Matt. 8: 11, 12. 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: but the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt. 11: 11, 12. 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. Matt. 13 11. He answered, and said unto them [his disciples], Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Verses 24, 25. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. Verse 31. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. Verse 33. Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Verses 44, 45. Again, The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant-man seeking goodly pearls. Verses 47, 48. Again, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. Verse 52. Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed into the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. Matt. 16 19. And I will give unto thee [Peter] the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matt. 18: 1-3. At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Verse 23. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. Matt. 20: 1. For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. Matt. 22: 1—3. And Jesus answered, and spake unto them again, by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding; and they would not come Matt. 23: 13, But woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. : Matt. 25 1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom Verse 14. For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods SECTION III. Those passages in the BIBLE wherein the phrases THE KINGDOM, A KINGDOM, EVERLASTING KINGDOM, etc., occur. Dan. 7 27. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. : Matt. 13 19. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and casteth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the wayside. Verse 38. The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one. Matt. 25 34. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Mark 11 10. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: hosanna in the highest. Luke 12: 31, 32. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things [food and raiment] shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 19: 12. He said, therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. Luke 22: 29. And I [Christ], appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me. John 18: 36. Jesus answered, 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. 1 Cor. 15: 24. Then cometh the end when he [Christ] shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father: when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power. Col. 1 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. 2 Tim. 4 18. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen. Heb. 12: 28. Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. James 2: 5. Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 2 Pet. 1: 11. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Rev. 1 9. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in trib ulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev. 11 15. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever. SECTION IV. Remarks on the phrases KINGDOM OF GOD, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, etc. By examining all the passages in Sections I., II. and III., of this Chapter, it will be seen, 1. That the phrases kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven are perfectly synonymous in their meaning. This is proved by the fact that they are used interchangeably by the inspired writers. That is, what is signified by one by the phrase kingdom of God, is signified by the other by the phrase kingdom of heaven. Compare Matt. 4: 17 with Mark 1: 14, 15, and Matt. 5: 3 with Luke 6: 20, and Matt. 8: 11 with Luke 13: 28, 29, and Matt. 18: 3 with Mark 10: 15. 2. The phrases, a kingdom, the kingdom, everlasting kingdom, &c., are used to signify the same as the phrases, kingdom of God, and kingdom of heaven. This is so obvious that it requires no proof. That the phrases are used to signify the reign of the Messiah, or Gospel dispensation, is evident from the following facts: 1. This kingdom is called Christ's kingdom. Luke 22: 29, and John 18: 36. In this last text Christ says, My kingdom is not of this world." It might not be of this world, and yet be in this world. It is a spiritual kingdom, and partakes not of the nature of any earthly kingdom ever established among men. Hence, it is not of this world, although it is in this world. 2. It is called the kingdom of God, and of heaven, because, in a primary sense, it is God's rule and reign in the earth, by the power and influence of his truth. The word kingdom signifies reign, rule, authority and power. As God reigns, rules and governs men, under the Gospel dispensation, through the instrumentality of Jesus Christ, hence, this kingdom is called, in a secondary sense, the kingdom of Christ. 3. This kingdom is spoken of as having been, at the time of the commencement of the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, near at hand. Matt. 3: 1, 2; 4: 17, and Mark 1: 14. 15. It was not, therefore, a great way off, nor in the future and invisible world; but it was about to be established in the earth, in accordance with the prediction of the prophet Daniel. See Daniel 2:44. 4. It is spoken of as having, in the days of Christ and his apostles, come nigh unto the people. Luke 10: 9, 11. 5. Persons are spoken of as being not far from the kingdom of God. Mark 12: 34. 6. It is spoken of as having actually come to the people in the days of Jesus Christ. Matt. 12: 28; Luke 17: 21, and 11: 20. 7. Persons are spoken of as pressing into, entering into, and as actually being in this kingdom. Matt. 5: 3, 10, and 23: 13; Luke 6: 20, and 16: 16; Col. 1: 13; Heb. 12: 28, and Rev. 1: 9. All of these persons were alive and on the earth. Hence, this kingdom must have been in this world. 8. Food and raiment are promised to individuals after they have entered into this kingdom. Matt. 6: 33; Luke 12: 31. And persons are spoken of as eating bread in the kingdom of God. Luke 14: 15. But, certainly, food and clothing will not be needed in the resurrection world, nor will bread be partaken of there. 9. People are spoken of as coming from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south, and sitting down in the kingdom of God. Luke 13: 29; Matt. 8: 11. But, surely, this is not to take place in the future world. Dr. Whitby says on these texts, "To lie down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven, doth not signify to enjoy everlasting happiness in heaven with them, but only to become the sons of Abraham by faith, Gal. 3: 7, and so to be blessed with faithful Abraham, verse 9, to have the blessing of Abraham coming on them, that they may receive the promise of the Spirit, verse 14, through faith in Christ, to be the seed of Abraham and heirs according to the promisc, verse 29, viz., the promise made to Abraham, Gen. 12: 3, renewed to Isaac, Gen. 26: 4, and confirmed to Jacob, Gen. 28 14, and to be according to Isaac, the children of promise, Gal. 4 28. This, says Christ, shall be the blessing of the believing Gen. tiles; they shall be sons of Abraham, and heirs of the promises made to the patriarchs, and mentioned by all the holy prophets of the Old Testament; whereas, the unbelieving Jews, wanting the faith of Abraham, shall be deprived of the blessings promised to his seed; for they who seek to enter, and shall not be able, because the Master has shut to his door, Luke 13: 24, 25, are those Jews who sought for righteousness by the works of the law and not by faith, and, therefore, found it not, Rom. 9: 31, 32, and 6: 7, who entered not into the rest prepared for them, by reason of their unbelief, Heb. 3: 18, 19; 4: 2, and 5: 8, from whom the kingdom of God was taken away, Matt. 21: 43." 10. It is said of this kingdom, that it should be taken from the Jews and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. Matt. 21: 43. The blessings and privileges of the Messiah's reign, or the Gospel dispensation, were designed for the Jews; but they rejected their Messiah, judged themselves "unworthy of everlasting life, and, lo," the apostles "turned to the Gentiles." 11. It is said of the children of this kingdom, that they should be cast out of it. Luke 13: 28, and Matt. 8: 12. But is it to be believed that the children of the kingdom of immortal glory and blessedness are to be cast out? 12. It is represented that the commandments of God' are to be kept, and broken, and taught in this kingdom. Matt. 5: 19. But, certainly, we are not to understand that these things are to take place in another world! 13. This kingdom is compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but, while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares. Matt. 13: 24-30. But is the kingdom of immortal glory a place where good and bad seed will be sown? and where tares will grow amongst the wheat? It is compared to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which grew and became a great tree, so that the fowls of the air lodged in its branches. Matt. 13: 31, 32, and Luke 13: 18. Also to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened. Matt. 13: 33. These comparisons were designed to illustrate the growth, and progress, and spread, and extension, of this kingdom. If we understand it of a kingdom in another world, we can see no propriety in these comparisons; but if we understand |