What is the kingdom of heaven
like? Is it possible that heaven and the heavens are the same as the kingdom of
heaven?
Are these expressions interchangeable
or used interchangeably?
Most people have an idealistic
vision of what the kingdom of heaven is like. What the features of the kingdom
of heaven are will always be subject to individual, subjective
interpretations of the Scriptures.
Those who know about the
kingdom of heaven want to go there. Will it be any different from our
present life?
Turn to the Christian source of
information about the kingdom of heaven in the Holy Bible.
Everyone who contemplates the
kingdom of heaven has expectations that it will fulfill their hopes and dreams.
Is the kingdom of heaven a realm beyond the world that we know?
While there are those who
attempt to envision the best things about heaven, we do not know what
they are; nor do we know much about the poignant characteristics of heaven.
Will it be easy to enter into the kingdom of heaven?
That question, we may be able
to answer.
The Holy Bible speaks about
three realms namely heaven, the heavens and the kingdom of heaven. Can we
comprehend the concept of the kingdom of heaven on its own, apart from heaven or
the heavens? Each realm appears to be separate, unique and different.
The King James Version of the Holy Bible (1) will be the
source of information about heaven, the heavens and the kingdom of heaven,
but there are different versions of the King James Bible.
(2)
Learning about each realm
individually raises questions that lead to unexpected answers.
Look at this account of
creation from Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Compare the two verses from
the first chapter, which offers a comparison between heaven and the
heavens.
“In the beginning, God created
the heavens and the earth” Genesis 1:1
“And God called the firmament
heaven.” Genesis 1:8
There is a realm known as
heaven and a separate realm called the heavens. The heavens appear to be
separate from the earth and heaven is the firmament.
How are we to understand
heaven? Is this a word, a concept or a place?
Most people are familiar with
the word heaven. We have a vague idea about heaven as a concept. We speculate
in faith about heaven being a place where believers go after death.
How do we understand the
heavens? Is that a word, a concept or a place?
We have an understanding
of the heavens, because we see the sun, moon and stars. We assign the
heavens a place in the sky. The heavens appear to be an
all-encompassing expression, rather than just a word. We ponder the truth about
the creation of the heavens.
In this part of Genesis, there
is no mention of the kingdom of heaven.
Is the kingdom of heaven a
word, a concept or a place? Where does one find the initial use of the
word kingdom? The kingdom of heaven does not appear to be part of heaven or the
heavens, as described in Genesis.
Which realm is the most
real, heaven, the heavens or the kingdom of heaven?
The reality of heaven has been
questioned by man since creation. The heavens
appear real because we see them. The kingdom of heaven appears
to be an expression, or a concept, while some regard it as a place.
What is the difference between
heaven, the heavens and the kingdom of heaven?
When we find the answer, the
initial inquiry about the kingdom of heaven may be resolved.
In Genesis 1:7, the word
firmament expresses separation or division, as it divides “the waters from the
waters”. There is water under the firmament, as well as above the firmament,
but the upper or higher part of the firmament is heaven.
According to this ancient,
historical account, heaven is a distinct realm, apart from the earth.
In Genesis 1:14, there are
“lights in the firmament of the heavens”, that provide light to the earth. The
heavens are not a realm of darkness.
The light in the firmament of
the heavens divides day from night and helps man determine the signs, seasons,
days and years. God placed a greater light (the sun) and a lesser light (the
moon), as well as the stars, in the firmament. Genesis 1:18 tells us that these
lights “rule over the day and over the night” and “divide the light from
darkness”.
Accounts of creation vary with
versions of the Bible. Each person has unique interpretation of the
Bible and an understanding of creation. In interpretations, there may
not always be revelation, but there is division. Division of perception with
regard to heaven, the heavens and the kingdom of heaven continues throughout
the generations, as God reveals Himself only to some.
How do those in the Old
Testament portray heaven, the heavens and the kingdom of heaven?
When does the concept of kingdom
initially appear in the Bible?
In Exodus 19, verses 5 and 6,
God speaks to Moses. “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep
my covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to me above all people; for
all the earth is mine. And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy
nation.”
