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He Will Reign Forever: A Biblical Theology of the Kingdom of God
He Will Reign Forever: A Biblical Theology of the Kingdom of God offers a biblical theology of the kingdom of God, explaining key Bible passages concerning the timing and nature of God’s kingdom. This includes an explanation of texts from Genesis 1 through Revelation 22. Vlach offers a readable yet thorough treatment of God’s kingdom program that takes into account progressive revelation and how God’s kingdom plan unfolds throughout history.
711 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 10, 2023
Long, phenomenal, and so thorough. Dr Vlach does a great job giving credit to other eschatological views, but ultimately shows by going through every portion of Scripture how necessary a literal reign of Jesus on the earth is for the consistent fulfillment of all God’s promises, for His glory, and for our hope. I would recommend this to anyone teachable who truly wants to know what the Bible has to say about the end, and they would surely be rewarded from this rich study!
August 7, 2024
This book is a well-intentioned treatise on the kingdom of God. Vlach attempts to be comprehensive in dealing with the wealth of biblical passages on the kingdom and defining the nature and timing of the kingdom based on his exegesis. Regardless of how one feels about the book or his conclusions, Vlach does have a pastoral purpose and desire that he makes clear in his intro and conclusion: for believers to give conscious thought to the kingdom of God and to yearn for it each day. The kingdom, as Vlach showed, is a primary theme of Scripture and is thus vital for the Christian as we seek to interpret the Bible, know God and his redemptive plan more, and live out what the Bible teaches.
However - and I by no means have the time to go into great detail in my critique, as it is a 600 page book - this book leaves much to be desired in numerous ways.
For starters, the bibliography may be 20 pages long, which is to be expected for such a large book, but one cannot help but see the lack of quality research when reading the book. There are many pages that do not have a single footnote, many more that may have one or two, and the majority of these references are sources that agree with the author’s conclusions. With a topic such as the kingdom and the breadth of scholarship available, there is very little interaction with much of that work. The interaction that does occur is minimal and mainly occurs in the body of the text for perhaps a sentence or two.
Second, closely related to the first, the author sets up a lot of straw men, most likely as a result of his lack of substantive interaction with the relevant sources that hold views other than his own. There were several times in the book where it felt like he was not talking to the reader, but talking at someone who is not there. Even then, I often had to ask, “Who is he talking about?” As he presented alternative understandings that the other primary views on the kingdom do not actually hold.
Third, he presents two - and only two - hermeneutical grids for connecting the OT and NT: non-literal/reinterpretation/transcending fulfillment and literal fulfillment. Of course, he defines literal fulfillment strictly as the interpretation which promotes physical and national promises to Israel because to understand the Bible any differently would mean being “non-literal” or “reinterpreting” the OT. The lack of nuance here is, if nothing else, a gross misunderstanding of how other believers read their Bibles and how a wide stream of scholarship understands hermeneutics. It also plays into a larger problem of a somewhat prideful tone, as he and his view are made to be the standard of conservative Christianity and orthodoxy. For instance, he says, “If the premillennial view is not correct there is no significant period in history when Jesus is given the honor and glory he deserves.“ While I hold to some form of premillennialism, it seems audacious to tell an amillennial or postmillenial brother that their view does not ultimately give Jesus the honor he deserves. That’s blatantly false and a good example of the tone of many parts of this book.
Fourth, he surprisingly does not believe in an already/not yet framework, so as to support his dispensationalism. Obviously, there are many dispensationalists that would hold to an already/not yet view, but his unwavering devotion to his view despite biblical evidence to the contrary seems to be undergirded by his even stricter devotion to his dispensational conclusions.
Fifth, his exegesis is good, but is always bent to assume a conclusion that fits with his argument. Obviously everyone does this to some degree, so I am not faulting him for that in and of itself. However, there were many occasions that it seemed as if he picked the least probable option or he assumed something as the evident logical conclusion when a more natural conclusion logically would be something else. In addition, his book was heavily focused on the Gospels and their presentation of the kingdom, while only 20 pages were given to Paul’s letters. He says this was so because of a lack of kingdom passages in Paul, but I would disagree with that statement. Paul is loaded with language that might not say the word “kingdom” but is nonetheless vital to the already/not yet paradigm and the blessings of the gospel that exist under the Messiah’s reign. His argumentation on some texts is also thinner in places that seem to argue contrary to his view, such as Ephesians 1, Colossians 1, and Hebrews 10. Much more is assumed in these passages than others and the more natural - or dare I say, “literal” - understanding of these texts is negated for an understanding that supports his overall conclusions.
While there is much more to say, I find it difficult to commend this book, and would rather point you to the many other resources on the kingdom that are much shorter than this.
