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Question:
I want to ask you for a good rebuttal of Luke 17:20, 21. "...kingdom within you".
- Bob,
- I have a few Reformed friends that are beginning to sincerely accept literal eschatology, which is very encouraging; yet it never ceases to amaze me how one can present HOURS of information that they truly accept UNTIL one verse pops up. They will entirely ignore ALL OT passages of the coming kingdom because of 1 single verse. With that, I wanted to ask you for a good rebuttal of Luke 17:20, 21. "...kingdom within you"
- Friends,
- Eddie Perruso
Answer:
(click here to see the answer)
1. Dear Eddie,
2. It is always important to read a verse in its context. In this case, it is extremely important. Luke 17:20-37 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." 22 Then He said to the disciples, "The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, 'Look here!' or 'Look there!' Do not go after them or follow them. 24 For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day. 25 But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left. 36 Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left." 37 And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."
3. It is also important to look at parallel passages. In this case, the statement, "Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.", is also found in Mat 24:1-44 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. 15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. 23 Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28 For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. 29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
4. The first thing we must observe is the context of the statement and meaning of "the kingdom of God is within you". When we look at the context, we see that Christ is talking to the Pharisees. If the Post-Millennialists are saying that the kingdom is spiritual, in the believer, why did Christ say the kingdom was in them? According to the Bauer Gingrich Danker Greek Lexicon, the definition of the word within, entos, means (I edited out useless stuff.) "entos adv. of place in our lit. only as improper prep. w. gen. inside, within, within the limits of. In Lk 17:21 [it] may mean within you, in your hearts, though many prefer to transl. among you, in your midst, either now or suddenly in the near future. . . . within your possession or reach; W. stress on the moral implications, the inside of the cup=what is in the cup Mt 23:26." I believe the correct translation means the kingdom of God is among you because Christ was among them preaching the kingdom. They could have believed. Then, they would take part in the kingdom when it will be established in the future.
5. The parallel passage in Mat 24 shows that the kingdom will be established after the day of the Lord. When we look as the whole context of these 2 passages, we see that the day of the Lord is still future.
6. In Christ,
7. Bob
Question:
Mysteries of the kingdom
- HI Bob,
- In Matt 13:11, Jesus mentions the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. Is this a reference to the Body of Christ? If not, what, specifically is it a reference to?
- Same questions for Matt 13:35 where He quotes Ps 78 about the things kept secret from...
- Plus, if possible, a few words about how you interpret the parables...
- Thanx. Really enjoy your website!
- Eric
Answer:
(click here to see the answer)
1. Dear Eric,
2. Thank you for your appreciation of our web-site.
3. Christ is not speaking about the body of Christ. That was first revealed to the Apostle Paul according to the first book that he wrote, Galatians. Gal 1:11-2:2 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.) 21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy." 24 And they glorified God in me. 2:1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain.
4. Christ was speaking about the mysteries of the kingdom of God. He speaks in parables so those who rejected Him will not even understand what He is talking about. In Luke 8:9-15, He said this to His disciples when they asked Him, "What does this parable mean?" 10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.' 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience."
5. It's an even stronger message in Matthew with a clearer reason why He is speaking that way: Matt 13:10-23, And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" 11 He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: 'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.' 16 "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. 18 "Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
6. Some of the parables are hard to understand, but when you realize they are about the kingdom that Christ will set up on the earth in the future and the message that will be taught, it makes things a lot clearer.
7. If you have questions on a specific parable, I will give you my explanation.
8. In Christ,
9. Bob Hill
Question:
How do we establish that the Lord was offering a literal physical kingdom to Israel during His earthly ministry?
- I believe that if people were made more aware of just what kingdom was being offered by Jesus and his disciples that a lot of confusion could be avoided between the kingdom gospel and the grace gospel. So, how does one establish that the Lord was offering a literal physical kingdom to Israel during His earthly ministry as well as through his apostles while no such kingdom was offered by Paul through his teachings?
Answer:
(click here to see the answer)
1. Dear Kevin,
2. First, I want to say that is an excellent question.
