After reading a book on millennialism and another specifically on postmillennialism, I have become convinced of postmil. But I want to make sure that I am not holding this view in ignorance of some stronger arguments for other positions. And right now, I would prefer to focus on amil.

So, please answer the question that entitles this post.

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Ben Maas. . . . .Facebook
In college, attending First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), Ada, OH, and
Belle Center Reformed Presbyterian Church (RPCNA), Belle Center, OH
When at home, attending Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC), Mansfield, OH

“Prayer is as natural an expression of faith as breathing is of life.”
-Jonathan Edwards-

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Kevin - PCA - Mississippi

"What, for some, is sin, others do to the glory of God. And the good Dr. Pentecost's remarks notwithstanding, I intend to go home tonight and smoke a cigar to the glory of God. It is a kind of incense drifting to Heaven." - Charles Spurgeon

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15

the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. Most naturally, this is the second coming of Jesus, if so, the antichrist will be destroyed at the second coming. So there will be no millenium as the antichrists will reign till the end of the human history. Some may say the Pope will be gradually destroyed until the final destruction at Christ's coming. The whole process of him being destroyed is the advancing of the kingdom on earth.

Other reason would be that the church must always suffer at this world, as Calvin would argue this way to the best of my knowledge. So either there is no millenium at all, or the millenium is just a representation of the church on earth as Calvin said somewhere in his commentary.

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Yigang Xu
Husband of Yele, Father of Anna (07/17/08)
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)
Bethesda, Maryland

"Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side." Psalm 65:10,11

Have you visited Kim Riddlebarger's blog? If you haven't, then just click on the link below:

Riddleblog

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Joel de Leon
Member (man under care)
Christ Presbyterian Church, OPC
Salt Lake City, UT

The Cleansed Leper

Hey, Ben, please look at Millennial Dreams, a blog that my cousin "Earl" and I started at the beginning of the year; we were joined by Bill, an elder in my church. There are many resources there.

My current search question includes which view adds to Scripture. I go back and forth between Amil and Post. Currently I am leaning to Post. Let me know by PM if you wish to author on that blog.

For a little lightness on the subject see "Millennial Dreaming" lyrics on my PB blog.

Cordially,

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Carol
Plant City, Florida


That I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.
Philippians 3:8,9

http://gettingoffthenicenesstreadmill.blogspot.com/

For what it's worth, Mr. G.I. Williamson describe his understand of this as either:

1) a non-utopian postmillennialist

or

2) optimistic amillenialist

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Scott
PCA
North Carolina


"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)"
Hebrews 10:23

Confessor it would be helpful to aid you with this question if you provide us with the reasons as to why you are persuaded to postmill over amill. I also recommend Riddlebergers blog as posted by Chippy.

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Julio Perez
Visting Branch of Hope OPC hoping this will be my home church.....


“No…we are all priests. Your vocation and your contentment in your vocation should not be dependent upon your being in vocational ministry or in being a figure of public acclaim. If God wills that fine…if He does not do that, you ought to still do what he has granted you to do to the glory of God.”

-Martin Luther

Yes, this would be a good idea.

(1) First, I believe that the millennium and the Church age are identical. Therefore I would say there is no disagreement over the interpretation of Rev. 20:1-6 between an amillennarian and a postmillennarian.
(2) I believe that a simultaneous resurrection of believers and unbelievers is taught in Scripture, and that this occurs at Christ's second coming, thereby precluding premil.
(3) I believe that Scripture contains many prophecies of earthly prosperity for the church that simply cannot be spiritualized; moreover, these must be referring to something prior to the new heavens and new earth -- e.g. Isaiah 65:20. Admittedly, I am not too knowledgeable on many specific prophecies like this and have accepted postmillennial authors at their word that many prophecies cannot be spiritualized.

I think I was ultimately persuaded when Bahnsen said in his Victory in Jesus book that postmil contains the good of premil (that there will be earthly prosperity) and the good of amil (that there will be only one resurrection and that Satan is presently bound) while rejecting the bad of each.

I just got Dr. Ken Gentry's third edition of He Shall Have Dominion and am including it on my summer reading.

Earl and Bill go back and forth on Amil and Postmil on the blog I mentioned

Millennial Dreams.

We do know Christ is coming! How exciting!

David Brown (postmil) in his "Christ's Second Advent: Will it be Premillenial?" said that this was a valid objection, but came to the conclusion that in the light of other texts that this wasn't Christ's visible glorious return at the end of the world, but His coming in providence and by the gospel to destroy the Papacy.

I'll find the quote.

Zechariah 14 gave me pause for thought - as a postmil - as well. E.g. About Jesus feet on the Mount of Olives. This is a very apocalyptic passage. But clearly the consequent verses deal with an imperfect preconsummation world. T.V. Moore's and Gary de Mar's comments helped here:-

http://www.preteristsite.com/docs/demarzechthree.html

Postmils don't believe that life will be perfect during the "Golden Age". Christians will still die and have illnesses - although they may live longer and keep better due to advances in medicine. There will still be suffering of various kinds.

Non-Christians, war and persecution will be at a minimum. The Church will have flowered into maturity, unlike the present adolescent state she is in. Under amillenialism evil and good flower together and good, i.e. the Holy Spirit, isn't powerful enough to overcome the evil.

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Richard
communicant member, FCoS
Perth, Scotland UK

His Name forever shall endure;
last like the sun it shall:
Men shall be blessed in Him,
and blessed all nations shall Him call (Ps. 72:17)

I would challenge you to read prof. Englesma's defence of the amill postion. He deals with Isaiah 65.

A Defense of (Reformed) Amillennialism

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Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
James Farley
Husband of Melissa and father of Ann.
Members of Redeemer Church ARP, Blacksburg Va.
http://www.redeemerblacksburg.org/