Dictionary of Bible Themes: 2377 kingdom of God, entry into

2377 kingdom of God, entry into

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 2000 Jesus Christ » 2300 Jesus Christ, ministry and work of » 2375 kingdom of God » 2377 kingdom of God, entry into

Entering or inheriting the kingdom of God is the privilege of those who acknowledge and live by the rule of God and have become part of the new order of salvation and righteousness in Christ.

Entry into the kingdom of God is of vital importance

It is costly

Matthew 13:44; Acts 14:22 See also Matthew 8:19-20 pp Luke 9:57-58; Matthew 13:45-46; Luke 18:29-30; 2 Thessalonians 1:5; Revelation 1:9

It is a matter of urgency

Luke 9:59-62 pp Matthew 8:21-22

Conditions of entry into the kingdom of God

Childlike trust

Mark 10:15 pp Luke 18:17 See also Matthew 18:3

To be born again of God's Spirit

Obedience to God's will

Matthew 7:21

Warnings about entry into the kingdom of God

The way is narrow

Luke 13:24-28 See also Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 23:13

The wicked will not inherit the kingdom

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 See also Matthew 5:20; Mark 9:43-47; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5

The need for readiness and watchfulness

Matthew 24:42-44 See also Matthew 24:37-39 pp Luke 17:26-27; Matthew 25:13; Luke 12:35-40

Entry is not based on outward appearances nor granted to all who claim to know the Lord

Matthew 7:21-23 See also Matthew 13:24-30,47-50; Luke 13:25-27

The kingdom of God is a kingdom of grace

It belongs to those qualified by God

Colossians 1:12-13 See also Luke 12:32; Luke 22:29-30

It belongs to the poor and the poor in spirit

Luke 6:20 pp Matthew 5:3 See also Matthew 11:5 pp Luke 7:22; Matthew 19:23-24 pp Mark 10:23-25 pp Luke 18:24-25 It is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God; James 2:5; James 5:1

It belongs to the childlike

Matthew 19:14 pp Mark 10:14 pp Luke 18:16

It belongs to sinners

Mark 2:17 pp Matthew 9:12-13 pp Luke 5:31-32 See also Matthew 21:31

It belongs to those who are persecuted for Jesus Christ's sake

Matthew 5:10 pp Luke 6:22-23

It belongs to Gentiles as well as to Jews

Matthew 8:11 See also Matthew 21:43; Matthew 22:8-10 those initially uninvited represent the Gentiles; Luke 14:21-24