However - and I by no means have the time to go into great detail in my critique, as it is a 600 page book - this book leaves much to be desired in numerous ways.
For starters, the bibliography may be 20 pages long, which is to be expected for such a large book, but one cannot help but see the lack of quality research when reading the book. There are many pages that do not have a single footnote, many more that may have one or two, and the majority of these references are sources that agree with the author’s conclusions. With a topic such as the kingdom and the breadth of scholarship available, there is very little interaction with much of that work. The interaction that does occur is minimal and mainly occurs in the body of the text for perhaps a sentence or two.
Second, closely related to the first, the author sets up a lot of straw men, most likely as a result of his lack of substantive interaction with the relevant sources that hold views other than his own. There were several times in the book where it felt like he was not talking to the reader, but talking at someone who is not there. Even then, I often had to ask, “Who is he talking about?” As he presented alternative understandings that the other primary views on the kingdom do not actually hold.
Third, he presents two - and only two - hermeneutical grids for connecting the OT and NT: non-literal/reinterpretation/transcending fulfillment and literal fulfillment. Of course, he defines literal fulfillment strictly as the interpretation which promotes physical and national promises to Israel because to understand the Bible any differently would mean being “non-literal” or “reinterpreting” the OT. The lack of nuance here is, if nothing else, a gross misunderstanding of how other believers read their Bibles and how a wide stream of scholarship understands hermeneutics. It also plays into a larger problem of a somewhat prideful tone, as he and his view are made to be the standard of conservative Christianity and orthodoxy. For instance, he says, “If the premillennial view is not correct there is no significant period in history when Jesus is given the honor and glory he deserves.“ While I hold to some form of premillennialism, it seems audacious to tell an amillennial or postmillenial brother that their view does not ultimately give Jesus the honor he deserves. That’s blatantly false and a good example of the tone of many parts of this book.
Fourth, he surprisingly does not believe in an already/not yet framework, so as to support his dispensationalism. Obviously, there are many dispensationalists that would hold to an already/not yet view, but his unwavering devotion to his view despite biblical evidence to the contrary seems to be undergirded by his even stricter devotion to his dispensational conclusions.
Fifth, his exegesis is good, but is always bent to assume a conclusion that fits with his argument. Obviously everyone does this to some degree, so I am not faulting him for that in and of itself. However, there were many occasions that it seemed as if he picked the least probable option or he assumed something as the evident logical conclusion when a more natural conclusion logically would be something else. In addition, his book was heavily focused on the Gospels and their presentation of the kingdom, while only 20 pages were given to Paul’s letters. He says this was so because of a lack of kingdom passages in Paul, but I would disagree with that statement. Paul is loaded with language that might not say the word “kingdom” but is nonetheless vital to the already/not yet paradigm and the blessings of the gospel that exist under the Messiah’s reign. His argumentation on some texts is also thinner in places that seem to argue contrary to his view, such as Ephesians 1, Colossians 1, and Hebrews 10. Much more is assumed in these passages than others and the more natural - or dare I say, “literal” - understanding of these texts is negated for an understanding that supports his overall conclusions.
While there is much more to say, I find it difficult to commend this book, and would rather point you to the many other resources on the kingdom that are much shorter than this.
June 28, 2021
A thorough and accessible description and defense of the Kingdom of God, walking through Scripture from start to finish. The work that Vlach has done in crafting this book is remarkable. He covers every passage in the entire Bible that references God’s kingdom. Vlach also does an excellent job summarizing his argument throughout the book. As you walk through the end of it, you feel as though the message becomes repetitive, but that simply shows the inspired consistency of Scripture from start to finish.
November 2, 2022
More like a premillennial dispensational theology of the kingdom of God…
Vlach is to be commended for his effort of covering the whole Bible and for remaining staunch and consistent on his convictions. But the hermeneutical gymnastics and forced interpretations that are evident in his writing become a little much as you tread through the book.
Those looking for a thorough understanding of what our premil dispensational brothers think of God’s kingdom however can look no further than this work for an accurate handling of their position.
Vlach is to be commended for his effort of covering the whole Bible and for remaining staunch and consistent on his convictions. But the hermeneutical gymnastics and forced interpretations that are evident in his writing become a little much as you tread through the book.
Those looking for a thorough understanding of what our premil dispensational brothers think of God’s kingdom however can look no further than this work for an accurate handling of their position.
June 28, 2021
A succinct (600 pages!) handling of the theme of the kingdom throughout the Bible, from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. Even though Vlach writes from the premillennial dispensational perspective, he simply walks through scripture to show what the Bible teaches, rather than using his theology as his interpretive grid for understanding the Bible. Very readable and understandable. Vlach has done an amazing job at bringing clarity to an often hotly debated subject. I highly recommend it!
