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I've been studying the book of Matthew since last Christmas and one thing I noticed is how many times the phrase "the kingdom of heaven" is used. In fact, John the Baptist was telling people to repent for the kingdom of heaven was near in Matthew 3:2 and then Jesus says the same thing in his first public statements in Matthew 4:17. Some people want to argue that the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are different, but I am not seeing that. From what I understand the kingdom is meant to emphasize the dominion or rule of God over his creation. Jesus seems to use a lot of his parables to try and describe the kingdom of God and what it is like. It seems clear that Jesus felt that it was paramount that we understand this concept. Matthew also went out of his way to mention the parable and teaching that emphasized the kingdom
I think one thing that is clear is that the disciples had been taught that the Messiah was going to come and remove the Roman rule from them and establish some type of kingdom on earth much like the Davidic kingdom of old. The disciples did not have a concept that the kingdom that Jesus came to establish included his saving them from their sins and suffering. So when he begins to mention in more clearly after the Transfiguration Peter rebukes Jesus. He doesn't want to hear Jesus talk about his suffering and being rejected. I really think this is why Judas Iscariot wanted to be a part of Jesus' ministry. He wanted to be one of those who ruled with Jesus in a regenerated Davidic kingdom
Then we see this same phrase used in Matthew 5:3,10,19,20; 7:21, 8:11, 10:7; 11:11,12; 13:11,24,31,33,44,45,47,52, 16:19; 18:1,3,4,23; 19:12,14, 23; 20:1; 22:2; 23:13; 25:1.
I think one thing that is clear is that the disciples had been taught that the Messiah was going to come and remove the Roman rule from them and establish some type of kingdom on earth much like the Davidic kingdom of old. The disciples did not have a concept that the kingdom that Jesus came to establish included his saving them from their sins and suffering. So when he begins to mention in more clearly after the Transfiguration Peter rebukes Jesus. He doesn't want to hear Jesus talk about his suffering and being rejected. I really think this is why Judas Iscariot wanted to be a part of Jesus' ministry. He wanted to be one of those who ruled with Jesus in a regenerated Davidic kingdom
Then we see this same phrase used in Matthew 5:3,10,19,20; 7:21, 8:11, 10:7; 11:11,12; 13:11,24,31,33,44,45,47,52, 16:19; 18:1,3,4,23; 19:12,14, 23; 20:1; 22:2; 23:13; 25:1.