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The Kingdom of Heaven and the Evil One in Scripture

The "kingdom of heaven" and the "evil one" represent contrasting spiritual realities in biblical thought, particularly in the New Testament. The term "heaven" itself can refer to various concepts, including the firmament, the starry heavens, or the "heaven of heavens" where God dwells [2, 4, 7]. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word shamayim is often used for "heaven" in the phrase "heaven and earth," signifying the entire universe [2, 4]. God is described as the Lord of Heaven's Armies, emphasizing his invincible power, with these armies understood as angelic hosts [17].

The "kingdom of heaven" is a central theme in the Gospels, especially in Matthew, where it appears frequently [3, 5, 10]. This phrase is often used interchangeably with "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of Christ," denoting Christ's mediatorial authority, the blessings derived from his rule, and the collective body of believers, the Church [6]. Daniel 2:44 prophesies that "the God of heaven" will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed and will stand forever [11]. Parables in Matthew illustrate the nature of this kingdom, comparing it to a king settling accounts or virgins awaiting a bridegroom [3, 5]. Some interpretations suggest the "kingdom of heaven" in these parables refers to the Gospel church state, particularly in the period leading up to Christ's second coming [15].

In stark contrast to the kingdom of heaven is the "evil one," often identified as Satan or the devil. The Hebrew word satan originally means "adversary" and is used in this general sense in the Old Testament [1]. It appears as a proper name or title in books like Job and Zechariah [1]. In the New Testament, demons are depicted as spiritual beings hostile to God, capable of afflicting humanity with disease and spiritual pollution [8]. They recognize Jesus as the Son of God and fear his power [8]. The book of Revelation describes the devil as having "great wrath" and a short time, having been cast down to earth [9].

The conflict between these two realms is a recurring motif. While Satan once appeared before God as an accuser, his ability to do so was judicially cast out with Christ's redemptive work, particularly his suffering, resurrection, and ascension [16]. The ultimate vision for believers is a "new heaven and new earth," a new community and home fashioned by God, described in Revelation as a perfected New Jerusalem and an ultimate Garden of Eden [12, 13, 14]. This new creation signifies a future where God's people reside in a holy and perfect environment, free from defilement [13, 14].

