The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

With many such parables spoke He the word to them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spoke He not to them: and when they were alone, He expounded all things to His disciples. (parallel passage Matthew 13:31, 34-35, Luke 13:18,19-21; There is one area of scripture over looked and it is found in Ezekiel 37:21-23, where the word “cleans” in verse 23 relates to Ephesians 5:26-27, Hebrews 9:13-14, 1John 1:7, Revelation 21:3-4, 7. The out ward, literal and materialistic reading would seem to point to Israel of old but under the New Covenant and those who choose to walk in the trust of Abraham it means something different all together.)

Our next verses are just after Jesus' rebuking of Peter at the end of chapter 8 of Mark's rendition of what took place.

Mark 9:1, 2-13, 33-37, 38-41, 42-50 He said to them, Verily I say to you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. (Acts 2:2, 3-13, 4:31-33, 5:19-20; Matthew 16:24-28; Malachi 3:1)

After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, and James, and John, and lead them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and there He was transfigured before them. His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can whiten them. And there appeared to them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist (knew) not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

There was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear Him. 

Suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. As they came down from the mountain, He charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. And they kept that saying within themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

They asked Him, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? He answered them, Elias verily came first, and restore all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that He must suffer many things, and be set at naught. But I say to you, That Elias is indeed has come, and they have done to him whatever they listed, as it is written of him. (parallel passages Mark 1:2-8, Matthew 17:1-13, Luke 9:28-30; Isaiah 40:3-5, Malachi 3:1, 4:6)

He came to Capernaum: and being in the house He asked them, What was it that you disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. When He sat down, He called the twelve, and said unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. He took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when He had taken him in His arms, He said, Whoever shall receive one of such children in My name, receives Me: and whoever shall receive Me, receives not Me, but Him that sent Me. (parallel passages Matthew 18:1-5, Luke 9:46-48) 

John answered, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Your name, and he follows us not: and we forbade him, because he follows us not. To this Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in My name, that can lightly speak evil of Me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, verily I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. (parallel passage Luke 9:49-50)

Whoever shall offend one of these little ones that believes Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hung about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if your hand offend you, cut it off: it is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. And if your foot offend you, cut it off: it is better for you to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. And if your eye offend you, pluck it out: it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.(parallel passages Deuteronomy 13:6-10; Matthew 18:6-9, Luke 17:1-2)