The Arrogance of “Kingdom Now/Not Yet” Theology

In the previous post I showed the obvious error in believing that the Kingdom of God is both a present reality AND a future reality. Please read that article first before proceeding here.  My object here is simply to show the striking similarities between statements from the apostle Paul and Jesus Christ, which I believe shows they are both referring to the same subject matter, the error of believing that the Kingdom of God is a present reality (Kingdom Now theology).

First the corrective words of Paul to the Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 4:8-14, 18-19

You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you. 9 For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.// 11 To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; 12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. 14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children…//18 Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power.

Now the corrective words of Jesus to Laodicea:

Revelation 3:14-21

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.// 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, 18 I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. //19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me. 21 He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.

Now a quick overview comparing 1 Corinthians 4:8-14 with Rev. 3:14-21

…you have become kings…(1 Cor. 4) (i.e. so you say you have become kings)

He who overcomes I will grant to him to sit down with me on my throne…(Rev. 3) (no kingship until overcoming)

…already filled…you have already become rich…(1 Cor. 4)

…you say “I am rich…and have need of nothing…”(Rev. 3)

…[wrongly say] you are prudent…you are strong…you are distinguished…but we [apostles] are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed(1 Cor. 4)

…[but you don’t know you are] wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked…(Rev. 3)

…but we [apostles] are persecuted…(1 Cor. 4)

…buy from me gold refined by fire [persecution]…(Rev. 3)

…I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you…(1 Cor. 4)

…that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed…(Rev. 3)

We can make these observations from what has been said:

1.     Jesus had to qualify…so do you (“as I overcame”, then sat down)

2.     The whole idea is insulting to the apostles

3.     Further, it is insulting to the Gospel hope for those nations suffering right now

4. God’s saving and forgiving heart is bigger than this age.  There will be many more saved in a future age beyond you right now. (Again, see last article/post for scriptures)