The Kingdom of the Heavens

The evangelist sets Christ before us primarily as the Messiah and wherever it is used, without exception, the kingdom is spoken of as future. Why? The reason is simple. While the "kingdom of God" necessarily was there as the Son of God walked on earth, or, in other words as God was here, the "kingdom of the heavens" could not exist as long as Jesus was not rejected and had not yet returned to heaven. I repeat, could not. Why not? Because the "kingdom of the heavens" is the result of this return, the setting forth or unfolding of the kingdom of God in its heavenly character. The manifestation followed upon the rejection of the king of this kingdom by Israel and the whole world. Many difficulties disappear when this fact is grasped. One understands immediately why the Lord Jesus could not say in Matt. 12:28 "the kingdom of the heavens is come unto you" or in 21:43 "the kingdom of the heavens shall be taken from you." The kingdom of God was there, and so could be taken away, but the kingdom of the heavens was not yet in existence, as such it was "nigh" but not yet come.
The "certain nobleman" whose kingdom was "not of this world" has gone to a distant land to receive a kingdom for Himself and return. During the time of His absence He maintains only a spiritual connection with His kingdom here below. Every outward connection is severed and every claim to the outward recognition of His kingly rights has been given up. At the same time a new work has begun, the calling out of the bride of the Lamb from every people of the earth, the gathering of the congregation of the living God whose beginnings we see in the remnant of Israel. "And the Lord added to the church [assembly) daily such as should be saved" Acts 2:47. All, yes all (converted or not), who profess Christ today, find themselves in the kingdom of the heavens, and are held responsible to observe the principles laid down in Matt. 5 to 7.