One of the defining teachings of classic dispensationalism is the belief that Jesus came to Israel offering the promised kingdom, but because Israel rejected Him, the kingdom was postponed until a future time. This idea has been taught clearly and consistently by many of the most influential dispensational theologians and advocates. C. I. Scofield stated in his notes on Matthew 11:20 that “the kingdom of heaven was announced as ‘at hand’… but it was rejected by the Jews, and the kingdom was therefore postponed.” Lewis Sperry Chafer likewise wrote in his Systematic Theology that “the kingdom was offered to Israel at the first advent of Christ, but was rejected. It therefore awaits establishment at the second advent.” John F. Walvoord echoed this position when he said in The Millennial Kingdom that “the kingdom in its mediatorial, Davidic form was offered to Israel, but because of their rejection of Christ, the kingdom was postponed until His second coming.” Charles Ryrie summarized the view succinctly when he said, “The kingdom was genuinely offered to Israel, but because it was rejected, it was postponed.”
Traditional dispensationalists have clearly articulated their position, but what does Scripture teach? Did Jesus postpone His kingdom because the Jews rejected Him? Or did He inaugurate His kingdom anyway? We will look at the narrative of the New Testament to demonstrate that Jesus, the King of Israel, did indeed establish His kingdom on time and as planned. We will then conclude with remarks about why this matters.
The King Has Come
The advent accounts of Christ are marked potently by references to Jesus not merely as the Savior of the world, but as the King of the Jews. He is called “the Christ,” “the Messiah”—both explicit ways of saying that He is the anointed One of God, God’s chosen King. Has He been anointed yet? Was His anointing delayed? No.
Jesus has eternally been recognized by God as King (Psalm 2). At His baptism, the Holy Spirit—like the anointing oil of old—descended upon Jesus publicly installing Him as King. Acts 10:38 says, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.” How unbiblical would it sound to say, “Jesus will be the Christ,” or “Jesus will be King one day”?
When Jesus was born, the angel Gabriel announced to Mary in Luke 1:32–33 that her Son would receive the throne of His father David and reign over the house of Jacob forever. There is no hint of delay or contingency. Isaiah 9:6–7 speaks similarly: “For unto us a child is born… and the government shall be upon His shoulder… of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David.” The government would be established with the birth of the child and would increase endlessly. No postponement. No gap.
In Matthew 2:2, the magi ask, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” Jesus did not come to offer to become King. He was born King. The same is true at the crucifixion. Though rejected by Israel’s leaders, the sign above His head providentially declared the truth: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Human rejection did not negate divine reality.
Jesus’ Own Testimony
Jesus Himself clearly believed He came to inaugurate the kingdom. In Mark 1:14–15 He announces, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.” This is not conditional language. It is declarative. The time is fulfilled. If this was not the intended moment for the kingdom, then Jesus Himself misunderstood the divine timetable.
In Matthew 12:28, Jesus states, “If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” The kingdom is not postponed; it is present and active, overthrowing the dominion of darkness.
Later, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, intentionally fulfilling Zechariah 9:9: “Behold, your king is coming to you.” Whether the people received Him or not is beside the point. He is the King.
Even the crucifixion does not negate His kingship but reveals its nature. The cross is not the cancellation of the kingdom; it is the means by which the King is enthroned. God, not Israel’s leaders, determines when and how He installs His King.
The Apostolic Interpretation
Peter’s sermon at Pentecost is decisive:
“Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins… he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne… Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus… both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:30–36)
Peter explicitly identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of the Davidic promise and places His enthronement at the resurrection. Jesus is reigning now, seated on David’s throne, until every enemy is subdued.
Paul preaches the same message in Acts 13:32–34, declaring that God fulfilled His promises to the fathers by raising Jesus from the dead.
Paul’s epistles reinforce this repeatedly. Romans opens by linking Jesus’ Davidic lineage, resurrection, and lordship into a single, present reality (Romans 1:1–4). In 1 Corinthians 15:25, Paul says Jesus “must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.” Reigning “until” implies present reign. Colossians 1:13 says believers have already been transferred into the kingdom of God’s Son.
Theological Consequences of Postponement
Understanding that Jesus is already reigning matters deeply—not only doctrinally, but practically and ethically.
One unintended consequence of postponing Christ’s reign into the future is a subtle tendency toward Jewish supremacy. When the Davidic kingdom is framed as an exclusively future, ethnically-centered reality, ethnic Israel can be viewed as permanently superior in God’s redemptive hierarchy. This can lead to Jews being regarded as inherently closer to God’s ultimate purposes than The Church. While Scripture honors the nation of Israel’s role in redemptive history, it is equally clear that in Christ there is “one new man” (Ephesians 2), and that there is neither Jew nor Greek in terms of covenant standing (Galatians 3:28). Any theology that subtly reintroduces a two-tiered church undermines the unity Christ achieved by His cross. The center of gravity for God’s work and plan in the world is not the state of Israel, or the Jewish people, but is only and fully Jesus Christ! If you want to know what God is up to, look to Christ and those who follow him.
Postponement theology also diminishes the present authority of Jesus, especially in the public and political realm. If Christ is not reigning now, then His lordship becomes largely internal, private or relegated to being “spiritualized,” while earthly powers are treated as the true governors of history. This weakens Christian confidence in proclaiming Jesus as Lord of nations, rulers, and laws. Yet the New Testament insists that Jesus already possesses “all authority in heaven and on earth.” Jesus is the Savior of the world, but he is also the King of Kings. Individuals ought to obey Jesus, but so should every organization, institution, state and nation.
If the kingdom was postponed, the cross risks becoming a contingency plan rather than the centerpiece of God’s eternal purpose. Yet Acts 2:23 tells us Jesus was delivered up according to God’s definite plan. Nothing caught heaven off guard.
If Jesus is not reigning now, the church is merely waiting for victory in the future. But if He is reigning now, then evangelism is the announcement of a victory already won, obedience is joyful allegiance to a present King, and suffering is participation in an unshakable kingdom.
God’s King & Kingdom (Jesus) did not arrive early. He did not arrive late. He did not arrive almost successfully. He came exactly on time. He fulfilled the promises made to Abraham and to David. And He reigns now.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
The King is on the throne—and He will be forever. Amen.
*This article was compiled partially with research and grammatical assistance from chat gpt.
Brother Lee 