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WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

...Due to restrictions because of the size of this message, I couldn't share it all. If you'd like to keep reading, you'll find the rest of the article on my blog: https://faithandencouragement.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/what-is-the-kingdom-of-god/
Actually there are reasons we have those restrictions as long messages tend not to be read completely and the responses therefore tend to not be correct or on topic. What you did is correct, to refer to the URL for the blog for those who wish to read more.

As for this particular forum, A&T Guidelines state in part: "Original posts should reference specific scripture and what it is the member wants to say or ask about that scripture." Since this is a debate forum as opposed to a Bible study forum, it might be helpful if you could condense what it is you want to say or ask opinions on about the Kingdom of God into one point with scriptural backing at a time, and allow us to discuss that one point.
 
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You covered a lot of ground, Vengaturreino, but didn't address the difference between "the kingdom of heaven" (literally, from the Greek, "the kingdom of the heavens") and "the kingdom of God." Matthew, seemingly written with the Jew in mind and with Jesus, "the branch" as a king, speaks of or alludes to "the kingdom of heaven" 31 times. And that phrase is not used anywhere else in the NT. Christ Jesus came unto his own people, Israel, to proclaim that their long awaited kingdom was at hand (or nigh), and they needed to make their hearts ready, confess their sins, and be baptized as John the Baptist, the forerunner, preached.
Daniel gives us a clue in Dan 7:27: "And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the saints of the most high. His kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." NKJV
Thus, "the kingdom of heaven" is not a kingdom "in heaven", but the kingdom under heaven on earth. That is, the Messianic kingdom which is said to last a thousand years

The kingdom of God is the sovereignity of a Divine Person. The kingdom of the heavens is a kingdom which, obviously, finds all its authority in Him, yet is designated to a people.

The kingdom of God is rarely mentioned in the epistles, stress being laid upon its character. A careful reading shows it is spoken of as future
(1 Cor. 6:9,10; 15:50; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:5; 1 Thes. 2:12; 2 Thes.1:5; 2Tim. 4:1,18).
 
The Scriptures tell us what the Kingdom of God is..

Rom_14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
 
(Post removed due to not being a response to anything. Not within A&T guidelines. Obadiah)
 
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The understanding I get from it is,
The Kingdom ( or sovereignty ) of God
1. Has God for its ruler.
2. It is in heaven, over the earth,
3. It is unlimited in its scope
4. It is moral and spiritual in its sphere,
5. It is inclusive in its character ( embracing the natural and spiritual seeds of Abraham, "the heavenly calling".
6. It is universal in its aspect.
7. Will be eternal in its duration.

The word" kingdom" like the Greek basileia, has regard to sovereignty rather than territory, and to the sphere of its exercise rather than its extent.
The word " kingdom " in this sense conveyed in its English termination "Dom" which is short for dominion.
The Kingdom of heaven occurs only in Matt.
The Kingdom of God, in Matt.11:11 with Luke 7:28.
The seeming difference is that the Lord spoke in Aramaic, certainly not in the Greek.
Now " heaven " is frequently used by the figure Metonymy ( of the subject), for God Himself, Whose dwelling is there, Ps.73:9, Dan.4:26,29, 2Chron.32:20, Matt.21:25, Luke 15:21 ( "I have sinned against heaven" is thus contrasted with the words " in thy sight") John 3:27
Thus identical words were spoken by the Lord, " the Kingdom of heaven" but putting it to Greek, Matthew was divinely guided to retain the figure of speech literally ("heaven"), while in the other Gospels, the figure was translated as being what it also meant, the "Kingdom of God".
Same in a general sense, the 2 expressions are to be distinguished in their meaning.

The Kingdom ( or sovereignty) of Heaven
1. Has Messiah for its King
2. It is from heaven, and under the heavens upon the earth.

3. It is limited in its scope
4. It is political in its sphere
5. It is national in its aspect
6. It is the special subject of O.T. prophecy
7. It is dispensational in its duration.
 
