The word kingdom is used more than 120 times in the four gospels. The kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven are one and the same. Jesus speaking to Simon Peter said, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Matt 16:19 But what are these keys?

Some synonyms for key are: discover, identify, describe, distinguish, name, CLUE

So Jesus was giving Simon the clues to the kingdom, and not just to Simon but to each of us who is willing to look for them in the gospels. As Jesus promised, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find." Matt 7:7, Luke 11:9

Slightly different words are used in the four gospels. Some of the verses are clearer or give more information than others. Here are SOME of the keys/clues:

1___"Seek first the kingdom of God." Matt 6:33, Luke 12:31 Of course you will not find the kingdom if you are not looking for it. This is a COMMAND of Jesus. Why would Jesus tell us to look for the kingdom if it hasn't arrived yet, and so cannot be found?

2___He was preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Matt 4:23, 9:35, Mark 1:14, Luke 16:16 The gospel or good news that Jesus preached was about the kingdom. Jesus also told many parables about this kingdom.

3___"Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand." Luke 9:2, Mark 1:15, Matt 4:17, 10:7 The kingdom was very near in time. In fact, we can find the exact moment when the kingdom arrived.

4___"But I tell you truly, that there are some standing here who will not TASTE death before they see the kingdom of God come." Matt 16:28, Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27 Taste is an important word, and will come up again. This is a prophecy of Jesus. The kingdom must have come soon after this statement was made, or Jesus would have been a false prophet. If the kingdom had not arrived when these three gospels were written, they why include this statement? Why put Jesus up to unnecessary ridicule?

5___At the last supper, Jesus said, "For I tell you I will not DRINK again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." Luke 22:18, Drink is another vital word. The fruit of the vine would be wine or vinegar.

6___At the beginning of the crucifixion: There they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he refused to drink it. Matt 27:34, Mark 15:23 He wouldn't drink the wine as it wasn't time for the kingdom to come, not just yet. Why would Two gospel writers include this odd detail, if it was not significant?

7___After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the _script_ure), "I thirst." A bowl of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the VINEGAR, he said, "It is finished." and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28-30, also, Matt 27:48,
Mark 15:36 Please note that three gospel writers included this seemingly unimportant fact of the vinegar. The kingdom ARRIVED the moment when Jesus was killed on the cross, when he TASTED and DRANK the fruit of the vine. Want more proof?

8___After the resurrection Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Matt 28:18 Isn't this the very definition of a king? Satan is no longer ruler on planet Earth. Jesus predictions of clues/keys #3, #4, and #5 came true. Can you see the kingdom? If not, then perhaps....

9___Jesus speaking to Nicodemus said, "Truly, truly, I say to yo, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

Why do so few know about the kingdom's arrival? As Jesus said, "Fear not, little flock, for it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32 Since the flock is small, that is a good reason not many know about its coming.

And someone said to him, "Lord will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them, "Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." Luke 13:23-24, Matt 7:13-14

In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus said, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matt 6:10 See key #8. If the kingdom has come, then what is the Father's will on earth?

Don't look to Paul, Jesus has the answers. "You call me teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am." John 13:13 also, "But do not be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, and you are all brothers." Matt 23:8
Peace