Heaven.
Most people believe:
A.) Heaven is a place souls float up to, after their body dies, where they will see God, play golf, and live a life there, where the gates are pearly and the streets are golden.
B.) Heaven does not exist, except for it being the sky.
But, today, I would like to give a third option that the Bible offers us:
C.) Heaven is a place where our invisible God dwells, with His Son Jesus who sits at the right hand of God until the time of restoration is complete. Jesus will come down to the earth to resurrect the dead, restore things, put all authorities and government under his feet, judge the world, so that the age of the Kingdom can begin, and then God will finally be able to come down and dwell with mankind on the new earth.
Let’s start with the word ‘heaven.’ In the New Testament, Heaven or the Heavens, is translated from the Greek word, “Ouranos.” The lexical aid commentary on this word ‘ouranos’ reads, “The heavens are often used as a name of God in the Old Testament, and therefore heaven is used in the same sense in the New Testament. Thus, the Kingdom of the Heavens, or Heaven, is synonymous with the Kingdom of God.”
The only writer of the four gospels who used “Kingdom of Heaven” rather than the “Kingdom of God” was Matthew, who was known to be writing to the Jewish people, and out of deference to them, chose the word “the heavens” or “heaven” rather than using “God”. This practice is still done today, and that is why you will see a Jewish person write “G-d” or replace another name for God, such as Ha Shem, Adonai or Lord for “God” or “YHVH”, because they do not want to take His name in vain. They have created an additional command (or fence) which states a person is not to say or write the name at all. Which is, in fact, what Matthew did with writing “Kingdom of Heaven” rather than “Kingdom of God” in his texts in the Gospel of Matthew. The meaning is synonymous; the concept is the same. However, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven”:
“was certainly not a kingdom in the clouds they longed for. It was the reign of God over a perfected earth, at a definite point in history, under the Lord Messiah.” (Greg Deuble, “They Never Told Me THIS in Church” p. 336-337).
The Bible refers to the Kingdom of Heaven as an actual place and dominion, a political government rule of the world, in an age that is to come. Many have misunderstood this concept, and dropped ‘Kingdom of’ and think only “heaven” when they read anywhere about this Kingdom. So, images of puffy clouds and pearly gates in the sky, flutter through their heads, when reading the Scripture, which concepts are very inconsistent with the promises the Bible lays out clearly for us, about this coming reign of Jesus and His saints.
More accurately, this Kingdom is the one prophesied in the book of Daniel and spoken of very clearly in chapter 7: “And to him [the Messiah] was given dominion [to have power, to rule an empire], glory and a KINGDOM [malku - royalty, reign, kingdom], that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away and his KINGDOM is one which will not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:14.
This makes perfect sense with Isaiah 9:7 that prophesies about this same Messiah, “There will be no end to the increase of his government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his KINGDOM, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.”
This Messiah was miraculously conceived in the womb of Mary by the power of God, and as the angel proclaimed to Mary, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the LORD God will give him the throne of his father David; and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His KINGDOM will have no end.” Luke 1:32-33.
These passages tell us that this kingdom will be without end. The King will sit on the throne of David and he will rule and reign with justice, peace, and righteousness. This theme is very consistent throughout the Bible and it is not a new concept that people tend to think was introduced in the New Testament that teaches people that they go to heaven when they die. This Kingdom of Heaven is actually located on the earth, and King Jesus will rule the world. “For the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he would be heir of the world” in Romans 4:13 promises us that we will inherit the world, not the heavens. Jesus promises this also in Matthew 5:5, “for they shall inherit the earth.”
So, where does this great misunderstanding of the word ‘heaven’ come from, when it is so clearly laid out in Scripture, that there will be a dominion set up on the earth, where this Anointed King will rule and reign from the throne of David forever?
One such Scripture is this: “Rejoice, and be glad for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:12. And another, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.” Matthew 6:20. This one is probably the most infamous of all: “My Father’s house has many rooms. If that were not true, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again. Then I will bring you into my presence so that you will be where I am.” John 14:2-3.
We can easily assume that these words of Jesus are telling us that our treasure and reward are in heaven, and if they are in heaven, that is where we are going to get our reward. We can start to believe, erroneously of course, that our reward IS heaven.
