Postmillennialism: Christendom's Bright Cheerful View Of The Future Of The Human Race

[JAGG]

The subject is Christian Eschatology.
Eschatology is about the future of Humanity.
There are 4 different major views of Christian Eschatology {listed below}.
Postmillennialism is the only one of the 4 that predicts a bright cheerful future
here on this Earth before human history ends.

So the question is raised:

What does the future hold for the Christian Church and the Human Race
here on planet Earth? The answer is the Human Race has a magnificent
optimistic bright cheerful future.

The world will eventually become a Christian world. This will require many
millenniums yet to come as human history rolls forward. This does not
mean that every single person on Earth will become a Christian, rather
it means that the human race, as a race, will be saved and the vast
overwhelming majority of human beings will, in the far off future,
become Christian.

The Lord Jesus' Great Commission To His Christian Church is about
His Church Christianizing the world:

The Lord Jesus told His disciples at the end of Matthew's gospel chapter
28 to go and make disciples of all the nations. His disciples needed power
to accomplish this great task. The Lord Jesus told them what this power
was. He said "all authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me,
therefore go and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to obey
all that I have commanded you." Matthew 28:18-20

The Lord Jesus was serious when He gave His Christian Church her Great
Commission. His Great Commission is a command and not a suggestion.

Therefore His Great Commission to go and make disciples of all the nations
will be successfully accomplished before He returns to Earth to end human
history -- the world will eventually become Christian. "He must reign until
He has put all his enemies under His feet." 1 Cor. 15:25
"For He (God) has put everything under His feet." 1 Cor. 15:27

The Lord Jesus right NOW is reigning as King over this entire world and He is
gradually incrementally Christianizing the entire world. Again, how long will this
take? It will take many many millenniums yet to unfold, but He will be victorious.
We must be patient. This is going to take a very long time.

Meanwhile . .

Unfortunately there is a lot of Doom and Gloom and Defeatism
out there inside 21st century Christendom .

Christendom holds and presents 4 major views of the future
of the Christian Church and the Human Race.

These 4 views are:
(1) Postmillennialism
(2) Amillennialism
(3) Premillennialism
(4) Dispensationalism

Of the 4 views only Postmillennialism presents an optimistic
bright cheerful victorious future for the Christian Church and
the Human Race. The other 3 views are saturated with Doom
and Gloom and Defeatism for both the Christian Church and
the Human race.

This Post is presenting some general thoughts on
Postmillennialism and Postmillennialism's optimistic view of
the future.

Long live Christian optimism.

Large swaths of the Christian Church today are awash in
Gloom and Doom and in Defeatism passed off as being
spiritual, when in fact the Bible teaches that the Christian
Church will be victorious. I will build my Church, said the
Lord Jesus, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.
Go and make disciples of all the nations, said the Lord
Jesus, because I have now been given all authority both
in Heaven and on Earth.

It is sad indeed that Amillennialism, Premillennialism, and
Dispensationalism repudiates the gospel victory theme of
the Bible in their modern eschatological speculations and
replaces this victory theme with a defeatist scheme of the
future of the Christian Church and Human race. This
paralyzes Christian cultural efforts and eliminates the
practical significance from the Christian worldview, and
gives Christians a sinful comfort in lethargy because all
this Defeatism and Doom and Gloom tends to justify
social and cultural irresponsibility. "Why polish brass
on a sinking ship", ask many misinformed Christians.

Here is an excellent definition of Postmillennialism:

"Postmillennialism holds that the Lord Jesus Christ established
His kingdom on earth through His preaching and redemptive
work in the first century and that He equips His church with the
gospel, empowers her by the Holy Spirit, and charges her with
the Great Commission to disciple all nations. Postmillennialism
expects that eventually the vast majority of men living will be
saved. Increasing gospel success will gradually produce a
time in history prior to Christ's return in which faith,
righteousness, peace, and prosperity will prevail in the
affairs of men and nations. After an extensive era of such
conditions the Lord will return visibly, bodily, and gloriously,
to end history with the general resurrection and the final
Judgment after which the eternal order follows."
___ Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry.

