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

SHORT DEFINITION:
The Kingdom of God (and the Kingdom of Heaven) is God's people under God's rule living God's way in God's place. In the Kingdom, a King rules over his people in his land. The rule of God is love. In the Kingdom of God, the people live in love with God and each other. In the Kingdom of God, God's will is done.

Exodus 19:5-6a
"Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

LONG DEFINITION:
In any kingdom, there is a king, the king's people, the king's decree. There is also the country, the castle, the throne, and the crown. In the Kingdom of God, this is no different.

In the Kingdom of God, there is the King who the Lord and Master over all the people and the land. He has complete power and authority over all things. The people know of the King's ways by the decree He issues. This is God's Word that goes forth to do God's Will. The Word of God upholds all of creation making it possible for life and all good things. Christ is the Word of God made flesh. He is the King and Lord over all.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

In the Kingdom of God are the people of God. They live under Him and seek to please Him. They acknowlege His power and authority.

In the Kingdom of God is God's decree. The Kingdom is ruled according to His ways. God is righteous, so this is a Kindgom of righteousness. God is also love, so this is a Kingdom of love. The people in the Kingdom love their King and worship Him continually in wondorous joy. They also love one another just as God loves them.

In the Kingdom of God is God's land. This land is a paradise. The King provides for His people and has made them kings to rule over their own land. They have all they need. No one is lacking.

The Kindgom of God & Heaven

The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are the same. Heaven is likened to a castle where God's throne sits. God's speaks from Heaven. His Word goes forth from there and is carried by messengers. Heaven is a portrait of God's authority and power. It is above the earth for God's authority is over the earth. Though humanity has been given dominion over the earth, we are still held accountable to God for every deed committed in the body.

Entrance into the Kingdom

God is just, good, holy, and righteous. He rules in righteousness (Psalms 89:14). His ways are righteous (Psalms 145:17). Therefore, only the righteous will enter the Kingdom of God (Matthew 13:49; 25:46).

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Who has not sinned that they can enter into the Kingdom of God? All have sinned according to Romans 3:23. Who then will inherit the Kingdom?

John 3:3
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

Christ makes it clear to us that because of our sinful nature, we must be born again. We need a dramactic conversion from sinfulness to righteousness. Only the righteous will enter, not sinners. Therefore, we need to be made righteous by Christ. This happens by being born again.