But Jesus says in Revelation 22:12, “Behold, I am coming quickly and my reward is with me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” “And when the Chief Shepherd [Hebrews 13:20 tells us our Great Shepherd is Jesus] appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” I Peter 5:4.
Yes, our reward is from heaven, just as every perfect gift is from above, or sent from God. Very true indeed! But what is made clear in the Bible is that our reward is going to be given out to us when Jesus returns to the earth to give it to us! He will present to us our reward, here on the earth when he comes back!
Our reward is a heavenly one, but our reward is NOT heaven. Our reward is the resurrection of the dead to eternal life. Our reward is to be heirs to the promise made to Abraham, that we will inherit the earth, the very land of a glorious new earth, that will be indestructible and imperishable. Our reward is to rule and reign with Christ Jesus. This is the basic definition of the Gospel [or good news] of the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ! We must grasp the promises of our reward that we will be given if we believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. In Jesus’ own words, he said, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in him, may have eternal life; and I, Myself, will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:40.
“And Thou hast made them to be a KINGDOM and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” Revelation 5:10.
The Kingdom of Heaven is our reward, a literal kingdom that is to come, here upon this earth when Jesus ushers it in! Until that time, “repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that He [God] may send Jesus, the Christ [Anointed King] appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.” Acts 3:19-21. Heaven must receive Jesus, until the day of his return. The Bible speaks nothing about receiving us! But it does speak of us asleep in death, awaiting our resurrection, when we shall be awakened from our rest to rise again and receive immortality from our awesome lord messiah and king! (See Daniel 12; I Corinthians 15).
The Kingdom of Heaven is a coming Kingdom upon this earth, and this is our reward. A heavenly reward, there is no doubt!, but we will receive it at the day of the lord messiah’s return to this earth, to reward us as we deserve. Just as Abraham was looking forward to this heavenly kingdom in Hebrews 11:16, “they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.”
And where is this city? Does the Bible promise us that we will go “up to heaven” to this heavenly city? Jesus says in John 8:21, “Where I am going, you cannot come!” So, if we aren’t going up to it, it must be coming down to us. Hebrews 13:14 tells us, “For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.” And Hebrews 12:22, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels.” This city is to come here, and it will be the new Jerusalem, that comes down to the earth to us, as stated in Revelation 21:2, “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” From Scripture, we see that this city is to come to us on the earth.
It is very plain that this city is a ‘heavenly one,’ meaning it is created and designed by God, our Heavenly Father, who is its architect. It describes a dominion, a rule of our Messiah here upon this earth. This kingdom will be indestructible and without end. It will come down TO us in the rulership of Jesus Christ when he returns. We are not going UP to it. We are not coming DOWN WITH it. That is not what the Bible teaches. Rather, the ultimate plan of God is to have the earth renewed and restored, and all evil, sin and death destroyed, so that our Most HOLY GOD can finally come down and ‘dwell’ with us. Nowhere does it speak of us going up to dwell with Him. This Kingdom is our ultimate reward; albeit a heavenly one, here upon the earth. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand! Repent (turn away) from your sins and be ready for our Lord Messiah’s return to the earth.
Hello
you write above
This does bring up a question: How was Jesus able (in John 18:32-37) to give true testimony before Pilate that he IS (present tense, even at that time) the king of a “kingdom not of this realm” if his kingdom at the time had not yet come, has not even come even to this day and supposedly will come in some undefined and unknown future age? IF indeed he did give true testimony befpre Pilate, then when was he anointed king of that kingdom? Has he not been anointed king as of yet?
Also, if this kingdom is an earthly political kingdom (sort of like a “one world country” or how?), then Christian’s focusing on such a hope would very much be setting their affection on things on earth, rather than on things above, or?
Cheers,
Wolfgang
Hello Wolfgang,
Interesting points! I love John 18:37, when Jesus says, “You say correctly that I am a king; For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth.” You bring up a very good point – it is present tense – and right now, Jesus IS King, Lord of our life, here in the present day, before this Kingdom age arrives.
