Chafer Kingdom in History and Prophecy is a study of the Kingdom of God concept in history and prophecy.
Table of Contents of Kingdom in History and Prophecy
1. THE THEME
2. THE KINGDOM COVENANTED
3. THE KINGDOM PROPHESIED
4. THE KINGDOM OFFERED
5. THE KINGDOM REJECTED AND POSTPONED
6. PRESENT TRUTH
7. THE CHURCH WHICH IS HIS BODY
8. THE BRIDE, THE LAMB’S WIFE
9. THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY
10. THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
11. THE CALL OF THE BRIDEGROOM
12. THE OLIVET DISCOURSE
13. THE RETURN OF THE KING
14. “THY KINGDOM COME”
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Introduction to Kingdom in History and Prophecy
A CLEAR and thoroughly Biblical book on the kingdom in the Scriptures has long been a desideratum. Perhaps no truth of the divine revelation has suffered more at the hands of interpreters than that concerning the kingdom. Following the Roman Catholic interpretation, Protestant theology has very generally taught that all the kingdom promises, and even the great Davidic Covenant itself, are to be fulfilled in and through the Church. The confusion thus created has been still further darkened by the failure to distinguish the different phases of kingdom truth indicated by the expressions “kingdom of heaven,” and “kingdom of God.”
In the light of plain Scripture all of these confusions are inexcusable, for at no point is the Biblical revelation more clear and explicit. Founded upon the covenant of the Lord with David, a covenant subsequently confirmed by the Lord’s oath, the great theme of predictive prophecy is that kingdom. Even the order of the setting up of the kingdom, relatively to the great Gentile world-empires, is declared. The events attending the setting up of the kingdom of the heavens on the earth are described.
The New Testament carries forward the Old Testament foreview of the kingdom into greater detail, but without change. The very first mention of Christ in the first verse of the first chapter in the New Testament identifies Him with the Davidic Covenant, and the promise of Gabriel to His virgin mother is a new confirmation in express terms of that covenant.
The New Testament reveals the present age as a parenthesis in the prophetic program during which the Church is called out from among the Gentiles, a stranger and pilgrim body, belonging to the kingdom of GOD, but in no sense identical with the kingdom of Heaven.
I welcome therefore this present book on these fundamental truths. Having had the privilege of seeing it in manuscript, I bespeak for it the candid attention of all who are concerned for the truth of GOD.
C. I. SCOFIELD
Douglaston, N. Y. (Kingdom in History and Prophecy)
Sample Chapter CHAPTER FIVE THE KINGDOM REJECTED AND POSTPONED
Taken from Kingdom in History and Prophecy
THE fact that the other Gospels present certain revelations as related to the Kingdom of GOD
which Matthew has related to the Kingdom of Heaven has been accepted by some as grounds for
concluding that these terms are synonymous. There can be no question that there is much in
common between whatever may be represented by these two terms, else they would not be used
interchangeably. The common ground between them lies, it would seem, in the fact that both
refer to a certain divine authority, or government.
A study of the passages involved will reveal that there is a wide difference between the Kingdom
of GOD and the Kingdom of Heaven.
This will be seen to be in the extent of government which is implied in each. The term “kingdom
of God,” it will be found, is employed when there is nothing stated that would limit its authority
over all the universe. The term “kingdom of heaven,” it will also be found, is used when the
divine government is considered as limited to the earth. There is an important difference, as well,
in the possible moral character of each. It is not said of the Kingdom of GOD, as it is of the
Kingdom of Heaven, that there are divine judgments required for wrongdoers within its bounds,
or that the false wheat, or tares, and bad fish are a part of it. Entrance into the Kingdom of
Heaven, in its Messianic form, may be by so low a standard as that which merely exceeds the
righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20): while entrance into the Kingdom
of GOD is by a new birth alone (John 3:3).
The Kingdom of Heaven is the divine government in the earth which passes through changing
phases until every foe has been conquered, and it is finally merged, perfected, into the allinclusive Kingdom of GOD (I Corinthians 15:24-28).
For this final consummation we plead when we pray: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in
earth, as it is in heaven.”
Whatever within this divine government in the earth is consonant with the perfect character of
the Kingdom of GOD may be considered as a part of that Kingdom; though some of its subjects,
who are perfect in standing, may be quite imperfect in life and conduct. Kingdom in History and Prophecy
The Kingdom of Heaven has been defined by C. I. Scofield, D. D., in the Scofield Reference
(1) “The phrase, Kingdom of heaven (lit. of the heavens), is peculiar to Matthew and signifies
the Messianic earth rule of JESUS CHRIST, the Son of David. It is called the Kingdom of
Heaven because it is the rule of the heavens over the earth (Matthew 6:10). The phrase is derived
from Daniel, where it is defined (Daniel 2:34-36, 44; 7:23-27) as the Kingdom which ‘the God
of heaven’ will set up after the destruction by the ‘stone cut out without hands’ of the Gentile
world-system. It is the Kingdom covenanted to David’s seed (II Samuel 7:7-10); described in the
prophets (Zechariah 12:8, note); and confirmed to JESUS CHRIST, the Son of Mary, through the
angel Gabriel (Luke 1:32, 33).
