Author : Keith Sharp
Those who contend that Christ will establish a material kingdom on this earth when He returns argue that, because the Jews rejected Christ at His first coming, God postponed the establishment of the kingdom until the Lord returns (See, e.g., J. Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come. 456). This is a vital point, inasmuch as it involves the power of God, the integrity of His Word, the rule of Christ, the time of His kingdom, and the nature of that kingdom. I will examine this premillenial position by posing four questions they cannot answer and looking at the answers Scripture gives.
1. Why did an all knowing, all powerful God not foreknow and prepare for the Jewish rejection of Christ? He did! The rejection and crucifixion of Christ is central to the eternal plan of salvation.
He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him (Isaiah 53:3).
Who do you think the “we” of this verse is? Jesus is the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8; cf. 1 Peter 1:17-21).
2. If the Jews had the ability to force God to postpone the reign of Christ once, why not twice? They never had such power! David foretold that “the people” (Jews) would “plot … “Against the Lord and against His Anointed” (Messiah, Christ) to “break Their bonds in pieces” (Psalm 2:1-3). But, he promised, “The Lord shall hold them in derision” and set “His King” on the “holy hill of Zion” (verses 4-6). The Lord spoke thus of His Son (verses 7,12). The apostles applied this to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Acts 4:24-28; 13:33).
3. Is not a “postponed” prophecy simply a failed prophecy? Daniel prophesied that God would set up His kingdom during the days of the fourth kingdom from his day, which would be the Roman Empire (Daniel 2:44), and declared the prophecy “is certain, and its interpretation is sure” (verse 45). No, it wasn’t postponed. It was established during the days of the Roman Empire, just as the Lord promised.
4. If the kingdom is material, why did the Jews reject it, since that is what they wanted? The truth is, premillenialists today reject Christ as King for the same reason the Jews did then – they want a material kingdom. But the kingdom of Christ “is not of this world” (John 18:36). It is not defended by armed might (Ibid), “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
The Jewish rejection of Christ was central to the divine plan from eternity. The Lord God laughed at them and set the Christ on His throne as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. (Psalm 2:12)
