What Is Postmillennialism?

Last updated on: December 26, 2015 at 8:17 pm by Jack Wellman

What Is Postmillennialism? 2015-12-26T20:17:37-06:00 Jack Wellman

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

What is Postmillennialism? How does it differ from a millennialism or premillennialism?

The Millennium

The word millennium simply means a one thousand year period of time. The Apostle John wrote about what most consider the millennium in Revelation 20:1-3 where John writes “I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.” John also “saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” (Rev 20:4) however, “The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years” (Rev 20:5-6). Those over which death has no power will share “in the first resurrection” as they’re called to “be priests of God” and these, along with the others “will reign with him for a thousand years.”

What is Postmillennialism?

Postmillennialism is the belief that Jesus does not come until after the millennium, thus the affixed “post” before the word millennial which means after. This is the very opposite of premillennial views where it’s thought that Jesus will come before the millennium or the thousand year period, at least a figurative thousand year period. Postmillenist’s would read Revelation 20 and see Jesus as coming to establish a golden age or era of Christian prosperity and dominance in the world however, it doesn’t happen until after Jesus Christ returns and it’s not necessarily a literal one thousand year time period. The error I see in postmillennialism is of those who believe that the world is going to be a better and better place over time and will lead to a blossoming of the Christian’s Golden Age because everyone’s been converted. What is problematic about this view is that evil seems to be growing worse and worse with each passing decade. The problem with the conversion of the world is that Jesus said “many are called but few are chosen” (Matt 22:14).

Other Views on the Millennium

There are only three main views of the millennium or thousand year time period and they are the a millennial view or nonmillennial view (there is no millennium at all), the premillennial view (where Christ comes before the millennium), and of course the postmillennialist which is what the previous paragraph was about. The a millennialists are not necessarily saying there’s no millennium but that the one thousand year is not a specific time period but a figurative amount of time. The important thing to me is that we should not hold to our view as to make us feel superior over those with different beliefs, because we’re not. These things should not divide us. Since the main things unite us, such as being saved by grace alone (Eph 2:8-9) and by Christ alone (Acts 4:12), we should not allow ourselves to be divided us non-essential views or things that do not affect our salvation. Thankfully, the main things are the plain things (John 3:16; Rom 10:9-12; Acts 16:30-31) and they’re simple enough for a child to understand.

Conclusion

Whether you hold to a millennial view or nonmillennial view, the premillennial view or the postmillennial view, I hope you realize that it’s best to be a “pan-millenialist,” meaning it will all pan out in the end. It is pointless to argue things that don’t affect the gospel. Far and away the most important thing to know is if you’ve repented and placed your trust in Jesus Christ. I pray that is so and if not, that you will soon before He comes again and judges all who have refused to belief.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.

Previous Post

December 26, 2015

What Is Amillennialism?

Next Post

December 26, 2015 What Is Demonic Oppression?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Bible Answers Bible Definitions Bible Story Bible Study Bible Verses Christian Books Christian Entertainment Christian Fathers Christian Mothers Christian Quotes Devotional Famous Christians Music News Parables Prayers Quotes Sunday School Lesson Uncategorized Youth Sermons

Select a Month October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In 2 Corinthians, Paul describes a man being caught up to the third heaven. How many years before writing did this happen?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Fourteen years Seven years Twelve years Ten years