Kingdom of Heaven versus Kingdom of God
The phrase “the Kingdom of God” is synonymous with “the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Some writers in the Bible simply prefer one over the other; it is not meant to designate two different concepts or kingdoms. (Mark and Luke used “Kingdom of God,” whereas Matthew used “Kingdom of heaven.”)
These phrases can perhaps be best understood by considering that Jesus desires to brings heaven’s rule to earth. Under his rule, there are benefits and responsibilities to his subjects—the church.
Jesus explains about the Kingdom of God/Heaven through parables:
- The parable of the Weeds [Matthew 13:24-30]
- The parable of Scattering Seed [Mark 4:26-27]
- The parable of the Mustard Seed [Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:31-32, Luke 13:18-19]
- The parable of Yeast [Matthew 13:33, Luke 13:20-21]
- The parable of the Hidden Treasure [Matthew 13:44]
- The parable of the Pearl [Matthew 13:45]
- The parable of the Net [Matthew 13:47-48]
- The parable of Settling Accounts [Matthew 18:23-35]
- The parable of the Workers in the Vineyard [Matthew 20:1-16]
- The parable of the Wedding Banquet [Matthew 22:2-14]
- The parable of the Ten Virgins [Matthew 25:1-13]
Consider how do these parables can change our view of God and our relationship to him.
Read more in Peter’s new book, Living Water: 40 Reflections on Jesus’s Life and Love from the Gospel of John, available everywhere in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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