March 13, 2018
I’ll begin by saying you should buy this & read it. You’ll find it extremely beneficial & profitable.
Jesus says, ‘Seek first the kingdom of God & His righteousness, & all these things shall be added to you’ (Matthew 6:33). There are many great themes in the Bible, but is it possible to identify a central theme of Scripture that functions like a hub or center in which other important themes are connected? According to Michael J. Vlach, ‘the kingdom of God is the grand central theme of Scripture that encompasses all other biblical themes’.
The goal of “He Will Reign Forever: A Biblical Theology of the Kingdom of God” is ‘to present a comprehensive biblical theology of the kingdom of God from a new creationist perspective’. Meaning that Jesus Christ will restore all things through His two comings to earth; that individuals, Israel, the Church & the nations are all important in God’s kingdom; & that the coming new earth will be this present earth purged & restored.
The book is clearly written with many summary sections / lists of principles, etc. making it easy to reference later. This is an important book, especially for those who have caricatured views of contemporary dispensationalism re: Israel & OT promises.
I believe that continuity is very important when looking at the Bible & its message; I find the premillennial view naturally reveals itself as the best & most consistent option. With this in mind many think that Revelation 20 is the only passage for premillennialism; however the storyline related to premillennialism begins in Genesis 1:26-28, here God expects man to have a successful reign from & over the earth on His behalf for His glory. When looking at the millennial views, premillennialism is the only millennial perspective that places Jesus, the last Adam, as ruling from & over the earth for His Kingdom. The rest of the OT speaks of a coming earthly kingdom for the Messiah where nations will be ruled over & the creation will be set free from the curse. As an example we see that in Isaiah 2 & in Isaiah Chapter 11. Also Zechariah 14 is very important because that presents a scenario in which there is a siege of Jerusalem & there’s a rescue as the Lord comes from heaven, touches down on the Mount of Olives, & then, we are told, the Lord is going to reign over all the earth. Then you see a scenario where the nations are responding to His reign at that particular time.
It is pointed out to the reader that there are OT passages that speak of conditions that are neither true of this present age nor of the final eternal state. Isaiah 65:20 would be an example where if someone were to die at the age of one hundred, they would be thought accursed. Well, that’s not true of this age & that’s not true of the eternal state where there wouldn’t be anybody dying.
The author points out that when you come to the NT there are all kinds of passages that talk about a coming earthly Kingdom. Matthew 5:5 says that the humble are going to inherit the earth or the land. In Matthew 19:28, Jesus talks about a regeneration which most scholars think is a cosmic renewal. It’s at the particular time of this cosmic renewal, this regeneration, where you have the 12 apostles ruling over the 12 tribes of Israel. In Matthew 25:31, Jesus talks about assuming His throne at the time when He comes in glory with all of His angels to judge the nations. Then, when you come to Revelation 19 to 20, we actually find out how long this earthly kingdom is going to be. So in Revelation 19 to 20 we see the chronological indicator of then I saw, or and I saw to indicate this progression of events, which naturally seems to be that you have the Second Coming of Jesus which is followed by a Kingdom reign of Jesus & His saints. So Revelation 20 is not the only passage that discusses the coming earthly Kingdom of the Messiah but it tells us the time period, which is a thousand years. And when this is completed we have the fulfillment of the Genesis 1:26-28 mandate for a successful reign of man from and over the earth.
This book is fabulous, interesting, well researched, Biblical, 7 no stone is left unturned. You will read it, mark it up & read it again. I can’t recommend it high enough, but don’t just put it on the shelf to use as a reference (though it will serve you well in that way) actually read it.
Jesus says, ‘Seek first the kingdom of God & His righteousness, & all these things shall be added to you’ (Matthew 6:33). There are many great themes in the Bible, but is it possible to identify a central theme of Scripture that functions like a hub or center in which other important themes are connected? According to Michael J. Vlach, ‘the kingdom of God is the grand central theme of Scripture that encompasses all other biblical themes’.
The goal of “He Will Reign Forever: A Biblical Theology of the Kingdom of God” is ‘to present a comprehensive biblical theology of the kingdom of God from a new creationist perspective’. Meaning that Jesus Christ will restore all things through His two comings to earth; that individuals, Israel, the Church & the nations are all important in God’s kingdom; & that the coming new earth will be this present earth purged & restored.
The book is clearly written with many summary sections / lists of principles, etc. making it easy to reference later. This is an important book, especially for those who have caricatured views of contemporary dispensationalism re: Israel & OT promises.