Christianity is slowly Christianizing the world.

Christianity started small in numbers. There was a time in the 1st century
at the very beginning of Christianity when the number of Christians in the
world was less than 12. Today, some 2000 years later, there is some 2.3
billion Christians in the world. We have a name for this. We call it progress.

America today has over 1300 Evangelical mega-churches with weekly
attendance of over 2000. The Roman Catholics have over 3000 churches
with a weekly attendance of over 2000. This is Christian progress in the world.

Christianity is growing like wildfire in the Global South for example in Africa.
There is a huge Christian Church in China. House Church.
.Christianity is huge in South Korea and in South America and Central America.
The American Christian Church is still a vibrant force in the World. All this is
Christian progress in the world.

■ The Lord Jesus "shall have dominion from sea to sea" Psalm 72:8
■ "The whole Earth will be filled with His glory." Psalm 72:19
■ "All the nations will call Him blessed." Psalm 72:17
■ The Lord Jesus really meant it, when He commanded His Christian
Church to "go and make disciples of all the nations." Matthew 28:19

"As of the year 2015, Christianity has more than 2.3 billion adherents,
out of about 7.5 billion people. The faith represents one-third of the
world's population and is the largest religion in the world, with the three
largest groups being the Catholic Church, Protestantism, and
the Eastern Orthodox Church."__wikipedia

At the end of human history , , ,
The Book Of Revelation says that there is a great multitude of the saved
from every nation, tribe, people and language and they are so numerous
that no one can count them.

"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one
could count from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing
before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white
robes . . .and they cried out . . . Salvation belongs to our God who sits
on the throne and to the Lamb." Revelation 7:9-10

_________



Miscellaneous Points:

* I am a Bible believing orthodox Postmillennialist.

* I am NOT a Full Preterist.

* Full Preterism is False.

* FYI, I am a Bible believing Protestant {Baptist.}

* I posted that up there only as "food for thought."

* I do NOT argue Christian Eschatology in threads.

* I look forward to reading some of the responses to the Opening Post.

God Bless.

JAGG


``

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings JAGG,

Christendom holds and presents 4 major views of the future
of the Christian Church and the Human Race.
These 4 views are:
(1) Postmillennialism
(2) Amillennialism
(3) Premillennialism
(4) Dispensationalism

I accept Premillennialism:
Isaiah 2:1–4 (KJV): 1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Acts 3:19–21 (KJV): 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[JAGG]

`
Greetings JAGG,

I accept Premillennialism:

Kind regards
Trevor

I'm happy if you're happy.

Hello Trevor. Greetings.

JAGG

 

[Zeke]

John 18:36 ³⁶Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place."
Matthew 11:11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Need Eternal Adam to wake up in skull. There is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. The kingdom as always existed.

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings again JAGG and Greetings Zeke,

I'm happy if you're happy.

Yes, I am very happy at the prospect that Jesus will soon return and overthrow the present corrupt and failing kingdoms of men Daniel 2:35,44. Isaiah 2:1-4 and Acts 3:19-21 clearly teach that Jesus will return to establish the Kingdom of God upon the earth for the 1000 years.

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place."
Matthew 11:11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Need Eternal Adam to wake up in skull. There is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. The kingdom as always existed.

Not sure of what you are saying in the last part of your post. Yes, the Kingdom was not to be based upon the Jewish world of that day, the Jewish world. The Kingdom of God on earth will be the Kingdom of heaven, not the Kingdom in heaven, because the source will be from heaven, not the Jewish order of things.
Acts 17:31 (KJV): Because he (God the Father) hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man (Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man Psalm 8:4,80:17) whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[JAGG]

For anyone interested in studying Postmillennialism , , ,

Here below is a list of distinguished Postmillennialists:
Origen
Eusebius
Athanasius
Augustine
Daniel Whitby
Isaac Watts
The Wesley Brothers
Jonathan Edwards
William Carey
Robert Haldane
Archibald Alexander
A.A. Hodge
Charles Hodge
Albert Barnes
David Brown
Patrick Fairbairn
Richard C. Trench
J.A. Alexander
J.H. Thornwell
Robert L. Dabney
William G.T. Shedd
Augustus H. Strong
H.C.G. Moule
B.B. Warfield
O.T. Allis
J. Gresham Machen
John Murray
Loraine Boettner
J. Marcellus Kik
Greg L. Bahnsen
David Chilton
Rousas J. Rushdoony
_____________