The literal Kingdom, of His reign from Jerusalem, has not arrived yet, but for us, living in the modern day, we are presently tasting a shadow of what is to come, through the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us, empowering believers. This is the “truth revolution” that Pastor Steve Taylor speaks of, quite clearly (here is a link to finding his writings on the topic: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V3a7yOqJqw that not only is the literal kingdom to come, here upon this earth, but we believers, are to be living in a way that reflects the reign of Christ, his dominion and rule over us, right now. It is how the Kingdom can be both present and future tense. It [the dominion of Christ] is not just future, although the literal reign of Jesus from Jerusalem, at his return to the earth, is future tense, to be sure!
Jesus says in Matthew 12:28, “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.” How is that possible, when in other places, the kingdom is yet to come? Is that an inconsistency? Does that indicate that we are in the kingdom of God right now?
The explanation is this: I believe that if we are NOT believers, we are under the ‘god of this world’s’ reign (a.k.a. Satan).
If we believe in Jesus, we are under Christ’ rulership and dominion, right now. We have supernatural access to “be enlightened so that we may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He {God} raised Him {Jesus} from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:18-21.
The literal kingdom, that the Bible speaks of, with a new earth, when there will be no more death, dying, mourning, pain or tears is yet to come. We are certainly looking forward to a time when there will be justice, righteousness and no more sin or evil upon this earth, that the Scriptures promise us. In the mean time, while we wait for the day of the Lord Messiah to return to the earth, we live with kingdom purpose. We live like citizens of this future kingdom, under our current rulership of our King. We realize the power He has gifted us with right now, but our hope is not this present earth, with this mortal body, which both groan in anticipation for something greater which is to come. I love Romans 8:23 as it expresses this exactly: “And not only this [that creation is groaning], but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” We, as believers, have the ‘first fruits of the Spirit’ – through the Spirit, we have a deposit, guaranteeing us of something even greater which is to come to us, as our heavenly reward.
By looking forward to this promise from above, this is most definitely setting our affections on things above! This is not a kingdom on earth that can be established by anything we mortals can establish! Although politically, many people have attempted this Utopia state, I can say quite confidently, it will not happen. It cannot be done, ever…. not without the rulership of King Jesus, who will come with this heavenly reward down to the earth, and as Psalm 110:1 and I Corinthians 15:23-25 says, Jesus will establish his dominion over all the earth at that time. So, our hearts are set on Jesus, who will bring this about, here on the earth. Our hearts are set on what God, in the heavens, can grant us: immortality; a kingdom that cannot be shaken! These are gifts from above, and when we set our eyes on these things from above, this is where our heart is. This will be what makes us want to become obedient in our daily lives, and radically change and revolutionize our present day lives here on this earth. When this beautiful truth is understood, believed, accepted, people will repent, and turn from their sins, and radically begin living out the righteousness of God, right now, because they want and desire what is to come.
The Kingdom of Heaven (aka Kingdom of God) primarily refers to the coming literal kingdom on earth. There are a small number of passages that speak of it being present in some sense, but they must be understood in light of the many clear passages that refer to the literal future reign on earth. Please refer to the series of articles entitled “Kingdom Come” on my website, or the posts based on that series here on Kingdomready.
“IF indeed he did give true testimony befpre Pilate, then when was he anointed king of that kingdom? Has he not been anointed king as of yet?”
Wolfgang
Jesus’ anointing as King of Israel was preannounced at his birth and was conditional on his obidience and was completed at the very same time he was adpoted by God at his Baptism.
If you are wondering just how someone can be a King without out a Kingdom to rule over turn to 1 Samuel 16 and you will see David anointed by God as King with a Kingdom and Rule still to come in a future World.
“The literal kingdom, that the Bible speaks of, with a new earth, when there will be no more death, dying, mourning, pain or tears is yet to come.”
Angela
Is this literal Kingdom when there will be no more death that you referenced the one that comes directly after the return of Jesus to the Planet Earth?
Robert,
excellent point!
Robert ~ quick answer: no.
a bit longer answer:
The literal Kingdom of God (with no more death, etc). is when the earth is restored and God comes down to dwell with mankind. I believe this, because death cannot be completely obliterated until after the judgment and lake of fire, which will precede the new heavens and the new earth and God coming down to dwell w/mankind. This is another amazing ‘proof’ that Jesus is not God. Jesus must deal with all the judgment/death, before our most HOLY God can finally come down to the earth to dwell with mankind. Also another reason why we can’t be up in heaven dwelling in this city — because we will not have been risen to perfection/completion,/holiness until the day Jesus raises us up.
