As a new Christian, almost 50 years ago, I began reading the Bible voraciously. I couldn’t get enough of the Word of God. I began to notice verses that talked about the “kingdom of God” and in other places the “kingdom of heaven” and I had no idea what they meant. From time to time I’d ask someone what they thought. Several times after questioning someone, I’d walk away thinking I’ll never understand these phrases. They would say things like, “The kingdom of God is the time when Christ will set up his earthly kingdom (which I didn’t know about) and the kingdom of heaven is the universe and that’s God’s kingdom of heaven.” Often good people make assumptions which aren’t correct. I think this is one of those times. In my humble opinion the two terms are used interchangeably and are the same. Why do I believe this? Let me share my thoughts on it.

  1. You probably know that Matthew, Mark and Luke are called the synoptic gospels. They have many stories, parables and events which overlap with each other. They often give details of the same event or story which the other two don’t but the stories are the same. The reason for the dividing of the two terms is most likely because Matthew was written to a Jewish audience. Only Matthew uses the term “kingdom of heaven.” The other two, Mark and Luke, use the term “kingdom of God” most often. Their audiences are different. They are seeking to reach different groups. Matthew for the Jewish people, Mark for the Romans and Luke for the Gentiles.
  2. Examples to check out. I’ll only give three but there are more. These passages will share the same information, parable or story and use our two different phrases, but they mean the same thing. Matthew 11:11-12 = Luke 7:28; Matthew 13:11 = Mark 4:11 & Luke 8:10; Matthew 18:3 = Luke 18:16.

There are three ways to look at the “kingdom of heaven” or “kingdom of God” for the Christian. First, there is a wide look. This is the view that God is large and in charge. He is God Almighty, creator and sustainer of the universe. He has purposes and plans. He does not need us to help him make decisions. Everything belongs to him hence the phrase “kingdom of heaven/God.” Two, we see a narrow look. The Lord is the ruler of our hearts. He is to be not only our Savior but our Lord and Savior. He is to be our master and we, a willing bond-slave. Third, is the literal look. What I mean by this is that one day there will be a literal kingdom set up on the earth. The king of this kingdom will be the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father but one day there will be a one-thousand-year reign in which Jesus will sit on the throne of David.

Just as a reminder once again, the “kingdom of heaven” and the “kingdom of God” are terms identifying the same thing.