Already but Not Yet
This kind of thinking seems to be a reaction to erroneous views like Preterism, Dominion Theology, and the Social Justice Gospel. To be sure, the Kingdom is not just a way of living or a worldview. It is most certainly also a literal government run by the Deity and his angel armies. That heavenly government will one day be enforced throughout the earth (Rev. 19:11-21; Jud. 1:14; Matt. 25:31; et al.).
However, we should not view the Kingdom as something entirely future and divorced from the here-and-now, because Scripture doesn't support that narrow view.
The only true, holistic doctrine of the Kingdom is this: it is both already here and still to come, simultaneously. It is present in part but not in totality, inaugurated but not consummated.
In the following paragraphs, I will point your attention to an assortment of verses that show the veracity of the "already but not yet" doctrine.
#1
"From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matt. 11:12).
#2
"Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits" (Matt. 21:43).
#3
"Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live" (John 5:25).
(This ties into the discussion later in this post about being "born again".)
#4
"But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Luke 11:20).
#5
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17).
#6
"Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it" (Mark 10:15).
#7
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matt. 6:33).
It comes down to this: Don't let your eschatology be over-realized or under-realized. Stay on the road and out of the ditches on either side.
Well-known author George Ladd perhaps said it best: “Before the eschatological appearing of God’s Kingdom at the end of the age, God’s Kingdom has become dynamically active among men in Jesus’ person and mission."
Renewal in Stages
Will the Resurrection be a rebirth? Absolutely! We're all yearning to be born again into uncorrupted, immortal bodies, but let us not disregard the amazing rebirth that has already occurred by the Ruach Ha'Kodesh.
Here comes List of Verses, Part Deux. These all demonstrate that believers have already been regenerated.
#1
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:13).
#2
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... (1 Pet. 1:3).
...since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God... (1 Peter 1:23).
#3
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ... (Eph. 2:4-5).
#4
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with [Yeshua], having forgiven us all our trespasses... (Col. 2:13).
#5
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures (James 1:18).
#6
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17).
CONCLUSION
Sadly, it seems that some teachers these days—even those who have, by the grace of Yah, escaped the doctrines of man handed down to them—are more interested in new doctrine than correct doctrine. They long to set themselves apart by putting a "shocking" spin on the traditional understanding of Scripture. I myself am no stranger to that particular temptation, and I understand how easily one can fall prey to it, so I'm not without pity. Nevertheless, I'm responsible for rebuking false teachings.
Be wary of teachers who buck hundreds of years of well-established doctrine. There are sometimes long-standing dogmas that need to be corrected, but those are the exceptions to the rule. If any of us are going to overturn such things, we'd better have very good reasons for doing so, and we'd better not ignore any verses that challenge our suppositions.
Please don't assume that I'm saying you should have nothing to do with a brother who teaches a wholly future Kingdom and Second Birth. Dis-fellowship is an unwarranted response, too severe in its degree, but I think it is appropriate to challenge them (nicely!), and to be skeptical of their other teachings.
Finally: if you, reader, are one such teacher, I hope you will realize that it is in your best interests to engage in regular, brutal self-examination. Take inventory dispassionately, and ask yourself whether you are guilty of cherry-picking scriptures. If indeed you are, perhaps take a step back from teaching, and wholeheartedly seek the guidance of the Spirit in regards to study and ministry. It is not in vain that Yeshua's brother warned, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness" (James 3:1).