Are the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God two separate kingdoms, or do these terms describe the same Kingdom. For example, does Kingdom of Heaven refer to God’s Kingdom in Heaven, in contrast to the Kingdom of God referring to a Messianic kingdom, or an invisible kingdom of God’s people on earth?

There is nothing in the New Testament that teaches such distinctions, and God’s Kingdom is not divided between Heaven and Christ. In Ephesians, Paul refers to the Kingdom as the kingdom of Christ and of God (Ephesians 5:5). In Colossians Paul describes the Kingdom as the kingdom of God’s dear son, saying that the Father has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son (1:13).

The phrase, Kingdom of Heaven is exclusive to Matthew’s gospel and is never found in the gospels of Mark, Luke, or John, where the gospel writers use the phrase, the Kingdom of God. In fact, the gospel of Matthew is the only portion of the New Testament where we will find the phrase, Kingdom of Heaven. The only exception is Paul’s mention of the Heavenly Kingdom in 2 Timothy.

And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ~ 2 Timothy 4:18

If we examine Matthew’s use of Kingdom of Heaven, we find that numerous times Matthew is talking about the same exact thing as the other gospel writers when they use the phrase, Kingdom of God.

For instance, in Matthew 5 -7 we have Matthew’s account of the sermon of the Mount. In 5:1-11 we have the portion of the sermon that we often refer to as the beatitudes. In Luke 6:20-23 we have an abbreviated version of the beatitudes. In Matthew’s account, Matthew uses the phrase, Kingdom of Heaven. In Luke’s account, Luke uses the phrase, Kingdom of God.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ~ Matthew 5:3

Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” ~ Luke 6:20

In Matthew Jesus is said to have preached the Kingdom of Heaven, In Mark, Jesus is said to have preached the Kingdom of God.

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say,  Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand… And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.~ Matthew 4:17, 23

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.~ Mark 1:14-15

Notice that both Matthew and Mark refer to the gospel as the gospel of the kingdom, but Mark adds “of God.” Also notice that the Kingdom is said to be at hand, whether the Kingdom is described as the Kingdom of God, or Kingdom of Heaven, it is said to be near.

The following texts are more examples showing that Matthew is referring to the same thing as the other gospel writers when he uses the description Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 8:11-12 / Luke 13:28-29

And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ~ Matthew 8:11-12 

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. ~ Luke 13:28-29

Matthew 10:1, 7-8 / Luke 9:1-3

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease…. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. ~ Matthew 10:7-8

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. ~ Luke 9:1-3 

Matthew 11:11 / Luke 7:28

Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 

For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. ~ Luke 7:28

Matthew 13:10-12 / Mark 4:10-12

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. ~ Matthew 13:10-12

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. ~ Mark 4:10-12 

Matthew 13:33 / Luke 13:20-21

Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. ~ Matthew 13:33

And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?  It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. ~ Luke 13:20-21 

Matthew 19:14 / Mark 10:14, Luke 18:16

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. ~ Matthew 19:14

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.~ Mark 10:14

But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. ~ Luke 18:16

Though Matthew often refers to the kingdom as the Kingdom of heaven, he does use the phrase, Kingdom of God on 4 different occasions (Matthew 12:28; 19:24; 21:31, 43). In Matthew 19:23-26, Matthew clearly refers to the same thing by referring to the Kingdom of Heaven as the kingdom of God

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God…

Notice that this reference is repeating the same truth by underscoring that it is difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom.

When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. ~ Matthew 19:23 -26

Do we really think the disciples thought Jesus was referring to 2 different Kingdoms? Absolutely not. God’s Kingdom is not divided, and God’s Kingdom is Christ’s Kingdom, and his Heavenly Kingdom. Notice Mark’s description of the same reference as Matthew’s above.

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. ~ Mark 10:23-27 

Blessings…