdom Of God? It Was Brought Back: Jesus Gave The Kingdom Of God To Everyone Who Believed On Jesus For Salvation, Christians Can Work Within The Kingdom Of God Now
Romans 14:17-18 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
21. We Are Working In The Kingdom Of God Right Now: These Christian Fellow Workers Are Working Within A System Of The Kingdom Of God
Colossians 4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.
Note:
* In the church age, the Kingdom Of God is brought back but not the Kingdom of Heaven
* Once the tribulation and end time hits, notice that both the Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God will be together
22. In The End, The Kingdom Of Heaven And Kingdom Of God Will Be Restored: Kingdoms Of This World Are Become The Kingdoms Of Our Lord
Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
23. The 2nd Advent Is The Main Theme In The Entire Bible, The Most Important Event To God Is When He Gets Back What Rightfully Belongs To Him
Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Note:
* 1000 years reign of Christ = Millenial Kingdom = Kingdom of Heaven
IV. SUMMARY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
