Beth-El Baptist Church

07/05/2009

Greg Tomlinson


Where is the kingdom of heaven?


When talking about heaven, the concept of the kingdom of heaven will arise so it is also good to understand what and where the kingdom of heaven is.


  1. What is the kingdom of heaven?

Matthew 3:1-3 cmp Mark 1:14-15 Matthew 4:15-17; 5:1-12; 8:10-12

Matthew 13:24-30, 31-32, 33, 44, 45-46, 47-50; 18:23-35; 20:1-16; 22:2-14


Only the Gospel of Matthew uses the phrase 'kingdom of heaven'. The other Gospels and other writings use the 'kingdom of God' as the same thing. The kingdom of heave is identified as a place that is received based upon the condition of the heart. It requires humility and is often accompanied with persecution. It is identified as the place where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are currently existing. It is a place that is identified as a place of forgiveness.


  1. Where is the kingdom of heaven?

Matthew 12:27-28; 21:42-45 cmp Acts 4:10-12 Mark 9:1-7

Mark 12:29-34; 14:25 Luke 17:20-21 cmp Luke 21:7-31


The kingdom of heaven is a structure that was rejected by Israel, but eventually accepted by others. It is associated with the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is clearly identified as being 'within you'. At the same time it is described as a place that is entered into at the end of time. Therefore the best description regarding the location of the kingdom of heaven is that it is a place that is here but not completely here. It is the very presence of Jesus Christ and those who have Jesus in them, have the kingdom of heaven in them. The fullness of being in the kingdom of heaven is at the end of time when the heavens and earth are destroyed and men are fully redeemed, bodily resurrected, and physically dwell in the presence of Jesus Christ for all eternity.


  1. How does one enter into the kingdom of heaven?

Matthew 3:1-3 cmp Isaiah 40:1-5; Malachi 3:1 Matthew 6:33-34

Matthew 5:18-20; 7:21-23; 11:11-13 Matthew 13:11-15; 16:15-19

Matthew 25:1-12, 14-30 Matthew 19:16-26; 21:28-23

Mark 9:43-50; 10:14-15 Luke 9:59-62; 19:11-27; 21:7-31

John 3:3-6


In order to enter into the kingdom of heaven, we are to repent of our sins and obey the commands of God. In order to properly repent and obey, we must do so through Jesus Christ for the only doorway into the kingdom of heaven is through Jesus Christ. There is no other hope or help of man apart from Jesus Christ.


  1. What are we to do about the kingdom of heaven?

Matthew 10:5-13; 18:1-6; 22:13


We are called to proclaim and preach the kingdom of heaven. It is through the preaching of the kingdom of heaven, which is also called the gospel, that lives change so that others may enter in.