The Kingdom of heaven and the Kingdom of God are one and the same. The term “Kingdom of heaven” tells us that it is a realm not of this world. In fact, Jesus Himself made this clear when speaking to Pilate. My Kingdom is not of this world. John 18:36. Jesus also said that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17). The Kingdom of heaven is not of this world, but it is at hand – that is, it is a realm that is available and can be experienced at the present time. To what extent it is experienced depends upon your dedication, faith, and submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
The term “Kingdom of God” tells us that it is a realm of God. His nature, His life, His glory – all that He is – make up the Kingdom or realm of God. It is, you could say, the realm of Him. To enter the realm of the Kingdom of God is to enter into Him. Now let’s look at a few passages of Scripture that will help us see this more clearly.
I Samuel 19:18-24 So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to
Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and
dwelt in Naioth.
19 And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at
Naioth in Ramah.
20 And Saul sent messengers to take David: and when they
saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as appointed
over them, the Spirit of God was upon the messengers of Saul, and they also
prophesied.
21 And when it was told Saul, he sent other messengers,
and they prophesied likewise. And Saul sent messengers again the third time,
and they prophesied also.
22 Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well
that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one
said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah.
23 And he went thither to Naioth in Ramah: and the
Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on, and pro-phesied, until he came
to Naioth in Ramah.
24 And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied
before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that
night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?
King Saul wanted to kill David. So David fled for his life. Samuel and the School of Prophets were at Naioth in Ramah, and it was there that David sought refuge. When Saul learned where David was, he sent messengers to capture him. The prophets were prophesying, and when the messengers came near they began prophesying, too. Saul then sent messengers a second time and a third time. Each time the messengers were caught up in the prophesying with the prophets. So Saul went for David himself. But even with murderous intent in his heart, he was overcome by the prophesying of the prophets.
Why were the messengers and Saul overcome when they came near to the prophets? Verse 19 says that the Spirit of God came upon them. How did that happen? The Spirit of God was in the prophetic utterances of the prophets. There were emanations of the Spirit by their prophesying. Their prophetic utterances were so filled with the Spirit of God that a force-field of the Spirit was created. And when Saul and his messengers entered that force-field they were overcome by it and began prophesying, too. This was an example of true prophetic utterances of the Kingdom of God.
Prophecy is not an unusual thing in this day. There are many Christians with the gift of prophecy. However, the gift of prophecy in the church-world today is not the same thing as the prophetic utterances of the King who has set up His throne in the hearts of men that have entered the realm of His Kingdom. The prophets under Samuel weren’t just prophesying information. In fact, the Scripture doesn’t really say they were saying anything at all. They had reached into a ministry of emanation. They released the presence and Spirit of God that created a divine force-field, and Saul and his messengers were overcome by it.
Acts 5:12-15 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and
wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in
Solomon’s porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them:
but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord,
multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets,
and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter
passing by might overshadow some of them.
This took place in the beginning days of the Apostolic Church. Peter and the other apostles had just received a tremendous infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). And there was obviously a radiation of that anointing from his person.
Peter’s shadow was not a literal shadow caused by his body blocking the sun’s rays. Had that been the case he would have had a shadow only at certain times of the day. Also, his shadow would have been of various lengths and never more than a few yards. If the sun was in front of him it would have been necessary for the sick to be behind him, if behind him they would need to be in front of him, and if it was to the side the shadow would have been on his other side and very narrow. So it would not be his natural shadow that is spoken of.
Every person has a natural aura, a radiation of his life force. The natural aura is quite small. If you hold your finger against the bridge of your nose you will see your aura around and very close to your finger. That is an example of an aura.
There is also a spiritual aura, which is the life force radiating out from a person who is very anointed of the Lord. A spiritual aura can range from a few inches to quite a distance, depending upon the degree of anointing. That aura is the life force of God emanating from the person filled with His life. Peter had just received a tremendous infilling of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-4 and again in Acts 4:31. It was this aura (divine life force) generated by the Holy Spirit that brought healing and blessing to those it touched. While there was always a spiritual aura around Peter because of the anointing, we don’t know if he ever experienced it to that degree again. This seems to have been a special occasion. It was the same emanating force-field, though, that we saw with the prophets under Samuel. We are given these examples that we may know that this is to be a real and continuous way of life for the Body of Christ. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. I Corinthians 10:11.
I Thessalonians 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto His Kingdom and Glory.
The literal translation of the Greek reads slightly different and with much greater meaning. “Called you unto His Kingdom” is literally called you unto the Kingdom of Himself. His Kingdom, then, is the realm of His presence. It is His aura. It is the emanations of the King. And, as we shall see, these emanations of the King will radiate out from those who share His throne, for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (I Timothy 6:15). These kings and lords under His Kingship and Lordship are the overcomers that sit with Him in His throne (Revelation 3:21).
II Thessalonians 1:10-12 When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and
to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was
believed) in that day.
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God
would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of
His goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be
glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
His Kingdom is established in His saints when He comes to be glorified and admired in them. The King will set up His throne in their midst, and from them His light will shine.
Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on
an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a
bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the
house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Revelation 21:23-24 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the
moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the
light thereof.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in
the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour
into it.
The Kingdom of heaven is the realm of the emanations of the King!
Copyright © 2005 by Henry DuBose