The understanding I get from it is,
The Kingdom ( or sovereignty ) of God
1. Has God for its ruler.
2. It is in heaven, over the earth,
3. It is unlimited in its scope
4. It is moral and spiritual in its sphere,
5. It is inclusive in its character ( embracing the natural and spiritual seeds of Abraham, "the heavenly calling".
6. It is universal in its aspect.
7. Will be eternal in its duration.

The word" kingdom" like the Greek basileia, has regard to sovereignty rather than territory, and to the sphere of its exercise rather than its extent.
The word " kingdom " in this sense conveyed in its English termination "Dom" which is short for dominion.
The Kingdom of heaven occurs only in Matt.
The Kingdom of God, in Matt.11:11 with Luke 7:28.
The seeming difference is that the Lord spoke in Aramaic, certainly not in the Greek.
Now " heaven " is frequently used by the figure Metonymy ( of the subject), for God Himself, Whose dwelling is there, Ps.73:9, Dan.4:26,29, 2Chron.32:20, Matt.21:25, Luke 15:21 ( "I have sinned against heaven" is thus contrasted with the words " in thy sight") John 3:27
Thus identical words were spoken by the Lord, " the Kingdom of heaven" but putting it to Greek, Matthew was divinely guided to retain the figure of speech literally ("heaven"), while in the other Gospels, the figure was translated as being what it also meant, the "Kingdom of God".
Same in a general sense, the 2 expressions are to be distinguished in their meaning.

The Kingdom ( or sovereignty) of Heaven
1. Has Messiah for its King
2. It is from heaven, and under the heavens upon the earth.

3. It is limited in its scope
4. It is political in its sphere
5. It is national in its aspect
6. It is the special subject of O.T. prophecy
7. It is dispensational in its duration.

A little more complicated than it should have been, but far better than the above post, way far better. Thumbs up on this.

The Kingdom of God is just the Reign, Rule and authority of God here as it is in Heaven.

If we enter into the Kingdom of God here, then we are under the rule of God, His power, doing His will here.

As I said, far better post than the two above.
 
You covered a lot of ground, Vengaturreino, but didn't address the difference between "the kingdom of heaven" (literally, from the Greek, "the kingdom of the heavens") and "the kingdom of God." Matthew, seemingly written with the Jew in mind and with Jesus, "the branch" as a king, speaks of or alludes to "the kingdom of heaven" 31 times. And that phrase is not used anywhere else in the NT. Christ Jesus came unto his own people, Israel, to proclaim that their long awaited kingdom was at hand (or nigh), and they needed to make their hearts ready, confess their sins, and be baptized as John the Baptist, the forerunner, preached.
Daniel gives us a clue in Dan 7:27: "And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the saints of the most high. His kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." NKJV
Thus, "the kingdom of heaven" is not a kingdom "in heaven", but the kingdom under heaven on earth. That is, the Messianic kingdom which is said to last a thousand years

The kingdom of God is the sovereignity of a Divine Person. The kingdom of the heavens is a kingdom which, obviously, finds all its authority in Him, yet is designated to a people.

The kingdom of God is rarely mentioned in the epistles, stress being laid upon its character. A careful reading shows it is spoken of as future
(1 Cor. 6:9,10; 15:50; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:5; 1 Thes. 2:12; 2 Thes.1:5; 2Tim. 4:1,18).

my personal believes: the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are just a different way of saying the same thing

Mat_3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat_4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Luk 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Luk 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

Mat 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:
Mar 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Mar 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
Luk 13:18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
Luk 13:19 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

Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Luk 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Mat 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Mat 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.
Mar 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.
Mar 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Luk 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mar 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.
Mar 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Mat 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.
Mat 19:24 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
Mar 10:24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
Mar 10:25 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.
Luk 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Luk 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mat_3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mat_4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Luk 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Luk 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Mat 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
Mar 4:26 And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

Mat 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:
Mar 4:30 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
Mar 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
Luk 13:18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
Luk 13:19 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

Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Luk 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Mat 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Mat 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.
Mar 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.
Mar 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Luk 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Mar 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.
Mar 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Mat 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.
Mat 19:24 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
Mar 10:24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
Mar 10:25 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.
Luk 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
Luk 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
 
How do you think Jesus Christ cast out devils? Then no doubt the Kingdom of God is come, just in a subtle spiritual sense untarnished by the gross expectations of the carnal world.

