Premillennialism
claims that the kingdom of Jesus Christ does not yet exist. The premillennial
view is that Jesus came to earth to establish His kingdom but could not because
the Jews rejected Him. So they say, when He comes again, the Messiah must
establish and rule 1000 years on the throne of David over an earthly, civil
kingdom. Does the kingdom now exist or will Jesus reign for a thousand years on
earth (the millennium) when He returns?
Many
people deny that Jesus' kingdom now exists.
"David's
son, the Lord Jesus Christ, must return to the earth, bodily and literally, in
order to reign over David's covenanted kingdom. The allegation that Christ is
seated on the Father's throne reigning over a spiritual kingdom, the church,
simply does not fulfill the promises of the covenant ... A literal earthly
kingdom must be constituted over which the returned Messiah reigns" -
Pentecost, Things to Come, pp. 114,115 (via Miller, p. 98).
"...the
kingdom announced by John (and afterward by the Lord Jesus himself, Matt. 4:17;
Mark 1:14,15) could have been none other than that of Old Testament prophecy
... that kingdom, though announced as 'at hand,' has never yet
appeared..." - R.H. Boll, Kingdom of God, p. 34 (via Wallace, God's
Prophetic Word, pp. 176f).
People
who hold the premillennial view deny that the kingdom of Christ now exists.
They say it will be established at his second coming. Many say He intended to
establish His kingdom when He came to earth, but could not because the Jews
rejected Him, so He postponed it till His second coming.
The
consequences of this doctrine is that Jesus is not now King. When pressed by
the passages that Jesus is King and His kingdom does exist, they claim this is
a kingdom in a different sense than meant in Old Testament prophecies and
different than meant originally by Jesus and John (see quote above).
The
purpose of this study is to examine passages regarding Jesus' kingdom to see
whether or not it exists today.
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Many
New Testament passages claim Jesus is King now, just as prophesied in the Old
Testament (see the links at the end for an article about Jesus as King). If so,
then His kingdom must now exist as predicted in the Old Testament.
In this
study we will examine passages specifically about Jesus' kingdom to show that
it does exist. This will have the additional effect of proving that He is now
King.
Note:
This study is part of a series of studies relating to the premillennial view of
the kingdom. Frequently this study will refer to other of the studies in the
series. To understand the whole picture, and especially to see the other
articles that we refer to from time to time, please go to
www.gospelway.com/god-man/premillennialism.htm.
I. The Importance of the Kingdom
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Does it
matter whether or not we believe the kingdom exists? How important should the
kingdom be in gospel preaching?
A.
During Jesus' Lifetime.
================
Matthew 3:2 - John the Baptist preached the kingdom.
Matthew
4:23 - Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom [cf. 9:35; Luke 4:43; 8:1;
9:11; Mark 1:14,15]
Matthew 13:19 - The message preached was the word of the kingdom.
Luke 9:2,60 - The disciples were instructed to preach the kingdom
[10:9,11; Matthew 10:7].
In addition, many of Jesus' parables taught about the kingdom.
[Matthew
6:10,33; Luke 16:16; John 3:3,5; note that the kingdom of God and the kingdom
of Christ are the same - Eph. 5:5]
B.
During the Early Church
================
Acts 8:12 - Philip preached the gospel of the kingdom.
Acts 20:25; 28:23,31 - Paul preached and testified regarding the
kingdom [19:8]
Were
these men preaching about a kingdom different from the one Jesus and the
disciples preached before Pentecost, or were they preaching about the same
kingdom?
Preaching
the kingdom is a fundamental part of gospel preaching, even to those who are
not yet disciples [cf. Acts 2:30-36]. Any one who preaches a different gospel
is accursed (Galatians 1:8,9). If the apostles preached that the kingdom is in
existence, but men today preach that it is not in existence, what is their
condition?
II. Predictions Concerning the Kingdom
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
A. Old Testament Predictions
==================
Daniel 2:31-45
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Nebuchadnezzar,
King of Babylon, had a dream but forgot what it was about. He required wise men
to tell him the dream, then he would know they could interpret it. Only Daniel
could do so.
The dream and its meaning
The king
saw an image that represented four kingdoms:
* The
head of gold = Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom, Babylon (v37).
* The
breast and arms of silver = another inferior kingdom after Babylon (v39). This
is Persia.
* The
belly and thighs of brass = another third kingdom ruling all the earth (v39).
This is Greece.
* The
legs and feet of iron mixed with clay = a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, but
divided (vv 40,41). This is Rome.
A stone
cut without hands smote the image on the feet and destroyed it. The stone
became a mountain and filled the whole earth. This meant that, in the days of
those kings (Rome), God would set up a kingdom that would consume the others
but would itself never be destroyed (v44).
Conclusions
The
kingdom of Christ must be set up during the Roman Empire. Premillennialists
agree this is the meaning of the dream. Since the Roman Empire has come and
gone, we conclude Jesus' kingdom has already been set up.
