POSTMILLENNIALISM IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

PMW 2023-013 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In my last article I presented a brief summary of postmillennialism from the Old Testament. In this one, I will present a brief summary from the New Testament.

Immediately upon entering the New Testament record, we learn of the Messiah’s coming into history. He is “the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matt 1:1) around whose birth we hear echoes of Old Testament victory theme, showing that his first coming begins the fruition of the promises to the fathers (Luke 1:46–55, 68–79).

Upon his entering into his public ministry, Christ immediately begins declaring that his kingdom is near. And he preaches thus because the prophesied “time is fulfilled” for it to come (Mark 1:14–15; Matt 3:2). During his ministry which is to crush Satan, we read of his power over demons presented as evidence that his kingdom has actually come (Matt 12:28). It does not lay off in the distant future, it does not await his second advent (Luke 17:20–21). After all, he claims to be king while on earth in the first century (John 12:12–15; 18:36–37).

Lord of the Saved
(by Ken Gentry)

A critique of easy believism and affirmation of Lordship salvation. Shows the necessity of true, repentant faith to salvation.

See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com

The Lord’s resurrection from the dead actually becomes the starting point for his formal kingly rule (Matt 28:18–20; Acts 2:30–31; Rom 1:3–4). And he explains that his kingdom is essentially spiritual in nature (John 18:36–37; Rom 14:17) and operates from within the heart (Luke 17: 20–21). We enter his kingdom through salvation (Col 1:12, 13; John 3:3). He rules his kingdom by his spiritual presence from heaven (John 18:36; Eph 4:8–14) and through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 7:39; Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16).

The New Testament promises that Christ will bring the world as a system to salvation (John 1:29; 3:17; 1 John 2:2) as the vast majority of the world’s population converts to him (John 12:31; 1 Tim 2:6). The stumbling of the Jews in rejecting Christ appears to be a disappointing reversal of God’s redemptive program. But their rejecting him opens up the prospect of mass conversions from among the Gentiles (Rom 11:12). Eventually the vast majority of Jews and Gentiles alike will convert, leading to the “reconciliation of the world” (Rom 11:15, 25; cp. 2 Cor 5:19).

Paul’s great eschatological chapter presents Christ as currently ruling and reigning from heaven (1 Cor 15:25a). He notes that the Lord will not return in his second advent until “the end” of history (1 Cor 15:24). At that time he ends his mediatorial reign and turns the kingdom over to the Father (1 Cor 15:28). Most significantly for the postmillennial hope, Paul states that Christ’s second advent will not occur until after he conquers his earthly enemies (1 Cor 15:24). He will conquer his last enemy, death, at his return when we arise from the dead (1 Cor 15:26).

Blessed Is He Who Reads: A Primer on the Book of Revelation
By Larry E. Ball

A basic survey of Revelation from an orthodox, evangelical, and Reformed preterist perspective. Ball understands John to be focusing on the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70. Insightful. Easy to read.

For more Christian studies see: www.KennethGentry.com