Different Names for One Kingdom
By Royce Frederick
The New Testament refers to the kingdom as the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Christ, and the kingdom of heaven. All of these are the same kingdom.
The NEAR Kingdom was —
The kingdom of GOD: “...Jesus came to Galilee...saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand...’” (Mk. 1:14-15); “...there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power” (Mk. 9:1).
The kingdom of CHRIST: “...there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matt. 16:28).
The kingdom of HEAVEN: “From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matt. 4:17).
The PRESENT Kingdom is —
The kingdom of GOD: “...the kingdom of God...is like a mustard seed...” (Mk. 4:30-31). This parable describes the growth of the kingdom on earth.
The kingdom of CHRIST: God “...has...conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Col. 1:13).
The kingdom of HEAVEN: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed...” (Matt. 13:31).
The FUTURE Kingdom is —
The kingdom of GOD: Daniel said, “...the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed...it shall stand forever” (Dan. 2:44).
The kingdom of CHRIST: Gabriel said about the kingdom of Jesus, “...of His kingdom there will be no end” (Lk. 1:33). It is “...the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 1:11).
The kingdom of HEAVEN: Paul said, “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2 Tim 4:18; see Matt. 7:21).
It is “the kingdom of Christ and God” (Eph. 5:5). It is Christ’s kingdom, because He is its King. It is God’s kingdom, because He set it up, and Christ belongs to God: “...Christ is God’s” (1 Cor. 3:23). It is the kingdom of heaven, as Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (Jn. 18:36). It came from heaven, and it takes us to heaven!
