Abstract
Nineteenth- and early twentieth-century scholarship often found an interim, earthly messianic kingdom in Paul’s thought. The twentieth century saw the gradual abandonment of this thesis. This move has been incorrect. 1 Thess. 4.13-18 and 1 Cor. 15.22-28 are best interpreted as evidence that Paul believed in a terrestrial interim reign. This kingdom does not (as earlier scholarship assumed) include a resurrection of the unjust at its end, as Paul thought only Christians were to be resurrected. Although this kingdom is not mentioned often, Paul’s thought is reasonably consistent in this matter, and there is no contradiction with other elements of his theology.
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