THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND PARADISE

THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND PARADISE

Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua

On February 20, 2014 I received this mail from Nuhu Machunga, Subject: DEBRIEFING MUTUAL SUSPICIONS WITH FRANKNESS.  “Fr. Prof, I refer to the last sentence in your article in SUNDAY TRUST which says, "The time has come for us to move towards the kingdom of God that has no divisions." For clarification sir! Are you implying that Muslims and Christians all belong to the kingdom of God (not created by God) but of His kingdom (i.e. will enter His kingdom -heaven- at the end of ages) irrespective of their beliefs?”

This reflection is an answer to Nuhu. The expression of divine realities in human language falls within a limited context in dialogue because there are terms and expressions that are peculiar to certain disciplines. A word can mean different things to different people even when the subject or issue is the same.  For instance, the word “substance” did not mean the same thing for the Greek and Latin theologians. The word “secular” is given different meanings in Nigeria because some people find it difficult to comprehend why the country should be defined as a “secular state”.

In the spirit of dialogue (through the print media), It is necessary to have a conversation on the term, “Kingdom of God” and “Paradise” to be on the same page with Nuhu and other partners in dialogue who may have similar questions. The scriptures affirm that God created Heaven and Earth (Genesis 1, 1; Psalm 146, 6, Qur’an 7, 54; 10, 3; 11, 17). Relatively, we become co-creators by contributing to the creation of peace on earth in preparation for the eternal peace we shall enjoy when we meet God after our earthly life. I am wondering if this could be the essence of Islam (peace) on earth. The “Kingdom of God” means heaven for Christians. Muslims express the same concept as “Paradise”.

Both the Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths are making a journey to immortality. If we get there, then we could say goodbye to mortality as the mortal body decays in the grave. If we succeed in reaching heaven, paradise or the kingdom of God, we shall no longer say goodbye because we shall be with God who is the eternal love. On earth we profess faith in God hoping that on the last day, we shall behold him face to face. The final exit from the earth and our final union with God is a basic reality that the different religions describe in different categories. The vision of life on earth is heaven; the mission is love of God and neighbour while the specific objective is to find happiness on earth. There can be no happiness without peace and there can be no peace without justice. Justice, respect, peace, doing good and avoiding evil are steps on the path towards our final destiny (heaven) where there is no division. I will be glad if my Muslim friends could enlighten me on why God speaks in the first person plural (We) in the Qur’an. 

Muslims believe that in the Qur’an, paradise is a place where there will be all that the souls could desire and all that the eyes could delight in (Qur’an 43:71). Those in paradise will eat and drink at ease for their past good deeds (Qur’an 69:24).  They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade. They will recline therein on raised thrones (Qur’an 18:31). Death will no longer exist in Paradise.  "They will never fall ill, blow their noses or spit" (Saheeh Al-Bukhari). Those in paradise will never be sick again. They will live and never die again. They will never grow feeble again. They will enjoy, and never feel sorrow and regret again (Saheeh Muslim). Those in paradise will not hear ill speech or commit sin. What they will hear and say is: Peace! Peace (Qur’an 56:25-26)! God will remove from their breasts any hatred or sense of injury on earth (Qur’an 7:43). In paradise "there will be no hatred or resentment among them, their hearts will be as one, and they will glorify God, morning and evening" (Saheeh Al-Bukhari). The Hereafter is (far) better for those who fear God (Qur’an 4:77). Life and the comfort of Paradise is forever (Qur’an 13:35; 16:96; Qur’an 38:54). No one can perfectly describe the beauty and essence of paradise (Qur’an 32:17) It is “that which the eye has not seen, and which had not come to the ears or into the heart of man, such things as God has made ready for those who love him”   (1 Corinthians 2, 9).  "Never mind what God has told you; what He has not told you is even greater" (Saheeh Muslim). Reference to heaven is made many times in the Qur'an to imply the universe (Qur'an 21:30) and the bottom layer of heaven as adorned with stars (Qur’an 37:6). 

Jesus started his ministry with the proclamation of the kingdom of God (Mark 1, 5). At the trial of Jesus, he made it clear to Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world (John 18, 36). Pilate understood the expression “kingdom” in a worldly context   (John 18, 37).  Isaiah had prophesied: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father and the Prince of peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever” (Isaiah 9, 6-7). The reign of Christ on earth is the establishment of peace in preparation for the eternal peace in heaven. Believers are therefore enjoined to seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness (Matthew 6, 33). In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray for the coming of the “Kingdom of God” on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6, 9-13).

From the worldly point of view, the components of a kingdom are: Land, territory, king (ruler, monarch or governor), people (subjects living within the territory) and a system of laws and rules (a basic structure of government). In this context, the concept of a kingdom on earth where Christ is King would be sitting on David’s throne (Isaiah 9, 6-7) and ruling from Jerusalem (Zechariah 8, 3). Jerusalem means “City of Peace.” This city of peace is moving towards the eternal city of peace where God will be the eternal king over every body irrespective of colour, race, religion and position. In this eternal kingdom of peace, there will be no terrorist activities. No one will claim monopoly of God and claim to fight to defend the God who is the most powerful, merciful and compassionate. In this kingdom of peace no one will claim ignorance of God’s laws (Isaiah 30, 21; Jeremiah. 31, 34).  This peace shall be everlasting because whatever can divide the world shall not exist then (Isaiah 9, 6-7).

Nuhu asked if Christians and Muslims both belong to the Kingdom of God. This is akin to asking: “Is God a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Shinto, Zoroastrian or Traditional Religionist?”  Muslims believe that it is those who do good deeds that will be in paradise. No religion is a licence to heaven without the practise of the teachings of the religion. Any religion that teaches evil contradicts the nature of God who is the Supreme Good. Every revealed religion calls people to peace. Since there is no evil in heaven, only those who do good deeds would have a space in paradise, a kingdom where God remains the king and ruler forever and ever. The kingdom of God is the same as the paradise for both good Muslims and good Christians who loved God by loving a fellow human being on earth.  

Fr. Prof. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua is the Director of Mission and Dialogue of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja; and Consultor of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims (C.R.R.M), Vatican City (comonokhua@hotmail.com).