THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN

From: Present Truth for Christians By: Henry Edward Hayhoe

• 1 min. read • grade level: 7

The kingdom of heaven is the rule of the heavens in the Person of the Son of Man.

It was preached by John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2²And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 3:2)); by our Lord Himself in the following chapter, verse 17. Later we find it preached by the apostles in chapter 10, verse 7.

When Christ as the promised King and Messiah to Israel is rejected, it becomes the "kingdom in mystery." (Matt. 13:11¹¹He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (Matthew 13:11).) That is, Christ is not openly reigning, though faith is assured that God is behind the scenes moving all the scenes which He is behind. (Eph. 1:19-23¹⁹And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, ²⁰Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: ²²And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, ²³Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:19‑23); 1 Peter 3:22²²Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. (1 Peter 3:22).)

Wheresoever the seed of the gospel has been sown and men have professed Christianity, there we have what Scripture speaks of as "The kingdom of heaven." It is the sphere of Christian profession on earth.

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