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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: The Kingdom of Heaven</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_kingdom_of_heaven.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/matthew/3-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/k/kingdom.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > The Kingdom of Heaven</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/t/the_kingdom_of_god_is_a_celebration.htm" title="The Kingdom of God is a Celebration">◄</a> The Kingdom of Heaven <a href="/topical/t/the_kingdom_of_heaven_and_divine_generosity.htm" title="The Kingdom of Heaven and Divine Generosity">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The term "Kingdom of Heaven" is predominantly found in the Gospel of Matthew, where it is used interchangeably with the "Kingdom of God" found in the other Synoptic Gospels. This concept is central to Jesus' teaching and is a key theme throughout the New Testament. The Kingdom of Heaven represents both a present reality and a future hope, embodying the reign and rule of God through Christ.<br><br><b>Biblical References and Context</b><br><br>1. <b>Matthew's Usage</b>: The phrase "Kingdom of Heaven" appears exclusively in the Gospel of Matthew, occurring approximately 32 times. <a href="/matthew/3-2.htm">Matthew 3:2</a> introduces the concept with John the Baptist's proclamation: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This call to repentance underscores the Kingdom's imminent arrival and the need for spiritual readiness.<br><br>2. <b>Parables of the Kingdom</b>: Jesus frequently used parables to describe the Kingdom of Heaven, illustrating its nature and value. In <a href="/bsb/matthew/13.htm">Matthew 13</a>, several parables are presented, including the Parable of the Sower, the Parable of the Weeds, and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. These parables reveal the Kingdom's mysterious growth, its mixed nature until the final judgment, and its ultimate triumph.<br><br>3. <b>Characteristics of the Kingdom</b>: The Kingdom of Heaven is characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (<a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a>). It is a realm where God's will is perfectly done, as expressed in the Lord's Prayer: "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (<a href="/matthew/6-10.htm">Matthew 6:10</a>).<br><br>4. <b>Entrance into the Kingdom</b>: Entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven requires a transformation of heart and life. Jesus taught that one must be "born again" to see the Kingdom (<a href="/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3</a>). In <a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">Matthew 5:3</a>, He declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," highlighting humility and spiritual poverty as prerequisites for entry.<br><br>5. <b>Present and Future Reality</b>: The Kingdom of Heaven is both a present reality and a future hope. Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom through His life, death, and resurrection, and it continues to advance through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Church. However, its fullness will be realized at Christ's second coming, when He will establish His eternal reign (<a href="/revelation/11-15.htm">Revelation 11:15</a>).<br><br>6. <b>Ethical Implications</b>: The Kingdom of Heaven demands a radical reorientation of values and priorities. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus outlines the ethical standards of the Kingdom, calling His followers to love their enemies, seek first the Kingdom, and live with integrity (Matthew 5-7).<br><br>7. <b>The Kingdom and the Church</b>: While the Church is not synonymous with the Kingdom, it is the primary instrument through which the Kingdom is manifested on earth. The Church is called to be a community that embodies Kingdom values, serving as a witness to the world of God's redemptive purposes.<br><br><b>Theological Significance</b><br><br>The Kingdom of Heaven is a central theme in Christian theology, representing God's sovereign rule and redemptive plan for humanity. It challenges believers to live in light of God's ultimate authority and to participate in His mission of reconciliation and restoration. The Kingdom of Heaven calls for a commitment to Christ's lordship and a life that reflects His character and teachings.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/k/kingdom.htm">Kingdom</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/k/kingdom_of_god.htm">Kingdom of God</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/k/kingdom_of_heaven.htm">Kingdom of Heaven</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--my_kingdom_is_not_of_this_world.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: "My Kingdom is not of This World"</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--children_of_the.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Children of The</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--compared--to_a_granule_of_mustard_seed.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Compared: To a Granule of Mustard Seed</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--compared--to_a_householder.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Compared: To a Householder</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--compared--to_a_king_who_called_his_servants_for_a_reckoning_(an_audit).htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Compared: To a King Who Called his Servants for a Reckoning (An Audit)</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--compared--to_a_king_who_made_a_marriage_feast_for_his_son.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Compared: To a King Who Made a Marriage Feast for his Son</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--compared--to_a_man_who_sowed_good_seed.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Compared: To a Man Who Sowed Good Seed</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--compared--to_a_net.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Compared: To a Net</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--compared--to_a_pearl.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Compared: To a Pearl</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--compared--to_a_treasure.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Compared: To a Treasure</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--compared--to_leaven_(yeast).htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Compared: To Leaven (Yeast)</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--compared--to_ten_virgins.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Compared: To Ten Virgins</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--does_not_consist_of_meat_and_drink.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Does not Consist of Meat and Drink</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--good_news_of.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Good News of</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--keys_of.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Keys of</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--mysteries_of.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Mysteries of</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--rich_people_cannot_enter.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: Rich People Cannot Enter</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_heaven--to_a_man,_traveling_into_a_far_country,_who_called_his_servants.htm">Kingdom of Heaven: To a Man, Traveling Into a Far Country, Who Called his Servants</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/k/kingdom_of_israel.htm">Kingdom Of Israel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/k/kingdom_of_judah.htm">Kingdom Of Judah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/k/kingdom_of_satan--general_scriptures_concerning.htm">Kingdom of Satan: General Scriptures Concerning</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tossed.htm">Tossed (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/horror.htm">Horror (51 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/history.htm">History (57 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/thrones.htm">Thrones (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/countries.htm">Countries (86 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shatter.htm">Shatter (26 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fro.htm">Fro (54 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/alliance.htm">Alliance (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/trembling.htm">Trembling (72 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/benhadad.htm">Benhadad (24 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/jareb.htm">Jareb (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/inhabiting.htm">Inhabiting (23 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/riders.htm">Riders (13 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/enthroned.htm">Enthroned (25 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/drivers.htm">Drivers (11 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/dwellest.htm">Dwellest (27 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/persia.htm">Persia (30 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/babylonians.htm">Babylonians (48 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chalde'ans.htm">Chalde'ans (74 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/caused.htm">Caused (468 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chaldaeans.htm">Chaldaeans (65 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/abhorrent.htm">Abhorrent (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/ashkenaz.htm">Ashkenaz (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/smashing.htm">Smashing (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/showed.htm">Showed (164 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sovereignty.htm">Sovereignty (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sittest.htm">Sittest (15 Occurrences)</a></p><p 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class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/armenia.htm">Armenia (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/og.htm">Og (22 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/hazor.htm">Hazor (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/charged.htm">Charged (109 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/goest.htm">Goest (79 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/driven.htm">Driven (128 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/terror.htm">Terror (137 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/ride.htm">Ride (31 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/splendor.htm">Splendor (87 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/crush.htm">Crush (50 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cursing.htm">Cursing (53 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/winged.htm">Winged (69 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tremble.htm">Tremble (92 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sihon.htm">Sihon (34 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/messiah.htm">Messiah (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/evolution.htm">Evolution</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/smitten.htm">Smitten (215 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gained.htm">Gained (66 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/surface.htm">Surface (71 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/mountain.htm">Mountain (298 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel (27466 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/serving.htm">Serving (85 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/foreign.htm">Foreign (65 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/kings.htm">Kings (350 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah (802 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/ruled.htm">Ruled (84 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine (99 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cyrus.htm">Cyrus (20 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/dominion.htm">Dominion (72 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nebuchadrezzar.htm">Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/r/ruling.htm">Ruling (123 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bashan.htm">Bashan (54 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/overcame.htm">Overcame (84 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chaldeans.htm">Chaldeans (82 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/different.htm">Different (87 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/king-like.htm">King-like (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a 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