The Way of the Saints – Lesson 5 The Kingdom of Heaven Within the Heart

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” — Matthew 3:2

These were Jesus’ very first words to the world. Within them lies the clear purpose of repentance: to gain the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:3“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:10

From the Beatitudes, we see that the first and last blessings both point to the kingdom of heaven.It is both the beginning and completion of all blessings.Those who possess the kingdom of heaven live freely and joyfully, unhindered by the circumstances of this world.

When Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king,” He was revealing that the kingdom is not merely a distant paradise, but God Himself reigning in the heart.Thus He declared,

“The kingdom of God is within you.” — Luke 17:21

Sadly, many people imagine heaven vaguely and do not truly know it, so heaven remains hidden from them.Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom, and may He grant the same grace to all who read these words.

The Kingdom of Heaven Is Found by Discovery

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”— Matthew 13:44–46

Who finds the hidden treasure? Who discovers the precious pearl?Those who seek—who take a step forward toward God.

Paul and John both saw the kingdom of heaven, but not by chance.They found it because they continually sought after God, walking toward Him with their hearts.Even today, many believers live their Christian lives without truly possessing heaven in their hearts.

Moses Discovering His True Identity

Moses’ life changed completely at age forty.Until then, he lived as a prince in Pharaoh’s palace, educated in all the wisdom of Egypt, powerful in speech and action.But once he realized he was a Hebrew, his heart left Egypt.

When he discovered that the Israelites were his brothers, he defended them, killing an Egyptian—and thus fled Egypt.The moment he found his true identity, everything in his old life lost meaning, and a new life as God’s servant began.

When we, too, discover through the Word that we belong to heaven,our hearts detach from this world’s systems and possessions.Knowing we are God’s people, nothing about our own ability or weakness matters—because Christ Himself works in us.

Joseph’s Brothers Discovering the Governor

In Genesis 42, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain and unknowingly stood before their brother—now the governor.When Joseph accused them of being spies, they defended themselves:“We are honest men! We are the sons of one man; one of us is no more.”

They were confident of their identity as descendants of Abraham.In their hearts, they thought:

“We are people of faith. We belong to God’s covenant family. You, Egyptian ruler, may hold worldly power, but we serve the true God.”

But all their self-assurance collapsed the moment they discovered that the governor before them was Joseph—the brother they had betrayed.All their inner falsehood was exposed and destroyed.From that moment, a new world under Joseph’s rule began for them.

Likewise, many Christians today, confident in their own religious lives, have yet to encounter the living God personally.But when we stand before the One who knows everything, our self-righteousness is stripped away, and true freedom begins.Just as Joseph’s brothers entered rest once their deceit was gone, so too we find freedom when our false self is exposed and surrendered.

Trading Everything for the Treasure

In both parables of Matthew 13, the one who found the treasure and the one who found the pearl sold all they had to gain it.When we discover the worth of Jesus, we willingly give up everything else.Those who cling to what is theirs continue living for themselves;those who surrender it all live for Christ alone.

Noah is a vivid example.At 480 years old, he began building the ark—a project that took 120 years.Why could he devote his life to something unseen?Because God had worked deeply in his heart long before.

Until age 500, Noah had no children, while others were living comfortably with families.This pain drove him to seek God.God revealed to him the coming judgment and called him to build the ark—a picture of the heavenly life separated from the world.While others pursued worldly pleasures, Noah’s heart turned to God.Through faith in God’s promise, he built the ark and was saved.

Those whose hearts belong to heaven live differently.They are untouched by worldly influences.But believers who do not cherish Jesus within their hearts gradually drift back toward the world.

Adam and Eve—Who Lost Heaven

In Genesis 2–3, God had already given Adam and Eve paradise.Their task was simply to enjoy it, rule over it, and live happily.But when Satan tempted them, their faith in God’s Word wavered.

God said, “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”Yet Eve added her own thought: “You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die.”Even a small alteration of God’s Word reveals unbelief.

God had provided everything for their joy, yet they sought something “better.”How foolish!Likewise today, God has given us all things to enjoy in Christ, but few truly live in that happiness.

When we immerse our hearts in Scripture, we experience God forming heaven within us.Even when Satan attacks, he cannot separate us from this joy.My earnest prayer is that your hearts, too, will be lifted into heaven, where you can feel the happiness God Himself creates within you.

The Four Thousand Who Tasted Heaven

“I have compassion for these people; they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat.If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way.” — Mark 8:2–3

For three days, four thousand people stayed with Jesus, listening to His Word.They forgot their hunger, their families, their problems—absorbed in the joy of His presence.When they became faint, Jesus Himself provided food for them.

This is what it means to live in heaven:When our hearts belong to God, the things of this world no longer trouble us.The problem is not our circumstances—it is the absence of the Lord.

An old hymn says:

“Whether on mountain high or valley low,In humble hut or palace fair,Where Jesus is, ’tis heaven there.”

Indeed, no matter where we are—mountain or valley, hut or palace—if the Lord dwells in our hearts, that place is heaven.In that kingdom, we do not strive to provide for ourselves; God knows our needs and supplies them.

God is alive today.He walks with us, works on our behalf, and invites us to rest in Him.How blessed it is to live a life where Jesus reigns within,where every moment of the day is filled with His peace and happiness—just as the four thousand experienced the joy of heaven on earth.