(2) “The Kingdom of Heaven has three aspects in Matthew:
(a) ‘at hand’ from the beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2) to the virtual
rejection of the King, and the announcement of the new brotherhood (Matthew 12:46-50);
(b) In seven ‘mysteries of the kingdom of heaven,’ to be fulfilled during the present age
(Matthew 13:1-52), to which are to be added the parables of the Kingdom of Heaven which were
spoken after those of Matthew 13, and which have to do with the sphere of Christian profession
during this age;
(c) The prophetic aspect – the Kingdom to be set, up after the return of the King in glory
(Matthew 24:29-25:46; Luke 19:12-19; Acts 15:14-l7).” – Scofield Reference Bible, page 996.
“The Kingdom of GOD is to be distinguished from the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 3:2, note)
in five respects:
(1) The Kingdom of GOD is universal, including all moral intelligence willingly subject to the
will of GOD, whether angels, the Church, or saints of past or future dispensations (Luke 13:28,
29; Hebrews 12:22, 23); while the Kingdom of Heaven is Messianic, Mediatorial, Davidic, and
has for its object the establishment of the Kingdom of GOD in the earth (Matthew 3:2, note; I
Corinthians 15:24, 25).
(2) The Kingdom of GOD is entered only by the new birth (John 3:3, 5-7); the Kingdom of
Heaven, during this age, is the sphere of a profession which may be real or false (Matthew 13:3,
note; 25:1, 11, 12).
(3) Since the Kingdom of Heaven is the earthly sphere of the universal Kingdom of GOD, the
two have almost all things in common. For this reason many parables and other teachings are
spoken of the Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew, and of the Kingdom of GOD in Mark and Luke.
It is the omissions which are significant. The parables of the wheat and tares, and of the net
(Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, 47-50) are not spoken of the Kingdom of GOD. In that Kingdom
there are neither tares nor bad fish. But the parable of the leaven (Matthew 13:33) is spoken of
the Kingdom of GOD also, for, alas, even the true doctrines of the Kingdom are leavened with
the errors of which the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians were the representatives. (See
Matthew 13:33, note). Kingdom in History and Prophecy
(4) The Kingdom of GOD ‘cometh not with observation [outward show]’ (Luke 17:20), but is
chiefly that which is inward and spiritual (Romans 14:17); while the Kingdom of Heaven is
organic, and is to be manifested in glory on the earth.
(5) The Kingdom of Heaven merges into the Kingdom of GOD when CHRIST, having ‘put all
enemies under His feet,’ ‘shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father’ (I
Corinthians 15:24-28).” – Ibid., page 1003.
The various uses of the term Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew’s Gospel represent the progressive
stages through which the government of GOD in the earth must pass in arriving at the
determined end. Kingdom in History and Prophecy
The first use of the term is in connection with the offer of a Kingdom to Israel which had been
covenanted to David and described by the prophets of the Old Testament and that which forms
the hope of Israel to this hour. This offer of the Kingdom which was extended through CHRIST,
John, and the disciples to the nation was rejected by that nation, not withstanding the fact that it
was in complete fulfillment of every divinely given prediction. It was a bona fide offer and, had
they received Him as their King, the nation’s hope would have been realized. However; it was in
the perfect councils and foreknowledge of GOD that the offer would be rejected, and thereby the
way was made for the realization of the great unrevealed purpose of GOD, which was to be
accomplished before the final manifestation of the Kingdom in the earth.
This first offer of the Kingdom had been typified by the events at Kadesh-Barnea. There this
same nation, which had already tasted the discomforts of the desert, were given an opportunity to
immediately enter their promised land. Thus left to choose, they failed to enter, and returned to
forty years more of wilderness wandering and added judgments. They might have entered the
land in blessing. GOD knew they would not; still it was through their own choice that the
blessing was postponed. Later they were brought again to the land after their judgments and
afflictions in the wilderness. This time, however, it was without reference to their own choice.
With the high hand of the Lord GOD they were placed in their own land. So Israel, already five
hundred years out of the land, and without a king, rejected the King and the Kingdom as offered
in CHRIST, and still continues the wilderness afflictions among all the nations of the earth
whither the Lord GOD hath driven them. But He will yet regather them, else the oath of the Lord
will fail, and that regathering will be without reference to their own choosing, or merit. Under an
unconditional covenant He has pledged to place them in Kingdom blessings, under the glorious
reign of their Immanuel King and in their own land (Deuteronomy 30:3-5; Isaiah 11:10-13;
Jeremiah 23:3-8; Ezekiel 37:21-25). This, too, shall be done by no human processes, but by the
mighty power of GOD.
