In studying what Matthew means by the Kingdom of Heaven, we come upon the fact that this Kingdom has 4 attributes.
1) THE REIGN OF GOD
The Kingdom of Heaven occurs where the reign of God manifests itself. In the first lesson, we explained that Israel was never meant to have an earthly king. They were to be the shining example to the world of a people ruled by God alone.
In this way, it has no borders. It goes where God goes. Remember the wheel within a wheel vision that Elijah had? It explained a device that God rested upon with interlocking wheels that suggested that God was no longer fastened to the temple but was now mobile. Israel was exiled to Babylon and too use to confining their God to the temple. Now God almighty was informing them that he went wherever he wanted.
This leads to the concept that Jesus tried to get through to the people that the Kingdom to come would reveal itself in those who allowed God to be King!
Jesus, in teaching us to pray, taught us to ask for God's kingdom to come on Earth as it is in heaven. In other words, where all beings simply obeyed and carried out the will of God.
In this way, it has no borders. It goes where God goes. Remember the wheel within a wheel vision that Elijah had? It explained a device that God rested upon with interlocking wheels that suggested that God was no longer fastened to the temple but was now mobile. Israel was exiled to Babylon and too use to confining their God to the temple. Now God almighty was informing them that he went wherever he wanted.
This leads to the concept that Jesus tried to get through to the people that the Kingdom to come would reveal itself in those who allowed God to be King!
Jesus, in teaching us to pray, taught us to ask for God's kingdom to come on Earth as it is in heaven. In other words, where all beings simply obeyed and carried out the will of God.
2) The kingdom within
This, of course, makes the kingdom , not only a spiritual one, but one that abides within those who obey HIS commandments. The only way to change the world is through the hearts of men and women. And the only way to change hearts is through the power and reign of God.
John 18:36
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.”
John 18:36
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.”
3) the church is to be the physical manifestation of the kingdom!
The church itself was to be the manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven! A community of souls in whose hearts God is recognized as Sovereign. The church becomes the Kingdom of God/Heaven today. The term Church and Kingdom can, therefore, be used interchangeably.
Colossians 1:13 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love
Colossians 1:13 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love
4) the kingdom of heaven exists in the past, present and future!
Since God Himself transcends time, it would make sense that His Kingdom also defies temporal placement!
It existed as long as its King has, since the beginning!
Matthew 25:34 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
It exists now in the heart of those who bend a knee to his will! Matthew chronicled in the SERMON ON THE MOUNT that the Kingdom of Heaven was 'at hand'...NOW!
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Theirs IS the Kingdom of Heaven!
And the Kingdom is to come!
2 Timothy 4:1
18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
So the Kingdom of Heaven can be spoken of in the past, present and future tense! The Kingdom was innagurated on the Day of Pentecost although it existed before the creation of the world and is to come in Christ's second coming.
MORE TO COME
It existed as long as its King has, since the beginning!
Matthew 25:34 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
It exists now in the heart of those who bend a knee to his will! Matthew chronicled in the SERMON ON THE MOUNT that the Kingdom of Heaven was 'at hand'...NOW!
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Theirs IS the Kingdom of Heaven!
And the Kingdom is to come!
2 Timothy 4:1
18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
So the Kingdom of Heaven can be spoken of in the past, present and future tense! The Kingdom was innagurated on the Day of Pentecost although it existed before the creation of the world and is to come in Christ's second coming.
MORE TO COME