What is the concept of “already but not yet”?

Answer

The theological concept of “already but not yet” suggests that believers are actively participating in the kingdom of God, even though the kingdom will not reach its full expression until a future time. We are currently in the kingdom, but we do not yet see it in its full glory. The “already but not yet” theology is connected to kingdom theology or inaugurated eschatology.

The “already but not yet” concept was formulated by Princeton theologian Gerhardus Vos in the early 20th century. In the 1950s, George Eldon Ladd, a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, proposed that the kingdom of God has two aspects: 1) God’s authority and right to rule, and 2) the domain where God exercises His authority. The kingdom is depicted in Scripture as a realm that believers currently experience and one that will be fully realized in the future. Ladd concluded that the kingdom of God is both present and future.

The “already but not yet” theology is particularly popular among Charismatics, who use it as a theological framework for contemporary miracles. The Vineyard Church officially embraces the “already but not yet” concept and incorporates it into many of their teachings.

There is an aspect in which God’s kingdom is already established. Hebrews 2:8–9 states, “At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death” (ESV). This passage presents a “now” (we see Jesus crowned with glory) and a “not yet” (not everything is under Christ’s authority). Jesus is the King, but His kingdom is not yet fully realized in this world (see John 18:36).

Additionally, in 1 John 3:2, it is written, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” Once again, there is a “now” (we are children of God) and a “not yet” (our future transformation into Christlikeness).Children of God, we have an “already” (our present state as children of God), and we have a “not yet” (our future state). We are children of the King, but we must wait to see exactly what that entails.

Add to this the fact that Romans 8:30 says we are “glorified” and Ephesians 2:6 says we are seated with Christ “in the heavenly realms” as if these were completed acts. We don’t feel very glorified most of the time, and our surroundings do not much resemble “heavenly realms.” That’s because the present spiritual reality does not yet match up with the future physical reality. One day, the two will be in sync.

So, there is a biblical basis for the “already but not yet” system of interpretation. The problem comes when this paradigm is used to justify the prosperity gospel, name-it-claim-it teachings, and other heresies. The idea behind these teachings is that Christ’s kingdom is in full operation and that prayer can make it “break through” into our world. Evangelism is thought to “advance the kingdom.” And people are told they never need be sick or poor because the riches of the kingdom are available to them right now.

The Bible never speaks of “advancing the kingdom,” however. The kingdom will come “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” (Luke 11:2). We must receive the kingdom “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” (Mark 10:15). And the kingdom is currently “not of this world” “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36).Jesus’ parables of the kingdom depict it as yeast in dough and a growing tree. In essence, the kingdom is gradually moving towards its ultimate fulfillment. It is not sporadically “breaking through” to provide us comfort in this world.

The King Himself presented the kingdom to the Jews of the first century, but they turned it down (Matthew 12:22-28). One day, upon Jesus’ return, He will establish His kingdom on earth and fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 51:3, “The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.” Until then, Jesus is constructing His church «And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. », (Matthew 16:18) and using us for the glory of His name.