The first evidence of Israel’s rejection of her Kingdom as offered by her King is seen in the
record that John the Baptist had been placed in prison (Matthew 11:2). What could the
imprisonment of the forerunner mean other than a step toward the rejection of the King?
Immediately the King utters His first words of judgment and doom:
“Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because
they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty
works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have
repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for
Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art
exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have
been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I
say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment,
than for thee” (Matthew 11:20-24).
Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were the cities in which He had given greatest proof of His
Messiahship and they were therefore most guilty in His rejection.
In connection with this first evidence of rejection there is introduced a note wholly foreign to the
Kingdom theme, and with great significance:
“Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew
11:28, 29). Everything is in contrast: this is not an offer of a Kingdom to a nation, but of soul
rest to the individual who will come to Him. A rest which results from coming to know the
Father through the Son (Matthew 11:27), whom to know aright is eternal life (John 17:3).
The reality contained in this offer could only be realized by His Cross.
CHRIST was evidently associating, even then, His rejection with His Cross. It was as though He
was comforting His own heart with a moment’s reflection upon the “joy that was set before
him” for which He would “endure the Cross and despise the shame.” Who shall measure the
joy of His heart in bringing rest to one sin-sick soul (Isaiah 53:11)? This flash-light on the
coming redemption by His Cross immediately passes and the King continues to present Himself
to the nation as their King. He proves again by the mighty Works of the following chapter that
He is none other than their long looked for Messiah; yet in the midst of these infallible proofs it
is recorded: “And the Pharisees went out and held a council how they might destroy him”
(Matthew 12:14). The death of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-13) is also followed by a rebuke
to the Pharisees and by words of judgment upon them (Matthew 15:1-20).
Another glance forward toward His Cross is recorded in connection with His evident rejection in
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Cesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom
do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the
Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But
whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son
of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and
the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The rejection is seen in the report of the disciples that CHRIST was accounted for by the men of
the nation to whom He had come as being John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremias, or one of the
How impressed they were with His Personality and power! Yet how preposterous that He should
be confused with John with whom He had so recently stood among them! They were evidently
willing to account for Him by any subterfuge that would relieve them of the acknowledgment of
Him as their King.
In connection with this new evidence of rejection He again reflects upon the joy that was to be
His through His Cross: “On this rock I will build my church.” The church, His precious Bride,
which He loved and for which He gave Himself; that “he might sanctify and cleanse it with the
washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not
having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish”
(Ephesians 5:25-27). This, again, is the joy that was set before Him and which would be realized
only by His rejection and sacrificial death.
Continuing the narrative of the Gospel of the King to its end, He is seen still offering Himself to
the nation as their King, riding meek and lowly into Jerusalem that the Scriptures might be
fulfilled, and dying under the fatal and final claim to be the “King of the Jews.”
Along with this is the record of the ever increasing animosity and rejection of the nation, leading
up to the climacteric expression of their hatred, the crucifixion of their King between two
thieves. Thus the supreme wickedness of man descended to its lowest depths of sin against
GOD; yet by this death the flood-gates of life were opened and the very sin of His crucifixion
was laid back upon His own breast, as He met all the doom that must fall upon “the Lamb of
God that taketh away the sin of the world.”
When the nation began to reject her King, He not only began to anticipate His sacrificial death
and the blessings to flow out of it, but He began, also, to speak of returning to this earth again,
and to associate the realization of His earthly Kingdom with that event.
That the Kingdom was to be realized through a return of the divine Person was certainly in the
foreknowledge of GOD and was foretold by prophets (Deuteronomy 30:3; Daniel 7:13,14).
However, in the main, the prophets did not distinguish the fulfilling of the Lamb, or sacrificial
type, in the first advent from the fulfilling of the Lion, or kingly type, in the second advent.
On the other hand, by the Spirit, who inspired them, they never confused these great issues,
although the time relations that were to exist between these two vastly different ministries of
CHRIST were not revealed to them. Of this Peter writes in I Peter 1:10, 11 thus: “Of which
salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace
that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ
which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the
glory that should follow.”
The unsolved problem was the time intervening between the sufferings of CHRIST in connection
with His first coming, and His manifestation in glory when He should come the second time.
To conclude that these literal earthly blessings for Israel were transferred into spiritual blessings
for all nations because Israel rejected and crucified her King at His first appearing, compels one
to ignore the bulk of Old Testament prophecies and the plain promises and teachings of JESUS.
The oath of the Lord still stands, and He knows no defeat. His plan has not been changed, To
speak of the Kingdom as postponed is to consider it within the perspective of Israel’s final glory.
If the oath, covenant and promises of the Lord cannot be trusted, what assurance can be drawn
from any word He has spoken?
Purposing to instruct us as to a yet future earthly Kingdom for Israel, and for the nations through
them, what more positive, or meaningful language could He have employed? Kingdom in History and Prophecy