Go to Homepage

In this teaching about the kingdom of God we will encounter and clear up a number of false teachings that have been born out of misunderstandings. One of these teachings is that the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are two separate things. There are many other issues that will be confronted in this teaching.

It is important to realize that the kingdom of God has been around since before Adam was created and placed in the Garden of Eden. Often times we view it has having begun with the preaching of John the Baptist in the New Testament. The truth is that Adam himself was in the kingdom of God and was the first man to ever be in it. Because of this we will probably see him after the coming of the Lord while we are rejoicing in Heaven. Luke clearly told us that Adam was a son of God in the book of Luke.
Luke 3:38: Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

All of God’s children are in the kingdom of God whether they are on this earth or in heaven they are all a part of it. It simply amounts to those who are under the authority of God. This would include being subject to the Godhead from which the Government is given. All the angels and of course all the human beings who have been given grace down through the ages and have been adopted into the family of God and are in the kingdom.

The children of Adam from his son Seth began to serve God. Genesis 4:26: And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

This is the family line: the sons of God. Those who serve God and are accepted by grace are in the kingdom of God. It is from these sons of God that a false teaching about angels has appeared. This is a teaching that says that angels from heaven came down to earth and married the daughters of men.
Genesis 6: 1: And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
2: That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

The sons of God in the scriptures above were not angels, but were from the people on this earth that called upon the Lord, those that God considered as his sons. It is no different than someone in Church today that marries an unbeliever and is unequally yoked together with them. Or of a Jew marrying a Gentile that worshipped idols in Biblical times. Anytime God’s children marry a person who does not believe in him; it is troubling to him. It is to set a course of problems in most cases. A good example is that of Solomon who was convinced by his many foreign wives to worship gods in the Temple that he himself had build for God Almighty. Another point is that angels do not marry and they are not given in marriage according to the words of Jesus himself in Luke.
Luke 20:34: And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
35: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:

Matthew and Mark took this thought to a greater level of understanding by telling us what Jesus said about the angels in Heaven.
Matthew 22:30: For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Mark 12:25: For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.

So we can see that the sons of God in Genesis were not angels but were children of God by adoption because of Grace. They were part of the kingdom of God at that time.

One of the reasons we known that kingdom of God was before Jesus came to this Earth as Messiah is to understand what Jesus was saying in Matthew 8:11-12.
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.
12: But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Understanding the scriptures above helps us to realize that the children of God under the law were in the kingdom of God as well As well as those Patriarchs that were before them such as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In the scriptures above Jesus is telling the people that there will be people who will come from all over the world to be in the kingdom of God or kingdom of heaven. And will set down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob while those of Israel who refused Jesus under this New Covenant would be cast out. But, he went on to say that the first would be last and the last would be first. This meant that even though Israel, who should have been first to inherit the Kingdom of God, would be last and the Gentiles would be first. Their role in the plan of God had been reversed. The Gentiles would be first to enter under the new Covenant and Israel would eventually be saved, but would be last to come into the Kingdom to work for Jesus and to be saved by his grace. This is speaking of a time before the return of Christ.

The kingdom of God has always been under one head and that is God, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. The following are scriptures to back this up.

It belongs to the Father
Everything in heaven is subject to God. Everything in heaven is in obedience to him. We are to pray that this will happen on earth as well. One of these days it will.
Matthew 6:10: Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew: 6:13: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 13:43: Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 26:29: But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

Are they are one and the same? There are many teachings by different people who teach that the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are two separate distinct kingdoms with many different reasons as to why they teach this. But, when we do a little research we realize that whether you are in Heaven or waiting to go to, you still belong to the same kingdom. The following scriptures are the proof and reason that I am saying this. It was simply the difference in the way the writers of the Gospel interpreted the teaching of Jesus.

Concerning the little children coming to Christ, Matthew said kingdom of heaven, Mark said kingdom of God.
Matthew 19:14: But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:14: But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Concerning becoming as a little child, Matthew said kingdom of heaven, Mark said kingdom of God.
Matthew 18:3: And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:15: Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Concerning a rich man Matthew used both terms kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:23: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24: And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Concerning becoming a grain of mustard seed, Matthew said kingdom of heaven; Luke said kingdom of God.
Matthew 13:31: Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
Luke 13:18: Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
19: It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

The kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are one and the same thing. Whether we are living on earth or in heaven we are the family of God and are heirs. The kingdom of God is God’s Family or People. Simply put those who will allow him to reign over them as King.

The kingdom of God is a heavenly kingdom. It has been here since the beginning of creation. God and his heavenly host of angels were the first occupants of the kingdom of God. Almighty God is the ruler of this kingdom. God did a marvelous thing by creating man and allowing him access to the kingdom.

