© Fergus O’Donoghue 2006
The importance of Christ’s return can hardly be overemphasized. It is the one aspect of the promise that awaits fulfillment. It is the final crowning work on the whole process of redemption. Therefore, it should be the object of longing and hope that belongs to every saint; The return of Christ, the resurrection of the body, final judgment, the renewal of all things . . .and eternal glory. There are essentially three differing views which seek to set forth the Scriptural precedent for the Lord’s second coming and the kingdom He shall Establish. These views differ according to the interpretation given to the word millennium (Latin – mille, one thousand; and annum, year). Reference to the millennium only occurs six times in Scripture, and each one is found in the twentieth chapter of Revelation (an admittedly difficult and symbolic passage). Appropriate prefixes are added To the word millennium for each of these three views;
1) pre-millennial
2) Post-millennial
3) A-millennial.
Each of these titles denote a particular view, which corresponds to its interpretation of the thousand years.
Premillennialism takes the millennium literally and maintains that Christ shall come, and then reign upon this earth for one thousand years.
Postmillennialism takes the word figuratively, denoting a long period of time belonging to the last part of this Christian era, and immediately prior to Christ’s appearing.
Amillennialism also interprets the millennium symbolically, only it maintains that it refers to the whole of the Christian era.
The definition of Postmillennialism I shall use in this study, is that of L. Boettner, and is representative of those who hold this view; “Postmillennialism is that view of the last things which holds the kingdom of God is now being extended in the world through the preaching of the gospel and saving work of the Holy Spirit, that the world eventually will be Christianized, and that the return of Christ will occur at the close of a long period of righteousness and peace, commonly called the millennium.”
Postmillennialism boldly states that the majority of mankind ends up saved in Jesus Christ. If this were not true at the time of the apostles, it certainly shall not be true during the later age of the millennium. This postmillennial contention is based on passages of Scripture which speak of the universality of salvation;
Mal. 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
Acts 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
The postmillennial contention also draws heavily on scripture relating to the world as the object of redemption in Christ;
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Finally, the strength and linchpin of the postmillennial view resides in its definition of Matthew 28:18-20 (known as the great commission) where Christ says:
“All authority hath been given me in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
In this text he sees that Christ has both the ability and the right to Christianize the whole world. Because of this promise of Christ, the number of the redeemed shall increase until it far surpasses the number of the lost.
Without hesitancy, the Postmillennialist states that the world is getting better; there are short periods during which it may appear that the forces of evil are gaining, but if one looks back across the sweep of history, he sees unmistakable spiritual progress and improvement. He concedes that sin shall always be found in the world even until the end of time, but its influence shall lessen, and the wicked shall be few. Christian principles, values and conduct shall become the standard in both public and private life. Education, business, government, industry, all of society shall come under the dominion of Christian life and thought.
According to the postmillennialist, we are witnessing this already. Slavery and polygamy are practically [apparently] non-existent. The position and role of women and children has greatly improved in the last century. The earth’s nations have unified to a degree so that summits prevent much war and bloodshed. The Bible has been translated, and printed into hundreds of different languages. Mission fields are flourishing, bringing millions into the kingdom, and Christianity stands on the verge of becoming the predominant world religion.
Postmillennialism believes that by the preaching of the Gospel and the working of the Spirit in man’s heart, that the best is yet to come; war and bloodshed will cease (Isaiah 2:4), corruption will decrease, and a golden age of righteousness and peace (the millennium) shall come to the world. His will shall be done on earth even as it is done in heaven. It is to this new Eden that Christ shall return. He shall bring an end to this present age, and the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of Christ. (revelation 11:15)
The postmillennial view is most optimistic, but unfortunately not doctrinally sound. Although the Postmillennialist believes the bible to be the Word of God, yet he errs greatly in interpreting many passages of Scripture, and thus also falls into error concerning the millennium.
A full rebuttal of the postmillennial view can only be achieved across the breadth of much debate in many areas, and it is advisable to read up on each of the tenets of the doctrine.
For one thing, we do not see nations settling disputes by arbitration. The United Nations has already proved to be an expensive hoax. Wars continue, in fact they increase. Crime rates, especially among the young are on the increase the world over. Moral standards are eroding further with each generation, while apathy and compromise are rampant in the church.
Regardless of all this, what is decisive for the Christian is what the Word of God says concerning the realities of salvation, sin, the millennium, and the last things. The Postmillennialist either ignores certain passages of Scripture, or he gives them a very forced, unnatural meaning. The redeemed host shall constitute a vast throng, to be sure, but compared to the lost, it must be termed a minority. Matthew 22:14 states that many are called, but few are chosen. Many, not even all men, hear the preaching of the Word, but few are chosen to be saved by that Word unto glory. To the majority the preaching is merely a witness that leaves without excuse. The Church of Christ is called a little flock (Luke 12:32) and a cottage in the vineyard (Isaiah 1:8). These terms forbid us saying that most men shall be saved, in any age.
Secondly, there is the tremendous testimony of the 24th chapter of Matthew. No one can believe these words and still maintain a golden age of righteousness and peace which shall be obtained just before Christ returns. Jesus tells us here that the sign of His coming and the end of the world (simultaneous events) shall involve an increase in war, ethnic uprisings, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. Instead of a universal sway of truth and peace there shall be false prophets and lawlessness shall abound. Tribulation shall be the portion of the Church in those days. True religion shall be all but extinct. When Jesus returns, will He find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8). The answer is not a resounding “yes” as some would respond, nor is it “no”, but the answer is a quiet, hesitant “yes, God will preserve His church in faith.” But it will require His gracious shortening of those days.
I would urge you to study Matthew 24 and Revelation 20, plus other relevant portions of Scripture. Put aside all private opinions, and let yourself be guided prayerfully by the Spirit and Word only.