Contemporary Postmillennialist Writers:
Reuben Alvarado
Curtis Crenshaw
John Jefferson Davis
Gary DeMar
J. Ligon Duncan lll
John R. deWitt
Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.
George Grant
Grover E. Gunn
Stephen J. Hayhow
Erroll Hulse
Douglas Kelly
Francis Nigel Lee
Peter J. Leithart
Donald Macleod
Keith A. Mathison
Iain Murray
Gary North
Stephen C. Perks
Willard Ramsey
Andrew Sandlin
Steve Schlissel
Norman Shepherd
R.C. Sproul
Ray R. Sutton
Kenneth G. Talbot
Jack Van Deventer
James West
Douglas Wilson
Colin Wright
Source:
He Shall Have Dominion
by Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry Jr,
pages 106-107

________



"Postmillennialism holds that the Lord Jesus Christ established
His kingdom on earth through His preaching and redemptive
work in the first century and that He equips His church with the
gospel, empowers her by the Holy Spirit, and charges her with
the Great Commission to disciple all nations. Postmillennialism
expects that eventually the vast majority of men living will be
saved. Increasing gospel success will gradually produce a
time in history prior to Christ's return in which faith,
righteousness, peace, and prosperity will prevail in the
affairs of men and nations. After an extensive era of such
conditions the Lord will return visibly, bodily, and gloriously,
to end history with the general resurrection and the final
Judgment after which the eternal order follows."
___ Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry.




``

 

[JAGG]

Thank you all for reading my Opening Post and for your comments.

I will mention one other very good work in support of Postmillennialism.

The Millennium
by Dr. Loraine Boettner {FYI, the late Dr. Boettner was a male}
over 400 pages.
This work refutes Amillennialism, Premillennialism, and Dispensationalism,
then vigorously defends Postmillennialism.

This work is very popular as is Dr. Boettner's "Roman Catholicism" which
is a solid refutation of the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church.

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings again JAGG,

For anyone interested in studying Postmillennialism,
Here below is a list of distinguished Postmillennialists: Origen, Eusebius, Athanasius, Augustine, …

The start of your list is almost sufficient to convince me that postmillennialism is wrong as I do not agree with most of the theology of at least three out of these four.

"Postmillennialism holds that the Lord Jesus Christ established His kingdom on earth through His preaching and redemptive work in the first century and that He equips His church with the gospel, empowers her by the Holy Spirit, and charges her with the Great Commission to disciple all nations. Postmillennialism expects that eventually the vast majority of men living will be saved. Increasing gospel success will gradually produce a time in history prior to Christ's return in which faith, righteousness, peace, and prosperity will prevail in the affairs of men and nations. After an extensive era of such conditions the Lord will return visibly, bodily, and gloriously, to end history with the general resurrection and the final Judgment after which the eternal order follows." Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry.

I appreciate this summary of postmillennialism.

I am very conscious of many verses that I would use to support premillennialism, but the following may be sufficient. Perhaps you have a simple explanation, but undoubtedly with such a long list of theologians one of them could have given a reasonable explanation.
2 Timothy 4:1,6–8 (KJV): 1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
I understand that this is teaching that the Kingdom will be established when Jesus returns and that Paul looked forward to this.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[JAGG]

For anyone interested in a personal study of Postmillennialism.

Here are 3 subjects relating to Postmillennialism. Each one
is serious and highly credible and interesting and well worth
consideration. {The Revelation commentary will be out this
year and it is going to have a major impact on Christendom.}

{1} Some Thoughts On "The Man Of Sin" In 2 Thess. 2

{2} The Divorce of Israel: A Redemptive-Historical Interpretation of Revelation.
A massive Postmillennial commentary on the Book Of Revelation.
2 Volumes. over 1800 pages
by Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry {will be available this year}

{3} The "Beast" Of Revelation Chapter 13


___________

First , , ,

{1} Some Thoughts On "The Man Of Sin" In 2 Thess. 2

The "man of sin" is a crucial character in Premillennialism.