3. I do make a technical differentiation between the proclamation of the kingdom and the offering of the kingdom.
4. I don't think the kingdom was offered until the day of Pentecost.
5. When we look at "the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mk 1:1), the Son of David, the Son of Abraham" (Mat 1:1). What is the gospel of Jesus Christ? It is the long awaited good news which specially belongs to the circumcision. What is the good news of the circumcision? The Messiah has come! The kingdom will be restored to Israel, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end" (Lk 1:32,33).
6. This promise was the essence of the kingdom which was promised and will be established by God, but it wasn't offered until after the crucifixion of Christ.
7. At that time, the kingdom was at hand because the King was present. John's commission was to "prepare the way of the Lord" (Lk 3:4) and help all flesh to see God's salvation (Lk 3:6). The kingdom promises would be fulfilled by the one heralded by John.
8. John's ministry centered around the baptism of repentance. He was calling the nation back into the covenant relationship with God which they had forsaken. He was basing his message on the principles of repentance contained in Jeremiah 18 and Ezekiel 18. He was preparing them to be a kingdom of priests. Apparently, the whole nation would be priests not just the Levites (Ex 19:6; Isa 61:6). The gospel of the circumcision had the solid under girding of the covenant of circumcision.
9. "After John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel'" (Mk 1:14,15). But, notice, He didn't offer the kingdom to them, even tough His ministry was only to Israel (Mat 15:24).
10. Christ's message was the gospel of the circumcision calling the nation back to the covenant relationship with God (Lk 1:72; Act 3:25,26). Repentance was greatly emphasized in His message (Mat 4:17).
11. Aspects of the kingdom were presented. The Twelve were promised thrones and the right to judge Israel. Others would receive "a hundredfold, and inherit everlasting life" (Mat 19:28,29). But even these promises were conditional. The Twelve must first follow Christ (19:28). The others would have to leave "houses or brothers or sister or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake."
12. Their hope would only be fulfilled after the resurrection and second coming with its deliverance after the tribulation when the kingdom would be restored to Israel (Acts 1:6). The kingdom message was very important in Christ's ministry because of the promises made to David.
13. The kingdom, as prophesied, would be a time of Israelite supremacy (Mat 8:11,12). Those who do not maintain their covenant relationship with God would be cut off from the kingdom and cast into outer darkness (Mat 8:12). I think these are the same who will have the kingdom taken from them and given to the nation which will bear fruit. This nation is the little flock (Lk 12:32), Israel in true covenant relationship with God (1 Pet 2:9). When that happened, it would be the fulfillment of Daniel 7:27, "Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.
14. The gospel of the circumcision had its basis in the covenant of circumcision. The apostles of the circumcision were acutely aware of its requirements (Gen 17:10-14). Their ministry before the body of Christ began seems to have been to their brothers (Isa 66:18-23; Mat 10:5-15; 28:18-20 with Act 10:28 in view). They certainly had the Davidic kingdom in mind (Act 1:6). The gospel of the kingdom for them seems to be the good news that the long promised Davidic kingdom would be established. But it wasn't offered by them before Christ died.
15. Soon, their marching orders would been given: "Go therefore" (Mat 28:19); and, "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come" (Mat 24:14).
16. We see the offer of the kingdom for the first time on the day of Pentecost. It is still hard to see it clearly there, but in the next chapter it is very clear. In fact, it is very explicit: Acts 3:17-22 "Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began."
17. That was the promise of the kingdom that God made to David back in 2 Sam 7:12-16: "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. . . . 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever."
18. In Christ,
19. Bob Hill
Question: How many times has God offered the Kingdom to Israel and Israel rejected?
- Name: Matthew Yeseta
- Question: How many times has God offered the Kingdom to Israel and Israel rejected or did not obey God and God's offer of the Kingdom was rescinded?
- Many people today do not recognize that Christ Jesus's earthly ministry was only to Israel to offer the Kingdom to them.
- Matthew 15:22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon possessed. 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries our after us." 24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
- The scriptures are full of the Lord offering the Kingdom to Israel; and equally full of Israel not obeying God and God rescinding the Kingdom offer.
- Here is my brief, and probably incomplete, search for many such occasions in scriptures.
- Exodus 19:6,
- 1 Samuel 13:13-14; 15:28,
- 2 Samuel 8:12 & 16,
- 1 Kings 9:4-7; 12:34-35; 14:8,
- Jeremiah 18:6-10,
- Hosea 1:4,
- Amos 9:8,
- Matthew 3:2; 7:21; 13:11, 21:1-11, 21:18-22, and other parables,
- Mark 12:1-12 & 34,
- Luke 12:31-32; 13:22-30; 14:24 & 30; 19:38; 19:42ff,
- John 1:23; 18:36,
- Acts 7:1-60,
- 2 Peter 1.11
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. Matthew,
2. You are right.
