... Such a framework makes it obvious that the Lord did not establish the kingdom at His First Advent. If this is so, then passages such as Matthew 6:33 (restated in Luke 12:31) become understandable. This verse says, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Is this verse, as "kingdom now" theologians sometimes advocate, teaching a present, spiritual form of the kingdom that Christ's disciples must seek and align their lives with? ...
... We have noted thus far that what the Old Testament predicts concerning an earthly kingdom was offered to Israel during Christ's First Advent. Yet, the nation rejected this kingdom offer leading to the kingdom's postponement. Therefore, what the Scripture predicts concerning the kingdom will not be fulfilled until the kingdom offer is one day re-extended to and accepted by Israel during the Tribulation. In the interim, the kingdom is future as God now pursues an interim program that includes the church...
... We noted that it is appropriate to dispute the common rendering, “the kingdom of God is within you.” Christ was conversing with unbelieving Pharisees. Craven observes, "The supposition that He indicated an existing Basileia...implies that it was set up in (or among) the Pharisees." Moreover, we explained that the offer of the kingdom framework, as discussed in prior articles, is sufficient for handling these verses...
...Sometimes John 3:3-5 is used to support the notion of a present, spiritual messianic kingdom. These verses say, "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.' Nicodemus said to Him, 'How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?' Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.'" ...
... Yet another statement by Christ used by "kingdom now" theologians is found in Matthew 21:43, which says, "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it." Debate persists concerning from whom the kingdom is taken and to whom it is given...