Those who become part of the kingdom of God
How do others portray
heaven, the heavens and the kingdom of heaven?
Psalm 1 acknowledges a
distinction between the righteous, who believe in God and follow His divine Law
or the Ten Commandments, and the ungodly, or unrighteous, who reject Him and
His Law.
Psalm 2 compares God as the
Lord or King, who “sits in the heavens” to the ungodly kings of earth. The
central concern is righteousness versus unrighteousness.
What happens later in the Old
Testament?
In Psalm 14, a Psalm of David,
states, “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if
there are any who understand, who seek God.” Psalm 14:2
Heaven is God’s dwelling place,
while human beings live on earth. God is looking for those who seek to know
Him, as they are His people.
How does the New Testament
portray the different realms? More importantly, how do John and Jesus
portray heaven, the heavens and the kingdom of heaven?
Matthew 3:2 introduces us to
the kingdom of heaven through the words of John the Baptist, who states,
“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
The kingdom of heaven is not
just heaven, the place where God dwells, but repentance makes the kingdom
of heaven accessible to humankind on earth. This does not negate heaven
as the secret place where God dwells, or the heavens that humankind sees.
It does call humankind
individually and collectively, to give account for their actions.
At the baptism of Jesus,
Matthew 3:17, the Holy Bible records, “And suddenly a voice came from heaven,
saying, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.”
Human beings heard God
speaking. Thus, we too, can expect to hear the voice of God from heaven.
Matthew 4 makes a comparison
between “the kingdom of heaven” and “the kingdoms of the world.”
In Matthew 4:17, Jesus
reinforces the words of John stating, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven
is at hand.”
No longer is the kingdom of
heaven out of man’s reach.
In the Beatitudes, Matthew
5:13, Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.”
In Matthew 5:10, He states,
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus, states, in Matthew 5:12,
“great is your reward in heaven,” again distinguishing heaven from the
kingdom of heaven.
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus
suggests, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
In Matthew 5:17 Jesus
distinguishes between “heaven and earth”.
In Matthew 5:19, He
distinguishes between those who are destined to be “the least in the kingdom of
heaven” and the “great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Entering the kingdom of heaven
is contingent upon righteousness.
Matthew 5:34 refers to heaven
as “God’s throne”, in contrast to the earth in Matthew 5:35, which is “His
footstool”.
In Matthew 6:9, Jesus instructs
His people how to pray, saying, “Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name,
your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
He attributes the kingdom of
heaven to God, in Matthew 6:13. “For yours is the kingdom and the power and the
glory forever.”
In Matthew 6:18, Jesus refers
to heaven as “a secret place”.
In Matthew 6:20, He advises His
followers, “Do not lay up for your selves treasures on earth,” but instead, in
Matthew 6:21, “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
“Seek first the kingdom of God
In Matthew 7:21, Jesus
suggests saying “Lord, Lord,” does not give one access to
the kingdom of heaven, but rather “he who does the will of my Father” enters.
Later, we read the account
of the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. He is with God
in His heavenly realm, in heaven. It is His righteousness not ours, that
guarantees us a place in heaven with Him. We enter by believing in His divine
act of salvation.
In conclusion, Scriptural
evidence supports heaven, the heavens and the kingdom of heaven. They are
distinct realms united by the Holy Spirit. Heaven is God’s secret realm.
The heavens we see with the naked eye. The kingdom of heaven is where the outworking
of God’s love is manifest to humankind.
The kingdom of heaven is the
realm on earth, where humankind comes to know the truth.
Perhaps the beauty of the
heavens gives a glimpse into heaven, even though it remains an unknown
realm.
We know the kingdom of heaven on earth, as we experience the outworking
of God’s Holy Spirit, through His divine love shown to us, by
others.
Heaven will be perfect. Would
God have anything less than that for His dwelling place?
Please note that the Biblical
references in this article are from Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New
Testaments, The New King James Version (Red Letter Edition), The Open Bible
Expanded Edition, Thomas Nelson Publishers Inc., Nashville
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