Jesus avoided a kingdom in this world,
even at the “right” time!

Jesus was performing some very powerful actions in John chapter 6, and He fed a crowd of thousands with one little boy’s lunch. Then it says,

“When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.””
Jn 6:14 WEB

So people were believing in Him. However, was this to be about a kingdom in this world?

“Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself.”
Jn 6:15 WEB

Jesus did NOT want a kingdom in this world. He could have had it in the first century, during His first coming. But that was not the plan. And what was planned was accomplished!

He announced it was not a “this earth” kingdom.

Really, this is reflected in His parables about “the kingdom of heaven.” Some would say that is about the heaven ruling over this earth, but heaven, and God on His throne, has always ruled over this earth (cf. Dan 4:17, and many other passages).

Then Jesus got very specific when being questioned by Pilate during that farce of His trial. Pilate asked Him directly during His trial. “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jn 18:33. Jesus then asked Pilate if he were asking this on his own or did someone else say that about Jesus. Pilate then responded, “I am not a Jew am I? … What have you done?” Jn 18:34.

Jesus then gave a succinct answer.

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here.”
Jn 18:36 WEB

Not of this earth, not a this creation, but part of a new glorious creation when God makes all things new, Rev 21:1.

Pilate realized Jesus was NOT a contender for
an earthly kingdom.

So then he said to the Jews and the mob, “I find no basis for a charge against him.” Jn 18:38 WEB

This world is in the process of passing away.

“… For the form of this world is passing away.”
1Cor 7:31 nf

Some want a worldly kingdom HERE, with their own
messiah ruling over all.

But that was NOT what was promised. Rather God said.

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.”
Isa 65:17 WEB

That is to say, a new universe where righteousness dwells, and of which sin and decay and entropy have no part. Jesus will not come to rule at some special time on earth. Rather He rules heaven and earth NOW, and will continue until all of His enemies are put down, 1Cor 15:24-26!

The premillennialist are confusing prophecies of heaven with prophecies of this present world.

WEB is the World English Bible, a copyright free revision
of the original ASV American Standard Version 1901

nf is my own translation based on the WEB.