The Proclaimer

The Coming Of The Kingdom

In Daniel’s prophecy of the time of the establishment of the kingdom of God, he spoke of four kingdoms: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome.  He prophesied that, “in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed” (Daniel 2:44).  He also stated that this prophecy would come to pass “in the latter days” (v. 28). When Jesus came it was during the time of the Roman Empire, and he announced that, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mark 1:15).  Christ came to establish His kingdom during the days of the fourth kingdom as Daniel prophesied.  But Daniel also prophesied that this would be “in the latter days” (2:28).  Thus, the latter days and the fourth kingdom (Rome) were concurrent.  It is therefore conclusive that the Roman period, during which time Jesus came to establish his kingdom, was in “the latter days” of Daniel’s prophecy.  Further evidence is seen in the fact that Jesus said that “some would not taste of death until they see the kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9:1). No millennialist can project this prophecy into the future and possibly agree with the time element fixed by Daniel and claimed by Christ to be “fulfilled”. 

Premillennialists make varied attempts to overcome their contradiction of this Biblical time period, but seldom, if ever, do they mention Mark 1:15 or 9:1.  Their doctrine has the prophets foretelling the time of the establishment of the kingdom to be at Christ’s second coming.  This is the result of interpreting certain prophecies literally.  That means the following things must literally occur in the future:

·        The temple of Ezekiel 40:1-46 must be built.

·        The mount of Olives must be split (Zech. 14:4) and living waters must go out of Jerusalem (v. 8).

·        After the temple is rebuilt, the Roman empire must be re-established (Dan. 2:44).

·        David must be king over Israel (Ezek. 37:24) and the Israelites must return to the land of Canaan and repossess it (37:21-25).

Premillennialists tell us that the present church age was not predicted by Old Testament prophets, and the events of the kingdom which were predicted have not yet been fulfilled.  They claim that Jesus “sincerely” offered the kingdom to Israel, but they turned it down.  They claim further that He intended and expected Israel to take His offer, hence He said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.”

By postponing the establishment of the kingdom of God to a future time, premillennialists create a double dilemma.  Since Jesus said, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand,” this means that Jesus offered the kingdom at the wrong time, and said it was the right time when it was not!  They have Jesus wrong on two counts: wrong as to the time of fulfillment (Mark 1:15; 9:1), and wrong in his own timing since He offered it before it was prophesied.  Furthermore, premillennialism makes the church of the Lord, which He purchased with His own blood, to be an after thought.  It makes God unable to fulfill His prophecy and makes Christ a failure. 

Read more on premillennialism in my articles in Bible Basics.

                                                                                         -- Clark Dugger

The Proclaimer