By Allan Cornford
Copyright © 2023 Allan Cornford. (Standard Copyright License.) All rights reserved. Independently Published through KDP
Did you know that neither of these terms are to be found in the Old Testament?
I didn’t, or not until I done a word search a number of years ago now.
Of course, they are alluded to throughout the Old Testament but never mentioned by name.
Both terms are used to a degree interchangeably in the New Testament, but nevertheless each term conveys a different meaning.
The kingdom of God is primarily a spiritual kingdom, whereas the kingdom of heaven is primarily a literal and physical kingdom.
It was the kingdom of God, the spiritual kingdom, that the Jews failed to grasp hold of.
It came in fully at the Cross and is a message that is accepted within the heart of a man, by faith, which produces the fruits of the Spirit.
RELIGION: CHRISTIANITY: Cross or Tree? – Library of Rickandria
It is the kingdom which Jesus said we should first seek and is experienced from the moment faith comes, and a man becomes born again.
Not of water via the womb this time, as Nicodemus once supposed, but born directly of the Spirit of God.
Nicodemus (/nɪkəˈdiːməs/; Ancient Greek: Νικόδημος, romanized: Nikódēmos; Imperial Aramaic: 𐡍𐡒𐡃𐡉𐡌𐡅𐡍, romanized: Naqdīmūn; Hebrew: נַקְדִּימוֹן, romanized: Naqdīmōn) is a New Testament figure venerated as a saint in a number of Christian traditions. He is depicted as a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin who is drawn to hear Jesus’s teachings. Like Lazarus, Nicodemus is not mentioned in the synoptic Gospels, but only by John,[3] who devotes more than half of Chapter 3 of his gospel and a few verses of Chapter 7 to Nicodemus and last mentions him in Chapter 19.
The very moment he is delivered from the kingdom of darkness, and is the work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
RELIGION: HOLY GHOST vs. Holy Spirit – Library of Rickandria
This is the kingdom that can never be forcibly taken away from the believer in Christ.
When asked by the Pharisees (whose idea of the kingdom was a literal, physical one that would bring freedom to the nation from their Roman oppressors) when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied:
The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:20-21
Pontius Pilate (Latin: Pontius Pilatus; Greek: Πόντιος Πιλᾶτος, romanized: Póntios Pilátos) was the fifth governor of the Roman province of Judaea, serving under Emperor Tiberius from 26/27 to 36/37 AD. He is best known for being the official who presided over the trial of Jesus and ultimately ordered his crucifixion. Pilate’s importance in Christianity is underscored by his prominent place in both the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. Because the gospels portray Pilate as reluctant to execute Jesus, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church believes that Pilate became a Christian and venerates him as both a martyr and a saint, a belief which is historically shared by the Coptic Church, with a feast day on 19 or 25 June, respectively.
Yet when Jesus was questioned by Pilate in similar vein, his reply was completely different:
My kingdom is not of this world:
if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews:
but now is my kingdom not from hence. John 18:36
Note the emphasis of the word now, because several Bible versions omit the word ‘now’ altogether.
RELIGION: CHRISTIANITY: Authorized Bible vs. New Bible versions – Library of Rickandria
Now indicates that although not yet, the time would come when Jesus would indeed have a literal kingdom on earth.
Jesus was referring to the kingdom of heaven, rather than the kingdom of God, although eventually they will be inseparable.
The term ‘kingdom of heaven’ is primarily a literal and physical kingdom, and the battle for dominion of this kingdom has brought about untold amounts of bloodshed and war.
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12
The kingdom of God within you can never be taken by force by violent men.
It is the literal kingdom of heaven, not the kingdom of God, that the battle has been waged over, even to this day.
Jesus came to his own and preached a dualistic message.
To the Jews, the heirs of the promised political kingdom, the Lord preached the gospel of the kingdom of heaven⸻a literal, physical kingdom soon to come:
‘From that time Jesus began to preach and say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Matthew 4:17
To the entire world, he preached the coming kingdom of God⸻righteousness and holiness:
‘Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent ye, and believe the gospel.’
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 17:30
When rightly dividing the word, we can see that Jesus was preaching two components of the kingdom.
And the Jews who accepted him, would see him return in the clouds, just as he had foretold.
CIVILIZATION: WHO ARE THE MODERN JEWS? – Library of Rickandria
Hence the millennial reign primarily fulfilled the literal and political kingdom of heaven upon earth.
The first resurrection of the blessed and holy, who reigned upon the earth for one thousand years, as the kings and priests of God.