I believe that continuity is very important when looking at the Bible & its message; I find the premillennial view naturally reveals itself as the best & most consistent option. With this in mind many think that Revelation 20 is the only passage for premillennialism; however the storyline related to premillennialism begins in Genesis 1:26-28, here God expects man to have a successful reign from & over the earth on His behalf for His glory. When looking at the millennial views, premillennialism is the only millennial perspective that places Jesus, the last Adam, as ruling from & over the earth for His Kingdom. The rest of the OT speaks of a coming earthly kingdom for the Messiah where nations will be ruled over & the creation will be set free from the curse. As an example we see that in Isaiah 2 & in Isaiah Chapter 11. Also Zechariah 14 is very important because that presents a scenario in which there is a siege of Jerusalem & there’s a rescue as the Lord comes from heaven, touches down on the Mount of Olives, & then, we are told, the Lord is going to reign over all the earth. Then you see a scenario where the nations are responding to His reign at that particular time.
It is pointed out to the reader that there are OT passages that speak of conditions that are neither true of this present age nor of the final eternal state. Isaiah 65:20 would be an example where if someone were to die at the age of one hundred, they would be thought accursed. Well, that’s not true of this age & that’s not true of the eternal state where there wouldn’t be anybody dying.
The author points out that when you come to the NT there are all kinds of passages that talk about a coming earthly Kingdom. Matthew 5:5 says that the humble are going to inherit the earth or the land. In Matthew 19:28, Jesus talks about a regeneration which most scholars think is a cosmic renewal. It’s at the particular time of this cosmic renewal, this regeneration, where you have the 12 apostles ruling over the 12 tribes of Israel. In Matthew 25:31, Jesus talks about assuming His throne at the time when He comes in glory with all of His angels to judge the nations. Then, when you come to Revelation 19 to 20, we actually find out how long this earthly kingdom is going to be. So in Revelation 19 to 20 we see the chronological indicator of then I saw, or and I saw to indicate this progression of events, which naturally seems to be that you have the Second Coming of Jesus which is followed by a Kingdom reign of Jesus & His saints. So Revelation 20 is not the only passage that discusses the coming earthly Kingdom of the Messiah but it tells us the time period, which is a thousand years. And when this is completed we have the fulfillment of the Genesis 1:26-28 mandate for a successful reign of man from and over the earth.
This book is fabulous, interesting, well researched, Biblical, 7 no stone is left unturned. You will read it, mark it up & read it again. I can’t recommend it high enough, but don’t just put it on the shelf to use as a reference (though it will serve you well in that way) actually read it.
November 21, 2020
This book has been a hard read for me. Not because of the writer but, because of my ignorance on the subject. I promise you if you get this you won't regret it. Shout out to my friend for buying this for me (you know who you are). The book is pricey but, well worth it. Highly recommend it.
June 15, 2019
Since my seminary days, I have been refining my own understanding of the Kingdom of God. Reading Dr. Vlach's book was exciting because he has articulated many of the views I reached through my own study, and articulated them in a very understandable way. The scholarly community was due for an updated, in depth, dispensational treatment of the Kingdom of God, and He will Reign Forever soars up to meet this need. Leaning heavily on Alva McClain (not to be confused with Alva Danae) and J. D. Pentecost, and integrating a vast array of scholarship representing many different viewpoints, Dr. Vlach gives an exegetically sound and theologically coherent understanding of the Kingdom of God from Genesis to Revelation. I found the book ends, part one and part four, to be the most important sections. Parts two and three provided a brief exposition of the scriptural Canon, showing the relation of each book to the Kingdom of God. My criticisms in these sections are minor. I believe that Dr. Vlach could have compressed certain sections without losing any important material. Further, when treating the crucial passages under debate, I would have liked to see a little more exegetical depth - especially the sections on Acts 2 and 15. These sections are so important to the dispensational understanding of the Kingdom of God that I think Dr. Vlach should have taken the time and space to systematically refute the major objections to his views.
Overall, this is a fantastic book, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to go deeper in their understanding of the Kingdom of God.
Overall, this is a fantastic book, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to go deeper in their understanding of the Kingdom of God.
June 4, 2019
Helpful read. Dr. Vlach traces God’s mediatorial kingdom from Genesis to Revelation, demonstrating how God will fulfill all of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and ethnic Israel - ultimately establishing His final mediatorial kingdom on earth.
July 29, 2020
Fantastic book on the theology of the kingdom of God, and end time event's. This book will help you understand the kingdom from a premillennial prospective.
February 9, 2023
I would highly recommend this Biblical Theology to anyone who wants to know more about the story of Scripture or who has questions about God’s Kingdom.
