Kingdom Now theology, also known as dominion theology or restoration theology, is a theological belief within some Charismatic and Pentecostal churches that Christians should establish the Kingdom of God on earth now before the return of Jesus Christ. This theology emphasizes the authority of believers to take “dominion” or control over earthly institutions and governments before Christ returns.
Some key teachings of Kingdom Now theology include:
- The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 is a mandate for Christians to take control over secular institutions in order to establish God’s kingdom on earth.
- Most miracles and supernatural gifts described in the New Testament should be practiced today. This includes faith healing, prophecy, exorcism, and speaking in tongues.
- The church is meant to have authority over earthly governments and institutions.
- Before Jesus returns, the world will experience a great end time revival and nearly all people will convert to Christianity.
- Christ cannot return until a certain amount of spiritual warfare has taken place on earth and until the church has established dominion.
This theology developed in the late 20th century from earlier teachings known as restoration theology or Latter Rain theology. Some pioneers of this movement were George Warnock, Bill Hamon, Paul Cain, Rick Joyner, and Peter Wagner. It has influenced certain sects within the Pentecostal/Charismatic branch of Christianity.
Those who hold to Kingdom Now theology believe that it is the duty of Christians to progressively reclaim the world from the power of Satan before Christ returns. This will bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. They contend that when Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, he forfeited his God-given dominion over the world to Satan. Since believers are now united with Christ, we have the authority to take dominion and rule back from Satan.
Kingdom Now theology sees the Second Coming of Christ as the culmination of religious history after the church has accomplished the Great Commission. When the Kingdom of God has been established on earth, Jesus can then return as its earthly ruler. But Christ will not return until the world has been won over.
Analysis from a Biblical Perspective
There are several concerning implications and potential issues with this theology when analyzed from a biblical perspective.
Unbiblical View of the Kingdom of God
Kingdom Now theology equates the Kingdom of God with human, Christian rule over the earth. In the Bible, the Kingdom of God refers to God’s reign over all creation, not just the church subduing earthly institutions. The Kingdom is expressed wherever people submit to God’s authority and live under His Lordship.
The Bible does not indicate that the rule of God’s Kingdom on earth depends on human activity. Rather, the Kingdom grows due to God’s supernatural work in people’s hearts regardless of circumstances (Mark 4:26-32). The Kingdom is ultimately established by God, not human effort.
Misunderstands Jesus’ Present and Future Rule
Dominion theology argues that Christ is absent from reigning over the earth now but will rule the world once the Kingdom is established through human effort. However, the Bible teaches that Jesus already rules at the right hand of God upon His ascension (Acts 2:33-36).
While Jesus reigns fully in the lives of believers, His kingdom has not yet come to earth in its fullness. Jesus affirmed that His Kingdom is “not of this world” in the present age (John 18:36). The age to come still awaits the future Second Coming of Christ.
Unbiblical View of the Great Commission
Dominionists believe that the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations is about subduing secular institutions rather than calling people to salvation in Christ. However, the rest of the New Testament does not interpret the Great Commission as a mandate for political dominion. Rather, disciples are called to evangelize, baptize new converts, and plant churches.
Exaggerates the Authority of Humans
Dominion theology claims that Christians have received Christ’s authority over the earth to take dominion from Satan. However, Scripture never presents Christians with authority equal to Christ, nor does it present the church as a mechanism of Christ’s rule on earth.
Christ alone has authority over all creation as head of the church (Ephesians 1:20-23). Christians do not have the right to establish our own earthly kingdom and reign alongside Christ.
Misunderstands Spiritual Warfare
Dominionists believe that societal sin and corruption must be expelled through intense spiritual warfare before Christ can return. However, Scripture does not present this “taking back” kind of spiritual warfare. Our battle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12).
Evangelism, not political dominion, advances the Kingdom of God. Wisdom, not militant spiritual warfare, subdues the evil one (Matthew 10:16).
Over-Realized Eschatology
Kingdom Now theology reflects an “over-realized eschatology” where the blessings of the messianic kingdom are expected now instead of awaiting their future fulfillment. Dominionists believe that we can experience now most of what Christ will bring at His Second Coming.
However, Scripture teaches that believers live in the tension between Christ’s finished work and the not yet consummated Kingdom which awaits His return (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). God’s ultimate purpose is for Jesus to reign over a new creation.
Minimizes the Future, Physical Return of Christ
Dominion theology argues that Jesus will return after the church has fulfilled the Great Commission and established God’s Kingdom on earth. However, Scripture teaches that only the coming of Christ can bring about the actual Kingdom of God on earth at the end of this age (Revelation 11:15).
Jesus’ return will be sudden and unforeseen, not preceded by certain preconditions we must meet (Matthew 24:36-44). The Bible places no conditions that must occur before Christ’s return.
Summary of the Biblical View
In contrast to the teachings of Kingdom Now theology, here is what the Bible indicates about the Kingdom of God:
- The Kingdom comes to earth at the return of Christ, not through human establishment.
- Christ already rules over all authorities from heaven, although His Kingdom has not yet come to earth in fullness.
- Jesus will physically return to consummate His Kingdom rule over a renewed creation.
- God calls us to faithfully make disciples, not establish an earthly kingdom.
- Our struggle is against spiritual forces, not earthly ones.
- Christians live in the tension between Christ’s finished work and awaiting His return.
Rather than attempting to establish the Kingdom now, Christians are commissioned to preach the gospel and make disciples as we await our future hope in Christ. The Kingdom of God will come to earth at the Second Coming of Christ when He ushers in the new creation. Until then, the church proclaims and displays the blessings of His Kingdom as much as possible in this fallen age while submitting our earthly institutions to Christ.
Christ alone can bring about God’s Kingdom on earth. It will not happen through the efforts of man, regardless of how much social progress or cultural change occurs. Our commission is faithfulness to the message of the gospel and representing Christ to the world, not overturning earthly structures. God’s timing for Christ’s return and His ushering in of the Kingdom remains a mystery.
Key Passages
Here are some key Bible passages that provide the biblical view of the Kingdom of God in contrast to the Kingdom Now theology:
Daniel 2:44
“And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.”
This passage teaches that God will be the one to establish His eternal Kingdom, not man.
Matthew 6:10
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
This verse from the Lord’s Prayer teaches that we are to pray for God’s Kingdom to come on earth, not establish it ourselves.
John 18:36
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
Jesus affirmed that His Kingdom is not of this present world system but originates from heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:24-28
“Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet…When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.”
This passage teaches that Christ must reign at the right hand of God until the last enemy, death, is defeated at the resurrection. His kingdom rule will culminate with the Father’s rule over a renewed creation.
Revelation 11:15
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
This depicts Christ establishing the Kingdom of God on earth at His Second Coming, not gradually through human effort prior to His return.
Conclusion
In summary, Kingdom Now theology presents some concerning implications about the Kingdom of God and the role of the church that do not align with Scripture. The Bible teaches that only Jesus can usher in the fullness of God’s Kingdom on earth through His Second Coming. Until then, the church faithfully makes disciples and lives as citizens of Christ’s Kingdom without attempting to establish it through earthly means.
Christians live in the tension of the “now and not yet” where Christ’s finished work has inaugurated the Kingdom, yet we await the future culmination. Our focus should remain on spiritual priorities rather than earthly politics. God alone will bring about the consummation of His Kingdom in His chosen time.