This topic is very important. Your view of this subject will determine what you believe about Bible prophecy, and the Messiah. It can even determine whether or not you believe that Jesus is the Messiah.
And really, it all comes down to the same question: Is this a figure of speech referring to a spiritual Kingdom, or it is literally talking about an earthly, political kingdom?
Kingdom of Heaven
We also see the term “Kingdom of Heaven” in the Bible. It is only found in the book of Matthew. Now we know that the Kingdom of Heaven synonymous with “Kingdom of God” because we see where Matthew says “Kingdom of Heaven”, other gospels say “Kingdom of God”.
Mat 3:1-2 NKJV – 1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Mar 1:4, 15 NKJV – 4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. … 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Mat 5:3 NKJV – 3 “Blessed [are] the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Luk 6:20 NKJV – 20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “Blessed [are you] poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.
Mat 8:11 NKJV – 11 “And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
Luk 13:28-29 NKJV – 28 “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.
29 “They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.
Mat 11:12 NKJV – 12 “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Luk 16:16 NKJV – 16 “The law and the prophets [were] until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.
Mat 13:31 NKJV – 31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,
Mar 4:30-31 NKJV – 30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? 31 “[It is] like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth;
Luk 13:18-19 NKJV – 18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 “It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”
Mat 18:1-3 NKJV – 1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mar 10:14-15 NKJV – 14 But when Jesus saw [it], He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Luk 18:16-17 NKJV – 16 But Jesus called them to [Him] and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17 “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Mat 19:23 NKJV – 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mar 10:23 NKJV – 23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”
Luk 18:24 NKJV – 24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!
Therefore, we see that the terms “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Kingdom of God” are synonymous and can be used interchangably!
Setting
The concept of the Kingdom of God first appears in the Book of Enoch:
40.9 And he said to me: “This first one, is the Holy Michael, the merciful and long-suffering. And the second, who is in charge of all the diseases, and in charge of all the wounds of the sons of men, is Raphael. And the third, who is in charge of all the powers, is the Holy Gabriel. And the The Book of Enoch 60 fourth, who is in charge of repentance and hope of those who will inherit eternal life, is Phanuel.” 40.10 And these are the four Angels of the Lord Most High; and the four voices that I heard in those days. 41.1 And after this, I saw all the secrets of Heaven, and how the Kingdom is divided, and how the deeds of men are weighed in the Balance.
But the term “Kingdom of God” in it’s literal verbatim form does not appear in the “Old Testament”.
It’s first appearance is found in the apocrypha – “Book of Wisdom”, aka “Wisdom of Solomon”, which is dated ~50 B.C.
Wisdom of Solomon 10:10 When the righteous fled from his brother’s wrath she guided him in right paths, shewed him the Kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travels, and multiplied the fruit of his labours.
Spiritual
Luk 16:16 NKJV – 16 “The law and the prophets [were] until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.
Luk 17:20-21 NKJV – 20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 “nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Mount of Transfiguration
Mat 16:28 NKJV – 28 “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Mat 17:1-8 NKJV – 1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard [it], they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Mar 9:1-4 NKJV – 1 And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” 2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
Mar 9:1-4 NKJV – 1 And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” 2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
Gospel of John
Jhn 18:36 NKJV – 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
How to Enter
Mat 5:20 NKJV – 20 “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:20 NKJV – 20 “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds [the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:3 NKJV – 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:23-24 NKJV – 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 “And again I say to 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.”
Mar 9:47 NKJV – 47 “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire–
Mar 10:24 NKJV – 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!
Jhn 3:5 NKJV – 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Mat 7:21-23 NKJV – 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’