3. However, a true offer of the kingdom could not be made until Christ died for the sins of Israel and the whole world. Therefore, I believe a true offer was not made until after the resurrection. It was first made on the day of Pentecost, then again in the 3rd chapter through Peter in 3:19-.
4. In Christ,
5. Bob
Question: How does the millennial kingdom differ from the eternal kingdom?
- Fri, 28 Apr 2000 09:57
- "F. Wesley Brainard"
- Pastor Bob,
- Could you explain the nature and character of the millennial kingdom and how it differs from the eternal kingdom? I understand that Jesus told the Sadducees that at the resurrection we would become like the angels? Is that the millennial kingdom or the eternal kingdom? Is that for us right away or in the eternal kingdom? Will we have physical bodies? Will the Jews have
- physical bodies? Will there be a second resurrection at the end of the millennium?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. Wesley,
2. I think we should start with the next thing that is going to happen, prophetically, and develop this answer from that point. The next event is the rapture. 1 Th 4:13-18 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
3. The rapture is before the man of sin is revealed at the beginning of the tribulation according to 2 Th 2:1-4 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ is now present. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition. That will start a sequence of many prophetic events which I list here: First, the rapture. Then, the great tribulation. Then, after the tribulation, the great and awesome day of the Lord is next. This is what is normally called the second coming. Mat 24:29,30 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
4. Then, the judgment of the nations of Matthew 25 takes place. Then, the millennial reign of Christ begins. Then, Satan is loosed from the pit and the battle of Gog & Magog takes place. Then, the great white throne judgment takes place. Then, the new heavens and earth are established. And His servants will reign forever.
5. The rapture is before the tribulation because nothing in this dispensation is prophesied. Col 1:24-26 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.
6. Always keep one thing in mind about the tribulation. Israel was identified as the people of the tribulation by Daniel in Dan 9:24; 10:14; & 12:1; and our Lord Jesus Christ mentioned Daniel�s abomination of desolation in Dan 9:27 & 11:31 in the tribulation�s setting (Mat 24:15-21). Again, the purpose of the tribulation is to purify Israel for her kingdom reign (Dan 9:24; Zec 13:9).
7. I must reiterate! The nature of the mystery shows us that the body of Christ is never referred to in prophecy prior to Paul�s conversion. Therefore, the rapture, since it only applies to the body of Christ, must take place prior to the prophetic program which follows it for the next seven years.
8. Then, after the second coming, the judgment of the nations takes place. Mat 25:31,32 When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
9. Then the millennial reign of Christ begins. Rev 20:4 �And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.� Here, we see that those in the millennium are resurrected as well as un-resurrected who will procreate during the 1,000 year reign. The un-resurrected are those who were judged at the judgment recorded in Mat 25. Therefore, I believe there will be resurrected beings and those who haven�t died, in the millennium.
10. During the millennium, Christ will rule with a rod of iron: Rev 19:11-16, Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
11. Then Satan is loosed after the millennium. Rev 20:7-9 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
12. Then the great white throne judgment takes place. Rev 20:11-12a �Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God�.
13. Then all those from every dispensation except ours will be resurrected and be judged. Only those found in the book of life will go into the eternal kingdom. That will be after the heavens and earth are cleansed by fire: 2 Pe 3:10-13 �But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.�
14. This judgment will take place at the end of the millennium. Rev 20: 12b-15 �and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.�
15. Then the new heavens and earth are established, and they reign forever. Rev 21:1,3,27; 22:5 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. . . . 3 Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. . . . 27 only those who are written in the Lamb�s Book of Life. 22:5 And they shall reign forever and ever.
16. We will be raised or raptured and have spiritual bodies. 1 Co 15: 42-52 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, �The first man Adam became a living being.� The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed� 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: �Death is swallowed up in victory.�
17. I hope this answers your questions,
18. Bob
Question: How does the millennial kingdom differ from the eternal kingdom?
- Fri, 28 Apr 2000 09:57
- "F. Wesley Brainard"
- Pastor Bob,
- Could you explain the nature and character of the millennial kingdom and how it differs from the eternal kingdom? I understand that Jesus told the Sadducees that at the resurrection we would become like the angels? Is that the millennial kingdom or the eternal kingdom? Is that for us right away or in the eternal kingdom? Will we have physical bodies? Will the Jews have
- physical bodies? Will there be a second resurrection at the end of the millennium?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. Wesley,
2. I think we should start with the next thing that is going to happen, prophetically, and develop this answer from that point. The next event is the rapture. 1 Th 4:13-18 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
