Kingdom of Heaven Vs. Kingdom of God? (Teaching 10 of 39) - The KOG Entrepreneur Show - Episode 32

In this episode (filmed during the Covid-19 Epidemic) Steven discusses the Synonymous Expressions described by Jack W. Hayford with the term "Kingdom of Heaven" found in Matthew vs. Kingdom of God seen throughout the rest of the New Testament. The Apostle Matthew used a distinct language when writing for his predominately Jewish audience, which is discussed and any distinction made is also mentioned.

10. Synonymous Expressions (Matt. 19:23-24). This text uses the phrases “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” interchangeably. In doing so, it sufficiently demonstrates that the two terms are meant to refer to one and the same thing: the kingdom. Although some make a labored distinction between them, this text and ten others in the Gospels clearly show that the “kingdom of heaven” and “kingdom of God” are verifiably synonyms. Matthew is the only New Testament writer who used the term “kingdom of heaven.” In doing so, he showed a sensitivity toward his originally intended audience of Jewish readers, for whom too frequent a use of the name of “God” would have seemed irreverent. By a variety of terms Matthew refers to “the kingdom” fifty times in his Gospel: thirty-two times as “kingdom of heaven”; five times as “kingdom of God”; four times as the “Father’s” kingdom; and twice as the kingdom of “the Son of Man.” The remaining seven references are simply to “the kingdom” without other designation. This variety in the usage, made by the only one using the phrase “kingdom of heaven,” surely shows these terms to be synonyms for the kingdom.

Hayford, Jack W. ; Thomas Nelson Publishers: Hayford's Bible Handbook. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995

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