OT Gospel of the Kingdom - NT Gospel of the grace of God

Kingdom of God (SPIRITUAL) vs Kingdom of Heaven (PHYSICAL)

Throughout scripture two kingdoms: physical & spiritual are revealed.

Cain physical, Abel spiritual
Ishmael physical, Isaac spiritual (See Gal 4:22-31)
Esau physical, Jacob spiritual
Israel physical, Body of Christ/Church spiritual
Adam physical, Christ Spiritual (1 Cor 15:45)

1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit
(MY NOTE: The last Adam/Christ is a quickening/life giving spirit)

Jesus preached the Gospel of the coming physical kingdom, yet spoke about both. I found the reference to "Kingdom of Heaven" 31 times. I found reference to "Kingdom of God" 45 times. I've posted a few below.

The Kingdom of God is SPIRITUAL! Not physical:

Lk 17:21 (B) Jesus said; Behold, "the kingdom of God is within you"
(MY NOTE: This is a spirit promise that began in Acts 2:4. At Pentecost believers are INDWELT via the outpouring of the Holy Spirit "the kingdom of God is HIS WITHIN YOU")

Jn 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
(MY NOTE: Born again = New spiritual birth)

Jn 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
(MY NOTE: Born of water (amniotic sac) = fleshly birth (vs 6 makes this clear) 1st birth flesh/physical, 2bd birth (SPIRITUALLY BORN FROM ABOVE) spiritual thru Faith. The need to be born of flesh 1st rules out fallen angels)

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
(MY NOTE: The Holy Spirit is what? SPIRITUAL!)

1Cor 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
(MY NOTE: The Kingdom of God is NOT physical words! It is in SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION POWER!)

The Kingdom of Heaven is PHYSICAL! It is the fulfillment of Gods land promise to Abraham

God gives the exact boundaries of the promised land in Num 34:1-15 (also: Deut 1:8, Ex 2:24, Ex 6:4, 8 & Ps 105:8-11)

The Gospel of the Kingdom message begins with John the Baptist Matt 3:2-6 & Mk 1:4-5

After John the Baptist's arrest, Jesus himself takes up the kingdom message. Matt 4:12-17

Matt 4:23 Jesus went about all Galilee, """teaching in their synagogues""", "preaching the gospel of the kingdom"

Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(MY NOTE: This kingdom doctrine (void of Jesus death & resurrection) is 100% a promise to Israel/Abrahams grandson. This isn't today's message, Christ's sin atoning death, burial & resurrection, is today's good news. After the Church is caught-up. The ALL Israelie 144,000 (Rev 7) will once again preach the gospel of the Kingdom/the King is coming.)

Believers/saints/His Bride, return with him:
Zec 14:5 On that day His feet will stand on Mt Olive. The Mt will split in 2 from east to west. Then the Lord your God will come, & """all the saints with Him."""

Jude 14 (B) Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

1 Thes 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, """at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints""".

Jesus will not return until the Nation of Israel proclaims: "Baruch Ha Ba B'Shem Adonai" (Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord Matt 23:39).

Adam was given Eve, Christ is given His Bride/the Church Body to help Him rule & reign.

Gods long standing promise to Israel, of a physical Kingdom & King that literally comes from Heaven. Was only postponed & will happen at Christs soon return.

Zech 9:14 & 15, 12:10–14, 13:1, Jer 30:18, 32:44, 33:11, 26, Joel 3:1, Amos 9:11–15, Rev 20:6.

At Christ 2nd coming during the time of refreshing/restoration (Matt 19:28, Acts 3:19). Israel will live in peace & prosper. No war, animals will live in peace. Isa 65:25 The wolf & the lamb shall feed together & the lion shall eat straw like the bullock. People & animals live in peace Isa 11:8.

There is no OT Gospel of the Kingdom. Please note:
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. {Mt 24:14) Do you seriously believe this belongs in the OT?

I understand this much differently.
The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are exactly the same thing... there is no difference whatsoever.

Jesus came to "preach" the "gospel" of Kingdom of God... coming into being through Him.
The word "preach" simply means to "proclaim". The word "gospel" means "good news/tidings"... it often meant news of a victorious nature, such as the winning of a battle.
Jesus was proclaiming that through His "efforts" the Kingdom of God has victoriously arrived.

The usage of the Kingdom of Heaven is used, to the best of my knowledge, only in the Gospel according to Matthew... nowhere else. And it's used synonymously with the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matt. 19:23-24 (ESV)
23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Jesus says the same thing, twice... one time using the term Kingdom of Heaven and the next time (repeating Himself for emphasis) uses the term Kingdom of God.

We can see the same synonymous usage in the "synoptic gospels" where the terms are interchanged by the authors when recording the same events/sermons.

