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What is The Kingdom of Heaven?

by Greg Robbins  
10/07/2016 / Bible Studies

This is an important topic for two reasons, Jesus had much to say about it, and it is where the redeemed family of God will spend eternity. So let's take a closer look.

Matthew 4:17 "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

We can absorb from this that repentance is necessary to gain entrance into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus was very clear about the meaning of repentance. To the woman caught in the act of adultery, Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." To the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda, Jesus said, "Go your way and sin no more, unless a worse thing come upon you." There is now a modern metaphysical version of repentance that is much in vogue today. It is to feel sorry for your sins, but you keep on doing the same sins. There is no cessation of sinning, or breaking the sin pattern. I have much studied the sermons of Charles Spurgeon, John Wesley, Dwight Moody, Charles Finney, and A.W. Tozer; and all of these spiritual giants would have condemned the modern metaphysical version of repentance as heresy. Many, if not all, of their sermons are available on the internet if you would care to read them. I wholeheartedly recommend that you do.

The other thing that Jesus said here is that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. It is very near to us. None of us are guaranteed to live until tomorrow. Just now both Russia and North Korea are threatening to use nuclear weapons on the United States. If they do there will be millions of people suddenly entering into eternity. That is how near the kingdom of heaven is, and hell too.

Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Simply put, the rich in spirit are full of themselves and the poor in spirit have emptied themselves. All non-converted people are full of themselves. Their universe has one main central king and that is themselves. A converted person empties self out and fills that space with King Jesus. The poor in spirit are humble, meek, and lowly. The rich in spirit are selfish, prideful, and self-centered.

Matthew 5:19 "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, , he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." The kingdom of heaven is a place of law and inhabited by people who obey those laws. If you want to be great in the kingdom of heaven, then both do and teach God's commandments here on earth during your lifetime.

Matthew 6:10 "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Jesus tells us here that God's will is done in heaven. Heaven is not a democracy like Americans are used to. You won't get to vote or elect anyone. You will have absolutely no say or input as to what the laws there are. Heaven is a theocracy. Jesus is the King and he dictates what the laws are. Notice that Jesus prays, and teaches us to pray, that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We are to be obedient to God's will here on earth if we desire to go to heaven.

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven." Just calling Jesus Lord will not get you into heaven. Calling Jesus Lord PLUS doing the will of the Father WILL get you into heaven.

Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Those who are persecuted FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE. The ones who let their light shine by doing good and obedient works of righteousness, and who openly proclaim Jesus Christ and his words everywhere that they go: these are the ones who are persecuted for righteousness sake. Those who hide their light under a bushel basket and do nothing for Jesus, do not get persecuted. It is these persecuted ones to whom the kingdom of heaven belongs.

Matthew 13:45-46 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." I was taught that salvation is a free gift. Jesus teaches just the opposite. Notice that the pearl merchant sold all that he had and bought the pearl of great price. He had enough money to buy it too. What was the price? It cost EVERYTHING THAT HE HAD. The price is all your possessions, houses, lands, father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters, friends, and your very own life. Your will, your love, your loyalty, your time, your thoughts, your EVERYTHING. This is the price that Jesus places on the kingdom of heaven. Does Jesus REALLY mean what he says? I assure you that he does. How many times did Jesus say," Verily, verily, I say unto you." That is the modern day equivalent of saying, "I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God."

Matthew 19:23-24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 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." Why is this? The description of the camel answers this. They eye of a needle is the name of a gate at Jerusalem where camels enter into the city. The camels have to get on their knees and much of their burden has to be removed before they can get through. So Jesus is painting a picture of a rich man getting on his knees to humble himself, and to give away his money and possessions, before he can enter the city. The city is Jerusalem, which is the earthly symbol of the heavenly city, New Jerusalem, where the kingdom of heaven is located. The majority of rich people are not willing to do this. So, "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."

Matthew 25:1-13 "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you:but go rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes." Jesus said there were ten virgins. The five foolish ones were also virgins. They weren't prostitutes. Also they called him Lord, Lord; which is the description that Jesus gave in Matthew 7:21 . Jesus is talking about church people. All ten of the virgins were together in the same place. They all had lamps, and all were invited to meet the bridegroom. Jesus said on several occasions that, "Many are called, but few are chosen." He is talking about professing Christians who call Jesus Lord. He is not talking about sinners outside of church, for they are not virgins, but prostitutes. Jesus tells us in this parable, that one half of professing Christians in churches have not prepared themselves for his return, and will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

For a physical (or is that spiritual? I don't know which), description of the kingdom of heaven go to: Revelation 21:1-27 and Revelation 22:1-21

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