Kingdom of Heven, and kingdom of God.  Are they different?  Or are they the same?  I hold that they are different, and their useage and application in the Word is significant.  Similar to the difference between seed and seeds; sin and sins; god and gods; of the faith and of the elect, etc..  If we see no significant difference in these things, we muddy up the Word and appropriate it incorrectly for varied and untenable positiions on said topics.  This results in not only our understandings being affected, but possibly even how we yet live them out, for as a man thinks, so is he.

I'm yet learning on this topic, and don't profess to have great insight into it, although I think that I have the rudiments so far.  I would like to dialogue and learn from others on this one, tossing in my two cents worth from time to time.

I believe the two terms are used interchangeably.

In Matthew 4:17 Jesus preached repentance because the kingdom of heaven was at hand.  In Mark 1:15 it is the kingdom of God.

In Matthew 13:11 Jesus told the disciples that to them has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.  In Mark 4:11 it is the kingdom of God.

In Matthew 13:31-32 the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.  In Mark 4:30-32 it is the kingdom of God that is like a mustard seed.

Notice especially in Matthew 19:23-24 that the two terms appear to be used interchangeably.

Matthew is the only one who uses the term "kingdom of heaven."  I don't see him talking about a different kingdom, but rather using a different way to say it than the other writers.

I believe the kingdom is made up of people (but I do not believe the church is the whole of the kingdom).  To me, "kingdom of heaven" means "citizens of heaven" and "kingdom of God" means "children of God."  In both cases we are describing the same people but in different relationships (the former "of heaven" and the latter "of God").

(Dan 2:44)  And in the days of these kings, the God of Heaven shall set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. And the kingdom shall not be left to other peoples, but it shall crush and destroy all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

(Dan 2:45)  Because you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it crushes the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what shall occur after this. And the dream is certain, and its meaning is sure.



(Rev 12:9)  And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent called Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

(Rev 12:10)  And I heard a great voice saying in Heaven, Now has come the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night.



(Mar 16:19)  Then indeed, after speaking to them, the Lord was taken up into Heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.



(Mat 6:33)  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.


(Mat 12:28)  But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.


(Luk 17:20)  And being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered and said, The kingdom of God does not come with observation.

(Luk 17:21)  Nor shall they say, Lo here! or, behold, there! For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.


Matt. 11:11 and Luke 7:28 are applied to the same situation, as is done in regard to little children, kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God, and so on.  But does that make them one and the same?  Is there then no difference?

"I and my Father are one.  The Father is greater than I."  Same thing? 

They are the same. "Kingdom of the heavens" is Matthew's preferred phrase -- heaven being a Jewish metaphor for God. Luke uses the more plainly stated "Kingdom of God" most of the time.

There is no significant difference in the meaning of these phrases. The kingdom of God is the range of God's effective will. Jesus came to announce its availability to us -- the "kingdom is near" (Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15).

Mike, I was about to write the same thing.  The Jews are careful to not use the name of God in vain and thus often use other words like "heaven" to allude to God without stating such plainly.  The kingdom of heaven is the kingdom of God.

blessings,
Sherman

No difference. 


V

The two terms are indeed, interchangeable though there are a few NT passages that seem to imply some difference based on our perception of locality.

canuck