May 1, 2020
To be fair, there are things that I really appreciate about Vlach's book. I found myself agreeing with much of his survey of the Old Testament, and his arguments from the New Testament about the kingdom being viewed as a future reality have given me a great deal to consider in my own understanding of the kingdom. I also appreciated the diversity of scholars that Vlach quoted from in the first half of his book, drawing insights from Bible teachers across the dispensational/covenant theology spectrum. However, I ended up taking issue with a number of significant elements in his overall treatment of the subject. My main criticisms can be boiled down to four items.
1. Vlach's presentation of a "literal hermeneutic" is too simplistic. While he does acknowledge that his commitment to literal interpretation is one of his "starting points" and thus something that he doesn't have space to fully defend (pp. 32-33), his assumption of its validity while ignoring literary genre greatly undermines much of his case. He also tends to create false dichotomies here, speaking as if one must choose between "symbolic interpretation" and "contextual interpretation" (pg. 34). That the context of a passage might indicate a symbolic interpretation is not mentioned as a possibility.
2. Vlach's commitment to a strictly literal interpretation of prophecy gets him into some exegetical trouble, such as interpreting Isaiah 65:20 and 23 as referring to the millennium (pp. 173-77) because they mention death and childbirth (contra the immediate context; cf. Isa. 65:17), and concluding that sacrifices will be reinstated in the millennium (pp. 205-06) on the basis of Ezekiel 40-48 (contra much NT teaching; cf. Heb. 7-10). These and other interpretive conclusions he reaches lead me to seriously question Vlach's underlying hermeneutic.
3. With a few exceptions, Vlach rarely engages in-depth with the arguments of other scholars on controversial passages (e.g. Matt. 24, Rom. 11, or Rev. 7). Instead, he briefly mentions one or two alternative views before dismissing them and arguing for his own interpretation. This, coupled with the fact that certain major passages that appear to contradict his view are completely skipped over (e.g. Paul's discussion of Gentiles' relationship to Israel and the covenant promises in Eph. 2 and Gal. 3) leads to a very one-sided presentation of the arguments and evidence.
4. Although the book presents itself as "a comprehensive biblical theology of the kingdom of God" (pg. 11), Vlach's focus is actually much more narrow. This book feels more like an apologetic for a dispensational understanding of Israel's role for the future than a full-fledged discussion of the nature and role of the kingdom in biblical theology. One of the results of this is that there are entire portions of Scripture - specifically, the wisdom literature in the OT and the general epistles in the NT - that get almost entirely passed over (he devotes a few paragraphs to each). This prevents the book from serving as the helpful guide to the biblical theme of "kingdom" that it might have been had Vlach broadened his scope to encompass the whole Bible, not just the parts that support his argument.
There were a few other issues I had with Vlach's argument itself, and though he makes a strong case for the futurity of the kingdom, I remain skeptical of the idea that the kingdom is not present in any sense (I didn’t find his explanations of Matt. 13 or Luke 17:20-21 satisfying). However, disagreements over Vlach's dispensationalism would not have prevented me from recommending the book had he provided a stronger defense of his literalistic hermeneutic, deeper interaction with other scholars, a more evenhanded treatment of the evidence, or simply a broader discussion of the kingdom theme throughout the Bible. As it is, in spite of some good qualities and solid arguments, this would not be my go-to recommendation for those wanting to study this immensely important theme in Scripture.
1. Vlach's presentation of a "literal hermeneutic" is too simplistic. While he does acknowledge that his commitment to literal interpretation is one of his "starting points" and thus something that he doesn't have space to fully defend (pp. 32-33), his assumption of its validity while ignoring literary genre greatly undermines much of his case. He also tends to create false dichotomies here, speaking as if one must choose between "symbolic interpretation" and "contextual interpretation" (pg. 34). That the context of a passage might indicate a symbolic interpretation is not mentioned as a possibility.
2. Vlach's commitment to a strictly literal interpretation of prophecy gets him into some exegetical trouble, such as interpreting Isaiah 65:20 and 23 as referring to the millennium (pp. 173-77) because they mention death and childbirth (contra the immediate context; cf. Isa. 65:17), and concluding that sacrifices will be reinstated in the millennium (pp. 205-06) on the basis of Ezekiel 40-48 (contra much NT teaching; cf. Heb. 7-10). These and other interpretive conclusions he reaches lead me to seriously question Vlach's underlying hermeneutic.
3. With a few exceptions, Vlach rarely engages in-depth with the arguments of other scholars on controversial passages (e.g. Matt. 24, Rom. 11, or Rev. 7). Instead, he briefly mentions one or two alternative views before dismissing them and arguing for his own interpretation. This, coupled with the fact that certain major passages that appear to contradict his view are completely skipped over (e.g. Paul's discussion of Gentiles' relationship to Israel and the covenant promises in Eph. 2 and Gal. 3) leads to a very one-sided presentation of the arguments and evidence.