3. The rapture is before the man of sin is revealed at the beginning of the tribulation according to 2 Th 2:1-4 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ is now present. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition. That will start a sequence of many prophetic events which I list here: First, the rapture. Then, the great tribulation. Then, after the tribulation, the great and awesome day of the Lord is next. This is what is normally called the second coming. Mat 24:29,30 Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
4. Then, the judgment of the nations of Matthew 25 takes place. Then, the millennial reign of Christ begins. Then, Satan is loosed from the pit and the battle of Gog & Magog takes place. Then, the great white throne judgment takes place. Then, the new heavens and earth are established. And His servants will reign forever.
5. The rapture is before the tribulation because nothing in this dispensation is prophesied. Col 1:24-26 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.
6. Always keep one thing in mind about the tribulation. Israel was identified as the people of the tribulation by Daniel in Dan 9:24; 10:14; & 12:1; and our Lord Jesus Christ mentioned Daniel�s abomination of desolation in Dan 9:27 & 11:31 in the tribulation�s setting (Mat 24:15-21). Again, the purpose of the tribulation is to purify Israel for her kingdom reign (Dan 9:24; Zec 13:9).
7. I must reiterate! The nature of the mystery shows us that the body of Christ is never referred to in prophecy prior to Paul�s conversion. Therefore, the rapture, since it only applies to the body of Christ, must take place prior to the prophetic program which follows it for the next seven years.
8. Then, after the second coming, the judgment of the nations takes place. Mat 25:31,32 When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
9. Then the millennial reign of Christ begins. Rev 20:4 �And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.� Here, we see that those in the millennium are resurrected as well as un-resurrected who will procreate during the 1,000 year reign. The un-resurrected are those who were judged at the judgment recorded in Mat 25. Therefore, I believe there will be resurrected beings and those who haven�t died, in the millennium.
10. During the millennium, Christ will rule with a rod of iron: Rev 19:11-16, Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
11. Then Satan is loosed after the millennium. Rev 20:7-9 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
12. Then the great white throne judgment takes place. Rev 20:11-12a �Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God�.
13. Then all those from every dispensation except ours will be resurrected and be judged. Only those found in the book of life will go into the eternal kingdom. That will be after the heavens and earth are cleansed by fire: 2 Pe 3:10-13 �But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.�
14. This judgment will take place at the end of the millennium. Rev 20: 12b-15 �and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.�
15. Then the new heavens and earth are established, and they reign forever. Rev 21:1,3,27; 22:5 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. . . . 3 Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. . . . 27 only those who are written in the Lamb�s Book of Life. 22:5 And they shall reign forever and ever.
16. We will be raised or raptured and have spiritual bodies. 1 Co 15: 42-52 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, �The first man Adam became a living being.� The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed� 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: �Death is swallowed up in victory.�
18. I hope this answers your questions,
19. Bob
Question: Disagreement about Kingdom of God/Heaven.
- 17 Apr 2000 19:34
- Name: Jeff bar-Andrew Tomko
- Dear Dr. Bob,
- While scrolling through your web page I came across a statement that caused me no little concern. You made the statement that the Kingdom of God (KoG) and the Kingdom of Heaven (KoH) were the same. They are not, and here�s why: �heaven� and �God� are not the same word. The Bible says that God called the firmament �heaven� (Gen 1:8) and the Bible says again that God is a Spirit. Therefore, the KoG is a kingdom of spiritual beings, while the KoH is a physical, literal kingdom.
- Further, God told the Jews that he would take the KoG away from them. He didn�t say he would take the Kingdom of Heaven away from them. Interesting that he would tell the JEWISH apostles that they will judge the 12 tribes, while the church is told that they will judge angels, SPIRITUAL BEINGS. As far as your argument that Matthew didn�t use Kingdom of God because they didn�t want to risk taking the Lord�s name in vain, the fact is that Kingdom of God appears in the book of Matthew several times (6:33, 12:28, 21:31, etc.) Again, it�s interesting that the Gospel to the JEWS is the only one that mentions the Kingdom of Heaven, for the promise of a literal, visible earthly kingdom was given to them. They could have had the kingdom of God as well, but they weren�t interested in it. Also, in the kingdom parables, there are good and EVIL things in the Kingdom of Heaven (bad fish, foolish virgins, tares, etc.) yet the Kingdom of God only has good things in it. Further yet, the KoG is not meat and drink (physical things) but righteousness, peace and joy (spiritual things). Once one understands the difference between these TWO kingdoms, proper division of the Word of God is greatly enhanced.
- Hope this is a blessing.
- Jeff bar-Andrew Tomko

