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The Kingdom of Heaven, also known as the Kingdom of God, is the new reality that Jesus ushered forth through His life and ministry. For us personally, Entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven begins when we decide to follow Jesus, and it will be completely fulfilled When Jesus comes again and ends evil once and for all.
Jesus spoke frequently about the Kingdom of Heaven throughout His ministry that we can read about in the Gospels. In general, we should be paying very close attention to anything that Jesus spoke about repeatedly, asking ourselves the following questions:
- Why was this topic such an important concept for Jesus?
- Did He speak about this topic in the form of a parable?
- Why did He teach so frequently about this topic?
Because the Kingdom of Heaven is the Gospel.
So often we think of the Good News as a reward for all who are disciples of Christ after we die, when we will inherit eternal life and live in Heaven. But that’s just part of the Good News, not the complete picture.
When Jesus came to this earth, He created a new path to connecting to God, an intimate and direct path to a relationship with Him. Before the coming of Christ (the Old Testament), God was largely removed from personal connection to His people, and there was very little intimacy with His people because of sin. God instead spoke to His people through prophets, not through personally connection with each individual. But When Jesus came, He bridged the gap between us and God, He made a way and this is a HUGE portion of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Kingdom of Heaven is a world where we walk with Jesus hand in hand. Even though God is invisible, we are guided by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, leading us to become more and more like Christ. Life in the Kingdom of Heaven is one spent pursuing connection to Christ and becoming modeled after Christ. As such, the Kingdom is a radically different way of living, that primarily involves having more of God and less of ourselves as the focus.
The fruit of Jesus’ sacrifice isn’t reserved for just Heaven, but also for here and now! The more that you heed to Jesus’ words, look to connect to God faithfully, the more you will experience the Kingdom of Heaven here and now.
So let us turn our attention to the words of Scripture to hear more about the Kingdom of Heaven.
*Note: “The Kingdom of Heaven” and “The Kingdom of God” refer to the same exact concept in the New Testament and can be used interchangeably in discussion and discipleship. The Gospel of Luke and Mark use the term “Kingdom of God” while Matthew uses “The Kingdom of Heaven.”
**All Scripture is from the WEB translation
The Kingdom Of Heaven Bible Verses
Matthew 13:44 Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Matthew 13:31-32 He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took, and sowed in his field, which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.
Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Matthew 13:33 He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until it was all leavened.”
Matthew 19:23 Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty.
Matthew 18:3 and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 16:19 I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.
Matthew 13:47-48 Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some fish of every kind, which, when it was filled, fishermen drew up on the beach. They sat down and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
Psalm 145:11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk about your power
Psalm 145:13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Your dominion endures throughout all generations. Yahweh is faithful in all his words, and loving in all his deeds.
Psalm 103:19 Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all.
Daniel 2:44 In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereignty be left to another people; but it will break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it will stand forever.
Matthew 4:17 From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Luke 4:43 But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of God’s Kingdom to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent.”
Matthew 6:10 Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
May these words from Scripture wash over you and transform you more and more into the image of Christ. Our pursuit in life is to walk steadily with the Lord and show the love He has for us to all people, yes even our enemies, Matthew 22:36-40.
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In Christ’s love and service to Him- Alexis
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