Kingdom of Heaven vs. Kingdom of God (KJV): A Concise Bible Study on Their Differences

Did you know that the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God are not the same thing? As we examine the difference, you will see how the two kingdoms underpin the theme of the entire Bible, which is Jesus Christ ultimately ruling and reigning on His throne as King of Kings and Lord of Lords from Jerusalem. We see God’s heartbeat on this here: (Isa. 9:6-7) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

The Kingdom of Heaven is physical

The kingdom of heaven only appears in Matthew (33 times). Why only Matthew? Because it is the gospel written to the Jews. Being that the Old Testament is primarily written to the Jews, there the physical kingdom of heaven is called the kingdom of Israel. (1 Sam. 15:28, 24:20, 1 Kings 21:7). Not to be missed, the whole Old Testament promises and promotes a literal physical kingdom including land and people promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob/Israel. The ultimate King (Jesus) would rise from the tribe of Judah from the line of David.

This impending kingdom depended on the nation’s obedience, and over time their disobedience dissolved it. Their final king was Zedekiah, who reigned until the Babylonian captivity. That marked the end of Israel’s functioning monarchy. Gentile powers gained control, and the prospects for that visible Isa. 9:6-7 kingdom disappeared from the earth. For the next six centuries, Israel lived under foreign rule with no active earthly kingdom.

But the Gospels reintroduced it. John the Baptist announced, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, (Matt 3:2) signaling that the promised kingdom was once again a possibility. Jesus preached the same message, and the apostles expected its arrival. This expectation appears clearly in Acts 1:6 when they asked the risen Lord, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Their question was about the physical kingdom promised in the prophets.

Israel, however, rejected the prospect anew—three times.

They rejected John the Baptist, who promoted the kingdom of heaven with Jesus ruling. Then they rejected Jesus Himself, killing Him before they killed John the Baptist. And finally, they rejected the message preached by Stephen where he highlighted Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises centered on Jesus as Messiah whom they should have followed. They hated that message and stoned the messenger. Before he died, Stephen looked up and saw the Son of man standing (not sitting as in other instances) at the right hand of God. Had Israel received this message, Jesus would have returned and set up His earthly kingdom, called the kingdom of heaven (on earth). Israel’s refusal closed that offer for the time being.

After Stephen’s stoning in Acts 7, the focus shifted to the kingdom of God and the Gentiles.

The Kingdom of God is spiritual

The kingdom of God is different. It is spiritual rather than earthly. Jesus explained that it does not come “with observation” but is “within you” (Luke 17:20–21). It is not entered by being part of a nation but by being born again. As He told Nicodemus, a person must be born of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3–5). The new birth places a believer into the body of Christ, and that spiritual reality defines the kingdom of God today.

Paul’s writings support this. He describes the kingdom of God as righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17). He also states that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 15:50)

So, we see that each kingdom has a separate role. The kingdom of heaven concerns God’s promises to Israel and the future restoration of a physical throne on earth. The kingdom of God concerns the inner work of the Spirit in those who believe, regardless of nationality. These two distinctions remain until the kingdoms join together when Christ returns and reigns physically from Jerusalem.

The two kingdoms show how God has worked in different ways through history while moving toward one goal—Christ reigning openly on earth. Understanding the distinction simply helps us see how each part of the Bible fits into God’s amazing kingdom plan.

R&J Shee