BIBLICAL SURVEY ON...
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Our Father, Mt. 6:10)
The references to the "kingdom of God" or "kingdom of heaven" ("Thy kingdom", etc.) are quite numerous, appearing nearly 200 times, from the Old Testament to Revelation. But what exactly is this kingdom? Is it future or present? How are we connected or not to it? Let's see what the Bible says...
1. ANCIENT PROMISES
" The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." (Lc.16:16)
As Jesus explained to the multitudes, the kingdom of God had already been announced long before His birth. In the Old Testament we see the recognition of God's sovreignty and authority: in the Psalms (Sl. 145:11-13) and in the Chronicles: "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all ." (1 Cr. 29:11) To David, "a man after God's own heart" (At. 13:22) God made a suprising and wonderful promise: the reign of his house would be established forever, for from his descndency would come an eternal King to govern the kingdom of God (2 Sm. 12-16, Lc. 2:4). Afterwards, Daniel (the Old Testament book which most tells us about the kingdom of God), brings in its apocalyptic visions another promise, this one even better, for the eternal kingdom will belong to the saints (all the members of the Church of Christ (At. 26:18)).
"But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.." (Dn. 7:18)
2. CHRIST PREACHES THE KINGDOM
"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.."(Mt.9:35)
The man who most spoke in the Bible about the kingdom of God was Christ. During His short earthly ministry, it was His priority to announce the kingdom, and teach about it (At. 1:3). To those who asked Him to stay in their city, "he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also; for therefore am I sent." (Lc. 4:43) This mission didn't end with Him, either, for we can observe that "he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him." (Lc.8:1) His command to those who wished to follow Him was an urgent "go forth": "Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." (Lc.9:60) His disciples and the primitive church dedciated themselves to this calling, for as Paul declared:
"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... preaching the kingdom of God." (At.20:24-25)
3. ITS CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE
"Then said [Jesus}, Unto what is the kingdom of God like, and whereunto shall I resemble it?"(Lc. 13:18)
Why did Christ make such an effort to preach the kingdom, and why did He leave this mission for His church? Because there is nothing on earth superior in value to the kingdom of God. Jesus explained this with a series of parables: the kingdom is like a mustard seed, which once planted becomes the greatest of trees (Mt. 13:31-32), leavening which leavens all (Mt.13:33), a net which catches all types of fish (Mt. 13:47), a hidden treasure (Mt.13:44), a pearl of great value (Mt. 13:45-46). Therefore, just as the merchant who found the pearl sold all that he had to buy it (Mt. 13:46), so Jesus exhorts us not to worry about anything in this world, but rather to seek the precious kingdom of God:
"But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.." (Lc.12:31)
4. NOT ALL WILL ENTER
"The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way... Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn... The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one." (Mt.13:24-5,30,38)
Our efforts to reach this precious kingdom are necessary because Christ explicitly teaches that not all will possess it. More specifically, neither carnal men, who practice inquity and trust in themselves (1 Co. 6:9-10); nor rich men who trust in their fortunes (Mc. 10:23-24); nor hypocrites who trust in their piety (Mt 7:21, 23:13) will enter the kingdom. Those who trust in the Lord, however, will enter: the poor (Lc. 6:20), the poor in spirit (humble) (Mt. 5:3), the unjustly persecuted (Mt.5:10), the good Samaritans (Mt. 25:34), and those who battle for it (Mt. 11:12). But it will be an essential condition for all of them to be righteous, "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteosness of the scribes and the Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Mt 5:20) Perceiving the difficulty of satisfying these requirements, Christ's disciples have a very natural reaction: "And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?" (Mc.10:26). Jesus' answer already showed the way to salvation: "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."(Mc. 10:27). It is not our justice, but rather our justification in Christ (Rm.3:24), which we accept when we confess Him Lord .(Rm. 10:9), which opens for us the gates to the kingdom of heaven.
"Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born again... be born of the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (Jo. 3:3,5)
5. IT IS FUTURE -- BUT IT IS ALSO PRESENT
"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.." (Mt. 4:17)
Jesus preached with all urgency, for the kingdom of God was already part of a near future. How much more so, then, in our times! This is perhaps the most well-known definition of the kingdom of God: it is the future reign of Christ, after Judgement Day: a reign of peace and harmony among all the saints. Truly we have this prophecy, confirmed in Apocalypse: "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 forever and ever." (Ap. 11:15) But it is important for us to understand that the Bible refers to the kingdom of God not only as something future, but also as something present. When Jesus began to exorcise demons, He was accused of working in league with Satan, but explained that He wasn't part of that kingdom: "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." (Mt. 12:28) It was given to us, Christ's Church, to know the mysteries of the kingdom (Mc. 4:11), and to receive its keys (Mt.16:19). The kingdom of God is present, and manifested in each miracle of cures and liberations that we minister in the name of Jesus Christ.
"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: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.." (Lc. 17:20-21)
6. AND NOW WHAT?
"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." (Hb.12:28)
Before the perhaps surprising news that the kingdom of God not only will be ours, but is in fact already present in us, what should our attitude be? Gratefulness, of course, and joy at our salvation (Lc. 10:20). But beyond the emotional reaction, we need to present a profound change in our attitudes, and the New Testament brings us guidance. We should be express reverence, understand the importance of that which was given us (Hb.12:28). We should lead a worthy life, in order to please the One who called us (1 Ts. 2:12). We should be steadfast in adversity, knowing the great victory which awaits us, and the power of Him who is with us (2 Ts.1:3-5). Above all, we should preach! "in season, out of season" (2 Tm. 4:1-2), never forgetting our principal mission here on earth, the urgency which our Lord had and has. With each attitude of ours, each effort to live according to God's will, each moment we spend preaching His kingdom and manifesting it through miracles, we are in reality confirming our decision for Him, and our presence in His precious kingdom
"Wherefore the rather brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall; For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.." (2 Pe.1:10-11)
Olivia Kathryn Aranda Lima (2002)
Get your own Free Home Page