Answer: (click here to view the answer)

Notice, He will drink it in the kingdom of God Mk 14:25 �Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.� Lk 22:18 �for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.� Then, also notice the parallel uses of Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven in the chart below. The phrases are used interchangeably in Matthew.
Kingdom of Heaven/God

Matthew Mark Luke

Mat 11:11 Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.		Lk 7:28 �For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.�
Mat 12:28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.		Lk 11:20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Mat 13:11 �Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.		Lk 8:10 And He said, �To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that �Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.�
Mat 19:14 �Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.�	Mk 10:14 �Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mat 19:23,24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.	Mk 10:23-25 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 24 . . . Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.	Lk 18:24,25 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

This chart shows every use of kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God in the gospels

Mat 3:2 and saying, �Repent, 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.�

Mat 5:3 �Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness� sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 5:19,20 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 �For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Mat 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, �Lord, Lord,� shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Mat 8:11 �And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 10:7 �And as you go, preach, saying, �The kingdom of heaven is at hand.�

Mat 11:11,12 Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.

Mat 12:28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Mat 13:11 He answered and said to them, �Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.

Mat 13:24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: �The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;

Mat 13:31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: �The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,

Mat 13:33 Another parable He spoke to them: �The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.�

Mat 13:44 �Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 45 �Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,

Mat 13:47 �Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind,

Mat 13:52 Then He said to them, �Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.�

Mat 16:19 �And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.�

Mat 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, �Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?�

Mat 18:3,4 and said, �Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 �Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 18:23 �Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, �Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.�

Mat 19:23,24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, �Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

Mat 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.

Mat 21:31 �Which of the two did the will of his father?� They said to Him, �The first.� Jesus said to them, �Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.

Mat 21:43 �Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.

Mat 22:2 �The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,

Mat 23:13 �But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

Mat 25:1 �Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Mat 25:14 �For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

Mk 1:14,15 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, �The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.�

Mk 4:11 And He said to them, �To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,

Mk 4:26 And He said, �The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground,

Mk 4:30 Then He said, �To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?

Mk 9:1 And He said to them, �Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.�

Mk 9:47 �And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire�

Mk 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, �Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 �Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.�

Mk 10:23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, �How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!� 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, �Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 �It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.�

Mk 12:34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, �You are not far from the kingdom of God.� But after that no one dared question Him.

Mk 14:25 �Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.�

Mk 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

Lk 4:43 but He said to them, �I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.�

Lk 6:20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: �Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.

Lk 7:28 �For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.�

Lk 8:1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,

Lk 8:10 And He said, �To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that �Seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.�

Lk 9:2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Lk 9:11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.

Lk 9:27 �But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.�

Lk 9:60 Jesus said to him, �Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.�

Lk 9:62 But Jesus said to him, �No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.�

Lk 10:9 �And heal the sick there, and say to them, �The kingdom of God has come near to you.�

Lk 10:11 �The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.�

Lk 11:20 �But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Lk 12:31 �But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

Lk 13:18 Then He said, �What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

Lk 13:20 And again He said, �To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

Lk 13:28 �There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.

29 �They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.

Lk 14:15 Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, �Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!�

Lk 16:16 �The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.

Lk 17:20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, �The kingdom of God does not come with observation;

21 �nor will they say, �See here!� or �See there!� For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.�

Lk 18:16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, �Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

17 �Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.�

Lk 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, �How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!

