ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES
The "kingdom of God" is first mentioned in the book of Matthew and continues to be mentioned even in Rev. 12:10. The Word is to be rightly divided (II Tim. 2:15), so pay close attention.
The Scriptures teach that the "kingdom of God" is invisible, and the believer enters into the "kingdom of God" at the time of believing.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his (Rom. 8:9).
Only the soul is born of God.
Notice that the "born again" person enters into the "kingdom of God". Even though Jesus allowed John the Baptist, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, to say much about the "kingdom of heaven", and Jesus also taught about the "kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 4:17), Jesus taught that the "kingdom of God" must be sought first -- before entering the kingdom of heaven.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matt. 6:33).
Notice that none of the statements made about being taken out of the kingdom is said about being taken out of the "kingdom of God". Why? Because the new birth puts the born-again believer into the "kingdom of God" -- and you can never lose that birth (John 5:24; 6:47; and many other Scriptures).
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
The "kingdom of heaven" is mentioned only in the book of Matthew and only lasts as long as the church is on earth (Matt. 25:1-30).
Notice the difference: The kingdom of heaven is not mentioned in Mark, Luke, or John. The word that has been translated "church" is not mentioned in Mark, Luke, or John.
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force (Matt. 11:12).
The "kingdom of God" cannot suffer violence because it is spiritual. John the Baptist rejoiced greatly because the bridegroom hath the bride (John 3:29). The bride of Christ is the Lord's church: "That he might present it to himself a glorious church..." (Eph. 5:27).
Please read Eph. 5:25-33. On this occasion Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, was speaking to the church at Ephesus. Any time that he was speaking to more than one church, he addressed them as "churches". Example: "...unto the churches of Galatia" (Gal. 1:2). John spoke to "the seven churches which are in Asia" (Rev. 1:4).
Since Pentecost there is no such thing as "the church" (singular) -- there have been "churches" (plural). After the true members of the Lord's churches (plural) are caught up (resurrected), they will make up "the church" (singular) (Eph. 3:21).
Notice the teachings of Jesus.
47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away (Matt. 13:47-48).
That statement is never made of the kingdom of God. You cannot be born again and be bad.
A very good example of the difference in the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven is a comparison of Matt. 18:1-10, Mark 9:33-37, and Luke 9:46-48. Notice that Matt. 25:1-13 and Matt. 25:14-30 both occur at the coming for the bride. Saved and unsaved people can enter into the kingdom of heaven (church) and, when Judgment Day comes, those who became members of the kingdom of heaven (churches) can be cast out (read Matt. 7:21-23 and Matt. 18:1-10). Mark and Luke did not mention any judgment. But in Mark, the same message about who will be greatest did not say "in the kingdom of heaven", and nothing was said about judgment. The same is true about Luke 9:46-48. While Matt. 18:6 says some would be better off drowned, Matt. 18:8 says some would be cast into everlasting fire. Only saved people enter the kingdom of God, while lost and saved enter the kingdom of heaven (church) (read Rev. 2:9). There were some in the church (kingdom of heaven) that were of the synagogue of Satan. The last two mentions of the kingdom of heaven both refer to the coming of Christ for His bride -- the ten virgins where five were ready and five were not. Jesus instructed the church to "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come" (Matt. 24:42). The last mention of the kingdom of heaven concerns the teaching of Jesus on the talents (Matt. 25:14-30). Read Rev. 16:10 and you will see this is during the tribulation on earth. Compare this to Rev. 3:14-22 and you will see it is the same occasion. The evil servant is to be "cut asunder" (Matt. 24:51). The preacher that quits will be appointed "his portion with the unbelievers" (Luke 12:42-46). The "portion of unbelievers", when Christ comes for His bride, will be to go into the tribulation. Paul, knowing the terror of the Lord, persuaded men (II Cor. 5:11). But "unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Heb. 9:28). SUMMARY
All ten heard the bridegroom's voice.The lamps of all ten had burned.The five foolish virgins said, "...our lamps are gone out" (Matt. 7:21-23).In order for their lamps to go out, they had to have burned.
The man travelling into a far country "called his own servants" (Matt. 25:14).The one that received one talent "hid his lord's money" (Matt. 25:18), but he is still called a "servant" of his lord. He had become unprofitable and was cast out "into outer darkness" (Matt. 25:30) -- notice, not into fire but into outer darkness.
The kingdom of God consists of all saved.The kingdom of heaven, while on earth, consists of the visible churches of our Lord. The faithful church (kingdom of heaven) is caught up and the lukewarm are spued "out of my [Christ's] mouth" (Rev. 3:16). Once the churches are caught up when Christ comes for His bride, the Scriptures never mention the "kingdom of heaven" again.