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Satan — The word itself, the Hebrew satan, is simply an "adversary," and is so used in (1 Samuel 29:4; 2 Samuel 19:22; 1 Kings 6:4; 11:14,23,25; Numbers 22:22,33; Psalms 109:6) This original sense is still found in our Lord's application of the name to St. Peter in (Matthew 16:23) It is used as a proper name or title only four times in the Old Testament, vis. (with the article) in (Job 1:6; 12; 2:1; Zechariah 2:1) and without the article in (1 Chronicles 21:1) It is with the scriptural revelation on the subject that we are here concerned; and it is clear, from this si”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Heaven — (1.) Definitions. The phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Gen. 1:1; Jer. 23:24; Acts 17:24). According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) The firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Gen. 2:19; 7:3, 23; Ps. 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (Lam. 4:19), etc. (b) The starry heavens (Deut. 17:3; Jer. 8:2; Matt. 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" (Deut. 10:14; 1 Kings 8:27; Ps. 115:16; 148:4; 2 Cor. 12:2). (2.) Meaning of words in the original, (a) The usual Hebrew word for "heavens" is shamayim”
  3. Matthew “Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. -- Matthew 18:23”
  4. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Heaven — There are four Hebrew words thus rendered in the Old Testament which we may briefly notice. + Raki'a, Authorized Version, firmament. [[602]Firmament] + Shamayim . This is the word used in the expression "the heaven and the earth," or "the upper and lower regions." (Genesis 1:1) + Marom, used for heaven in (Psalms 18:16; Isaiah 24:18; Jeremiah 25:30). Properly speaking it means a mountain as in (Psalms 102:19; Ezekiel 17:23) + Shechakim, "expanses," with reference to the extent of heaven. (33:26; Job 35:5) St. Paul's expression "third heaven," (2 Corinthians 1”
  5. Matthew ““Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. -- Matthew 25:1”
  6. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingdom of God — (Matt. 6:33; Mark 1:14, 15; Luke 4:43) = "kingdom of Christ" (Matt. 13:41; 20:21) = "kingdom of Christ and of God" (Eph. 5:5) = "kingdom of David" (Mark 11:10) = "the kingdom" (Matt. 8:12; 13:19) = "kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 13:41), all denote the same thing under different aspects, viz.: (1) Christ's mediatorial authority, or his rule on the earth; (2) the blessings and advantages of all kinds that flow from this rule; (3) the subjects of this kingdom taken collectively, or the Church.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Heaven — Created by God -- Ge 1:1; Re 10:6. Everlasting -- Ps 89:29; 2Co 5:1. Immeasurable -- Jer 31:37. High -- Ps 103:11; Isa 57:15. Holy -- De 26:15; Ps 20:6; Isa 57:15. God's dwelling-place -- 1Ki 8:30; Mt 6:9. God's throne -- Isa 66:1; Ac 7:49. God Is the Lord of. -- Da 5:23; Mt 11:25. Reigns in. -- Ps 11:4; 135:6; Da 4:35. Fills. -- 1Ki 8:27; Jer 23:24. Answers his people from. -- 1Ch 21:26; 2Ch 7:14; Ne 9:27; Ps 20:6. Sends his judgments from. -- Ge 19:24; 1Sa 2:10; Da 4:13,14; Ro 1:18. Christ As Mediator, entered into. -- Ac 3:21; Heb 6:20; 9:12,24. Is all-po”
  8. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Demon — In the Gospels generally, in (James 2:19) and in Reve 16:14 The demons are spoken of as spiritual beings, at enmity with God, and having power to afflict man not only with disease, but, as is marked by the frequent epithet "un-clean," with spiritual pollution also. They "believe" the power of God "and tremble," (James 2:19) they recognized the Lord as the Son of God, (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41) and acknowledged the power of his name, used in exorcism. In the place of the name of Jehovah, by his appointed messengers, (Acts 19:15) and looked forward in terror to t”
  9. Revelation “Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.” -- Revelation 12:12”
  10. Matthew ““For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. -- Matthew 20:1”
  11. Daniel “In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. -- Daniel 2:44”
  12. 2 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Peter 3:13: 3:13 the new heavens and new earth: See Isa 65:17; 66:22; Rev 21.”
  13. Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 21 (introduction): The new heaven and the new earth, Rev 21:1. The new Jerusalem, Rev 21:2. God dwells with men; the happy state of his followers, Rev 21:3-7. The wretched state of the ungodly, Rev 21:8. An angel shows John the holy city, the New Jerusalem, Rev 21:9, Rev 21:10. Her light, wall, gates, and foundations, described, Rev 21:11-21. God and the Lamb are the temple and light of it, Rev 21:22, Rev 21:23. The nations and kings of the earth bring their glory and honor to it; the gates shall never be shut, nor shall any defilement enter into it, Rev 21:24-27.”
  14. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 21:1: 21:1–22:9 The final scenes of the new heaven and earth are striking pictures of a new community and home for God’s people that is fashioned and given by God. These scenes help to lift the spirits of persecuted Christians. John lays out his basic vision (21:1-8) and follows it with two expansions: (1) In 21:9-27, he presents the new Jerusalem as the site of holy perfection; (2) in 22:1-5, he describes the new Jerusalem as the ultimate Garden of Eden that Adam and Eve could have experienced had they not sinned. 21:1 The vision involves God’s creation of the new ”
  15. Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 25 (introduction): Then shall the kingdom of heaven,.... The Gospel church state; See Gill on Mat 13:24 either as it would be a little before the coming of the son of man to take vengeance on the Jews; or as it will be a little before his second coming to judgment: for the parable is manifestly connected with, and refers to the preceding chapter, which chiefly treats of Jerusalem's destruction: but though the Jews were in great security before their utter ruin, yet it does not appear that the Christian church was then in such a lukewarm, drowsy, and sleepy condition, as th”
  16. Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 12:7: In Job 1:6-11; Job 2:1-6, Satan appears among the sons of God, presenting himself before God in heaven, as the accuser of the saints: again in Zac 3:1-2. But at Christ's coming as our Redeemer, he fell from heaven, especially when Christ suffered, rose again, and ascended to heaven. When Christ appeared before God as our Advocate, Satan, the accusing adversary, could no longer appear before God against us, but was cast out judicially (Rom 8:33-34). He and his angels henceforth range through the air and the earth, after a time (namely, the interval ”
  17. Malachi (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Malachi 1:4: 1:4 the Lord of Heaven’s Armies (Hebrew Yahweh tseba’oth): This name for God is prominent in Old Testament prophetic literature. Heaven’s Armies are the angelic armies at God’s command; the phrase emphasizes the invincible power of God. • The Land of Wickedness: Esau was selfish and contemptuous of the tokens of the Lord’s covenant (see Gen 25:34). The nation of Edom came to personify the pride of self-centered existence (see Jer 49:16). The Edomites were also allies of Babylon in the destruction of Jerusalem (see Ps 137:7-9; Obad 1:10, 12).”
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