I know you know. Also I know what you were saying here. Totally with you because I believe you are with our Lord...God bless you.....jj

Does the word "God" mean the same in scripture as the term "heaven"? Of course not...neither do the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven mean the same thing. God is a spirit. Heaven is a created place. One is spiritual, one is physical. Both will be realized at the second coming of Jesus Christ. As for now, only the kingdom of God is present. The physical kingdom will be present at his return. Both were at hand at the time of Jesus.

Another approach to understanding the sameness of the two terms, to Wom does theKingdom of heaven belong? Who is its King.. The argument againstt them NOt BEING THE SAME IS SIMPLY ABASURD i BELIEVE.

Imagine going into the Kingdom of Heaven with NO King...

I understand some people's reluctance to what I'm saying, but I believe it to be so.

I've heard that the reason that Matthew uses the term Kingdom of Heaven, instead of the Kingdom of God was because Matthew's ministry was primarily to the Jew/Hebrew believers. There is extrabiblical sources that seem to confirm this... some "church fathers" have reported that Matthew's original gospel account was in Aramaic, but later redone in Greek.

Also, the understanding is that Jews tended, back then, to be cautious about using the term God too much. The same caution can be seen today when people spell "God", as "G-D".

And they did indeed use the word "heaven" in place of saying "God"... as in, instead of saying "God bless you" it was common for them to say, "Heaven bless you".

Biblically speaking, heaven is never a replacement for God. In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth.

The King in the kingdom of heaven is Jesus Christ the King of kings when he returns to earth. The kingdom of God is within you. It is a spiritual kingdom of righteousness. One is physical. One is spiritual. Do you believe in the literal return of Jesus as King of the earth where he will rule and reign from David's throne in Jerusalem? Isn't this a future kingdom?

I get that you don't want that to be the case, and OI won't try to talk you out of believing as you do... but then, can you explain to me why Matthew uses the word "Heaven" in places where the authors of other gospels use the word God?

Also, in the example that I gave...

Matt. 19:23-24 (ESV)
23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you; it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

Surely you don't think that Jesus is confused... so why does He use both terms to say the same thing?

ABSOLUTELY:
The great commission verse everybody tries to force todays Church into.

1st Jesus hasn't ascended yet & salvation is being offered to Jews only.

1st to the Jew then to the gentile - Rom 1:16, 2:9 & 10

Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven
(MY NOTE: Jews had been scattered abroad into every nation under heaven)

Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
(MY NOTE: It's 6 years after Jesus death & resurrection. Jewish converts that fled Israel. Running for their lives from law zealots like Saul. They are still sharing Christ with other JEWS ONLY!).

Eph 2: 12That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
(MY NOTE For 7 years after the resurrection gentiles remain """strangers from the covenants of promise""" """having no hope""" & """without God in the world"""

Finally see mystery defined below
Eph 3:
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
(MY NOTE: This is one of many secrets God kept hidden)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
(MY NOTE: This mystery/secret in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men. Is now revealed!)

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
(MY NOTE: That gentiles would be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise/Eternal life giving Holy Spirit)

Eph is written about 25 years after the verse you & most others try to ram gentiles into.

KJV Dictionary Definition: MYS'TERY, n. L. mysterium; Gr. a secret, hiding or shutting; to shut, to conceal.
1. A profound secret; something wholly unknown or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder.
av1611.com

The Mosaic law covenant required works in order to access God's blessings (Deut 28:1-14) Curses were levied for non-compliance (Deut 28:15-68)

1st The gospel of the kingdom message John the Baptist & Jesus preached (to Israel only) was VOID of Jesus sin atoning death/He's still alive. While Jesus is alive Mosaic the law covenant (Israel/Jews ONLY) is in full force. I'll address that in a minute.

Background: Passover, Pentecost & Tabernacles were 3 Jewish "mandatory pilgrimage feasts" (all males 20 years & older) were required to travel to Jerusalem. (See Lev 23)

Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
(MY NOTE: ALL these Jews were Mosaic law adherents)

Onto Peters sermon: It's Pentecost the Temple Mt full (millions?) of Mosaic law adherent Jews.

Acts 2:38 Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(MY NOTE: Peter tells these Jews to REPENT from allowing there Messiah from being KILLED. (their everyday sins were being addresses by Temple priest's sacrifices)

Rereading the 1st sentence above: The Mosaic law covenant required works in order to access God's blessings. If these Mosaic law adherent Jews wanted to receive the Holy Spirit. They had to come forward PUBLICLY & confess Jesus as LORD!

1st listed of the 10 commandmens: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Jewish leadership (Priesthood) rejected Jesus, confessing Him as Lord was see as idolatry. Look what happened to Stephen & later Paul, & eventually every apostle except John.

