For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 5:20)This is the verse that brought this question to my mind. In what way(s) does our righteousness need to exceed the Pharisees?
There are a lot of other references to who will be in the kingdom of heaven.
- Hard for rich men to enter the kingdom (Matt 19:23)
- Kingdom of heaven likened unto 10 virgins (Matt 25:1)
- "Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so to do, he shall in no wise be saved in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach these commandments of the law until it be fulfilled, the same shall be called great, and shall be saved in the kingdom of heaven." (JST, Matt 5:21, See also Matt 5:19)
- Those that are persecuted for righteousness’ sake (Matt 5:10)
- The poor in spirit (Matt 5:3)
- Likened to the sower, the wheat and the tares, the grain of mustard seed, the leaven, the treasure hidden in the field, the pearl of great price, and the net cast into the sea (Matt 13)
- "Therefore, whosoever belongeth to my church need not fear, for such shall inherit the kingdom of heaven." (D&C 10:55)
- "no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins." (Alma 11:37)
- "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matt 7:21)
- For those who forgive, "Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants." (Matt 18:23)
- For those who will serve him no matter when he calls them, "For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard" (Matt 20:1)
- The greatest in the kindgom are as little children (Matt 18:1-5)
- "he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven." (D&C 58:2)
- "keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven." (D&C 6:37)
- "except ye shall keep my commandments, which I have commanded you at this time, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (3 Ne 12:20)
- "all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven" (D&C 137:10)
- "are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life." (Alma 5:28)
- Call upon the name of the Lord, Believe on the name of Jesus Christ, Lay hold upon the word of God and land your soul in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out. (Hel 3:27-30)
- "may the kingdom of God go forth, that the kingdom of heaven may come" (D&C 65:6)
- "Repent, for except ye repent ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of heaven" (Alma 5:51)
- Attributes of those that will not have place in the kingdom of heaven (Alma 5:25 and before)
-
18 The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church—- "ye must be born again into the kingdom of heaven, of water, and of the Spirit, and be cleansed by blood, even the blood of mine Only Begotten; that ye might be sanctified from all sin, and enjoy the words of eternal life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come, even immortal glory" (Moses 6:59)
19 To have the privilege of receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. (D&C 107:18-19)
Other sources
- "The purpose of the Church is to prepare its members to live forever in the celestial kingdom or kingdom of heaven." ("Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven — The Guide to the Scriptures")
- "Kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God. These terms are used in various combinations and with varying meanings. Generally speaking, the kingdom of God on the earth is the Church. It is a preparation for the greater kingdom—the celestial or kingdom of heaven." ("Kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God — Bible Dictionary")
No comments:
Post a Comment