Topical Encyclopedia Definition: Postmillennialism is a Christian eschatological view that interprets the millennium mentioned in Revelation 20:1-6 as a future period during which Christ will reign spiritually through His Church, leading to a time of unprecedented peace and righteousness on earth. This view holds that the Second Coming of Christ will occur after this millennial period. Biblical Basis: Postmillennialists often cite passages that suggest the progressive triumph of the Gospel and the expansion of Christ's kingdom on earth. Key scriptures include: · Matthew 28:18-20 : "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" · Psalm 22:27-28 : "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD. All the families of the nations will bow down before Him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations." · Isaiah 2:2-4 : "In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.' For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation, nor will they train anymore for war." Theological Implications: Postmillennialism emphasizes the optimistic view that the Gospel will be successful in transforming society and that the world will increasingly reflect the values of the Kingdom of God. This perspective encourages believers to engage actively in cultural, social, and political spheres, working towards societal reformation in accordance with biblical principles. Historical Development: The postmillennial view gained prominence during the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly among Reformed theologians. It was influential during periods of great missionary activity and social reform, such as the Great Awakening and the abolitionist movement. Notable proponents include Jonathan Edwards and Charles Hodge. Criticism and Challenges: Critics of postmillennialism argue that it may underestimate the presence and power of evil in the world and the scriptural emphasis on the end-times tribulation. They point to passages such as 2 Timothy 3:1-5, which describe difficult times in the last days, as evidence that the world will not progressively improve before Christ's return. Contemporary Relevance: In modern times, postmillennialism continues to inspire Christians to work towards societal transformation, emphasizing the role of the Church in influencing culture and politics. It remains a minority view compared to premillennialism and amillennialism but retains a dedicated following among those who advocate for a hopeful and active engagement with the world. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia MILLENNIUM, POSTMILLENNIAL VIEWSee ESCHATOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. Thesaurus PostmillennialPostmillennial. Posting, Postmillennial. Post-runner . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MILLENNIUM, POSTMILLENNIAL VIEW. ... /p/postmillennial.htm - 6k Posting (2 Occurrences) Post-runner (1 Occurrence) Millennium View (86 Occurrences) Resources What is Federal Vision Theology? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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