Many orthodox Bible believing Christian scholars disagree that there is
to be a future "man of sin."

Many reputable orthodox Bible believing born again Christian scholars
identify the "man of sin" mentioned in 2 Thess. 2 as Paul referring to
Nero Caesar who lived in the first century.

Christendom has not settled on who the "man of sin" was.

There is NOT a Christian consensus that the "man of sin" refers to
a future individual who will appear in the end times.

Regarding Paul's mention of the "man of sin": From Dr. Kenneth Gentry's
work titled He Shall Have Dominion, this:

Start quote.
We come now to another difficult eschatological passage, one rivaling Daniel 9 in the intensity
of its interpretative controversy: 2 Thessalonians 2. This famous passage contains Paul's
reference to the "man of lawlessness" (Nestle's text) or "man of sin" (Majority text.)

Scholars note this passage's exceptional difficulty. Augustine writes regarding a certain portion
of the passage: "I confess that I am entirely ignorant of what he means to say."

New Testament Greek scholar Vincent omits interpreting the passage in his four volume lexical
commentary: "I attempt no interpretation of this passage as a whole, which I do not understand."

Renowned Greek linguist A. T. Robertson despairs of the task of interpreting this passage because
it is "in such vague form that we can hardly clear it up."

Leon Morris urges "care" in handling this "notoriously difficult passage."

F.F. Bruce notes that "there are few New Testament passages that can boast such a variety of
interpretations as this."

Even some Dispensationalists admit that it is "an extremely puzzling passage of Scripture that has
been a thorn in the flesh of many an expositor."
End quote.

Source:
He Shall Have Dominion
by Dr. Kenneth Gentry,
page386


So?

So one might "go slow" in claiming certainty with regard to interpreting 2 Thessalonians chapter 2
Also that up there can be an encourager to read Dr. Gentry's He Shall Have Dominion to see what
else he has to say about the "man of sin" and the "beast" of Revelation.

Gentry concludes "that the "man of lawlessness" was Nero Caesar, who was also the "beast" of
Revelation." --- and he presents his arguments to support his conclusion.

Dr. Kenneth Gentry makes a very convincing argument that the "man of sin" was Nero Caesar
who persecuted the Christians of the first century.

_____________


Second , , ,


{2} The Divorce of Israel: A Redemptive-Historical Interpretation of Revelation.
A massive commentary on the Book Of Revelation. 2 Volumes. over 1800 pages
by Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry

Dr. Gentry has just recently completed his massive commentary on
Revelation and it will be available this year

Start quote.
"Thanks for your interest in my Revelation commentary titled:
The Divorce of Israel: A Redemptive-Historical Interpretation of Revelation.
I completed its research and writing in early 2016 and submitted it to the
publisher at that time. It will be a two-volume set of a little over 1800 pages.
The publisher is Tolle Lege Press. Due to the size and complexity of the work
(deeply exegetical; voluminously footnoted; technical use of Biblical languages;
and so forth) and the unexpected reduction of Tolle Lege’s staff, it has taken
them much longer than anticipated to complete.

However, on May 11, 2020, I received a note from the Publisher at Tolle Lege
with some great news. They have worked out a co-publishing arrangement
with American Vision. They have also noted that the commentary is finally
ready for layout, which will be followed by printing. It should be published
this year, Lord willing! Please keep this in your prayers."__Dr. Gentry
End Quote.


This work is going to be a massive exegetical study of the New testament
book of Revelation 2 volumes --- over 1800 pages.

__________


Another point of possible interest to anyone interested in Postmillennialism:
Dr. Kenneth Gentry wrote his doctoral thesis on the early date of Revelation.
Its titled: "Before Jerusalem Fell: Dating The Book Of Revelation."
Over 400 pages

__________


Third and lastly , , , ,

{3} The "Beast" Of Revelation Chapter 13

{The following was taken from
He Shall Have Dominion.
by Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.
It is not a word for word quote but the substance of this below
is Dr. Gentry's. I typed it in. It is not on the web. Footnote at
the bottom}

Who Was The Beast Of the Book Of Revelation?

