Reino dos céus: o que é e quem faz parte dele

O que significa o Reino dos céus

O Reino dos céus é o governo soberano de Deus inaugurado na história por meio de Jesus Cristo, já atuante na vida de quem se submete a Ele e consumado na eternidade. A expressão aparece quase exclusivamente no Evangelho de Mateus, que usou o termo "céus" por reverência judaica para evitar o uso direto do nome de Deus — trata-se da mesma realidade que Marcos e Lucas chamam de "Reino de Deus".

João Batista e o próprio Jesus iniciaram seus ministérios proclamando a chegada desse governo, convocando as pessoas ao arrependimento e ensinando os discípulos a orar por essa manifestação na terra.

1 Some time later John the Baptist appeared on the scene, proclaiming in the Judean desert, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has arrived!"(Matthew 3:1,2)

17 From that time on Jesus began declaring his message, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has arrived!"(Matthew 4:17)

7 Wherever you go, tell the people, ‘The kingdom of heaven has arrived.’(Matthew 10:7)

9 So pray like this:

Our heavenly Father, may your name be honored. 10 May your kingdom come! May your will be carried out in earth as it is in heaven.(Matthew 6:9,10)

O valor incomparável e o crescimento do Reino

O governo de Deus não avança por meio de coerção ou estruturas militares humanas. Nas parábolas do grão de mostarda e do fermento, Jesus mostrou que o Reino começa pequeno, quase imperceptível, mas tem poder para permear e transformar toda a realidade.

Por ser o bem supremo da existência humana, quem compreende a natureza desse Reino reconhece que vale a pena abrir mão de qualquer outra prioridade para fazer parte dele.

31 He gave them another illustration: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a farmer sowed in his field. 32 Even though it’s the tiniest of seeds it grows much bigger than other plants. In fact it grows into a tree big enough for birds to roost in its branches."(Matthew 13:31,32)

33 He told them another illustrated story: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman mixed with a large quantity of flour, until all the dough was raised."(Matthew 13:33)

44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. A man found it, reburied it, and then full of joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 The kingdom of heaven is also like a trader looking for good pearls. 46 When he found the most expensive pearl ever he went and sold all he had and bought it.(Matthew 13:44-46)

O joio, o trigo e a separação no fim dos tempos

No tempo presente, o Reino convive com a maldade no mundo. Nas parábolas do joio e da rede lançada ao mar, Jesus explicou que a separação final entre os que pertencem a Deus e os que praticam a injustiça não cabe aos seres humanos no presente, mas ao julgamento divino na consumação dos séculos.

24 Then he told them another illustrated story: "The kingdom of heaven is like a farmer who sowed good seeds in his field. 25 But while his workers were sleeping, an enemy came and sowed weed seeds on top of the wheat. Then they left. 26 So when the wheat grew and produced ears of grain, the weeds also grew up. 27 The farmer’s workers came and asked him, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seeds in your field? Where did the weeds come from?’

28 ‘Some enemy has done this,’ he replied. ‘Do you want us to go and pull up the weeds?’ they asked him. 29 ‘No,’ he answered, ‘as you pull up the weeds, you might uproot the wheat too. 30 Let them both grow until harvest, and then at harvest-time I’ll tell the reapers to first gather the weeds, tie them up into bundles and burn them, and then gather the wheat and store it in my barn.’"(Matthew 13:24-30)

36 Then Jesus left the crowds and went into a house. His disciples came over to him, and asked him, "Please explain to us the story about the weeds in the field."

37 "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of man," Jesus explained. 38 "The field is the world. The good seeds are the children of the kingdom. The weed seeds are the children of the evil one. 39 The enemy that sowed the weed seeds is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are harvested and burned so it will be at the end of the world. 41 The Son of man will send out his angels, and they will gather up every sinful thing and everyone who does evil, 42 and will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. 43 Then those who live right will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Anybody with ears should be listening!(Matthew 13:36-43)

47 Or again, the kingdom of heaven is like a fishing net thrown into the sea that caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full it was dragged ashore. The good fish were put into baskets while the bad ones were thrown away.

