KINGDOM OF GOD / KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
The kingdom of God refers primarily to the rule of the Almighty over the entire universe with no territory, because everything belongs to God with no border. “The LORD has set his throne in heaven; his dominion extends over all” (Ps 103:19). In a specific sense, Israel was the kingdom of God because God’s kingdom is a spiritual rule over the lives and hearts of those who remain faithful to God. Jesus reconstituted it, forming the Church with Jesus himself as its head. This kingdom is spiritual, and that is why Jesus said to Pilate: “My kingdom does not belong to this world” (Jn 18:36). The Church is only a foretaste of God’s kingdom that will happen later in its fullness when the time of redemption will give way to the time of judgement at the second coming of Christ.
God will govern his kingdom that is eternal, peaceful, free from struggle, and is open only for the faithful children of God. “In the lifetime of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever” (Dan 2:44). Thus, the Kingdom of God has different stages. It was initially established in the world at large, then among the chosen people of Israel, Jesus renewed it by establishing the Church, and it will come to its perfection with his second coming.
Jesus reconstituted Israel, God’s kingdom, forming the Church with Jesus as its head. This kingdom is spiritual, and that is why Jesus said to Pilate: “My kingdom does not belong to this world” (Jn 18:36). The Church is only a foretaste of God’s kingdom that will happen later in its fullness when the time of redemption is over and when the time of judgement happens with the Second Coming of Christ. God will govern this kingdom that is eternal, peaceful, free from any struggle, and is open only to the faithful children of God. “In the lifetime of those kings the God of Heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed or delivered up to another people; rather, it shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and put an end to them, and it shall stand forever” (Dan 2:44). Thus, the Kingdom of God has different stages. It was initially established in the world at large, then among the chosen people of Israel, Jesus renewed it later by establishing the Church, and it will reach perfection with the second coming of Christ.
Jesus had clarified the eligibility criteria to enter the kingdom of God. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in Heaven” (Mt 7:21). Jesus has specified practical examples of this in his discourse on the Last Judgement. “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me… Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me” (Mt 25:34-36, 45). This altruistic approach of mercy which Jesus exhibited throughout his public ministry is what was lacking among the Scribes and the Pharisees.
In a literal sense, the kingdom of God is the opposite of the present world over which Satan has influence. When the kingdom of God appears, it will be free from such evil influence. The kingdom of Heaven is the opposite of the earthly kingdom that is imperfect. The heavenly kingdom will be perfect, free from evil, and governed by God through the Messianic intervention of Jesus. He instructed the people to enter it through the narrow door of self-sacrifice and faithfulness to the covenant with God.
The Synoptic gospels use the kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. Both mean the same. Matthew preferred the Kingdom of heaven because he wanted to avoid the word “God” that his Jewish readers would not use. In a broader sense, both refer primarily to the rule of the Almighty over all the entire universe with no territory because everything belongs to God with no border. “The LORD has set his throne in heaven; his dominion extends over all” (Ps 103:19).
REFLECTION
Christians are already in the Kingdom of God that Jesus established. We gained citizenship in this kingdom through baptism and our faith. After our life in this world, we are looking forward to enter the perfect experience of the kingdom in heaven. That gives us hope during our struggles in this world.