Start quote.
The Beast is a well known Christian Eschatological character.
Premillennialists incorrectly believe that the Beast is to appear
in the future. This is false. The Beast was a 1st Century character
that appeared in the 1st Century and will never appear again in
human history.

The Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation.

The Time Of The Beast.
John clearly expects his prophesied events to take
place in his day, the 1st Century.

John writes:
"The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave
him to show his servants what must soon take place."
Revelation 1:1

"Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the
prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near"
Revelation 22:10

"must soon take place"
"the time is near"

In light of Revelation's significance to its first-century
audience, the Beast must be someone relevant to
that first-century audience.

"The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave
him to show his servants what must soon take place.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant
John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is,
the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of
this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it
and take to heart what is written in it, because the
time is near." Revelation 1:1-4


“Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the
seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum,
Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
Rev. 1:11
{These were churches of the 1st century that received
this letter of Revelation and the warnings about the
"Beast" were addressed to THOSE 1st Century churches
who had to deal with the "Beast" who was a 1st Century
evil character that was to do harm to THEM.}

_____________________


Revelation 13 presents the Beast as a horrible and
powerful foe attempting to destroy God's people.

Sometimes Revelation presents the Beast as a
kingdom and sometimes as an individua leader
of that kingdom.

In some places the Beast has seven heads which
are seven kings collectively considered.

In Revelation 13:1 John notes that he saw a Beast
coming up out of the sea having 10 horns and
seven heads.
Revelation 17:10 specifically says that the seven
heads represent seven kings.

Thus the Beast is presented as a kingdom.
But kingdoms have representatives. This is why
John also speaks of the Beast as an individual.

John urges his readers to calculate the number of
the Beast which is the number of a man Revelation
13:18

The Beast's General Identity is the first-century
Roman Empire and NOT a "revived Roman Empire"
as imagined by Dispensationalism.

According to Revelation 17:9 the Beast's seven heads
represent "seven mountains." The seven mountains
symbolize Rome. Rome is the one city in history
distinguished and recognized by its seven
mountains.

___________________


The Beast's Specific Identify.
The Beast in his personal identity is Nero Caesar. He
and he alone fits the bill as the personal and specific
expression of the Beast. This vile character fulfills all
the requirements of the text of Revelation.

First the number of the Beast. In Revelation 13:18
the number of the Beast is 666. The usefulness of
this number lies in the fact that in the first-century
alphabets serve as both phonetic symbols and
as arithmetical values. Significantly a common
spelling of Nero Caesar's name is Nrwn Qsr,
which provides the numerical value of 666

Second the Textual Variant. See Dr. Gentry's
book for this explanation. Page 381

Third the Beastly Image.
Revelation 13 both calls and portrays the one
behind the 666 riddle as a "beast.". The term
"beast" can easily symbolize persons with a
beastly nature. Almost all scholars agree that
Nero Caesar possessed a beastly nature.. Nero
Caesar is even hated and feared by his own
countrymen, as ancient Roman historians agree.
The pagan writer Apollinius of Tyana, a
contemporary of Nero Caesar, calls him a
"beast."

Fourth, the war with the saints.
John's Beast will make war with the saints
and overcome them.{Rev. 13:7} In fact
Nero Caesar conducts a blasphemous war
with the saints for a specific period of 42 months {Rev. 13:5}
Nero begins his persecution of Christians in A.D. 64.
The persecution finally ends when Nero Caesar dies
on June 8, A.D.68 forty-two months later, but for a few days.
{Point of interest: Nero's own end comes by the sword.}
Conclusion: The Beast of Revelation was the beastly
Nero Caesar of the 1st Century.
End quote
.
Source
He Shall Have Dominion
by Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry Jr.
pages 379 - 381

May God Bless Us All.

