QUESTION:
You say that in Jesus earthly ministry he
was preparing and saving Israel to inherit the earth. If Jesus was only
preparing Jews for an earthly kingdom, why did he talk about the kingdom of
heaven in Mat 5:19-20?
ANSWER:
Your scripture
reference reads,
Mat 5:19-20 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Although (only)
Matthew uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven”, we can be sure,
according to a myriad of additional prophecy in the bible, that this kingdom is
the ‘earthly’ inheritance of God’s people when Jesus comes back at His second
advent.
This “kingdom
of heaven” can easily be understood from an Old Testament perspective.
David declares that “the Lord is King forever and ever” (Ps.10:16;
Ps.29:10), that His kingdom is everlasting, and that His dominion “endures
throughout all generations” (Ps.145:13). Daniel speaks of “the
God of heaven [who] will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed” (Dan.2.:44;
Ezek.37:25), a “kingdom [that] is an everlasting kingdom” (Dan.
4:3). The God of heaven is the King of heaven, and the heavenly kingdom is
God’s kingdom.
So, when Matthew
says, “kingdom of heaven”, it does not skew scripture when it is
inferred as, “the kingdom which comes from heaven to earth”.
Those who disregard
the commandments of the Lord in the earthly, Millennial kingdom, will be least
in that kingdom. In order to enter that kingdom, the Jews will need the law of
God written in their hearts, via the outpouring of the New Covenant promise,
Jer 31:31–34.
Everything about
Israel is earthly. They inherit the earth. They will fill the earth with the
glory of Christ. It is only the Body of Christ that is called upwards and will
fill the heavens with the glory of Christ.
1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
2Co 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The reason for these
two separate programs and people groups is so that God can bring both the
heavens and the earth into subjection under His Son.
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
This is the reason why we should practice the instruction of Paul to rightly divide. It is crucial to keep the Kingdom doctrine of Israel separate from the Grace doctrine of the Body of Christ. Keeping them separate will bring clarity and understanding to the scriptures. When right division is disregarded or set aside, the scriptures become confusing and contradictory, and the resulting blend of doctrine created by ignorant minds becomes a false narrative when men try to fit things together that God has always intended to be kept apart.
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