Apologies for the length of these.....
Have no idea what God's kingdom is like only some of the brief descriptions of it in the scriptures indicate what it is like.
"What" the kingdom is, is a mystery to Christendom. They believe that it is an internal experience that affects those who are born again. That is not what the Bible teaches. The word "kingdom" indicates a "king" and a "dom"ain. Who did kings rule and what was their domain? Their subjects lived in their territory (domain) and it was defended most diligently. It had clearly defined borders and armed forces to keep intruders out. Wars were fought over borders....most of Israel's wars were over her land".
My only concern was finding the small narrow gate that one must have the faith to use to be allowed to get in it. Since it is true that only a few find it and it is also true that contemporary churches are a dime a dozen I figured that what these churches pontificate cannot be right.
Going by what Jesus taught about the 'wheat and the weeds', I believe that you are correct in your assumptions. (Matt 13:36-43) The Christianity taught in the divided churches of Christendom is not what Jesus taught his first century followers. The deviation has been gradual and complete since the beginning of the second century. The weeds have been in existence for almost two thousand years, corrupting the teachings of the Christ. (2 Tim 4:3, 4)
In the illustration of the two roads in Matt 7:13, 14, Jesus said
“Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; 14 whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it."
Do you see that "many" are on the broad road leading to death, but that only some were looking for a narrow gate to enter? Those traveling the broad, easy road are not looking for an exit because they are perfectly happy traveling as they are.
But for a "few" who are led by God's spirit, the destination of that dead end road where the majority are heading, is unappealing. They know the road to life is hard and the gate is narrow, so they look for the way to enter.
No one with 'excess baggage' will get through that narrow gate. We have to leave all unnecessary stuff behind and enter the gate with just the clothes on our back, spiritually speaking.
The journey along this cramped road is also difficult, again it is beneficial not to be weighed down with things we do not need.
This was echoed in Jesus' words to his followers in 66 C.E. when the Romans first laid siege to Jerusalem. He told them that when they saw armies surround the city, they were to "flee to the mountains". They must have wondered how they would ever escape. Then inexplicably, for no apparent reason, the Romans withdrew, allowing the Christians to obey Jesus' command. They were told not to return to their homes to pick up their things, but just to flee for their lives. Those who obeyed were saved, finding refuge in the neutral city of Pella. But they had to start life again with nothing but their own hard work. They had left homes, relatives and businesses, but they were alive.
Those who did not heed Jesus' warning, seeing the withdrawal of the Romans as a political victory, perished when the Romans returned and laid siege to Jerusalem again, cutting off all supplies to the city. Many died of starvation, some were forced to eat the bodies of their dead children. Eventually the city and its temple were destroyed in 70C.E.