25 �For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.�

Lk 18:29 So He said to them, �Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,

Lk 19:11 Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.

Lk 21:31 �So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.

Lk 22:16 �for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.�

Lk 22:18 �for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.�

Lk 23:51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.

John 3:3,5 Jesus answered and said to him, �Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.� 5 Jesus answered, �Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, �We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.�
Acts 19:8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
Acts 20:25 �And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
Acts 28:23,31 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
Rom 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
1 Co 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.
1 Co r 6:9,10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Co r 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.
Gal a 5:21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Col o 4:11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
2 Th 1:5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;

Question: The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven
1. Mon, 27 Mar 2000 13:18:00
2. �Karl Henderson�
3. Howdy, Bob and Joe! Thanks for the great show
4. and website (biblicalanwers.com) !
5. My Biblical Question:
6. The Gospels frequently record Jesus talking about �the kingdom of God� and �the kingdom of heaven�. Paul seems to use similar terminology in his epistles. Will you please explain the differences and/or similarities between what these two were referring to in their respective dispensations?
Answer: (click here to view the answer)
1. Answer: Kingdom of heaven, different in Paul?
2. Howdy Karl,
3. Read Biblical Questions II, 2^nd to the last answer on www.biblicalanswers.com. In addition to that answer, the kingdom of God can be the one promised to David in 2 Sam 7, or God�s universal kingdom. Since we are interested in the Pauline usage of the phrase, �the kingdom of God,� we must first understand its general usage. When we realize it is viewed as eternal and temporal, universal and local, a lot of problems are cleared up. The following Scripture will show this to be true. Eternal, Ps 10:16; 29:10; 145:13; Jer 10:10; La 5:19. Universal, 1 Ch 29:11,12; Ps 103:19; Dan 4:17,25,32. In contrast, the temporal kingdom is illustrated by the kingdom under the judges, the kings, and the coming millennium. Christ�s kingdom also has two aspects. It is temporal. Mat 6:10; Ac 1:6; 1 Co 15:24,25. It is eternal. Lk 1:33; 2 Pe 1:11.
4. The phrase, �the kingdom,� can be vague in its meaning. It can refer to either the millennial or the everlasting kingdom. When John came preaching �the kingdom of heaven (God) is at hand,� the people knew what He was talking about. They needed no definition. They understood that it was the kingdom promised to David in the Old Testament. They were expecting the establishment of this kingdom (Lk 3:15).
5. In our search, we must also consider the kingdom of God in contrast to Satan�s kingdom. Co 1:13 (aorist tense); Mat 12:25,26; Lk 11:18. Satan has power. Dan 10:12; Mat 12:24; Lk 4:5-7; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Ac 26:18; 2 Co 4:4; Eph 2:2. From Mat 12:26 and Lk 11:18, we can see that kingdom refers as much to sovereignty as it does geography. From these references, It seems that satan has authority over this world. With this background information, we will examine the places in scripture where Paul uses the word.
6. Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, �We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.� This would be God�s over all kingdom. Read the rest. It�s easy to evaluate each one when you consider the context.
7. Acts 19:8; Acts 20:25; Acts 28:23,31; Rom 14:17; 1 Co 4:20; 1 Co 6:9,10; 1 Co 15:24,50; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:5; Col 1:13; Col 4:11; 1 Th 2:12; 2 Th 1:5; 2 Ti 4:1; 2 Ti 4:18
8. In Christ,
9. Bob
Question: ..."Kingdom of Heaven", whereas Mark and Luke use the term "Kingdom of God"...
- Name: Jennifer Taylor
- Questions:
- In the accounts of Jesus welcoming the little children, Matthew uses the term "Kingdom of Heaven", whereas Mark and Luke use the term "Kingdom of God". Is this difference due to the original languages the gospels were written in? When believers are caught up in the rapture, will they abide in the Kingdom of God/Heaven? Can "Kingdom of God" be used to describe the time after the tribulation when Christ will physically reign on earth?

Answer: (click here to view the answer)

Jennifer,
Please consult the Bible Questions section of the questions and answers section of biblicalanswers.com .

The Kingdom of God or Heaven in the Gospels

The Kingdom of Heaven

The Kingdom of God