Where is the Kingdom of Heaven?
The Kingdom of Heaven is the Catholic Church
(This post was written as a response to someone who thought the Catholic Church was wrong and that Catholics gave more importance to the Church than to Christ. Therefore, to keep my reply short, I had to use a question & answer format for Sacred Scripture.)
Firstly, I’d like to say, I have nothing against anyone, many denominational people, Protestants, and others will never change their mind about the Catholic Church. However, I think people should understand or at least hear out the Catholic side before judging us. You may or may not choose to believe it, and I know that many will not believe. It is your God-given free will to reject even Scripture, all I can say is Pax Domini!
The Catholic Church is the mystical body of Christ. He is the Head. You cannot have a Church, without Christ. That would be a headless body - a dead thing.
“without me you can do nothing.” [John 15:5]
Therefore, those outside the Catholic Church are misled. There was one Judas among 12 apostles, now there are many more Judases among the many faithful Catholic priests, doesn’t change the fact that Christ built His Church - the Catholic Church.
Here’s what Our Holy Book says about the Church, what Protestants take as their authority. (Unfortunately, they make themselves the authority over the Bible, by refusing what Scripture teaches.)
What is the Church?
“the house of God, which is the church of the living God”, [1 Timothy 3:15]
Can anyone build/found a church?
“Heaven is my throne, and the earth my footstool. What house will you build me? saith the Lord; or what is the place of my resting?”
[Acts of Apostles 7:49]
Who will build the Church of God?
“He shall build a house to my name, and he shall be a son to me, and I will be a father to him: and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.”
[1 Paralipomenon (1 Chronicles) 22:10]
“Go, and say to my servant David: Thus saith the Lord: Shalt thou build me a house to dwell in?”
[2 Kings (2 Samuel) 7:5]
Did Christ, the Son of David, build/found a Church?
“And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” [Matthew 16:18]
(Statue of Christ, the King, from my parish church - St. Andrew’s, Bandra)
Christ is King and the Church is His Kingdom. It is a kingdom spread across the world, with riches donated by her citizens, it has art, music, decor, Cathedrals, monasteries, vestments, etc., fit for the King. And Christ is adored and worshiped as King, it is only a recent phenomenon where Catholics refer to Christ by His Holy Name, otherwise, houses and by that I mean families are consecrated to Christ the King. You see only buildings, but, you miss what it really is — the Kingdom of Heaven
Is the Kingdom on earth? Does it have a government/governing body?
“And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. “ [Matthew 16:19]
Why only the Catholic Church’s interpretation is correct?
“to you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven: but to them it is not given.”
[Matthew 13:11]
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We know the world was made for the church in reading the opening verse of The Gospel of John. The living word of God is synonymous with the mystical body.
There is nothing vague nor difficult in reading the opening verses. Oppression and the worldly can blind us from seeing the simple truth of God’s plan and His infinite abiding love for us.
Oh my gosh, i disagree with almost every single answer. And i don't belong to any denomination, i am a bible believing Christian and have searched for answers EVERYWHERE and i am afraid to say you are wrong (in my understanding) but we will find out soon, Jesus is coming back soon and those who didnt overcome need to go through seals judgement.
Good luck