What is the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven?
The
Kingdom of God , is the true focus of heaven and the message Yeshua (Jesus Christ) brought. Elohim’s original plan for man was to fill the earth and subdue it
(Gen 1: 28). First Adam, was given a government - a kingdom, to rule the earth, but Adam rebelled, and satan took over, leading to the current global problems we are facing today. Elohim sent Yeshua with the message of the Kingdom and to restore the earth by His obedience to the Father.
However, after the early church, the message of the Coming Kingdom has been watered down and replaced with heaven as the focus. The Bible is silent on the idea of people going to a place called "heaven" after death. Even though modern churches focus on earthly topics like love, debt, or faith; their final destiny taught in the Churches is Heaven and not Elohim’s original plan and focus; the Kingdom of God. Hence, when believers read the word Kingdom of God and
Kingdom of Heaven immediately their understanding is that the Kingdom is going to be in Heaven after death. However, this is not what Elohim desires for man.
Let us look at the two phrases "Kingdom of God" and "Kingdom of Heaven" in different passages in the Bible.
Consider the following verses:
Matthew 5: 3 - Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
Luke 6: 20 - And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is
the kingdom of God.
The same statement, in two different gospels, is worded two different ways.
What about these two Scriptures?
Matthew 18: 4 - Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Luke 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.
Again, two different ways are used to say the same thing. The Gospel of Matthew is the only one that uses the phrase
"kingdom of heaven." The other Gospel writers always use the phrase
"kingdom of God" instead. In other words, one is literal, while the other is figurative. Both refer to the same thing.
Consider the preaching of John the Baptist.
Matthew 3:
1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Luke 16: 16 - The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
What John the Baptist preached is called
"the kingdom of God" in Luke, and
"the kingdom of heaven" in Matthew.
Did John preach two different gospels? Yeshua call to repentance also uses different phrases in the book of Matthew and in the book of Mark.
Matthew 4: 17 - From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 1:
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into 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 ye, and believe the gospel.
Did Jesus preach two different gospels? When He sent out the twelve, what were they told to preach?
Matthew 10:
5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The
kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Luke 9:
1 Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
2 And He sent them to preach the
kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Again, did they preach two different gospels? The answer is No! It is called by different names, but only one gospel is meant.
Compare these same verse written in the Book of Matthew and Luke.
Matthew 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.
Luke 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.
The term
“Kingdom of Heaven” used in the Book of Matthew alone refers to the
origin or geography of the kingdom – it is from heaven, not of this world. It is figurative because "heaven" is put for "Elohim (God)" who dwells there.
For example,
Daniel 4:26 states, “And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that
the heavens do rule [NASB]. The heavens do not literally rule, but refer figuratively to God who dwells there.
In another example is from the Book of
Luke chapter 15, which is the parable of the prodigal son quoting
verse 2, “And the son said unto him, Father, I have
sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” He did not literally sin against heaven, but against Elohim. This is a common figure of speech in Hebrew culture. Things from Elohim are frequently said to be "from heaven" or "heavenly". That is why the
kingdom of God is called a
"heavenly kingdom" in
2 Timothy 4:18.
Look at the verses below where each time the Kingdom of heaven is mentioned in the Book of Matthew is replaced by the Kingdom of God in the other Gospels.
| Kingdom of heaven |
Kingdom of God |
| Matthew 13:11 |
Mark 4:11, Luke 8:10 |
| Matthew 13:31 |
Mark 4:30,31 ; Luke 13:18,19 |
| Matthew 13:33 |
Luke 13:20,21 |
| Matthew 19:14 |
Mark 10:14 ; Luke 18:16 |
Nevertheless, in one place in the Book of Matthew both the terms "kingdom of heaven" and "kingdom of God" are used.
Matthew 19:23-24 illustrates that these terms are used interchangeably in the Bible, but signify different aspects: the origin and the owner of the kingdom. In other words,
“Kingdom of God (Elohim)” specifically denotes whose kingdom it is while
“the Kingdom of Heaven” refers to the
origin or geography of the kingdom.
Matthew 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.
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. [see NASB]
But the parallel records in Mark and Luke use only
"kingdom of God" in both sentences.
Mark 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!
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.
Luke 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!
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.
In conclusion, the two terms are synonymous. "Kingdom of God" is the literal term for what Yeshua preached.
“Kingdom of God (Elohim)” specifically denotes
whose kingdom it is; it belongs to the Almighty God, who is the eternal king while the term
“Kingdom of Heaven” refers where it is from ? The
origin or geography of the kingdom – it is from heaven and not of this world.
