Article “Kingdom of the Heavens” Means “Kingdom of God”

“Kingdom of the Heavens” Means “Kingdom of God” ​

Christians sometimes use the term “kingdom of the heavens” as if it meant a kingdom in heaven. However, of the gospel writers, this term is used only by Matthew who wrote for a Jewish audience. The other gospel writers used the term “kingdom of God.” Nevertheless, Matthew did use the two terms together in Matthew 19:23, 24 and by a comparison of parallel accounts it is evident that the two terms are exact equivalents i.e. they refer to the one kingdom. In particular, one can see this fact if one compares the parallel account of Matthew 19:14 with Mark 10:14; and the account of Matthew 8:11 with Luke 13:28-29. In fact, Matthew’s use of the word ‘heaven’ in “kingdom of the heavens” is what is called a ‘periphrastic’, where the common Jewish practice was to use the word “heaven” as an indirect reference to God Himself, rather than saying the word “God.” In contrast the other gospel writers wrote for predominantly Gentile readers and so were not restricted to such a periphrastic. So, the parallel accounts in Matthew and Mark show that the two phrases are synonymous:

“But Jesus said: “Let the young children alone, and do not try to stop them from coming to me, for the kingdom of the heavens belongs to such ones” (Matt. 19:14).

“Jesus...said to them: “Let the young children come to me; do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such ones”

(Mark 10:14).​

These parallel accounts show that “the kingdom of the heavens” means “the kingdom of God.” However, for some unknown reason, Matthew did use the two terms “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” together in Matthew 19:23, 24 and by a further comparison of the parallel accounts it is evident that the two terms are synonymous i.e. they refer to the one kingdom as Jesus said:

“KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS” MEANS “KINGDOM OF GOD”​

“Truly, I say to you that it will be difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of the heavens. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to get through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matt. 19:23-24).

Furthermore, a comparison of the account of Matthew 8:11 with Luke 13:28-29 shows the same synonymous meaning for the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God.

“KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS” MEANS THAT IT ORIGINATES WITH GOD​

In the phrases “the kingdom of the heavens/the kingdom of God” the preposition ‘of’ is the possessive and means that it belongs to God because He is its originator and it is superior to all other kingdoms. It does not say “the kingdom in the heavens.” Therefore, it does not refer to a location in heaven as can further be seen from all of its descriptions in the Bible as being a kingdom on earth.

NOTE: Biblically “kingdom of God” i.e. “my kingship” refers to God’s throne on earth (2 Sam. 7:12-19; 1 Chron. 17:12-14): “And Solomon sat on Jehovah’s throne as king...” (1 Chron. 29:23).

The Usages of the Term “Heaven” As​

a Reference to God​

Jesus often used the term “heaven” as a replacement term as meaning “God” as for example, “The baptism by John, from what source was it? From heaven [God] or from men?” (Matt. 21:25) and “A man cannot receive a single thing unless it has been given him from heaven” i.e. from God” (John 3:27).

‘HEAVEN’ WAS NOT PROMISED TO THE DISCIPLES​

Additionally, at no time did Jesus offer his followers a life in heaven, but he came to “to confirm the promises made to the fathers...” (Rom. 15:8) and those promises concerned only the earth which is humankind’s natural home even as Paul said: “So we are declaring to you the good news about the promise made to the forefathers” (Acts 13:32) i.e. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This promise concerned only things on earth, and never in heaven.

Even Jesus was resurrected on earth and it was only after the 40 days that he ascended to heaven and even then, only to be there for a certain length of time when “...he [Jehovah] may send the Christ appointed _______

“KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS” MEANS “KINGDOM OF GOD”



for you, Jesus. Heaven must hold this one until the times of restoration of all the things of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets of old” (Acts 3:20, 21). In fact, the concept of going to heaven originated entirely within pagan Greek philosophy to fit in with the idea of an immortal soul—a teaching which the churches of Christendom further developed. So “the Kingdom of the Heavens” means that it is a kingdom belonging to or originating with God and is superior to all other kingdoms. It does not mean that it is located in heaven as can be seen from all of its descriptions in the Bible as being a kingdom on earth.

What the Prophets of Old Foretold about​

Kingdom Rulership​

The future King of the Kingdom will rule on earth according to the prophets who were referring to the Messiah, saying, “He will have subjects from sea to sea…to the ends of the earth” (Ps. 72:8) and “a king will reign and show insight and uphold justice and righteousness in the land” (Jer. 23:5). The strong indication given in these two verses is that Jesus must also be “in the land” to act as ruler. Furthermore, they state that it will be on David’s throne, which was in Jerusalem, as the place from where he will rule, noting that, “The rulership will rest on his shoulder…On the throne of David and on his kingdom” (Isa. 9:6, 7). This is reiterated in the Christian Greek Scriptures by Luke showing that: “God will give him [Jesus] the throne of David his father” (Luke 1:32-35). Indeed, “God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne” (Acts 2:30). So just how can an intangible spirit qualify to be the seed of David? Certainly, David’s throne is an earthly one and will be re-established: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before him” (Matt. 25:31). Evidently, Jesus is here prophesied to reign on David’s throne, which no Jew of the time would have imagined to be anywhere but on earth (Luke 1:32, 33). This totally excludes any thought of a Kingdom as being located in heaven as further emphasized in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia 1986 edition:

The coming of God’s kingdom is an eschatological event when the kingly reign of God...will be manifested on earth de facto, so that _________________

“KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS” MEANS “KINGDOM OF GOD”​

His will is done on earth as it is in heaven. This means two things: negatively, the judgement of the wicked and the subjugation of every hostile power: positively, the salvation of the righteous and the redemption of a fallen creation from the burden of evil.


Again, one must ask: How can an intangible spirit qualify to be the seed of David? David’s throne was clearly on earth and so Messiah Jesus’ throne or rulership is clearly foretold to be one that is on earth. In fact, the disciples’ question concerning where this rulership will be was not disputed by Jesus when they asked, “Are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this the time?” (Acts 1:6). Rather, Jesus’ earlier statement was that, “In the re-creation, when the Son of man sits down on his glorious throne, you...will...sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matt. 19:28) and then in the Revelation John states that he, “saw and look the Lamb standing upon the Mount Zion” (Rev. 14:1). Certainly, this visionary scene is on earth because the voice that John hears is from heaven. Therefore, the King and the Kingdom will be on earth (Isaiah 2:1-4) and its centre will be in Jerusalem.

§​