It was predicted to come at certain time.
In the book of Daniel, chapter 2, a series of empires are pictured as coming. This is only an overview of that prophecy. First was the then existing Babylonian Empire, followed by the soon to come Medo-Persian Empire, followed by the Greek Empire, and lastly by the Roman Empire. Then it says, “in the days of those kings,” that is to say in the days of the Roman Empire:
“In
the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom
which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty of it
be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume
all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
Dan 2:44 WEB
So it is saying that the kingdom will come in time of that fourth kingdom of the Romans. Likewise, in Daniel chapter 9 it pictures the “sevens” of years that were to come. There is full discussion of this prophecy in Prophecy Principles, but it enough to say, it pictures the Anointed One coming and being “cut off.” Yes, killed, and a new covenant established, somewhere between the first century BC, and the first century AD, depending on when you picture the seventy sevens as beginning.
So in the first century AD,
there was general
expectation of the kingdom coming.
Then in the early first century AD, John the Baptist came preaching,
“Repent,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
Mtt 3:2 WEB
Soon behind him, Jesus came saying the same thing, Mtt 4:17. Jesus then began declaring “the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven,” Mtt 13:11 WEB.
Then curious qualifications were announced.
“neither
will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold,
the Kingdom of God is within you.””
Lk 17:21 WEB
Then comes the clincher from Jesus which many refuse to believe.
“He said to them, “Most assuredly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see the Kingdom of God come with POWER.””
Mk 9:1 WEB
So either Jesus was liar and false prophet, or one of His disciples is still alive here on earth (but that doesn’t seem fit what Jesus said), OR the kingdom did come in the first century. A spiritual kingdom, exactly as prophesied.
Then they were told to wait in Jerusalem until they
received POWER from on high, Lk 24:49.
Lastly, they were told, “But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” Acts 1.8 WEB. Then Holy Spirit did come on them in Acts 2, and Peter preached the first gospel sermon. Then the kingdom is pictured as being in existence. Not the fullness that it eventually will be, but still in existence.
Paul says we have transferred/translated (past tense) from the power of the darkness “into the Kingdom of the Son of his love.” Col 1:13 WEB. And Jesus says He has ALL authority in heaven and on earth, Mtt 28:18.
What more do you need?
However, many do not like these clear answers in Scripture.
WEB
is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the
original ASV American Standard Version 1901