In this posting we are delving into a subject that has been a point of contention for many years within religious circles. The basic problem is that people tend to equate the Kingdom of God with the Kingdom of Heaven, that they are one and the same. However, following the study method commanded by the Lord in Isaiah 28:9-13, we find that they are not the same, that one must live in and follow the rules of one kingdom throughout one’s earthly Christian life in order to enter the other kingdom upon the return of Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 5:19 the Lord introduces this Truth using the Word “therefore,” meaning that what He is about to say refers to what He has just said about being the light and salt of the earth by obeying God’s Law. Beginning with verse 19 Jesus equates the breaking of the Law to being counted as “least” in the Kingdom of Heaven. Here I need to insert what one can learn about in the series titled “My People Called By My Name” and “Who Are God’s People?” Key words–Called and People respectively. Simply put, “the church” has within it both saints and sinners. The two groups are separated from each other and have nothing to do with each other. Jesus talks about this separation in Matthew 7:13,14 where He characterizes His small, obedient group as those who have entered His church through his strait (difficult) “gate” then following His narrow (restrictive) way (path) to salvation. The larger group enters Satan’s wide (come as you are) gate and walk his broad (stay as you are) way (path) to destruction. However, those in both groups are called God’s people. Like spiritual sheep and goats, wheat and tares, good fish and bad fish, good trees and bad trees, workers in the field and women grinding at the mill, all are called God’s people and will continue to be His people for the time being. Jesus speaks to this Truth in Matthew 7:21-23 and in the parable of the 10 virgins found in Matthew 25. The separation of the two groups will come after Christ’s return.

In verses 19 and 20 of the focal passage, Jesus says that anyone called by God’s name (in the church) who BREAKS EVEN THE LEAST OF THE COMMANDMENTS He (God) would designate as the least in the church (the Kingdom of Heaven). Conversely, the one who obeys all of the commandments would be the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. This shows that God segregates those in the church according to how they treat His Law. For a good example of this, compare what Jesus said to the Church at Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-12) to what He said to the Church at Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-20). Notice that though one was filled with holy people and one was filled with evil people, COMBINED THEY WERE CALLED “THE CHURCH” during their respective eras. Read the series concerning church historical eras using the key word–Eras.

That the Lord is referring to the church is proved by the fact that the Kingdom of God, which He will establish upon His return, will not have tares, goats, bad fish, bad trees, etc. within it. Only the Very Elect, holy, Law-keeping saints will be in that kingdom. Read about the Kingdom of God in the series using the key word–Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Heaven is where we qualify for entrance into the Kingdom of God. We must obey the rules of engagement relative to the kingdom of heaven in order to qualify for entrance into God’s kingdom which Jesus will create following His return and the resurrection of His Very Elect saints. Read The Three Resurrections. Key word–Three.

The Kingdom of Heaven is where we find the “FEW” Jesus talked about in Matthew 7:13,14 and 22:14. Many are called to enter His strait, restrictive gate and walk His one and only way to the Kingdom of God. Jesus warned that only a few would choose His way. The vast majority of salvation seekers would enter the devil’s wide gate and follow his broad way, all the while “knowing” that they are on their way to paradise. As Jesus said in Revelation 12:9: “Satan has deceived the whole world,” including most of the church world.

Concerning the size of the Lord’s church, He compares it to a mustard seed–the smallest of seeds. A couple of weeks ago I happened to notice that we have a bottle of MUSTARD SEEDS. If you have never seen a mustard seed, do yourself a favor and do so. I had no idea how miniscule they are. And they are as beautiful as they are tiny. God’s church is tiny, numbering only a few thousand globally. The counterfeit church today has approximately 2.5 billion parishioners. Their misguided souls have lost whatever preservative quality they might have possessed and their light, if they ever exhibited any, has turned to darkness. However, they are still called “the church” and “God’s people.” Read in Matthew 25 about the TEN VIRGINS (CHURCH MEMBERS). Notice that right up until the moment when Jesus announces His rejection of them, the five foolish church members were still being called “virgins.” Read All That Glitters and Bait and Switch. Key words–Glitters and Bait.

In summary, we must obey God’s rules of engagement with Him and be a part of His church–the Kingdom of Heaven–in order to be allowed entrance into the Kingdom of God which Jesus will create following His Second Advent. That is God’s way and it is perfect. For all salvation seekers there are only two ways from which to choose: HIS WAY OR THE HIGHWAY. This is made clear in Matthew 8:11,12 where Jesus says that great men of old will sit down in the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. However, THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM WILL BE CAST OUT.” These will be the false Christians (goats, tares, bad fish, etc.) that, like the five foolish virgins, will have been in the Kingdom of Heaven, but because they refused to obey the King of that kingdom, will fail to enter into the Kingdom of God. You can’s be cast out of a place you have never been. L.J.