Way to many NT believers cite Acts 2:38 as the litmus test for receiving Jesus eternal life giving Holy Spirit. And promote water baptism as a requirement. That was under the OC law doctrine. And isn't the new covenant message for today's body of Christ.

From the old to the new:

Jesus sacrificial DEATH retires the Mosaic law covenant. (Matt 27:51 & Heb 9:14-17)

Jesus cuts the new BETTER sin management covenant with: His sinless, ONCE for ALL TIME (Hed 9:28, 10:10), perpetually cleansing God Blood offering. He takes & places His Blood in the Heavenly tabernacle, in the presents of the Father (Heb 9:24).

Read from the old to new here: Hebrews 9 amp - Read the Amplified© Bible Online - Free AMP Bible - SermonCentral.com

Heb 9:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
(MY NOTE: By the MEANS of DEATH! He becomes the MEDIATOR of the NEW TESTAMENT! And the REDEEMER of TRANSGRESSIONS)

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
(MY NOTE: NO DEATH, NO NEW TESTAMENT!)

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
(MY NOTE: Until Jesus dies, the Old Mosaic law covenant "ISRAEL ONLY" remains in FULL FORCE. Jesus is the testator!)

While Jesus is alive, HOW? Can He be preaching the new testament? He hasn't died & his death & resurrection isn't part of the gospel of the kingdom message. That He & John the Baptist preached!

Even though He told the 12 He would suffer & die. They didn't UNDERSTAND! (Mark 9:31-4, Lk 18:33-34, Luke 9:44-45)

John 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

John 12:16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him.
(MY NOTE: After His RESURRECTION the Holy Spirit recalls/reminds them of teaching they didn't understand)

The Sermon on the Mt is to ISRAEL about Israel's long promised kingdom (still coming) where their Messiah will rule & reign (the whole world) from Jerusalem.

The RISEN Lord Jesus (Acts 26:15-18), gives Paul by direct revelation (Gal 1:12). Christ's gospel of God's GRACE (Acts 20:24)

NT Gospel of Jesus Christ message:

1 Cor 15:
1 Now brothers and sisters, let me remind you [once again] of the good news [of salvation] which I preached to you, which you welcomed and accepted and on which you stand [by faith].

2 By this faith you are saved [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose], if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain [just superficially and without complete commitment].

3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to [that which] the Scriptures [foretold],

4 and that He was buried, and that He was [bodily] raised on the third day according to [that which] the Scriptures [foretold],
1 Corinthians 15 amp - Read the Amplified© Bible Online - Free AMP Bible - SermonCentral.com
The Fact Of Christ’s Resurrection. Now brothers and sisters, let me remind you [once again] of the good news [of salvation] which I preached ...
www.sermoncentral.com www.sermoncentral.com

PARSING:
Vs 1, ""The good news of SALVATION"" preached to you, ""which you accepted by FAITH"".

Vs 2, You were SAVED by FAITH & reborn from above, spiritually transformed, renewed & set apart for His purpose.

Vs 3, The most ""important"" SALVATION information needed is: (Vs 3) Christ died for our sins (Vs 4) was buried & He was raised on the 3rd day. (NO H2O NEEDED!)

Synopsis: The gospel/good news whereby you are SAVED by FAITH placed in: Christ' sin atoning sacrifice/offering/payment: He died/Shedding His sinless perpetually cleansing (Heb 10:14) God blood, was buried & rose on the 3rd day. (Father receipt, sins required payment received & accepted.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed "ye were sealed with that holy Spirit'' of promise
(PARSING: You heard & BELIEVED about Jesus sin atoning payment & resurrection. Then (Matt 3:11, Mk 1:8, Lk 3:16) by Jesus, you were <PAST TENSE > SEALED with God's promised Gift of His FOREVER (Jn 14:16) SALVATION SEALING (Eph 1:13-14, 4:30, 2 Cor 1:22, 5:5, 2 Tim 1:14) indwelling Holy Spirit. (NO MENTION of H2O)

Justification: Receiving Christ' Eternal Life Giving FOREVER indwelling (Jn 14:16)Holy Spirit < Proof you're FOREVER SAVED/SDSEALED > (Eph 1:13-14, 4:30, 2 Cor 1:22, 5:5, 2 Tim 1:14, Jn 14:16) comes/is accessed through Faith! (Eph 5:8, Rom 5:1-2, 10:8-9, 1 Cor 15:1-4) NO H2O needed.

What is the Gospel which Abraham was given????

The gospel/good news God gave to Abraham was: The Lord would provide a means to salvation/reconcilation

Gen 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
(MY NOTE: God provides a ram for the burn offering sacrifice & Isaac is spared)

Abraham names the place: Jehovahjireh
Gen 22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
(MY NOTE: Jehovahjireh means = The Lord Will Provide. Ok, PROVIDE what? A SACRIFICE! The promised seed/Christ is = The SACRIFICE/Sins Atonement!)