JAGG

 

[JAGG]

JAGG Posted:
"Postmillennialism holds that the Lord Jesus Christ established
His kingdom on earth through His preaching and redemptive
work in the first century and that He equips His church with
the gospel, empowers her by the Holy Spirit, and charges her
with the Great Commission to disciple all nations.

Postmillennialism expects that eventually the vast majority
of men living will be saved. Increasing gospel success will
gradually produce a time in history prior to Christ's return
in which faith, righteousness, peace, and prosperity will
prevail in the affairs of men and nations. After an extensive
era of such conditions the Lord will return visibly, bodily,
and gloriously, to end history with the general resurrection
and the final Judgment after which the eternal order follows.
___" Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry

`
I appreciate this summary of postmillennialism.

`

Thank you Trevor. It is to be sure, a very good definition
of Postmillennialism. I am glad you appreciated it.

I just posted some thoughts on 3 subjects relating to Postmillennialism
for anyone that might be interested in a personal private study of this
magnificent bright cheerful victorious Christian Postmillennialist
Eschatological System.

Maybe you will take a peek at my post up there and find something that
will be of interest to you. Trevor, I don't argue Christian Eschatology in
threads so please do not interpret my posts as an invitation to argue this
subject. My motive for posting is only to stimulate an interest in a
personal private study of Postmillennialism for anyone so inclined.

I announced at the bottom of my Opening Post that I did not argue
this subject in threads.

Best.

JAGG


``

 

[Wick Stick]

I wonder how you define Amil? Your post-millennial definition is pretty much what I would call Amil... an unending hereafter of gradual improvement.

Post-mil as I understand it posits the same idea of victory and gradual improvement, but with a definite end in sight, where the world, having accomplished its work of perfecting men, comes to an end and the righteous go on to another plane of existence, while the unrighteous either suffer eternal torment or annihilation.

 

[JAGG]

I wonder how you define Amil?
Your post-millennial definition is pretty much what I would call
Amil... an unending hereafter of gradual improvement.

Post-mil as I understand it posits the same idea of victory and
gradual improvement, but with a definite end in sight, where the
world, having accomplished its work of perfecting men, comes
to an end and the righteous go on to another plane of existence,
while the unrighteous either suffer eternal torment or annihilation.

Just for the record the definition of Postmillennialism was Dr. Kenneth
Gentry's and not mine.

To answer your question this wikipedia article on Amillennialism
will do just fine: It is short and to the point.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amillennialism

Postmillennialism is totally unlike Amillennialism which does not see
the Christian Church converting the world to Christ via carrying out
the Lord Jesus' Great Commission. Of the 4 major Christian Eschatological
views only Postmillennialism holds that the Great Commission will be
carried out victoriously by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit
and under the authority of the Lord Jesus as stated in Matthew chapter
28 "all authority has been given to me both in Heaven and on earth
therefore go and make disciples of all the nations,"

From the Opening Post.

It is sad indeed that Amillennialism, Premillennialism, and
Dispensationalism repudiates the gospel victory theme of
the Bible in their modern eschatological speculations and
replaces this victory theme with a defeatist scheme of the
future of the Christian Church and Human race. This
paralyzes Christian cultural efforts and eliminates the
practical significance from the Christian worldview, and
gives Christians a sinful comfort in lethargy because all
this Defeatism and Doom and Gloom tends to justify
social and cultural irresponsibility. "Why polish brass
on a sinking ship", ask many misinformed Christians.

____________


Wick Stick, I don't argue about Christian eschatology in
threads. I made those posts up there only in an effort to
encourage an interest in Postmillennialism.

Here is a very good book to read:
He Shall Have Dominion
by Dr. Kenneth Gentry
600 plus pages
easy to read print
6 X 9 X 2 inches
Third Edition Revised and Expanded
amazon.com has it
Not cheap, its a best seller $36.00 Free S/H

 

[Wick Stick]

Wick Stick, I don't argue about Christian eschatology in threads. I made those posts up there only in an effort to encourage an interest in Postmillennialism.

I'm already post-millennial.

