Bible Terms and Definitions

The following terms are defined:

Immortality

Immortality means exemption of the physical body from death. Believers will put on immortality at the Appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17) The physical bodies of believers will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. (1 Corinthians 15:51-54) Their bodies will be changed from corruptible to incorruptible. They will be immune to sickness, disease and decay.

Jehovah

Jehovah is the covenant name of God. It means the Eternal One. (Exodus 6:3,4) Jehovah refers to God Almighty. (Genesis 17:1; Exodus 6:3)

The following forms of the covenant name of Almighty God reveal His personality:

1. Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord Will Provide – Genesis 22:13,14.
2. Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord that Healeth – Exodus 15:26.
3. Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord our Banner – Exodus 17:8-15.
4. Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord our Peace – Judges 6:24.
5. Jehovah-Ra-ah: The Lord my Shepherd -- Psalm 23:1.
6. Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The Lord our Righteousness – Jeremiah 23:6.
7. Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord is Present – Ezekiel 48:35.

Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God is defined as righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17) The Kingdom of God is a state of existence. It came into being when Jesus was resurrected from the dead. (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:18-23; Revelation 1:17,18) It was set in motion on the Day of Pentecost. (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4) The Kingdom of God is described as glorious, majestic and everlasting. God’s rule lasts throughout all generations. (Psalm 145:11-13; 2 Peter 1:11) The prerequisite for entering the Kingdom of God is regeneration². (John 3:3,5)

Jesus preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God. (Mark 1:14,15) The gospel of the Kingdom of God is the rule of God in the person and proclamation of Jesus Christ. (Mark 1:1)

Jesus illustrated the Kingdom of God through the use of parables. (Matthew 13:18-23, 24-30, 31-33, 44-50; 18:23-35; 20:1-16; 21:28-44; 22:2-14)

Apostle Paul preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God. (Acts 20:25; Romans 1:16,17) The gospel of Christ is the same as the gospel of the Kingdom of God. (Acts 28:23,30-31)

The gospel of the Kingdom of God produces fruit among believers. (Romans 1:13) The work of the Kingdom is the responsibility of the Church. (Ephesians 2:10) That work is

1. Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in Jesus’ name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47; Mark 16:15)
2. The making of disciples of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19,20)

Kingdom of Heaven

The Kingdom of Heaven is the same as the Kingdom of God. Matthew 13:10-17, Mark 4:10-12 and Luke 8:9-10 are three different accounts of the same event. In Matthew 13:10-17, the Kingdom is referred to as the Kingdom of Heaven. In Mark 4:10-12 and Luke 8:9-10, the Kingdom is referred to as the Kingdom of God. The same is also true of Matthew 13:31,32, Mark 4:30-32 and Luke 13:18,19. Likewise, compare Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:20,21. In Matthew 19:23,24, the terms Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God are used interchangeably.

The discrepancies between the terminology of the gospel writers may be explained by the fact that Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience. To them, frequent use of the name God would have seemed irreverent. The discrepancies between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven as discussed by S. Maxwell Coder³ may be explained as follows:

1. The Kingdom of God is indeed entered by regeneration. (John 3:35) However, the righteousness that exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees is the righteousness of faith. (Romans 10:6-9) This is what they did not do. (John 8:24) They sought to establish their own righteousness (by strict adherence to the Mosaic Law – Philippians 3:9). By doing so, they did not submit themselves to the righteousness of God. (Romans 10:3) The righteousness of God is faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12; Romans 10:4) Salvation through Jesus Christ is the will of God. (Ephesians 1:3-6) Therefore, regeneration is also a prerequisite for entering the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 7:21) Matthew 5:20 also refers to the Kingdom of God. Paul preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God to the Romans. (Acts 28:30,31; Romans 1:16,17)
2. Rule, authority and power referred to in 1 Corinthians 15:24 does not refer to the Kingdom of Heaven, but the kingdoms of the world. The kingdoms of the world are enemies of Christ. (James 4:4)
3. The parable of the wheat and the tares illustrate a time at the end of the age when all hindrances to the Kingdom of God will be removed.