From the desk of Pastor Ben

The Kingdom of Heaven

“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”         (Matthew 18:3)

In this verse, Jesus uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven” as a synonym for kingdom of God. The Jews had adopted, out of reverence for God’s name, the word heaven instead of Yahweh (the covenant name for God). Therefore, this usage made “heaven” simply another way of saying “God.” The phrases kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” both indicate the rule of God, with the first emphasizing the sphere and character of His rule and the second pointing to the ruler Himself. The Father rules His kingdom with heavenly principles and blessings and in heavenly power and majesty. Any person in that kingdom willingly comes under the sovereign rule of God.

When Jesus speaks here of entering the kingdom of heaven, He means one must come in by saving faith. He uses it 2 other times in the gospel of Matthew (7:21; 19:23-24), and in each instance it denotes personal salvation. God wants people to enter His kingdom and does not wish “for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The purpose of Jesus’ earthly ministry and those of John the Baptist and the apostles was to call people into the divine, heavenly kingdom. And that is still the overarching task for today’s church.

Ask Yourself:
What kinds of causes or issues have become more important to you and to your church than the ingathering of lost souls into the kingdom? Why do you supposed we are so susceptible to being lured off-message, distracted with other “good” but less eternal undertakings?