Luk 11:14 ¶ And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
Luk 11:15 - But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
Luk 11:16 - And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
Luk 11:17 - But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
Luk 11:18 - If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
Luk 11:19 - And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
Luk 11:20 - But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.​
 
How do you think Jesus Christ cast out devils? Then no doubt the Kingdom of God is come, just in a subtle spiritual sense untarnished by the gross expectations of the carnal world.

Luk 11:14 ¶ And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
Luk 11:15 - But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.
Luk 11:16 - And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
Luk 11:17 - But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.
Luk 11:18 - If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
Luk 11:19 - And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.
Luk 11:20 - But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.​

The Kingdom is Here and now and in us.......... A post I agree with you on.
 
The Kingdom is Here and now and in us.......... A post I agree with you on.

The Kingdom of God is where all of His born again Children should dwell. How ever it takes a choice to do so. If you have not surrendered your self totally unto the Lord and Have Faith like a child and take His every promise as truth as that is the way it is then you wont be operating or dwelling within the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is where His power is working and the Blessing is flowing and His Will is being done. If you step out side of Faith you step out of the Kingdom. You are Protected in the Kingdom. Think why it says that certain people will not inherit the kingdom of God....That did not say wont make it to heaven but wont be functioning in the kingdom of God.

Peace and love and harmony flow in the kingdom of God and those who can not inherit it or dwell within it will not have these fruits or spiritual laws working in their lives........The kingdom of Heaven is where God is in total control and rules....There is no crime or drout or evil dwelling in the kingdom of Heaven and that is because God is in Total Control there. The devil tried and God through him out. This shows you that we have a lot more control over what happens on this earth then most grasp.
 
Due to restrictions because of the size of this message, I couldn't share it all.
Due to the length of your message, I didn't read it all.

My PASTOR, on a Sunday morning with 35 minutes to fill, would not take on such a task as your post. Perhaps breaking your sermon into four or five divisions would be a good idea. But then, an online discussion board isn't the place for that, either.
 
The Kingdom of God is where all of His born again Children should dwell. How ever it takes a choice to do so. If you have not surrendered your self totally unto the Lord and Have Faith like a child and take His every promise as truth as that is the way it is then you wont be operating or dwelling within the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of God is where His power is working and the Blessing is flowing and His Will is being done. If you step out side of Faith you step out of the Kingdom. You are Protected in the Kingdom. Think why it says that certain people will not inherit the kingdom of God....That did not say wont make it to heaven but wont be functioning in the kingdom of God.

Peace and love and harmony flow in the kingdom of God and those who can not inherit it or dwell within it will not have these fruits or spiritual laws working in their lives........The kingdom of Heaven is where God is in total control and rules....There is no crime or drout or evil dwelling in the kingdom of Heaven and that is because God is in Total Control there. The devil tried and God through him out. This shows you that we have a lot more control over what happens on this earth then most grasp.

That sound very nice and thought out Jim, Wonderful, but I have no idea what you were talking about.


Have not you and I exmained this same topic many times over the past few years? I came here in 2008, wow, time just fly's by.

Due to the length of your message, I didn't read it all.

My PASTOR, on a Sunday morning with 35 minutes to fill, would not take on such a task as your post. Perhaps breaking your sermon into four or five divisions would be a good idea. But then, an online discussion board isn't the place for that, either.

What you ment to say Pizza is that you gained nothing in his post to show enough respect and interest to read it all. If something is helping you and giving answers that you need, you will read the whole thing and more than once. The longer the better.

Sometimes my Pastor goes 3 hours, sometimes just 45 minutes depending on how the people are recieving and the Holy Spirit.
Now if my Pastor taught about the benefit of brushing your teeth for 3 hours, then I would say that is far to long. Someone loosing their teeth though might not think so.
 
The Kingdom of God ( The Kingdom of Heaven ) put simply is Jesus Christ ruling and reigning in love and righteousness in your life . The love of God flowing from Him to you , from you to others , and back to God .
The Circle of Life .
 
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(Post removed. Failure to follow A&T Guidelines posted above. Obadiah)
 
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