The Kingdom of Heaven is the promised earthly kingdom that is within the larger Kingdom of God—not a separate or competing kingdom.
According to Les Feldick, the Kingdom of God is the whole sphere of God's influence, extending to the outer reaches of space, all of heaven, and all of earth. The Kingdom of Heaven is the sphere of influence concerning the earthly kingdom, so it is within the Kingdom of God—just as Oklahoma is within the United States. When Christ returns, that same Kingdom will be set up on the earth.
Acts 8:12 — Records the Samaritans believing Philip's preaching 'the things concerning the kingdom of God'—the passage Les uses to introduce the kingdom question.
Acts 1:3 — Shows the risen Christ spending forty days speaking 'of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God,' establishing it as a central Bible theme.
Matthew 3:2 — Records John the Baptist's proclamation that 'the kingdom of heaven is at hand,' tying the phrase to the arrival of the King.
Colossians 1:13 — Shows believers have been translated into the Kingdom of God's dear Son, confirming that the same Kingdom has present as well as future dimensions.
The Bible uses both phrases but never gives a formal dictionary-style definition of either. In Acts 1:3, Luke records that the risen Christ, during forty days, was 'speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.' In Acts 8:12, the Samaritans 'believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God' and were baptized. John the Baptist announced, 'Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' (Matthew 3:2). Paul later told the Colossians that God 'hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son' (Colossians 1:13). These passages show that the New Testament uses both 'kingdom of God' and 'kingdom of heaven' in connection with Christ's teaching, Philip's proclamation, John's announcement, and the believer's present position in the Kingdom.
Les Feldick says the Kingdom of God is the whole sphere of God's influence—reaching to the outer limits of space, all of heaven, all of earth. The Kingdom of Heaven is that sphere of influence concerning the earthly kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven is within the Kingdom of God, just as Oklahoma is within the United States. He credits his own pastor with that illustration. Les emphasizes that there is only one Kingdom in Scripture—the Kingdom that will be set upon the earth when Christ returns and rules as King of kings and Lord of lords. He teaches that during the church age, believers are already citizens of that Kingdom, having been translated into the Kingdom of His dear Son. When Jesus went back to heaven, the Kingdom went with Him; when He returns, He will set up that same Kingdom on the earth. It is not merely a spiritual, ethereal, invisible kingdom—it is also physical and political, and it will come to its fulfillment at Christ's return.
No. Les teaches that the Kingdom of Heaven is within the Kingdom of God, just as Oklahoma is within the United States. The Kingdom of God is the larger, all-encompassing sphere of God's influence, while the Kingdom of Heaven specifically concerns the earthly kingdom promised to Israel. Les stresses that there is only one Kingdom in Scripture, and that Kingdom will be set upon the earth when Christ rules as King.
Les explains that the Kingdom of Heaven was 'at hand' because the King Himself was present on earth. John the Baptist's message was 'the kingdom of heaven is at hand,' and the King's presence made the Kingdom near. Since Jesus has gone back to heaven, the message is no longer 'the kingdom of heaven is at hand'—the Kingdom went with Him into heaven, and it will return to earth when He comes again.
Les is emphatic that the promised Kingdom will be on the earth, not merely a far-off heaven. Christ will rule and reign from the earth, specifically from Jerusalem, the city of peace. He describes the Kingdom as spiritual, physical, and political, and it will come to its fruition when Christ returns and sets it up on the earth. Believers are already citizens of that Kingdom and will be part and parcel of it when it is established.
Paul's Gospel of Grace: From Acts to Romans Explained
So that precipitated this tremendous persecution. But now Paul goes right into the heart of all this, under arrest. Never forget that he goes under arrest with Roman soldiers probably chained to him. And then he gets to Rome, and now as you come into chapter 28, read chapter 27, his shipwreck and the storm and the terrible experience at sea. But now when you get to chapter 28, he gets to Rome.
Kingdom Within Kingdom
Les gives the clearest definition: the Kingdom of God is the whole sphere of God's influence, and the Kingdom of Heaven is the earthly kingdom within it, as Oklahoma is within the United States.
One Kingdom Only
Les teaches there is only one Kingdom in Scripture, and it will be set on the earth; Christ is its King and believers are already citizens.
Kingdom on Earth
Les makes clear the promised kingdom will be on the earth, and Christ will rule from Jerusalem—not in a distant heaven only.
King Present Means Kingdom at Hand
Les says the kingdom of heaven was 'at hand' because the King was present on earth; the King's presence determines the kingdom's nearness.
Kingdom with the King in Heaven
Since Jesus has returned to heaven, Les says the kingdom went with Him; we no longer say it is at hand until He returns.
Nature of the Kingdom
Les describes the kingdom of heaven as the kingdom on earth, the same kingdom, and notes it is spiritual, physical, and political, reaching fulfillment at Christ's return.
Daniel 2 Explained: The Stone Kingdom That Fills the Earth
But in the interim, since He is no longer on the earth and we can no longer say the kingdom of heaven is at hand, when He went back to heaven where did the kingdom go? With Him into heaven. Now then, as I've again stressed ever since Genesis 1-1, in the beginning God created heaven and what? Earth. So all through Scripture we have these two entities.
Acts 1:3: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
The risen Christ's forty-day teaching shows the kingdom of God was central to His post-resurrection instruction.
Acts 8:12: But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Philip's preaching of the kingdom of God was the message that produced saving faith in Samaria.
Matthew 3:2: And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
John the Baptist's message ties the kingdom of heaven directly to the nearness of the coming King.
Colossians 1:12: Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Believers have been prepared to share in the inheritance of the saints, part of the Kingdom reality.
Colossians 1:13: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
This verse shows that believers have already been brought into the same Kingdom, which Les links to present citizenship.
According to Les Feldick, yes. He teaches that the Kingdom of God is the whole sphere of God's influence, and the Kingdom of Heaven is the earthly kingdom within it—like Oklahoma is within the United States.
Les explains that John meant the King was about to appear. The kingdom was 'at hand' because Jesus, the King, was present on earth. Once Jesus returned to heaven, the message changed from 'at hand' to a kingdom now in heaven with Him, awaiting His return.
Les says no. He teaches that the Kingdom is spiritual, physical, and political. It will come to its fruition when Christ returns and sets it up on the earth, ruling as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Watch the Teaching: Paul's Gospel of Grace: From Acts to Romans Explained