4. Although the book presents itself as "a comprehensive biblical theology of the kingdom of God" (pg. 11), Vlach's focus is actually much more narrow. This book feels more like an apologetic for a dispensational understanding of Israel's role for the future than a full-fledged discussion of the nature and role of the kingdom in biblical theology. One of the results of this is that there are entire portions of Scripture - specifically, the wisdom literature in the OT and the general epistles in the NT - that get almost entirely passed over (he devotes a few paragraphs to each). This prevents the book from serving as the helpful guide to the biblical theme of "kingdom" that it might have been had Vlach broadened his scope to encompass the whole Bible, not just the parts that support his argument.
There were a few other issues I had with Vlach's argument itself, and though he makes a strong case for the futurity of the kingdom, I remain skeptical of the idea that the kingdom is not present in any sense (I didn’t find his explanations of Matt. 13 or Luke 17:20-21 satisfying). However, disagreements over Vlach's dispensationalism would not have prevented me from recommending the book had he provided a stronger defense of his literalistic hermeneutic, deeper interaction with other scholars, a more evenhanded treatment of the evidence, or simply a broader discussion of the kingdom theme throughout the Bible. As it is, in spite of some good qualities and solid arguments, this would not be my go-to recommendation for those wanting to study this immensely important theme in Scripture.
September 29, 2017
I have been studying the kingdom of God closely for the last few years. I recently became aware of this book, which is "A Biblical Theology of the Kingdom of God." This book is excellent and delivers on the expectations from the subtitle. Vlach works through the Bible from beginning to end, identifying the kingdom theme throughout. He ties all those threads together better than in any single work I'm aware of.
I appreciate that Vlach is up front about his premillennialism from the start. So many try to palm their eschatology and we end up with a vague treatment of scriptures. Even when I disagree with a man's eschatological position, I appreciate knowing where he's coming from and I want him to make his case so I can consider what he is saying and the prejudices he might have. Too many books and commentaries fail here.
Vlach did not cherry pick a few verses here and there, but rather worked with significant portions of Scripture. He paid attention to context and also presented primary objections or different views. He also answered those objections. I thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through.
He makes a good case for plain meaning, but he also applies that hermeneutic to various passages. He gives a very brief treatment of historical views and apologetic applications. I highly recommend this book. Vlach's writing is clear. So many books dealing with the kingdom are vague or overly spiritual. I will definitely reread and refer to this book in the future. The bibliography is also a great resource. I was unaware of many of those books, but I have found a few to start reading soon and others to read later.
I appreciate that Vlach is up front about his premillennialism from the start. So many try to palm their eschatology and we end up with a vague treatment of scriptures. Even when I disagree with a man's eschatological position, I appreciate knowing where he's coming from and I want him to make his case so I can consider what he is saying and the prejudices he might have. Too many books and commentaries fail here.
Vlach did not cherry pick a few verses here and there, but rather worked with significant portions of Scripture. He paid attention to context and also presented primary objections or different views. He also answered those objections. I thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through.
He makes a good case for plain meaning, but he also applies that hermeneutic to various passages. He gives a very brief treatment of historical views and apologetic applications. I highly recommend this book. Vlach's writing is clear. So many books dealing with the kingdom are vague or overly spiritual. I will definitely reread and refer to this book in the future. The bibliography is also a great resource. I was unaware of many of those books, but I have found a few to start reading soon and others to read later.
June 11, 2021
Edit: This was my second read of this book. It is the most thorough, Biblical approach to premillennialism that I have ever read hands down. This truly is a Biblical Theology approach to the subject of the Kingdom.
I only gave this book five stars because that's the highest rating allowed here. I'd love to give it more!!
This is one of the most life-changing books I've ever read. Vlach Biblically and methodically works through the Bible explaining and harmonizing the message of the kingdom throughout Scripture. He begins with Genesis 1 and ends with Revelation 22. The kingdom of God was not a new idea when John stepped on the scene. The message of the kingdom was well established in the Old Testament.
Vlach stresses the importance of the Bible being one harmonious book with one central theme.
I simply cannot recommend this book enough. It is a necessary read for all church leaders without question. However, this book is not full of "higher language". It is an easy read that any layperson should be able to follow. I couldn't put it down.
I only gave this book five stars because that's the highest rating allowed here. I'd love to give it more!!
This is one of the most life-changing books I've ever read. Vlach Biblically and methodically works through the Bible explaining and harmonizing the message of the kingdom throughout Scripture. He begins with Genesis 1 and ends with Revelation 22. The kingdom of God was not a new idea when John stepped on the scene. The message of the kingdom was well established in the Old Testament.
