We were able to lay sufficient groundwork for understanding the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven / the literal physical millennial kingdom of Messiah King Jesus and the nation of Israel, and the Kingdom of God / the invisible spiritual kingdom that includes both the Kingdom of Heaven and the mystery Comparing scripture with scripture is the key to rightly dividing the Word of truth. You can see the entire class video at rdtw.org -- RDTW Week 121. Jesus made it clear in Matthew 6:33 that seeking the kingdom of God (spiritual kingdom) is critical to entering the kingdom of heaven (physical kingdom). John 3:3-8 is also a key scripture to understanding the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Of the 33 times Jesus speaks of the kingdom of heaven in Matthew, there are 10 occasions where the other gospel writers recorded the same discussion interchanging the kingdom of God. For example: Matthew 19:23-24: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Luke 18:24-25: And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. As you can see, Luke does not use the term Kingdom of Heaven, because it is a strictly Jewish term that focuses on the literal, physical kingdom of Messiah King Jesus. Both writers make it clear that riches are a great hindrance to a relationship with God, regardless of the kingdom. As we have discussed, the gospel of the circumcision and the gospel of the kingdom are intertwined, because Jesus commissioned the apostles in Matthew 10 to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and preach the gospel of the kingdom – repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. The Gospel of the Circumcision – the gospel message that was uniquely Jewish, and preached to Israel / the Jews by the apostles after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is the gospel of prophecy and is directly connected to the gospel of the Kingdom that was preached in the gospels. Genesis 17:3-12, Acts 2:22-38, 3:19-26, Galatians 2:7 The Gospel of the Kingdom – the gospel message preached by John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah, as prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6. Jesus said if the Jews would accept John's message, he is Elijah. They did not accept his message, and they did not accept the message of Jesus, either. The kingdom has been put on hold until the accepted time of the return of Christ. Exodus 19:5-6, Deuteronomy 6:6-10, 20-25, Psalms 89:34-37, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:23-29, Matthew 1:17,21, 3:1-2, 4:17,23, 9:35, 10:7, 24:14 Matthew 11:11-15: Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