According to the timeline that the Scriptures tell us, there will definitely be a time (the millennium) when Jesus begins to set up his rule and reign on the earth, and begin to usher in that time of peace. Jesus’ dominion where he will sit upon the throne of David and rule with his saints, will occur immediately upon his return. But, there must be the 2nd resurrection of the all the dead, judgment, etc. before the true Kingdom can officially begin. There is definitely a difference in Jesus’ dominion and rule over the earth prior to the Kingdom age, when God comes to dwell with mankind on the renewed earth. (In my humble, unscholarly opinion, of course!)
Angela
That was almost excellent and would be beyond that if you stated Jesus was to rule from heaven over the millennium while God rested on his 1000 year Sabbath.
I think you see that during the millennium there will be death but after Jesus returns to the earth with all that are gathered to him there will be no more death.
Therefor placing the return of Jesus and the raising of those in Him(Lambs book of Life) coming after the millennium.
Each in there own order
1. the first of the first fruits(Jesus’resurrection and acension)
2. the first fruits(those righteous of the Old covenant).
BTW this is not Salvation,this is just a fulfillment of one the the promises to Abraham
3. All mankind even the First Fruits as promise in the spiritual blessing to those who follow the testamony of Jesus(Another promise being fulfilled to Abraham)
Wishing a very pleasent and restfull visit with God on this Sabbath day to ALL
hi
now how many more ideas about the timing / beginning / duration / etc. of the kingdom of heaven / kingdom of God will be suggested here? Thus far I have read about the kingdom being identified with the so-called “millenium” (a literal 1000 year – not 999 or 1001? period), or the kingdom coming after the millenium, or the kingdom being present in some preliminary form but not really as of yet, etc ….
Seems like folks can’t quite fit their particular kingdom ideas/understanding into the proper time frame because there are always some details which seem to derail some part of what is thought to be “the kingdom”?
Cheers,
Wolfgang
“now how many more ideas about the timing / beginning / duration / etc. of the kingdom of heaven / kingdom of God will be suggested here? ”
Wolfgang
No matter how many ideas there is on these, there is a common ground on all and that is the physical planet Earth.
@ Wolfgang ~ I don’t believe the Kingdom message is that complicated. In fact, I believe a child can even grasp this concept and believe it rather easily. Yes, there are details that can be discussed of how it can be both present and future tense, and the timing of it all, but as Mark C. stated above, “There are a small number of passages that speak of it being present in some sense, but they must be understood in light of the many clear passages that refer to the literal future reign on earth.” I think you also have to grasp what Jesus means, in the present tense, or you miss what it can mean to us while we wait for his return. Most denominations focus primarily on one or the other, and ignore the other. I think you first have to grasp the future kingdom God has promised to us that include the promise to inherit the earth, then fill in the details of how that impacts our daily lives today.
@ Robert ~ You made me chuckle at “almost excellent”.
Can you list the Scripture references, so I can look up what you are referring to? Thanks!
Angela
First we should read Rev 21 and Rev 7 to compare the simularities of those in Christ.
Then we should read Rev 20 to see if any of the those entering the millenium were judged from the Lambs book of life.
From what i see this resurrection is for those who dont have the signs of other nations. Only the signs of Gods elect giving to Israel.
then you might present verses that state that Jesus will rule from earth during the millenium. then you might read where David is said to be King of Israel during this Age in Ezekiel 37.
Jesus is to Rule all nations during the millenium and is never spoken that this will be done from earth. If you take time to understand Heb 4 you will understand God will rest again on HIS SABBATH with Jesus taking over the duties in God’s throne after God makes all his enemies Jesus’ footstool then after Jesus will step aside returning these Duties to God.Then the final conflict will happen between God and Satan with at the end of this conflict Jesus will return to Raise the dead and bring those still alive of the millenium to Heaven to be judged while the earth is renewed by all the elements melting(Lake of fire). Afterwards the New heavens and earth will be completed by God and all that were found written in the Lambs book of Life will dwell upon the New heaven upon this earth with God and His Lamb.
Our reward, our hope, our calling, and our future seems to be both a part of heaven and earth, even this one.