Vlach stresses the importance of the Bible being one harmonious book with one central theme.
I simply cannot recommend this book enough. It is a necessary read for all church leaders without question. However, this book is not full of "higher language". It is an easy read that any layperson should be able to follow. I couldn't put it down.
May 22, 2020
I just completed a course at The Master's Seminary with Dr. Vlach on this topic. This book was the main text for the course (along with a portion of Alva J. McClain's The Greatness of the Kingdom). Starting in Genesis, Vlach proceeds through each portion of the Bible to evaluate its contribution to the idea of the Kingdom in Scripture. Vlach convincingly demonstrates that there is a single, unifying idea of the Kingdom throughout the entire Bible, and the Kingdom program does not change in the New Testament. One's view of the Kingdom has significant impact on many other doctrines, including whether God is reliable and able to keep His promises, whether Scripture is inspired and clear, what role the church plays in history, and what can we expect in the future. I strongly recommend this book for anyone serious about understanding the bible. Obtaining an accurate view of the Kingdom with the aid of this book (and McClain's, which I would also recommend), will clarify many texts and answer many theological questions.
December 14, 2017
I can not overstate how much I love this book. I can't.
When first coming across an interview with the author around the time of this books release, my reaction was (sadly, but earnestly) an eye-roll. Another book about the kingdom. As I read through the interview, however, I found so many answers so tastefully addressed that I began to suspect that maybe, just maybe, I found a scholarly friend with my precise view on the kingdom.
It turns out that I have.
With a desire to write so much more, I must merely plea with any theologian to read this book. It is helpful. I can't endorse every single word and viewpoint down to the last dotted-i, but I agree with this as much as anyone can hope to agree with the written words of another man.
When first coming across an interview with the author around the time of this books release, my reaction was (sadly, but earnestly) an eye-roll. Another book about the kingdom. As I read through the interview, however, I found so many answers so tastefully addressed that I began to suspect that maybe, just maybe, I found a scholarly friend with my precise view on the kingdom.
It turns out that I have.
With a desire to write so much more, I must merely plea with any theologian to read this book. It is helpful. I can't endorse every single word and viewpoint down to the last dotted-i, but I agree with this as much as anyone can hope to agree with the written words of another man.
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March 27, 2018An excellent review on OT & NT texts on the Kingdom. Appreciated the greater clarity around the physical nature of the Kingdom, both the Millennial Kingdom and the Eternal State Kingdom without diminishing the spiritual aspect. Great clarity and a book worthy of reading - come Lord Jesus!
March 22, 2017
Best and clearest book on the subject.
July 23, 2019
This book was highly recommended to me by several friends. I am glad I took their recommendation and read the book. Vlach has provided a well reasoned argument for a dispensational view for a future, earthly kingdom of God that is fairly comprehensive in its treatment of relevant scriptures on the subject.
I am thankful for the style of the author’s writing. Although the book is 637 pages long (582 without indices and bibliography), there is not a lot of wasted words. His argument is built step by step with short summaries along the way for helpful later reference.
This is the best book I have read on the kingdom from a dispensational perspective, and I believe it will be the standard for years to come. Although he does interact with other views, I believe his primary concern is working out his “new creation model” hermeneutic - the interpretive rules of which are stated in the introduction - in a biblical theology of the kingdom. Therefore there is not a lot of citations of other works to compare views and points if you are looking for that.
I am thankful for the author’s focus on the future aspects of the kingdom. Holding to an “already / not yet” perspective myself, this was a helpful correction for me in places. However, I believe the author has overstated the case regarding the relative lack of present aspects of the kingdom. Some of his dispensation stances were also just too strong for me. This limits my rating to 4 stars overall.
I would have like to have seen some commentary on passages such as 1 Peter 2:9-10, Ephesians 2-3, and the new covenant in Hebrews 8. The thorny Ezekiel 40-48 is largely side-stepped (who is the prince in 45:22?). But hey... how long a book would need to be written to address all the related texts and issues regarding the kingdom of god? So while he has left me unconvinced, I do feel challenged and am digging deeper and studying some new avenues. That’s valuable, so thank you Michael Vlach.
(Also for those of you digging deep, be aware that the index is missing references to Hebrews.)
I am thankful for the style of the author’s writing. Although the book is 637 pages long (582 without indices and bibliography), there is not a lot of wasted words. His argument is built step by step with short summaries along the way for helpful later reference.