I have regular discussion with several people who self-identify as Amillennial, but their beliefs aren't what is represented here. Maybe they're weird? Maybe Doc Gentry isn't quite right? Just trying to reconcile the difference for myself.

 

[JAGG]

I'm already post-millennial.

I have regular discussion with several people who self-identify
as Amillennial, but their beliefs aren't what is represented here.
Maybe they're weird? Maybe Doc Gentry isn't quite right? Just
trying to reconcile the difference for myself.

Wick Stick,

Glad you're a Postmillennialist.
I wish you the best in your search.
In case you're interested , , ,
Here is Dr. Gentry's blog.
He adds 2 articles each week:
https://postmillennialworldview.com/

Best

JAGG

 

[Lon]

The subject is Christian Eschatology.
Eschatology is about the future of Humanity.
There are 4 different major views of Christian Eschatology {listed below}.
Postmillennialism is the only one of the 4 that predicts a bright cheerful future
here on this Earth before human history ends.

So the question is raised:

What does the future hold for the Christian Church and the Human Race
here on planet Earth? The answer is the Human Race has a magnificent
optimistic bright cheerful future.

The world will eventually become a Christian world. This will require many
millenniums yet to come as human history rolls forward. This does not
mean that every single person on Earth will become a Christian, rather
it means that the human race, as a race, will be saved and the vast
overwhelming majority of human beings will, in the far off future,
become Christian.

The Lord Jesus' Great Commission To His Christian Church is about
His Church Christianizing the world:

The Lord Jesus told His disciples at the end of Matthew's gospel chapter
28 to go and make disciples of all the nations. His disciples needed power
to accomplish this great task. The Lord Jesus told them what this power
was. He said "all authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me,
therefore go and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to obey
all that I have commanded you." Matthew 28:18-20

The Lord Jesus was serious when He gave His Christian Church her Great
Commission. His Great Commission is a command and not a suggestion.

I'm at least a partial preterist so believe this was 1) given to the disciples and 2) the context was 'this generation shall not pass away.'
Either I believe that is true (preterism, at least partial) or I have to explain why it was not 'this generation.' In a good baptist church I was taught, like you, that all of the New Testament applies to you and me. I'm not MAD but have come to realize I agree with them on a good many points: preterism isn't one of them, but 'audience spoken to' is. I don't believe I am part of 'this generation.'

Therefore His Great Commission to go and make disciples of all the nations
will be successfully accomplished before He returns to Earth to end human
history -- the world will eventually become Christian. "He must reign until
He has put all his enemies under His feet." 1 Cor. 15:25
"For He (God) has put everything under His feet." 1 Cor. 15:27

This comes from a series of 'givens' in scripture I've come to question and disagree with, starting with 'this generation will not pass away.'

The Lord Jesus right NOW is reigning as King over this entire world and He is
gradually incrementally Christianizing the entire world. Again, how long will this
take? It will take many many millenniums yet to unfold, but He will be victorious.
We must be patient. This is going to take a very long time.

Colossians 1:17 as far as the reign, He is in charge of the entire universe John 15:5 where nothing can happen without His sustaining power. Colossians 1:16-20

Meanwhile . .

Unfortunately there is a lot of Doom and Gloom and Defeatism
out there inside 21st century Christendom .

Christendom holds and presents 4 major views of the future
of the Christian Church and the Human Race.

These 4 views are:
(1) Postmillennialism
(2) Amillennialism
(3) Premillennialism
(4) Dispensationalism

Poly-millenialism (Prepared for, anticipating whatever He plans).

Of the 4 views only Postmillennialism presents an optimistic
bright cheerful victorious future for the Christian Church and
the Human Race. The other 3 views are saturated with Doom
and Gloom and Defeatism for both the Christian Church and
the Human race.

This Post is presenting some general thoughts on
Postmillennialism and Postmillennialism's optimistic view of
the future.

Long live Christian optimism.

At the very least, it encourages evangelizing. The church is somewhat curtailed in evangelism efforts by the states taxation, trying to do the job themselves (never works, is not Christian, but socialism). So, our time is consumed more these days with both parents having to work, more $ (resources) taken from the church where tithing is difficult because of inability to meet even immediate household expenses, let alone meet those of the extended family/church. Pastors think it is about faithfulness, but it is about indentured slavery to the state. Slaves don't tithe (different story and into politics somewhat at that point).

