Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today we’ll seek to transform our thinking regarding the Kingdom of Heaven

Today’s scripture, Matthew 4:17 (AMP) says…
From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Consider…
Yesterday we concluded the Kingdom of God is knowing and showing His love to others to grow the number of people that have a relationship with Him.

Today we’ll look at the other Kingdom that Jesus often spoke about, the Kingdom of Heaven.

As I sought wisdom from God regarding the Kingdom of Heaven, my first question was what’s the difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven? The answer I received was, scripture must always be read in context for understanding. Meaning at times the two are interchangeable and simply a preference of the author. For example, Jesus’ parables of the mustard seed and leaven that I used yesterday from Luke 13 to understand the Kingdom of God are the same ones that Matthew used to explain the Kingdom of Heaven in his chapter 13.

Given that understanding, let’s see what the Lord wants us to contextually understand about the Kingdom of Heaven today.

In today’s scripture Jesus picks up where his cousin, John the Baptist left off, preaching “repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”. So what does He mean? Well, let’s look at a couple of clues.

First, look at Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 9:6‭-‬7 (AMP)…
For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; And the government shall be upon His shoulder, And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. There shall be no end to the increase of His government and of peace, [He shall rule] on the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From that time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

Then let’s look at the angel’s confirming prophecy to Mary in Luke 1:30‭-‬33 (NLT)…
“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Both of these prophecies tell me the reason Jesus, and His cousin John before Him, preached, “repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” is because Jesus, the King was here! You see Jesus’ birth triggered the beginning of the end. God wants us to know there’s a final chapter in His story. Like most movie scripts, it’s where the enemy is defeated and the Good Guy (Jesus) wins! 💪🏾

Sounds great, but how does that explain Jesus’ reference to the Kingdom of Heaven? The answer is found in Matthew 25 text. There we’re given three additional clues…

• Jesus told the parable of 10 bridesmaids. In that story He pointed out half of them were wisely prepared and looking for the Groom’s (Jesus) return. In contrast the foolish half missed out because they were slept on Him coming back. Jesus closed the parable with these instructions, “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” – Matthew 25:13 NLT
• Next, Jesus told the parable of the talents. You know the one where two of the three servants used and grew the talents entrusted to them by their Master (Jesus), but the third one buried his. Jesus concluded this parable with, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” – Matthew 25:29‭-‬30 NLT
• Lastly, Jesus talked about sheep and goats and people serving Him by serving the least of these. What the Holy Spirit highlighted from this final judgement scene, was Matthew 25:34 (NLT), where Jesus said “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.”

Matthew 25:34 ran my mind to John 14:2‭-‬3 (ERV), where Jesus also said…
There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am.

Where I am. That’s it! The Kingdom of Heaven is the place that Jesus has prepared for us to spend eternity with Him, our King.

Just then, the movie screen in my mind faded to black. After a pregnant pause, the Holy Spirit scrolled, in lieu of eminent eternity, “change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life” across my heart.

Then He reminded me as Kingdom ambassador-citizens, we should live in allegiance to the King, even in this foreign land that we are passing through.

He also stressed the point that no one knows when the King will return to bring His people home, so we can’t plan to get ready, rather we have to stay ready.

He made it even more plain with Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:37‭-‬39 (NLT)…
“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.”

Why is the nearness of the Kingdom of Heaven emphasized? Because God always wants us to live on purpose for the His purpose. He wants us to honor the King here on earth, just like we will in Heaven for eternity!

Today’s song is…
Purpose Over Pleasure
https://youtu.be/08EfwtUgLww?si=xeTj9WuX8PIzqWXm

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)