The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

In this parallel passage there is nothing mentioned about either the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God but still it is a parallel passage because of the phrase, “to follow Me”. This phrase has caused many misconceptions due to mans lack of understanding. What I mean is this, many have taken this passage to mean such things as follows; to walk or crawl on their knees for a mile up some hill, to reach some presumed holy spot, some have inflected pain and suffering on their body by the use of some kind of limp branches, whipping themselves on the back as they go, some have sworn a pledge or vow of poverty while doing their missionary works in the flesh, none of these are what Jesus is saying here. Jesus was a man of simple means and He knew the custom of the people to whom He was sent as the greatest of Prophets in the order of Moses, in answer to the promises given. This promise is found in Deuteronomy 18:15, 18 and in this same message is found a warning about false prophets which we need to take heed to as did Israel (there are many such warnings spoke to us by Jesus Himself and by Paul which I will cover at the end of this study). There is another thing we need to know because as I stated earlier, but in veiled language and it is this, God spoke through many prophets to Israel and with each prophet He spoke almost the same words in similitude of fashion. He spoke warnings of things to come because of Israel's disobedience and hardness of heart caused by unbelief (sin) and to teach them of Himself which again they failed to understand or comprehend. This is why we find usually three warnings or teachings spoken in differing fashions but really saying the same thing. As we have in these two passages, and they are but illustrations of what we need to know in order to learn of Christ and His administration both within us who are His and then in the world of darkness (sin in Religion) which is all around us. Both kingdoms are in full operational activity as the book of Revelation reveals, Satan's kingdom works in darkness on two levels, one being mans Religion and the other mans government. While God's kingdom is His operating in His receptive ones and is purely working through Love in what can be called the night of Faith, in the law of faith because of what 2Corinthians 5:7 states, “walk by faith not by sight”, paraphrased of course.

Matthew 18:1-6, 7-14, 21-22, 23-35 At the same time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus called a little child to Him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say to you, except you be converted (to change from ones self, ego and then Religion to freedom in relationship restored, James 5:19-20), and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receives Me. But whoso shall offends one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (parallel passages Mark 9:33-37, Luke 9:46-48)

Woe to the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! Wherefore if your hand or your foot offend, cut them off, and cast them from you: it is better for you to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. If your eye offend, pluck it out, and cast it from you: it is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say to you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think you? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and go into the mountains, and seek that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say to you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. (parallel passages Mark 9:42-48, Luke 15:3-7, 17: 1-2)

Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? To this Jesus said to him, I say not to you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought to him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But for as much as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshiped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servant, who owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me what you owe me. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you all. And he would not: the first went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told to their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said to him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all your debt, because you desired it of me: Should not you also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him. So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also to you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.