THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
In the Book of Matthew the expression, “the Kingdom of Heaven” is found about 30 times. Although in Daniel’s message to Nebuchadnezzar the Kingdom that is to be established on this earth when the Stone (Christ) comes down from heaven to smite man’s civilization (Daniel 2:41 to 44) will be “the Kingdom of Heaven;” the particular expression is found only in Matthew.
Let us compare Mark 1:14 and 15 and Luke 21:31 with Matthew 4:17, and learn that sometimes, in the Scriptures, “the Kingdom of Heaven;” and “the Kingdom of God” are the same. But “the Kingdom of God” is not always “the Kingdom of Heaven.” Now we quote the three verses mentioned.
“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent ye, and believe the gospel.” “So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Three times we read “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2 - Matthew 4:17 - Matthew 10:7).
Now as we study “the Kingdom of Heaven” in Matthew, let us note in Matthew 10:6 and 7 and Matthew 10:23 that when Christ sent His twelve apostles to Israel not to Gentiles) to preach “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” He said unto them, “ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel until the Son of man be come.” And in Matthew 19:27 and 28 Christ told the twelve apostles when the Son of man did come they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And this Christ told them after He said to Simon Peter, “I will give you the keys of “the Kingdom of Heaven.” “Upon this Rock I will build My Church.” (Matthew 16:16 to 19). Then after Christ’s resurrection the Twelve asked Him, “wilt Thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).
The first step in bringing about the prophesied restitution when Christ returns to earth as the Son of Man, will be Israel’s redemption, which means, the Kingdom will be restored to Israel. (Acts 3:19 to 21 - Luke 21-27 to 33 - Romans 11:26 - Amos 9:11 to 15 - Acts 15:15 to 18). Then Christ, as the Son of Man, King and Judge, will sit on the throne of His glory. (Matthew 25:31 to 41). Then the Twelve will sit on twelve thrones.
This will be the fulfillment of Matthew 13:44: “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto Treasure hid in a field; the which when a Man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” Israel is called God’s treasure. (Psalms 135:4 - Exodus 19:5). Israel is hid in the world; but not from God. (Hosea 5:3).
The Kingdom of Heaven that was at hand when the King was here, and while He was standing in heaven, as the Son of man (Acts 7:51 to 56), will be at hand again when Luke 21:27 to 33 is fulfilled. In the meantime “the Kingdom of Heaven” has been postponed and God, by His Holy Spirit, His Son and His perfected saints, is conducting a different program (Ephesians 4:9 to 14). God has not abandoned His “Kingdom of Heaven” program. God’s “Kingdom” covenants have been interrupted or suspended until we reach the culmination of this “grace” program mentioned in Ephesians 4:13.
We read about 9 times in the Book of Matthew, that “the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto . . . “ But if you will study them carefully you will know that you cannot say, with Divine sanction, “the dispensation of the grace of God and the Body of Christ is like unto those illustrations.” There is a difference between the “Kingdom of Heaven” and the Body of Christ.
How would you interpret the eleventh hour workman of Matthew 20:1 to 16 in the light of Romans 4:4 and 5 - I Corinthians 3:11 to 15 - II Timothy 1:9? Compare Matthew 10:5 to 8 with Titus 2:11 to 14.
What is the Gospel?
Believing Christ died, that’s
HISTORY.
Believing Christ died for YOUR sins
and rose again, that’s SALVATION.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel
which the preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,
unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all
that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
according to the scriptures. 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
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Bible: King James Version
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