Spoiler

Large swaths of the Christian Church today are awash in
Gloom and Doom and in Defeatism passed off as being
spiritual, when in fact the Bible teaches that the Christian
Church will be victorious. I will build my Church, said the
Lord Jesus, and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.
Go and make disciples of all the nations, said the Lord
Jesus, because I have now been given all authority both
in Heaven and on Earth.

It is sad indeed that Amillennialism, Premillennialism, and
Dispensationalism repudiates the gospel victory theme of
the Bible in their modern eschatological speculations and
replaces this victory theme with a defeatist scheme of the
future of the Christian Church and Human race. This
paralyzes Christian cultural efforts and eliminates the
practical significance from the Christian worldview, and
gives Christians a sinful comfort in lethargy because all
this Defeatism and Doom and Gloom tends to justify
social and cultural irresponsibility. "Why polish brass
on a sinking ship", ask many misinformed Christians.

Here is an excellent definition of Postmillennialism:

"Postmillennialism holds that the Lord Jesus Christ established
His kingdom on earth through His preaching and redemptive
work in the first century and that He equips His church with the
gospel, empowers her by the Holy Spirit, and charges her with
the Great Commission to disciple all nations. Postmillennialism
expects that eventually the vast majority of men living will be
saved. Increasing gospel success will gradually produce a
time in history prior to Christ's return in which faith,
righteousness, peace, and prosperity will prevail in the
affairs of men and nations. After an extensive era of such
conditions the Lord will return visibly, bodily, and gloriously,
to end history with the general resurrection and the final
Judgment after which the eternal order follows."
___ Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry.

Christianity is slowly Christianizing the world.

Christianity started small in numbers. There was a time in the 1st century
at the very beginning of Christianity when the number of Christians in the
world was less than 12. Today, some 2000 years later, there is some 2.3
billion Christians in the world. We have a name for this. We call it progress.

America today has over 1300 Evangelical mega-churches with weekly
attendance of over 2000. The Roman Catholics have over 3000 churches
with a weekly attendance of over 2000. This is Christian progress in the world.

Christianity is growing like wildfire in the Global South for example in Africa.
There is a huge Christian Church in China. House Church.
.Christianity is huge in South Korea and in South America and Central America.
The American Christian Church is still a vibrant force in the World. All this is
Christian progress in the world.

■ The Lord Jesus "shall have dominion from sea to sea" Psalm 72:8
■ "The whole Earth will be filled with His glory." Psalm 72:19
■ "All the nations will call Him blessed." Psalm 72:17
■ The Lord Jesus really meant it, when He commanded His Christian
Church to "go and make disciples of all the nations." Matthew 28:19

"As of the year 2015, Christianity has more than 2.3 billion adherents,
out of about 7.5 billion people. The faith represents one-third of the
world's population and is the largest religion in the world, with the three
largest groups being the Catholic Church, Protestantism, and
the Eastern Orthodox Church."__wikipedia

At the end of human history , , ,
The Book Of Revelation says that there is a great multitude of the saved
from every nation, tribe, people and language and they are so numerous
that no one can count them.

"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one
could count from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing
before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white
robes . . .and they cried out . . . Salvation belongs to our God who sits
on the throne and to the Lamb." Revelation 7:9-10

Spoiler

_________



Miscellaneous Points:

* I am a Bible believing orthodox Postmillennialist.

* I am NOT a Full Preterist.

* Full Preterism is False.

* FYI, I am a Bible believing Protestant {Baptist.}

* I posted that up there only as "food for thought."

* I do NOT argue Christian Eschatology in threads.

* I look forward to reading some of the responses to the Opening Post.

God Bless.

JAGG


``

I don't think anybody would tag you as a full preteris. They'd likely not even tag you a partial preterist. I am a partial preterist. In a way, MAD are partial as well, because they apply the Gospels to only 'that generation.'