God And His Word - A Question And Answer Approach To Understanding The Bible

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• Saucy, Robert L. The Case for Progressive Dispensationalism (Zon dervan, 1993).

4. Postmillennialism

A Basic Definition. "The view of most nineteenth-century evan gelicals and some Reformed people today: Christians, with God's help, will gradually convert and reform society into a blessed, though not perfect, state." 2 3 The advent of Christ will take place after (post-) the Millennium (i.e., after the millennial kingdom concludes). Some postmillen nialists believe that "the Millennium spans the entire period be tween Christ's first and second advents," while others "argue that the Millennium refers to either the last thousand years of the pres ent age or to a long period of time immediately preceding the Sec ond Coming." 24 Keith A. Mathison, in a recent apologetic for this position, says: Fundamental to postmillennial eschatology is the doctrine that the messianic kingdom has been inaugurated, and that Christ has been given this kingdom in connection with the events of the First Advent. Because Satan has been bound and the saints are now reigning with Christ, postmillennialism identifies the "thousand years" of Revelation 20 with the entire period between the two advents of Christ. There is no need for the church to "bring in the kingdom" because the kingdom already exists. 25 This millennial period is one of peace and righteousness on earth, the final and most glorious part of the Church age. Some postmillennialists believe this golden age has already begun, al though they cannot give an exact starting time. It will result from the worldwide dissemination and acceptance of the Gospel. Ken neth L. Gentry Jr., a leading exponent, says, "Christ will return to the earth after the Spirit-blessed Gospel has had overwhelm ing success in bringing the world to the adoption of Christian ity. " 2 6 Some feel that "the present age has been and will continue to gradually merge into the millennial age as an increasing pro

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