LESSON EIGHT

THE THREE ASPECTS OF THE KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS

Matt. 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.

Its Reality as Revealed in Matthew 5-7

Matthew 5-7 reveals the reality of the kingdom of the heavens. The word spoken by the Lord Jesus in these chapters is the revelation of the spiritual living and heavenly principles of the kingdom of the heavens.

Its Appearance as Revealed in Matthew 13:24-43

The parable of the tares (13:24-30, 36-43) reveals the establishment of the kingdom and its false constituents. Verses 24 and 25 say, “The kingdom of the heavens was likened to a man sowing good seed in his field. But while the men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares amidst the wheat and went away.” The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man (v. 37), the field is the world, the good seed are the sons of the kingdom, and the tares are the sons of the evil one (v. 38). Both the tares and the wheat grow in the field; that is, the false believers and the true ones live in the world. The kingdom of the heavens was established with the sons of the kingdom, the wheat, but the sons of the evil one, the tares, grew up to alter the situation. Hence, a difference has arisen between the kingdom of the heavens and its outward appearance. Whereas the sons of the kingdom constitute the kingdom, the sons of the evil one have formed the outward appearance of the kingdom, which today is called Christendom.

Its Manifestation as Revealed in Matthew 24:44-25:30

When the Lord Jesus comes back, the manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens will be realized. This is revealed in Matthew 24:44-25:30. Only the overcomers who are in the reality of the kingdom of the heavens today will have a share in the manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens in the future. The manifestation of the kingdom of the heavens will be a reward, a prize, given to the overcomers. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, msg. 243)

References: The Conclusion of the New Testament, Msg. 243; The New Testament Recovery Version, Matthew 5 – Chart – “The Difference between the Kingdom of the Heavens and the Kingdom of God”.

Attached Chart: