What is the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven?

The Kingdom of Heaven is used in Matthew where the Kingdom of God is used in the other Gospels.

Presumably, since Matthew was written to a Jewish audience and the name of God was taken very seriously by the Hebrews, he used Kingdom of Heaven instead of using the name 'God"

The New Testament has a great deal to say about this Kingdom:

Some verses seem to be about the future Kingdom

Some verses seem to be about changes taking place at that time

Some verses seem to be about how to get into the Kingdom

Some verses are about the nature of the Kingdom

Here is a summary of what the New Testament says about the Kingdom of God

It is at hand- Matthew 3:2,4:17 Mark 1:14,15

It is theirs, speaking of those poor in spirit and those who are persecuted - Matthew 5:3,10 Luke 6:20

Lawbreakers called least in the kingdom and those who practice and teach commandments called great - Matthew 5:19

Righteousness has to surpass Pharisees to enter- Matthew 5:20

Seek it first- Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:31>

Not all will enter, only those who do God's will- Matthew 7:21

There will be a feast in the Kingdom of Heaven with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob- Matthew 8:11

Some subjects will be put outside in darkness- Matthew 8:12

Jesus travelled through countryside and preached good news of Kingdom of Heaven- Matthew 9:35

It is at hand Matthew 10:7,Mark 1:15

The least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John- Matthew 11:11 Luke 7:28

The Kingdom has been forcibly advancing- Matthew 11:12 Luke 16:16

If Jesus is driving out demons, the Kingdom is upon you - Matthew 12:28, Luke 11:20

Secrets of the Kingdom given to the disciples-Matthew 13:11 Mark 4:11 Luke 8:10

If you hear and don't understand, it is snatched away- Matthew 13:19

Kingdom is like good seed in a field with weeds-Matthew 13:24

The Kingdom is like a mustard which is very small but grows very large Matthew 13:30 Mark 4:30 Luke 13:18

The sons of the Kingdom are like the good seed - Matthew 13:38

The angels will weed out those who cause sin - Matthew 13:43

The Kingdom is like treasure in a field -Matthew 13:44

The Kingdom is like a pearl of great value - Matthew13:45

The Kingdom is like a net that catches many fish, good and bad. Bad thrown away-Matthew 13:47

The Kingdom is like a home owner who brings out new treasures as well as old -Matthew 13:52

The keys of the Kingdom given to Peter after his confession of Christ-Matthew 16:19

The Son of Man coming in His kingdom Matthew 16:28

Can't enter unless like a child Matthew 18:3 Luke 18:16,17

Whoever humbles himself like a child is greatest in the kingdom Matthew 18:4

The Kingdom of Heaven is like king settling accounts-debts cancelled for those who cancel others debtsMatthew 18:23

Some have renounced marriage because of Kingdom of heavenMatthew 19:12

The Kingdom of Heaven to those who are like childrenMatthew 19:14 Mark 10:14,15

It is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.Easier for a camel through an eye of a needleMatthew 19:23,24 Mark 10:23-25 Luke 18:24,25

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner paying his workers the same regardless of when they started Matthew 20:1

God prepares the places for people In the KingdomMatthew 20:21-23

Tax collectors and prostitutes entering Kingdom ahead of chief priests and eldersMatthew 21:31

To be taken away from IsraelMatthew 21:43

The Kingdom of God is like a king having a wedding feast for his sonMatthew 22:2

The Pharisees shut the kingdom in people's facesMatthew 23:13

The gospel of the Kingdom will be preached to the whole worldMatthew 24:14

The Kingdom is like 10 virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroomMatthew 25:1

The Kingdom is like a man going on a trip and entrusting his property to his servants.Some used wisely, others notMatthew 25:14

The Kingdom has been prepared for those being saved since the creation of the worldMatthew 25:34

At the last supper, Jesus said he wouldn't drink the fruit of the vine again with his disciples until he drinks it with them in the KingdomMatthew 26:29 Mark 14:25 Luke 22:17

Like a growing seed Mark 4:26

Some will not see death until they see the Kingdom come with power Mark 9:1 Luke 9:27

Better to enter Kingdom with one eye than to be thrown into hell with two eyes Mark 9:47

The Pharisee with the correct answer was close to the Kingdom Mark 12:34

Joseph of Arimethia was waiting for the Kingdom Mark 15:43 Luke 23:51

The kingdom of Jesus will never end Luke 1:33

Jesus sent to preach the news of the Kingdom Luke 4:43

Jesus proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom Luke 8:1

Sent out the twelve to preach the Kingdom Luke 9:2

Jesus spoke to the crowd at Bethsaida about the Kingdom Luke 9:11

Jesus tells a man who desired to be a follower to go and proclaim the Kingdom Luke 9:60

No one who puts his hand to the plow and then turns back is fit for service in the Kingdom Luke 9:62

Jesus sends out the 72 and tells them to tell people the Kingdom is near Luke 10:9,11

Tells disciples to pray 'your Kingdom come' Luke 11:2, Matthew 6:9

The Father pleased to have given us the Kingdom Luke 12:32

The Kingdom is like yeast working through doughMatthew 6:33 Luke 13:20

People from everywhere will take their places in the Kingdom Luke 13:29

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be in the kingdom with the prophets Luke 13:28

Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast of the kingdom Luke 14:15

The Kingdom does not come from observation, it is within you Luke 17:20,21

No one who has left home for the Kingdom will fail to receive much more Luke 18:29

The people thought the Kingdom would appear at once Luke 19:11

The Kingdom is near when you see these things happening Luke 21:30

Jesus said he wouldn't eat the Passover again until it finds fulfillment in the Kingdom Luke 22:16

Jesus has conferred on his disciples a Kingdom just as the Father conferred one on Him Luke 22:29

Disciples to be in Kingdom on thrones judging the 12 tribes Luke 22:30

The thief knew Jesus would come into a kingdom Luke 23:42

Jesus spoke of the Kingdom after His resurrection Acts 1:3

Disciples asked if He would restore Kingdom to Israel at that time Acts 1:8

Philip preached about news of Kingdom Acts 8:12

Must go through hardships to enter the Kingdom Acts 14:22

Paul argued persuasively about the Kingdom Acts 19:8

Paul preached about the Kingdom Acts 20:25 Acts 28:23 Acts 28:31

The Kingdom is about righteousness,peace and joy in the Holy Spirit Romans 14:17 Hebrews 1:8

The Kingdom is about power, not talk I Corinthians 4:20

The wicked will not inherit the Kingdom I Corinthians 6:9,10 Galatians 5:21 Ephesians 5:5

Christ will hand over the Kingdom to the Father in the end I Corinthians 15:24

Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom I Corinthians 15:50

God rescued us from darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of His son Colossians 1:13 IITimothy 4:18

God calls us into His Kingdom I Thessalonians 2:12 II Peter 1:11

Thessalonian church worthy of the Kingdom II Thessalonians 1:5

The Kingdom cannot be shaken Hebrews 12:28

The poor who love Him are rich in faith and will inherit the Kingdom James 2:5

John a companion in the Kingdom Revelation 1:9

A voice proclaims the power of the Kingdom has come after Michael defeats Satan Revelation 12:10

So what is the Kingdom of God? It is a spiritual kingdom which is here in Heaven and on Earth. In Heaven, it is in the presence of God Himself. On Earth, it dwells in the hearts of believers. This is made possible by the indwelling by the Holy Spirit in each believer. Prior to the Holy Spirit coming down into men's hearts at Pentecost, God's Spirit resided in the Holy of Holies in the Jewish temple. Jesus told his disciples that after he leaves, He will send a 'Helper'- the Holy Spirit of God. When this occurred, something incredible happened in that God's spirit dwelt in believers and not in any temple. God's Spirit and His Kingdom had come to earth and to the body of believers.