The Millennial Kingdom Part Four
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Postmillennialism sees the thousand years not as a definite time period, but as a symbol of the fullness of the Kingdom of God. They see the church, through evangelism and Christian influence on society, creating the effects of the Millennial age, at which point Christ will return with the Great White Throne Judgement and usher in the eternal state.
There is debate concerning its roots in the early church fathers - they often claim the same church fathers as amillennialists. In history, the 12th century writer Joachim of Fiore was among the fist postmillennialists. Daniel Whitby, in the late 17th century, popularized this view for our modern day.
Let’s think about the lenses that shape the Post Millennial interpretation.
The first lens is a very high regard for the power of the gospel not only changing individual lives, but society as a whole. The power of the gospel brings God’s kingdom physically here on the earth.
The second lens is the same lens as the Amillennialist. It is the prioritization of the metaphorical over the literal interpretation of the passage. They choose to do this because other prophesies are interpreted this way. A good example would be Matthew 2:14–15 “And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”” Matthew is quoting part of Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” Here Matthew interprets Israel is as a metaphor for Jesus. The tricky bit is how does one choose to use a metaphorical lens or a literal lens. It is poor study methods to only use one lens. The rule of thumb should be: which lens fits the context best. There is obviously no consensus on that for Revelation 20:1-6.
The case for Postmillennialism follows four ideas:
The first idea is the power of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” Since all authority has been given to Christ and Christ has given it to his church, then we should expect the church to triumph over the world.
The second idea is the gradual growth of the kingdom of God, illustrated by two of Christ’s parables concerning the kingdom of heaven. The first one is Matthew 13:31-32.
31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.
32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
The second passage is Matthew 13:33.
33 He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”
They see these parables demonstrating the permeation of society with the gospel and thus transforming the whole world by God’s power.
The third idea is the growth of the church throughout history into the modern age. They contend that the world is becoming more Christian, even with the persecution and oppression, for the gates of hell will not prevail because Christ builds his church.
The fourth idea is Satan is being bound through the power of the gospel. The more disciples of Jesus there are the more restrained Satan becomes. The binding of Satan and his hosts is a gradual one done through evangelism.
What are some of the challenges to Postmillennialism?
First, to what extent will God employ his power to use the church to usher in worldwide Christianization? This seems to be in conflict with Jesus’ parable of the gates in Matthew 7:13-14.
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
It also seems to be in contraindication to Acts 14:22.
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
The second challenge is the parables. They illustrate well the growth of Christianity, but they do not indicate that it will usher in the fulness of the kingdom of God. Christianity fills the earth now in the sense that there are Christians all over the world.
The third challenge is the idea that the world is getting better because of Christianity. I would agree that Christianity makes the world better, but it does not negate that the world is continuing to become more depraved and evil. Paul, Peter and Jude would disagree that the world is getting better. In 2 Timothy 3:1–5 Paul writes,
1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,
4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
and in 2 Peter 3:1–3 Peter writes,
1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,
2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,
3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
and in Jude 17–18
17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”
These predictions and others show the world not improving but becoming more depraved and Christianity being more oppressed.
The fourth challenge is that Satan is not bound on the world stage. In fact, according to 1 Peter 5:8, we are to “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Thank God that through the cross and the resurrection we have power over Satan in the church and on an individual level.
What are some application points?
First, we are reminded of the power of the gospel to change lives.
Second, we are reminded that it is our mission to share the gospel till he comes, regardless of the outcome.
Third, we are reminded that he is working now and is coming again. Come, Lord Jesus, come!