Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 3/4/2004

Question
Is there a difference between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven?  If so, what is it?

Answer
Matthew is the only Gospel where we find the kingdom of heaven used and he also uses the phrase kingdom of God.  I don't believe there is any difference between the two.  Matt 3:2 and Mark 1:15 would show they are one and the same.  Kingdom of heaven shows the expanse and character of the kingdom whereas kingdom of God speaks to owner or ruler of the kingdom.  Jesus is called son of Man and son of God and yet is both, but the use highlights the different facet of Christ in the context of the Lord's point in the passage.

Matthew may have been led to emphasize the heavenly kingdom to get the Jews off the focus of an earthly one.  They had a hard time accepting a Messiah that did not reign and indeed appears to be defeated in that Christ was crucified.  Hence the early emphasis on the spiritual aspect of the kingdom and then the pointing to the owner of the kingdom to show that since God is the king then however He goes about setting up the earthly rule is His business.  Since God does rule from heaven the kingdom was established by the overthrow of satan through the Cross of Christ though the kingdom may not be in appearance what the Jews desired. Indeed, from a heavenly viewpoint the kingdom was only established a little over two days ago and if the new king has not yet arrived to sit and rule over the conguered kingdom it is still conguered and the new king is still the new king and has authority over it.  The conquered rebels and freed citizenry just have not seem Him in the flesh yet

Had the Jews accepted Christ the kingdom would have been established and time as we know it would have ended and we would not even be here.  Of course, they did not and there will be a millennial kingdom that fulfils the promises to David and the Jews. It will be the Kingdom of God as Jesus reigns and since He will rule the universe from Jerusalem it will be the kingdom of heaven and full of peace and prosperity.  

It will only be for a thousand years (or a day) and then the permanent form of the kingdom of God or heaven will be established after this world is destroyed and the new haven and earth established.   The millennial kingdom will be somewhat like a provisional government set up after occupying a defeated nation.  It is operative until a permanent one is established and may include the personnel in the provisional one.  Jesus will reign over an occupied earth that was conguered and removed from the "control" of satan.  He will deal with the devil and the last remnant of his army at the end of the 1000 years and then set up the permanent form of government.    

May God richly bless you as you study His Word and seek His face!