Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 27:1 (Spring 2023)
Article: Three Barely-Disguised References To Kingdom Postponement In Matthew 13 / Psalm 78
Author: David Fredrickson

JMAT 27:1 (Spring 2023) p. 75

Three Barely-Disguised References To Kingdom Postponement In Matthew 13 / Psalm 78

Dave Fredrickson1

Key Words: Dispensationalism, Kingdom Parables, Postponement, Prophecy

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Introduction

One of the hallmarks of traditional dispensationalism is the assertion that Israel’s rejection (Matt 12) of Jesus’ offer of the Old Testament’s earthly, messianic kingdom (Matt. 4) led him to postpone the kingdom to await a positive, responsive generation of Israelites (Matt 21).2 Advocates hold that the kingdom parables of Matthew 13 which immediately follow Jesus’ kingdom postponement do reflect clearly this postponement (from the human perspective) of the Davidic messianic kingdom.3 As well, they often mention the kingdom’s postponement as an important reality for understanding those passages.4 Yet, traditional dispensationalists typically refrain from listing the kingdom parables among the Scriptures that they believe directly teach kingdom postponement, instead drawing inferences for the kingdom postponement from combinations of passages that do not include Matthew 13.

JMAT 27:1 (Spring 2023) p. 76

Charles Feinberg, for example, lists several Scriptures as together teaching kingdom postponement, but excludes Matthew 13: “He came to His land, His throne, and His kingdom (John 1:11)”5and “He offered Himself as King (Mt. 21:1–5) and was rejected in His kingly offer (Jn. 18:37; 19:14–15).”6

Moreover, other Scriptures confirm the validity of the postponement of the kingdom. . . . To the Hebrews who were expecting a king on David’s throne, yet had rejected Him in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, the sacred writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews, emphasized the session of Christ at God’s right hand (1:3; 8:1; 10:12;