The following notes are really raw! But, I present them here as a beginning to get readers to begin an “every verse study” of all the references to The Kingdom of God and The Kingdom of Heaven in the Bible, primarily the New Testament, and primarily the words of Jesus in His Parables!
Jesus presented the Kingdom as though His hearers would understand that to which he was speaking!! For example, the disciples asked who would be greatest in the Kingdom.
The King is Jesus Christ. Citizens are the regenerate.
Matthew:
Characteristics of citizens of the Kingdom: (must be regenerated)
Kingdom of “Heaven” is more prominent than Kingdom of God
Time of occurrence:
“at hand” (certainly implies that it was not present before);
the least in the Kingdom is greater than John the Baptist who was the greatest of the Prophets (different era, dispensation, manifestation of God, etc.);
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are in the Kingdom (Matthew 8:11 – healing of the Centurion’s servant);
“the law and the prophets were until John,” Luke 16:16;
God’s Kingdom has always existed in heaven, Psalm 103:10
Daniel 2:44 “a kingdom that will never be destroyed”
God has always ruled the kingdoms of the world
All Beatitudes would apply, because the context is the Kingdom of heaven;
Matthew 13: whole chapter
“the poor in spirit” “theirs is the Kingdom of heaven” (v. 3)
“those persecuted for righteousness’ sake”
Levels in Kingdom: “breaking commandments” and “teaching others to do so” are least…(punished by having a millstone tied around his neck and cast in to the sea (but not into outer darkness) while whoever “does and teaches the commandments” are greatest… ;
Membership:
righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees”;
regeneration (John 3); those who do the will of my Father in heaven (7:21); Matthew 13:18;
confession of Christ before men; greater than John the Baptist (?) – “the least in the Kingdom (Matthew 11)
warfare: a certain zeal (violence) for the things of God (Matthew 11:12); the gates of Hell will not prevail against the assault of the Church;
the mysteries of the Kingdom have been revealed to us (Matthew 13:11) ® the Kingdom is no longer a mystery? Luke 8:10
preparation of the heart (Matthew 13:18ff), i.e., regeneration;
worth great sacrifice (Matthew 13: parables of hidden treasure and pearl of great price)
keys of the kingdom: giving Peter (the Church) the keys to the kingdom (Matthew 16; 18:18) – whatever you bind will be bound in heaven;
casting out of demons, Luke 11:20
Satan falling “as lightning,” Luke 18
Non-membership:
those who call me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do “the will of my Father in heaven”;
denial of Christ before men;
tares: those who have every appearance of being in the Kingdom (Matthew 13)
cannot visualize or realize (“see”) the Kingdom; many places: Matthew 13 – mysteries; “he who has ears, let him hear”;
Characteristics:
great growth (mustard seed, parable of leven, Matthew 13)
things that are new and old, good and bad (Matthew 13, parable of dragnet)
personal humility and servanthood; “the greatest and the least are reversed” (Matthew 18, 20);
forgiveness that is infinite (Matthew 18 – how many times to forgive), proportionate to that of our debt to Christ (parable of unforgiving servant – Matthew 18)
all ethics (righteousness) of New Testament – synonymous: do Word Search on this file, Romans 14:14-23); “What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?” –> all the “right” changes made on earth
little children (identification with), Matthew 18 and 19; “like” and “faith of”; humility as a little child;
eternal life (Kingdom of heaven), “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” — Matthew 19
riches are a severe, but not impossible, hindrance, Matthew 19
rewards are at the whim of the King, Matthew 20
concerns all humanity; judgment of all peoples, all nations called and converted;
eunuchs have been made so for the Kingdom! (Matthew 19:12)
link with salvation, Matthew 19:23, “who then can be saved?”
link with heaven, Matthew 19:28, “the new heavens and the new earth” = regeneration of all things
Jesus miracles, signs of the Kingdom of God
link with righteousness, Matthew 19:28ff
Israel had been promised the Kingdom, but they failed to embrace it (Jesus), Matthew 21:43
many are invited, but few are chosen, and they have to have the right “wedding garment”, Matthew 22:2ff
Matthew 23:13, Pharisees shut out people from the Kingdom
be prepared and watch, Parable of the bridesmaids, Matthew 25
invest “talents” wisely, parable of talents, Matthew 25
Kingdom of works, you who clothed, fed, visited, thirsty, etc., selection of sheep and goats, Matthew 25
predestined, “prepared before the foundation of the world”, Matthew 25:34
“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail,” Luke 16:17
flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom, I Corinthians 15:50
unity of heaven and earth, spiritually: we can enter the Holy of Holies, God has come to earth, God’s spirit is on earth, we invite “heaven on earth” in Lord’s prayer, “invisible church” (all saints on earth and heaven), saints rule in heaven even now, veil has been rent and we may enter the Holy of Holies, etc.
link of freedom of the soul to freedoms on earth
death of the Old World order: Jesus preached the end of the world, but is did not occur physically, instead spiritually
foretaste of heaven
Definition: the fulfillment of God’s will on earth as it is in heaven (Lord’s Prayer); the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven are identical ; the gospel is the Kingdom (Matthew 24:13, Acts 8:12, 20:25)
Judgment:
angels will separate the wicked from the righteous (Matthew 13)
Questions and Mysteries
Contiguity of Kingdom on earth with new heavens and earth? Matthew 19:28
Contiguity with Creation Mandate; Noahic, Abrahamic, and Mosaic Covenants
These were “shadows” (e.g., Poythress’ book)
(Above) Mystery has been revealed
Does the Kingdom replace the rule of Adam and Eve (mankind?). That on a physical level, now spiritual?