How Jesus Rejected Earthly Dominion
“My kingdom is not of this world.”
— John 18:36 (KJV)“They sought to take him by force, to make him a king; he departed.”
— John 6:15 (KJV)
One of the most dangerous assumptions in Christian Zionism is that Jesus came to establish a political kingdom — and that one day He will return to fulfill that mission by ruling over the nations from Jerusalem as a Jewish head of state.
But Scripture tells a very different story.
The Jesus of the Bible repeatedly rejected earthly dominion. He refused political power, defied nationalistic expectations, and exposed the very heart of man’s desire for visible, worldly authority. His Kingdom is not of this world — and it never will be.
They Tried to Make Him King — He Departed
When Jesus miraculously fed the multitude, they responded with fervor:
“When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed…” (John 6:15)
Why did He walk away?
Because their idea of a king was not God’s. They wanted a ruler who would overthrow Rome and restore national pride — not a Lamb who would be slain. Their kingdom was political; His was redemptive.
Jesus refused to let them redefine Him.
Satan Offered Him Dominion — He Refused
In the wilderness, Satan offered Jesus what many Zionists say is His rightful inheritance:
“All the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them… if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4:8–9)
This was the shortcut to earthly rule — the very dominion Christian Zionism expects. But Jesus refused, not only because it came from Satan, but because it wasn’t the Father’s way.
He would rule — but not by taking, dominating, or enforcing. He would rule by dying, rising, and reigning from heaven.
“Not This Man, But Barabbas”
When Jesus stood before Pilate, the crowd cried out:
“Not this man, but Barabbas.” (John 18:40)
Why?
Because Jesus didn’t fit their idea of a Messiah. He wasn’t a revolutionary, a nationalist, or a military leader. Barabbas, a violent insurrectionist, seemed more in line with their theology. Even today, many prefer the idea of a militant, political Christ over the suffering Servant who reigns from the cross.
But the Kingdom of God does not come by force.
“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation… for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20–21)
The Misuse of Psalm 2 and Revelation 19
Christian Zionists often point to Psalm 2 — “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance…” — and to Revelation 19 where Christ smites the nations.
But the apostolic interpretation of Psalm 2 is found in Acts 4 — where the Church prays for boldness amid persecution, not dominion. And Revelation 19 speaks of the judgment of the wicked, not the setting up of a Jewish government on earth.
Yes, Christ will return to judge. But the Bible never portrays that as the beginning of a political kingdom — rather, the consummation of one that is already reigning from heaven.
A Kingdom Not of This World
Jesus told Pilate plainly:
“My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight…” (John 18:36)
That one verse should be the deathblow to every Zionist vision of Christ returning to lead a war from Jerusalem. His Kingdom is not earthly, not ethnic, not national. It is heavenly, eternal, spiritual — and now.
To claim that Jesus will one day reign as a political head of a Jewish nation is to betray the very Gospel He came to establish. It confuses the crown of thorns with a crown of conquest — and it demands the very kingdom He rejected.
Note: This post responds to ideas presented in When a Jew Rules the World by Joel Richardson. Direct quotes reflecting those views are included in the Appendix: Christian Zionism in Joel’s Own Words.