49 That’s the way it will be when the end of the world comes. The angels will go out and separate the evil people from the good, 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.(Matthew 13:47-50)

Quem participa do Reino

Jesus inverteu as expectativas sociais de quem teria direito às bênçãos de Deus. Em vez dos autossuficientes, dos poderosos ou dos mestres da lei que confiavam na própria religiosidade, os herdeiros do Reino são os humildes, os quebrantados e aqueles que dependem de Deus com a simplicidade de uma criança.

O apego às riquezas e o orgulho espiritual surgem como os maiores obstáculos para reconhecer essa soberania.

3 "Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually poor, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are those who are kind for they will own the whole world. 6 Blessed are those whose greatest desire is to do what is right, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are those who have pure minds, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are those who work to bring peace, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those persecuted for what is right, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and accuse you of all kinds of evil things because of me. 12 Be glad, be really glad, for you will receive a great reward in heaven—for they persecuted the prophets who came before you in just the same way.(Matthew 5:3-12)

1 Around that time the disciples came to Jesus, and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

2 Jesus called over a small child. He had the child stand in front of them. 3 "I tell you the truth, unless you change the way you think and become like little children, you won’t ever enter the kingdom of heaven," he told them. 4 "But whoever humbles themselves and becomes like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.(Matthew 18:1-4)

14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them. The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like them!"(Matthew 19:14)

23 "I tell you the truth," Jesus said to his disciples, "rich people find it hard to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 I also tell you this: It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

25 When the disciples heard this, they were very surprised, and asked, "So who can be saved?"

26 Jesus looked at them and said, "From a human point of view it’s impossible, but all things are possible with God."(Matthew 19:23-26)

5 Listen, my dear friends: Didn’t God choose those who the world considers poor to be rich in their trust in him, and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him?(James 2:5)

11 I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.(Matthew 8:11)

11 I tell you the truth, that among humanity there’s no one greater than John the Baptist, but even the least important in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is. 12 From the time of John the Baptist up till now the kingdom of heaven continues to be under attack, and violent people are trying to seize it by force.(Matthew 11:11,12)

A prática da justiça e a vontade do Pai

Pertencer ao Reino exige mais do que discurso religioso ou profissão de fé meramente verbal. Jesus advertiu com clareza que o critério de entrada não é clamar "Senhor, Senhor", mas viver em obediência concreta à vontade de Deus, praticando uma justiça interior que supera o formalismo religioso.

21 Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven—only those who do the will of my Father in heaven.(Matthew 7:21)

19 So whoever disregards the least important commandment, and teaches people to do so, will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches the commandments will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 I tell you, unless your moral rightness is more than that of the religious teachers and the Pharisees, you can never enter the kingdom of heaven.(Matthew 5:19,20)

5 You know it’s absolutely sure that no one who is sexually immoral, or commits indecency, or who is greedy, or is an idol-worshiper will inherit anything in the kingdom of Christ and God.(Ephesians 5:5)

Um Reino eterno e inabalável

Enquanto impérios e poderes humanos caem com o tempo, as Escrituras apontam para o Reino de Deus como uma realidade indestrutível, profetizada no Antigo Testamento e garantida a todos os que perseveram na fé em Cristo.

18 But those dedicated to the Most High will eventually receive the kingdom. They will possess the kingdom forever, for ever and ever."(Daniel 7:18)

11 They will praise the glory of your kingdom, and talk about your power.

12 They will explain to people your wonderful miracles, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

13 Your kingdom never ends, and your rule continues for all generations. What the Lord promises can always be trusted; he is merciful in all he does.(Psalms 145:11-13)

32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, for your Father is happy to give you the kingdom.(Luke 12:32)

28 Since we’re receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have a gracious attitude, so we can serve God in a way that pleases him, with reverence and respect. 29 For "our God is a fire that consumes."(Hebrews 12:28,29)

10 So, brothers and sisters, be all the more determined to make sure you are truly "called and chosen." If you do this, you won’t ever fall. 11 You will receive a tremendous welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.(2 Peter 1:10,11)

18 The Lord will rescue me from all the evil things done against me, and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. His is the glory forever and ever. Amen.(2 Timothy 4:18)