The Kingdom of God IS NOT HEAVEN, but the system of operation within the Kingdom governed by it's ruler, in this case - God - which translates into God's way of doing things. Therefore the preferred view of when Jesus says, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of God." (Mark 10:23) or, that it's difficult for a rich man to get into heaven, in grossly inaccurate.

Jesus actually says that it's difficult for a man who is used to trusting in his money to enter into God's way of doing things. "And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered them, and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:24) Yes Jesus, very hard.

Matthew recollects Jesus sounding exasperated and possibly with even a sigh Jesus tries another approach, "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)

The 'eye of the needle' is another term for the 'needle gate'. The walled city of Jerusalem closed it's doors at night. The needle gate was used for anyone coming in after dark. But it was a narrow and small passage. A person coming through would first have to take the entire load off the camel, walk it through the needle gate numerous times, and then put the camel on it's knees and push from behind to squeeze it through the opening. This practice ensured that the 'needle gate' could not be used for large scale military attacks at night.

In this metaphor, Jesus states that squeezing a camel through the eye of a needle is far easier than for a rich man to get into heaven. In other words, it is very difficult for a man who's used to trusting in his money to enter into God's way of doing things. So, rather than heaven being just for poor folk, this by far, makes more sense. The Kingdom of Heaven is for ALL ~ who understand and follow God's system of operation.

Here's something to think about:

Is a Christian who pays his bills first and then determines if he/she has enough money to tithe to God, operating within the Kingdom of God?

No! There is no faith there in this reasoning. There is no trust in God's provision. There are no blessings. That's man's way of doing things, man's reasoning, not God's system. This person is classic of someone who can't squeeze through the eye of a needle behind a camel.

The other angle is that a person who confidently boasts his success, "I did it my way", has a hard time yielding to God because under God's system the credit belongs to God. The credit for the man would be his obedience to following God's instructions. Many aren't willing to give up their solo recognition in the world.

Matthew continues, "When His disciples heard, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them,... [to behold is to look upon and observe]. Jesus beheld and very carefully chose His answer. "... and said unto them, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:25-26)

Without understanding God's way of doing things and the blessings God has for us, a mere mortal man will find the blessings of God impossible to achieve (and keep) on his own merit. This includes his own salvation which is not possible without yielding to God by faith in Jesus Christ.

Without understanding God's system of operation, many blame God for everything, instead of themselves, for they did not make the time to understand the God they worship, how God operates under spiritual law.

In Matthew 19:27, it seems that Peter is in a bit of a quandry, "Then answered Peter and said unto Him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore?"

To forsake is to put something or someone secondary to the primary focus, not to disassociate oneself entirely. Peter's dilemma is that they [Jesus' diciples] have already put everything they have, including family, as secondary to Jesus. Since they have done this, what is THEIR reward?

His answer, "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That you which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And eveyone that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life." (Matthew 19:28-29)

Again, to forsake is to put something or someone secondary for a primary focus, not to disassociate oneself entirely. So Jesus' disciples have already put God first, and because they are the first, they shall sit in judgment upon the twelve tribes of Israel. And because they have put God first above their houses, or brethren, or sister, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, they shall receive an 100-fold blessings AND everlasting life.

Jesus ends this teaching with a verse that confuses many, "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." (Matthew 29:30)

The 'first' are those who because of their wealth, education, status, position, or talents are held in high esteem by this world and sometimes even by the church. The 'last' are those who are unknown and considered unimportant by the world's standards. In the age to come, 'many' who were thought to be great leaders in the church will be given positions behind, or beneath, the others, and many who were unknown will be exalted to glorious positions in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. This is because God values people, not by outwardly appearance, but by the sincerity, purity, and love in their hearts. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Now read to what Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

Unless a man is born-again, [regenerated 'in Christ'] he can't see or comprehend or understand God's way of doing things... at all. Every Christian has run into this where their love for Jesus and God's Word are diametrically opposed to the views and opinions held by the unsaved world and even by some religions.

Someone who isn't born again doesn't understand why we give 10 percent of our earnings to God just because the Bible says to do so as part of our obedience to God's way of doing things.

Someone who isn't born again doesn't understand why we are constantly immersed in the Bible, or are listening to tapes of Biblical teachings simply because we want to raise our FWR and be a victorious overcomer with the strength of Christ rather than a victim of the world.

Someone who isn't born again doesn't understand why we have blessed assurance of salvation and eternal life.

Someone who isn't born again doesn't understand our joyous attitude toward life or even why we pray continually, not just because it is instructed by the Word of God, but because of our love for God and our devotion to His methods.

Someone who isn't born again just doesn't get it, and never will, unless he walks to the end of the Roman Road.

If you consider yourself Christian, born again, you must realize that you can't operate according to the Kingdom of God [God's system] until you find out exactly what God's way of doing things is.

Here's a start: Since, "The just shall live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38) and "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17) then the just shall live by the faith which comes by hearing the Word of God. Those who are just, who are righteous [in right-standing with God], by being truly born-again, shall live by the faith planted in them through the audible records of God's Word. Your FWR determines your level of faith.

There is no mystery in God's Word. "And with all thy getting, get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7)

Our harvest in life is based solely on the seed that we have sown: Word seed, money seed, ministry seed, worship seed, friendship seed, marriage seed, etc. Get understanding about authority and seedtime to learn to control the outcomes and results of life and reaping the harvest you want.

"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things [all your material needs] shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

Jesus' emphatic point to this teaching was to get His listeners to understand God's way of doing things AND to get them into doing things God's way. It's not what I think, it's what God thinks. It's not getting God to line up with me, it's getting me to line up with God.

Figure out God's way of doing things first, get into hearing and understanding the Word of God and the blessings will begin to flow.

Do you understand now?