But
since no earthly kingdom began, premillennialists say the Roman Empire must be
restored before Jesus' second coming. They argue the feet of iron mixed with
clay had ten toes which represent ten kingdoms that will unite to form a
revived Roman Empire. Some see the recent union of European states as the
formation of this new empire.
However,
Wallace notes that the whole image represents a period of about 600 years. Yet
according to the millennial theory, the toes alone have been waiting 2000 years
to form! Further, the Roman Empire ceased to exist centuries ago, so the toes
are detached from the body by nearly 2000 years! What is there in the dream or
image that represents this time period?
Further,
Daniel 2 said nothing about ten kingdoms. The toes are never said to represent
kingdoms, and the number ten is never even mentioned let alone given any
significance. The passage counts the kingdoms involved and there are exactly
four, no more (vv 37-40).
Since
the fourth empire was the Roman Empire and since Jesus came during that Empire,
either the kingdom began as a result of Jesus' first coming or else Daniel is a
false prophet! Millennial concepts undermine the inspiration of Scripture.
Daniel 7
*******
Here is
another vision of the same four kingdoms represented as four beasts (vv 3-7): a
lion (Babylon), a bear (Persia), a leopard (Greece), and a fourth beast
different from the others (Rome). Again people agree about the meaning of these
beasts (vv 15-23).
Vv
13,14 - One like a son of man came with clouds to the Ancient of Days and was
given glory, dominion, and a kingdom, everlasting dominion, a kingdom never to
be destroyed. This is very similar to the vision in Daniel 2.
Note
that the kingdom was given when the Son of Man came to God, not when He left
God to return to earth!
[Note:
The ten horns are part of the fourth beast (v8). They are ten kings in the
fourth kingdom (vv 23,24). They are not ten kingdoms that originate later as
millennialists claim. They are kings that reigned while Rome still existed, not
2000 years after it had been destroyed.]
B.
Predictions during Jesus' Lifetime
======================
Matthew
3:2 - John the Baptist preached the Kingdom of Heaven was "at hand."
Note that John preached during the reign of Tiberius Caesar - the Roman Empire
(Luke 3:1). ["At hand" means "to draw near or come near, to
approach" - Thayer.]
Mark
1:14,15 - Jesus preached: "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God
is at hand." This shows that "at hand," as used here, means the
time was fulfilled.
Premillennialists
agree this meant John and Jesus expected the prophesied kingdom would begin at
Jesus' first coming, but they say it did not happen because Jews rejected Jesus
(see opening quotes). Hence, John and Jesus are false prophets!
Matthew 10:7 - Jesus sent the twelve to preach the "kingdom
is at hand."
Matthew
16:19 - Jesus promised to give Peter the keys of the kingdom. But today Peter
has long been dead. Why would Jesus give Peter the keys and then wait till he
had been dead over 1900 years before the door of the kingdom was opened?
Luke
10:9,11 - He sent seventy others to preach the "kingdom has come near to
you." Hence, if the kingdom did not begin till 2000 years later, then the
apostles and disciples were also false prophets! [Matthew 12:25-28; Luke 11:17-20]
Mark
9:1 - The kingdom would come with power. Some standing before Jesus would not
die till they saw it come. If that kingdom still has not come, some 2000 years
later, there are some very old people around! [Matthew 16:28; Luke 9:27]
Luke 22:18,29,30
- Jesus would not drink of the fruit of the vine till the kingdom comes. The
disciples would eat and drink at His table in His kingdom.
Acts
1:3-8 - After His resurrection but before His ascension (vv 9-11) Jesus was
still speaking about the kingdom, just like He had been at the beginning of His
ministry (v3). What evidence is there that His meaning has changed and He is
here speaking of a different kingdom?
The
kingdom had not yet come, and Jesus would not say exactly when it would come (vv
6,7). But the power (and the kingdom, cf. Mark 9:1) would come when the Holy
Spirit would come and the apostles would be witnesses. This would happen in
Jerusalem, not many days from them (vv 8,4,5).
[See on
Luke 1:32,33; Matthew 16:19; Mark 11:10; Luke 19:11-27; Matthew 20:20,21 cf.
Mark 10:37 and Zech. 6:12,13; Matthew 23:13; 4:17,23; Luke 16:16; 12:31,32;
21;29-33; Mark 15:43; 1 Thessalonians 2:12]
III. The Kingdom and the Day of Pentecost
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Note
how the events on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 fulfill all these prophecies
regarding the kingdom.
Jesus had ASCENDED to the Father
*****************************
Acts 1:9-11 - He ascended in the clouds.
2:33-35
- He is on the right hand of the Father.
Events
in Acts 2 occurred in JERUSALEM (vv 5,14) on Pentecost (v1).
*****************************************************
This was during the Roman Empire (Matthew 22:17,21; Acts 25:11).
[John 11:48]
It was about three years after Jesus said the kingdom was "at
hand."
It was
"not many days" after Jesus' promise (Pentecost was 50 days after
Jesus' died at the Passover).
The
apostles were gathered together (v1).
***********************************
Hence,
some to whom Jesus had spoken were still living. In fact, many in the crowd had
seen Jesus do miracles (v22).
