symbol of purity, as in Isa. 1:25; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:2, 3). But that same figure would effect a separation among human beings; some would be gathered like good grain and some, like chaff, would be destroyed (see Matt. 13:30). Messiah’s coming, in other words, would bring both blessing and judgment, Holy Spirit purity and unequivocal condemnation. Second, Matthew normally used the expression “the kingdom of heaven,” whereas the other Gospel writers used “kingdom of God.” The latter is used by Matthew