This is the best book I have read on the kingdom from a dispensational perspective, and I believe it will be the standard for years to come. Although he does interact with other views, I believe his primary concern is working out his “new creation model” hermeneutic - the interpretive rules of which are stated in the introduction - in a biblical theology of the kingdom. Therefore there is not a lot of citations of other works to compare views and points if you are looking for that.
I am thankful for the author’s focus on the future aspects of the kingdom. Holding to an “already / not yet” perspective myself, this was a helpful correction for me in places. However, I believe the author has overstated the case regarding the relative lack of present aspects of the kingdom. Some of his dispensation stances were also just too strong for me. This limits my rating to 4 stars overall.
I would have like to have seen some commentary on passages such as 1 Peter 2:9-10, Ephesians 2-3, and the new covenant in Hebrews 8. The thorny Ezekiel 40-48 is largely side-stepped (who is the prince in 45:22?). But hey... how long a book would need to be written to address all the related texts and issues regarding the kingdom of god? So while he has left me unconvinced, I do feel challenged and am digging deeper and studying some new avenues. That’s valuable, so thank you Michael Vlach.
(Also for those of you digging deep, be aware that the index is missing references to Hebrews.)
September 25, 2018
If I wanted to understand dispensational eschatology this would be my go to book. Mr. Vlach does an excellent job of explaining the dispensationalist view of the end times with extensive biblical citations and fairly explaining and addressing opposing points of view. As an amillennialist I don't agree with his stance but do give him credit for clearly explaining his view and not bogging the reader down with technical or theological jargon.
July 7, 2019
Vlach writes in clear language and takes an irenic approach to his subject. Other views are presented, fairly as far as I can tell, and evaluations made. Of course, not everyone will agree with every interpretation chosen and every conclusion reached. It was a good read and a solid treatment of the subject. Even those who disagree with Vlach's conclusions would benefit from interacting with his presentation.
December 29, 2020
I don’t agree with the author's view at all but I will say that he does an excellent job of presenting the case for premillennialism. He keeps a consistent position throughout his book and does amazing exegetical work throughout the whole book. He also is very convincing in his book, there was a lot I had to think about. Some stuff sounded concerning to me, but my disagreements should not be the point of the review. This book should be read by anybody that wants to grasp how premillennialist view the kingdom, it would probably be the best source you will read.
January 15, 2018
I read the majority of this book in 2017, but finished it this month. Outstanding treatment of the Kingdom of God. He pays such great attention to the Davidic Covenant. This biblical theology is pretty much exactly how I think about the kingdom. Highly recommended. Especially his work on connecting Adam, David, and Jesus. His work on the Gospel of Matthew is especially helpful.
January 30, 2022
As the title states, Vlach seeks to develop a biblical theology of the Kingdom. This is a fairly comprehensive build on McClain's work, moving through the text and its approach to the concept of a future physical Kingdom that is brought in by Christ. He addresses concerns brought up by amil/postmil possesions with a firm but non-combative voice.
It also functions well as a reference work.
It also functions well as a reference work.
December 1, 2018
This is a challenging and engaging read over all. While I am impressed with Vlach's careful interaction with Scripture, I remain unconvinced by his conclusions. Furthermore, I have serious questions about his hermeneutical approach.
April 6, 2020
Dr. Vlach has blessed the church with an excellent resource, where he presents the story line of the Bible. He demonstrates that the Kingdom of God is the major theme of Scripture. And he shows how it is interconnected with every other doctrine. He traces the theology of the Kingdom from Genesis through Revelation—demonstrating how the the various human authors all communicated the same consistent message. The latter authors referenced and built upon the foundation of the writers before them. He discusses many debated texts presenting a clear, easy to follow, well throughout interpreting. And at the end of each chapter as well as at the end of each testament he provides an extremely helpful summary of the central truths. This book is extremely comforting and edifying—clarifying my understanding of the things to come and increasing my joyful hope and eager anticipation.
May 24, 2021
Dr Vlach has made what could easily be a daunting and heavy theological topic into a light reading reminiscent of a devotional. Don't let the "light" part fool you -- this material is rich and packed with theology of the Kingdom, which makes any believer long for and be excited by its coming.
March 8, 2022
One of the most detailed and easily understood defenses of the Biblical theology of the premillenial dispensational view of the end times. If you need help in understanding Scripture on the return of Christ and His thousand year reign, then this is a must read.
May 18, 2025
Best study of future Kingdom I’ve read to date!
100 % recommend it for those interested in eschatology and premillennialism! It establishes the literalism of prophecy both in the Old and New Testaments.
100 % recommend it for those interested in eschatology and premillennialism! It establishes the literalism of prophecy both in the Old and New Testaments.
May 29, 2023
Very on point writing of the Kingdom. It sticks to the Bible without deviating into man's assumptions.
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