The
HOLY SPIRIT came with POWER on the apostles (vv 2-4,17,33).
*****************************************************
The Holy Spirit gave the twelve power to speak in tongues (vv
4-13).
The apostles acted as witnesses of Jesus' resurrection (v32).
The coming of the Holy Spirit proved Jesus was at the right hand
of God (v33).
The
kingdom would come when the power came, and the power would come when the Holy
Spirit enabled the apostles to be witnesses. This began on Pentecost, hence the
kingdom was then in existence.
Those
who were baptized ate at the Lord's TABLE (v42).
**********************************************
They
continued steadfastly in the breaking of bread, which is called the Lord's
Table (1 Corinthians 10:16,21).
Jesus
said they would eat and drink at His table in the kingdom. They did so
beginning at Pentecost, so they must have entered the kingdom at Pentecost.
1
Corinthians 11:26 - We will not have the Lord's Supper (table) after Jesus
returns. Hence the kingdom that Jesus prophesied must be in existence now; it
cannot come after He returns.
The
CONCLUSION is stated in vv 30-36.
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Jesus
is now reigning as Lord and Christ on the throne of David at God's right hand.
Hence, He is King (see the link below to the article on Jesus as King). All
prophecies regarding Jesus' kingdom were fulfilled at Pentecost. Therefore, His
kingdom must exist and people began to enter it at Pentecost.
Premillennialism
says the kingdom does not exist now but will begin at Jesus' second coming.
This does not fit a single one of these prophecies, but contradicts every one!
(Review the predictions listed above if necessary to see this point.)
[Jesus
was then in His glory. Cf. Matthew 20:20,21 and Mark 10:37 and Zech. 6:12,13 to
Acts 2:33-35; Luke 24:26; 1 Peter 1:21; John 17:5.]
IV. The Kingdom after Pentecost
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
After Pentecost several passages confirm that the kingdom did
exist.
Colossians 1:13,14
***************
Paul
and the Colossian Christians were in the kingdom. That could not be unless the
kingdom was in existence.
When
one is redeemed and forgiven (v14), he leaves the power of darkness and enters
the kingdom (v13). Since redemption and forgiveness are offered to all, then
all can now be in the kingdom.
All
people are either in the kingdom or in the power of darkness. If people admit
they are not in the kingdom, where does that leave them?!
Hebrews 12:25-29
***************
God's voice shook the earth (v26) when He gave the law at Sinai
(vv 18-21).
Haggai
2:6 promised that He would shake the earth one more time (v26), referring to
the removal of that old covenant and the replacement of it with the new
covenant which would remain (vv 27,24). This occurred when Jesus died.
So
people in the first century were receiving a kingdom (v28). Therefore, it must
have existed then.
That
kingdom cannot be shaken (v28) - it cannot be removed and replaced as the old
law was. But if it is to be replaced by yet another kingdom on earth, then it
will be shaken again!
If we
refuse this kingdom, we cannot escape (v25); yet refusing it is exactly what premillennial
folks do!
Revelation 1:9
************
John
and the Christians he addressed were companions (partakers - ASV) in the
kingdom of Jesus Christ. They could not be companions in it (partake of it) if
it did not exist. Yet both John and the Christians in the seven churches of
Asia (v4) were in it. [Revelation 1:5,6; 5:10]
1 Corinthians 15:22-28
*******************
Vv
22,23 - The passage teaches that the righteous dead will be raised at Jesus'
return. Premillennialism says that is when Jesus' kingdom will begin. [Note
that the Bible says the wicked and righteous will all be raised at the same
time - John 5:28,29]
V24 -
But when the dead are raised, then comes the end, not the beginning. Jesus will
then deliver the kingdom to the Father. This is the opposite of premillennial
teaching. They say the Father will deliver the kingdom to the Son at His second
coming!
Vv
25,26 - Jesus is now reigning (all things are being made subject to Him - v28).
He will continue to reign until he defeats the last enemy, which is death (cf.
Psalm 110:1,2). Death will be defeated by the resurrection when Jesus returns.
Note:
Jesus reigns while death is still an enemy, not after it has been defeated. It
is an enemy now, but will be defeated by the resurrection at His return.
Therefore, Jesus must reign now until He returns. He will not begin to reign
when He returns.
So the
kingdom must exist now because Jesus is now reigning. He will not begin to
reign when He returns, but He will reign till then. Then He will give the
kingdom over to the Father. We will then become spirit beings, not physical (vv
42-50). Sin and human weakness will be removed.
Conclusion
=======
The
kingdom of Christ now exists. It fulfills the prophecies, so it must be the
kingdom prophesied in the Old Testament and throughout Jesus' lifetime.
Premillennial teaching contradicts these prophecies.
Preaching
the kingdom is part of preaching the gospel. One who denies the kingdom now
exists is preaching a different gospel (Galatians 1:8,9). People who want to
follow Jesus' gospel must honor Him as King and become part of His kingdom by
obedience to His gospel.
