Many Christians confess that they are not clear as to the various aspects of the Kingdom when they are reading their Bibles.
The three principle phases are 1. "The Kingdom of Heaven:" 2. "The Kingdom of Christ;" 3. "The Kingdom of God."
As to the past kingdom of Israel, in the days of Samuel, Israel rejected Jehovah that He "should not reign over them" 1 Sam. 8:7, and as a result Saul was anointed king. Upon his failure Jehovah provided Himself a king (David) after His own heart 1 Sam. 13:14; 16:1, 13, to whom He promised that of his seed He would establish One to sit on the throne of his kingdom forever 2 Sam. 7:12, 13. Then in the days of Solomon the kingdom was divided and the two lines of kings are recorded in Kings and Chronicles until all was dissolved by the captivities. Nevertheless the prophets prophesied repeatedly of the future Son of David that would come to reign over Israel and all the earth in His kingdom Dan. 2:44; 7:14, and all the prophets.
Announcements and offers of the Kingdom were made by John the Baptist Matt. 3:1, 2, and the King Himself Matt. 4:17, and then the twelve apostles Matt. 10:7, as "at hand." But instead of receiving the King they rejected Him. While the Son of God was here the Kingdom of God was here Matt. 12:28 (but not "the Kingdom of Heaven") then taken from them by their refusing Him Matt. 21:43, and slaying Him verse 39. "We will not have this man to reign over us" Luke 19:14. He was cut off by their crucifying their King, and Israel set aside Dan. 9:26; Rom. 11:15.
He Has Gone "Into a Far Country to Receive for Himself a Kingdom, and Return" Luke 19:12. While the Kingdom in Power Is Postponed During the King's Absence Here, and His Presence in Heaven, a New Thing Is Set up on the Earth, Which Sphere Is Called "THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"
This expression is found in Matthew's gospel only and has special significance in the ten parables of the Kingdom as to the new and present opportunity towards Gentiles. It is the sphere of profession of Christ on earth where all who are received by baptism into it includes both real and unreal. It is what is called Christendom.
1. Wheat and tares (Matt. 13:30)
2. Unclean birds roost in the mustard tree (Matt. 13:32)
3. Evil doctrine leavens the meal (Matt. 13:33)
4. The preciousness of the true Church in His estimation (Matt. 13:44)
5. The beauty and unity of the true Church (Matt. 13:46)
6. The catch of the gospel net includes good and bad fish (Matt. 13:48)
7. The unmerciful servant (Matt. 18:32)
8. Laborers in the vineyard—some evil murmurers (Matt. 20:11)
9. One lacking wedding garment cast into outer darkness (Matt. 22:13)
10. Wise and foolish virgins (Matt. 25:2)
To the apostle Peter was given the keys (Matt. 16:19) of administering an opening into the sphere of the Kingdom of heaven on earth, to Jews Acts 2:38 and to Gentiles Acts 10:47, 48 by baptism.
Those who are real have been "translated into the kingdom of His dear Son" Col. 1:13 and now suffer "in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ" Rev. 1:9, knowing that "If we suffer we shall also reign with Him" 2 Tim. 2:12, "in the kingdom of their Father" Matt. 13:43—the heavenly part of the millennial scene.
After the "wheat" is gathered into His garner (Matt. 3:12; 13:30; John 14:3; 1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17; 2 Thess. 2:1) the seventieth week (heptad of years) of Dan. 9:27 "the hour of temptation shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth" Rev. 3:10; Phil. 3:19. God will send mere professing Christians ("tares") strong delusion to believe Satan's lie so that they will worship the Beast and his image, demons (Rev. 9:20) antichrist and Satan (Rev. 13) and finally be cut off and "damned" (2 Thess. 2:11) eternally Rev. 14:9-11.
Christ's Kingdom in Power
The transfiguration depicted the glory of the Kingdom of Christ. Matt. 17; Mark 9; Luke 9; 2 Peter 1.
This is the thousand years of the day of the Lord. He will have gathered out of His kingdom all things that offend (Matt. 13:41) and He will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Rev. 19:16, in righteousness, peace and blessing to all creation. It will commence when He comes in power and great glory, but wrath upon His enemies including the Roman beast and his armies, the antichrist, the Assyrian with his armies and Gog and Magog with their vast armies. Satan will be bound securely in the pit. The Psalms anticipate this glorious day when the godly of Israel will be delivered from all their enemies and be full of continual praise to Jehovah their covenant-keeping God. The glory of God will be fully displayed as Christ reigns with His bride, the church, over the vast millennial scene Eph. 1:10; Rev. 5:13; Psa. 72; 145-150 Isa. 11, 35, 60; Zech. 14:9-21.
"Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God even the Father... that God may be all" 1 Corinthians 15:24, 28 and "the day of God" 2 Peter 3:12, and the eternal rest of God be blissfully enjoyed with all His redeemed Heb. 4:9; Rev. 21:1-7.
The Kingdom of God
This is the general term emphasizing the character of moral suitability to God. "The Kingdom of God is... righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost" Rom. 14:17. Heart reality alone answers, but where this is lacking the sham will be exposed. Compare passages in Matthew as to "the Kingdom of heaven" with like passages in Mark and Luke where "Kingdom of God" is the expression used.
We now "see" and "enter" by new birth John 3:3, 5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 3:9, 14; 5:1.
This term "the kingdom of God" is used many times in Mark, Luke, Acts and occasionally in Paul's epistles where we have God's view, and only occasionally used with dispensational limitations.