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Revelation 20:6
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Revelation 5:10
The spiritual kingdom of God, that Jesus said cannot be observed by others, because it is ”within you”, will collectively remain within the body of Christ, for as long as born-again believers still walk upon the face of the earth.
Interestingly, the term ‘kingdom of God’ appears seventy times in the King James Bible, and 70 signifies:
- forgiveness
- wholeness
- healing
and salvation.
RELIGION: CHRISTIANITY: KJV – THE AUTHORIZED BIBLE – Library of Rickandria
Jesus sent out seventy disciples, expressly to preach the good news of the kingdom of God.
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come..[…….] and say unto them, the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. Luke 10:1-9
The term ‘kingdom of heaven’ appears thirty-three times in the King James Bible and the number 33 relates to:
- king David
- Jerusalem
- Jesus
David was thirty-three generations from Adam, had 33 mighty men, and reigned from Jerusalem for 33 years.
Jesus, the true king of that great city, lived for thirty-three years before the cross.
The battle for dominion over the kingdom of heaven, was resolved at the Cross, and death was finally defeated, but the out-workings of Christ’s victory, continue to this very day.
And will do so until the final judgement at the great white throne, and ”death”, the last enemy of Christ, is destroyed in the lake of fire forever.
In the meanwhile, the kingdom of God remains within the hearts of all those born again, until all is ‘delivered up’ to God, even the Father.
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 2 Peter 3:12
Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 1 Corinthians 15:24-26
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. Revelation 20:11
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:
and they were judged every man according to their works.And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire..[………….] Revelation 20:13-14
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 2 Peter 3:13
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Revelation 21:1
Full or Extreme preterism would have us believe that even these prophecies have all been perfectly fulfilled, hence we are now living in the new heavens and the new earth.
For the earth that we dwell upon, and the heavens above us, are not the heavens and the earth that God created in the beginning, for the first heaven and the first earth have previously been burned out of existence in a maelstrom of fire.
They will claim that all we need to do, is worship God.
For beyond death, collectively, each member of the ”church” or the ”body of Christ”, will constitute the city of God which is New Jerusalem.
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out:
and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God:
and I will write upon him my new name. Revelation 3:12
All I can say is, if this really is the new earth, then I dread to think what life on the first earth was like.
For where is God’s promise of abundant righteousness which Peter told us about?
Why is Satan deceiving the nations like never before, when according to Full Preterists, he has already been cast into the lake of fire?
Nevertheless, the Scriptures make clear that the expectation of the first generation of those who believed that Jesus was the Christ, included the fulfilment of all prophecy, the great tribulation, the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven, and the first resurrection/rapture.
Furthermore, many expected to still be alive to witness this truly astounding event.
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Luke 21:32
But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. Luke 9:27
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Matthew 24:21
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air:
and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump:
for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Although Jesus didn’t explicitly say so, his disciples rightly understood what he meant.
John was not going to die, but would remain here on earth, until the coming of Jesus in the clouds of heaven.
Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die:
yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? John 21:23
Whilst he may not have fully understood it at the time, by faith, John himself believed Jesus would keep his promise, and to the extent he encouraged his fellow-believers to share the same confidence.
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 1 John 2:28
For when Jesus made urgent statements of immanency, such as ‘the time is nigh’, he meant exactly as he said.
Jesus was referring to the generation he spoke to directly, not a future generation of believers 2,000 plus years down the line.
So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Matthew 24:33
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28
For the last thirty years or so, I have always accepted the futurist interpretation of end times prophecy, so know from personal experience how it can be quite a struggle to believe otherwise.
But, through re-reading the Scriptures, from a fresh perspective, how is it possible to refute the historicist view, and the literal past-fulfilment of these end time prophecies?
Some would argue that from the time Stephen was stoned.
Stephen (Greek: Στέφανος, romanized: Stéphanos; c. AD 5 – c. 34) is traditionally venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was a deacon in the early church at Jerusalem who angered members of various synagogues by his teachings. Accused of blasphemy at his trial, he made a speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him and was then stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who would later become an apostle, participated in Stephen’s execution.
God turned his attention to the Gentiles.
That is true for in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek/Gentile.
We know for certain that the gospel was preached unto other nations, for several decades prior to the fall of Jerusalem/Babylon.
Hence Gentiles would have been numbered among those who are Christ’s at his coming.
But every man in his own order:
Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 1 Corinthians 15:23
CONTINUE
BOOK: EXCERPT: Lucifer’s Flood & the Little Season – This Generation – Library of Rickandria
BOOK: Lucifer’s Flood & the Little Season – Library of Rickandria
BOOK: EXCERPT: Lucifer’s Flood & the Little Season – The Kingdom of Heaven & the Kingdom of God