The first people to be in the kingdom of God were Adam and Eve.
Luke 3:38: Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.
Genesis 4:26: And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.

Of course this was followed by men like Enoch, Methuselah and different ones who chose to follow the Lord. All of these people belonged to a kingdom that was not, and still is not of this world. Noah found grace to be in this kingdom.
Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Abraham was in the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven.
Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Abraham was a pilgrim in this world because he belonged to the kingdom of heaven.
Hebrews 11:10: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Abraham's son and grandson would become heirs of the same promise.
Hebrews 11:9: By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
Isaac, Rebecca and Jacob whose name would be changed to Israel.

Jacob’s wives and their 12 sons. Moses and the children of Israel who kept the Covenant and trusted God all were in the kingdom. And to mention many more such as Joshua and Caleb along with Rahab the harlot, Ruth, Naomi, Gideon, Samuel, David, Elijah, Elisha, Samson and many more who trusted in God. Israel was in the kingdom and had come into the kingdom because of the Covenant that God had made with Moses. When the New Covenant came with Jesus they would be cast out if they didn't receive him as the Messiah that God had sent to them.
How do we know that they were in the kingdom? Because Jesus said so.

Matthew 21:43: Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
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.
Matthew 8:12: But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Luke 13:28: There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
Luke 13:29: And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

In Hebrews we find more confirmation of these things when we see that all of those in Hebrews 11 were pilgrims and strangers on this earth because they belonged to the kingdom of heaven, not this world.
Hebrews 11:13: These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

John the Baptist preached the kingdom of God

John the Baptist came as the predecessor or forerunner of Christ to help establish the New Covenant, until then the kingdom of God was not preached. Men did not know that they could belong to the kingdom of God. John was the first man to ever preach the kingdom of God. His mission was so great that Jesus said that there was never a greater prophet than John the Baptist. This would open the door for all men to come into to God's kingdom and be welcomed and accepted by God Almighty Himself.

Jesus told Nicodemus
"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. " The kingdom of God is not visible to the eye and it is not until a person is born again by the Spirit of God that he can see or understand it. It is something that is revealed from within the heart. John and Jesus both preached that the kingdom of God was at hand, which meant that it was available right then. That whoever repented and believed their message would be granted access into the kingdom of God. Jesus explained in John 18:36 that his kingdom was not of this world. So it doesn't appear as a worldly kingdom but is governed by God in the hearts of men.
John 18:36: Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Israel and the kingdom of God

Israel was in the kingdom but they were not the kingdom. The kingdom of God was in existence long before Israel. As long as Israel kept the law under Moses they were accepted, but they disobeyed the Law. Israel was a branch on the tree that we know as the kingdom of God, they were not the kingdom of God, they were in the kingdom of God. When Jesus came and they rejected him they were broken off. They were considered to be the natural branch, but they were not the tree. Today the gentile nations are a branch on this tree and one of these days Israel will be grafted back into the tree themselves.

The Tree is the kingdom of God, not Israel

Romans 11:17: And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
21: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. (Natural branch? because of the promise to Abraham).

We are not Spiritual Israel

Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians:3:11: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
(You see Israel was in the kingdom of God but they themselves were not the kingdom of God. They were a branch on the tree by promise. All of those before them were in the kingdom as well, without the Law.)

When Jesus went to the cross God delivered the kingdom of God to Him when he was seated at His right hand in heaven God made Jesus Lord over all things.
Colossians 1:
12: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
The Thief on the Cross said.
Luke 23:42: And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43: And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Jesus did not receive the kingdom until he was resurrected from the dead. God then gives the kingdom to him.
The word today did not mean a literal 24 hour day. It meant a short time. Jesus came into his kingdom when he was resurrected and seated at the Father’s right hand.
Acts 2:36: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Ephesians 1:
20: Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21: Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23: Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Hebrews 1:8: But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Paul preached the kingdom of God and God wants us to do the same.

Acts 28:31: Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Sometimes it seems as if the Church avoids using the term "kingdom of God." I don't know whether it is because they are afraid of being branded as Jehovah's witnesses or what. But, when we preach the Gospel we are preaching about the way to get into the kingdom of God. We enter into an invisible kingdom that can only be seen in the Spirit until Jesus comes to take us home. He is king and the complete authority over our lives. We do not belong to a democracy in the kingdom heaven; there is no need to take a vote over any matter. We can trust Jesus to know everything so completely and wonderfully that he will always make the right decision in all things. Let us honor the King by trusting in him.

Yours in Christ,
Tommie Spurgeon

Printer-Friendly version..