Rhapsody Of Realities TeeVo Devotional February 11th – The Kingdom Of Heaven

(An Extension Of God’s Kingdom In The Earth)

TO THE BIBLE: Matthew 3:2
“…Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

LET’S TALK
One day, while Miranda was reading her Bible, she found a place that read: “…Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2).

On another occasion, she read the same account in Mark 1:15: “…The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” She then asked herself: “Is there a difference between these two kingdoms? How can I know the difference?”

Whenever the writers of the Synoptic gospels— Matthew, Mark and Luke report the same event with some disparity, Matthew’s account is likely to be the most verbatim in quoting Jesus, because, among the three writers, he was the only one of the twelve apostles hearing directly from Jesus.

A good example is when He used the expression “kingdom of heaven” and when He used “kingdom of God.”

Though synonymously used, both expressions from Matthew and Mark are different. Here’s a simple definition: The “Kingdom of Heaven” is that part of the “Kingdom of God” established on earth and headed by Jesus.

In fact, the Greek rendering is “Kingdom of the heavens,” which means a kingdom from heaven. “Kingdom of God” refers to the rulership of God, the dominion of God, the realm of God.

The Kingdom of God is universal; it goes beyond mere territories. It goes as far as to your heart—which is why the Kingdom of God can be established in your heart. Jesus said the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21).

Jesus came to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth—to project the Kingdom of God—as the ambassador of the Kingdom of God.

The Kingdom of Heaven is the Embassy of the Kingdom of God. So, Jesus sets up His headquarters in the earth and His job is to bring people into God’s Kingdom.

In essence, the Kingdom of Heaven is about the work of Jesus Christ in the earth; it’s the extension of the Kingdom of God in the earth, headed by Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of Heaven is here now, of which we’re a part. Hallelujah!

Go Deeper
John 3:3; John 3:5; Matthew 10:7

Pray:
Dear Father, what a life you’ve brought to us! I thank you for the Kingdom of God that has been set up in my heart: the peace, beauty, glory, grace, and life of God are fully functional in my spirit, expressed in and through me. I’m determined, more than ever, to tell the whole world this glorious news. The Kingdom of God is here in Christ and functional now in my heart. Blessed be God!

Daily Bible Reading
ONE YEAR
Matthew 27:27-44, Exodus 40
TWO YEAR
Matthew 13:44-52, Genesis 42

Act:
Share this divine message with those around you today.