We began a new chapter in our study of the synoptic gospels, Matthew 18:1-11. It corresponds with Mark 9:33-50 and Luke 9:43-48. These three scriptures parallel each other, but Matthew focuses on issues surrounding the physical, messianic kingdom and those who will enter, Mark and Luke speak of the spiritual kingdom of God, even though they do not use the term in these scriptures.
What we do notice is that Jesus lets the disciples know that the spiritual kingdom and the physical kingdom will be operating in unison during the messianic kingdom. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus explains that they are to seek the kingdom of God first, and the physical kingdom after that.
Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:31-34
Matthew 8:11: And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
Luke 13:28-29: There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
Matthew and Luke speak of the same circumstances, but use different terms concerning the millennium. This helps us to realize that both kingdoms are in operation in the millennium.
As a refresher, we need to remember that both kingdoms were under Adam's responsibility in Genesis 1-2. When he violated the Lord's command given in Genesis 2:17, in Genesis 3:6, Adam lost the image of God and died spiritually. He lived to 930 years old, but without the image of God. In Genesis 5:3 we read that Seth was born in Adam's image (dead spirit) and likeness (living body and soul). Romans 5:12 reminds us that the loss of the image of God plunged the world into sin. Sin entered into the world through Adam, and death by sin.
The world was without the spiritual kingdom of God until Jesus came preaching that it was near, or at hand, in Mark 1:14-15. He also preached that the physical kingdom of heaven was near in Matthew 4:17. In both cases, he told the Jews to repent. Satan was and still is the god of this world, and offered the kingdoms of the world to Jesus in Luke 4:5-6, if he would bow down and worship him.
Today, we know that the spiritual kingdom of God is operating in this world. Everyone enters this kingdom through believing in the shed blood of Christ, his death, burial, and resurrection as full payment for our sins. We are part of that kingdom, and will be caught up together in the clouds when that kingdom is removed at the rapture. Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 15:50-54
The gospel of the physical kingdom of heaven will again be preached during the tribulation, as Jesus declares in Matthew 24:13-14. As a last invitation to the world before God's wrath culminates in the 2nd Advent of Messiah King Jesus, God will send an angel to the earth with one final plea to mankind.
Revelation 14:6-7: And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
This is clearly a gospel that is specific to those living in the last days of the tribulation, but the invitation is entrance to the kingdom. We will continue our comparing and contrasting of the synoptic gospels and the message given to those who were the audience receiving the words of Christ, and how they reveal the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God.