Abrahamic Covenant: Based on the UNCONDITIONAL Promises from God.

The Abrahamic covenant takes place 430 years (Gal 3:17) before the Mosaic law Covenant. The Abrahamic covenant is based solely on God's promises & FAITH ALONE placed in them/Him.

Gen 12: Verses 1-4 The Lord speaks, Abram listens & the LORD makes covenant promises.

Genesis 15:1-5 the Lord speaks, Abram BELIEVES ONLY & the LORD declares Abram to be righteous. (Vs 6) Abram believes what the LORD says will come to pass & the LORD declares Abram to be righteous.
(MY NOTE: This declaration of righteousness is made 40 years before Abraham offers Isaac on Mt Moriah)

Abram is snoring while LORD Himself cuts the covenant, walking thru the fire:

Gen 12:
12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

Genesis 22:16 (A) By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD.

The Mosaic law covenant cut at Sinai. Is a CONDITIONAL covenant cut by TWO parties, the people & the Lord.

Ex 19:
7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him.
(MY NOTE: Law of Moses was given to: The house of Jacob/children of Israel (reread vs 3)

8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.
(MY NOTE: "ALL" the people answered & said, "ALL" that the Lord hath spoken WE WILL DO! They could have said no & left, yet, THEY ALL AGREED to the words the Lord had spoken. Now, anyone that wasn't part of the House of Jacob when they left Egypt, was now, by choice, part of this Sinai covenant.)

This began the Mosaic dispensation of Law covenant. AGREED upon by the Lord & ALL the House of Jacob/Israel. This covenant required SELF-WORKS to receive blessings (Deut 28).

Jesus death ended the (Israel Only) Mosaic law dispensation here: Matt 27:51 & Heb 9:14-18.

Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

Today's gospel of the GRACE of God (Acts 20:24). Was given to Paul by direct revelation (Gal 1:12) of the Risen Lord (Acts 22:7,8,10,18, 21, 23:11, 26:14-18). Today's NT's gospel of the GRACE of God is the fulfillment. Of the UNCONDITIONAL covenant promises, God made to Abraham. Jesus did does/all the WORK!

The only requirement to receive ALL Christ's FREE GIFTS & blessings is FAITH, placed in Jesus (Abrhams promise fulfilled) & His FINISHED sacrificial sin atoning work.

HOLY SPIRIT - A gift given thru FAITH: Acts 10:45, 11:17

ETERNAL LIFE - A gift given thru FAITH: Rom 6:23, Jn 5:24

RIGHTEOUSNESS - A gift given thru FAITH: Rom 4:5 & 5:17-18

GRACE - Given freely & received thru FAITH: Rom 3:24, 4:16, 5:1-2, 15, 11:6, Eph 2:5 & 8. Gifts are GIVEN & NOT earned!

Eph 2:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
(MY NOTE salvation comes by GRACE thru FAITH & NO SELF-WORKS NEEDED/ALLOWED)

Abrahams gospel: Believe the Lord is going to provide a way to redemption/reconcilation. To fix what Adam broke.

Gospel of the kingdom: Israel! He's here, accept & believe He's your long promised Messish/Redeemer

Gospel of the GRACE of God. Christ paid sins required wage/DEATH. Put your faith in His sin atoning death & resurrection!

In every case. FAITH in God/Christ has alway's been the conduit to accessing redemption/salvation.

Although God is the same yesterday, today & forever (Heb 13:8). He dispenses stwearwship in dispensational time senitive cycle's of truth as He so planned.

One gospel several dispensational administrations.

Abraham believe salvation is coming

Israel believe Messiah is here & embrace Him

Acts 4:
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
(MY NOTE: Jesus is the Way - Truth - Life)

Titus 2:
10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
(MY NOTE: GRACE has a NAME, it's Jesus!)

If every dispensation God is the redeemer & sin redemption is accessed by FAITH placed in Him/the PROVIDER.

As is written in the New Testament, "Abraham was the first to receive the Gospel."

My question to you my brother is, has the end come? Why or why not?

I agree, Matthew's gospel was definitely directed to a Jewish audience.

Abraham received the promise of the messiah.

The gospel of Jesus Christ was unknown, a mystery, prior to being revealed by the apostles.

The end has not yet come because the Gospel of the Kingdom (a comprehensive term which includes the proclamation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ as well as His future Kingdom on earth) has not truly, or fully, been preached in all the world, according to God's expectations. Instead many false gospels have gone out.

Why then is it written that Abraham was the first to receive tha Gospel?