The Millennial Reign Of Christ, Parts 1 & 2 Series

There are a number of Problems with postmillennialism are numerous. “Those who hold to postmillennialism use a non-literal method of interpreting unfulfilled prophecy, often interpreting prophetic passages allegorically. The problem with this is that when the normal meaning of a passage is abandoned, its meaning can become entirely subjective. All objectivity concerning the meaning of words is lost. When words lose their meaning, communication ceases. However, this is not how God has intended for language and communication to be. God communicates to us through His written word, with objective meanings to words, so that ideas and thoughts can be communicated.” (Got Questions)

A major problem I have with postmillennialism, is the role of Israel. We know from our study of Revelation that the Tribulation is not about the Church, but God restoring Israel. Postmillennialism is rooted with replacement theology. Postmillennialism is church-centric, but we know that Scripture is covenant-centric and Israel is the center of God’s covenants.

Lastly, postmillennialism is popular when things are going well, but usually wanes when things in the world start going awry. Postmillennialism lost much of its popularity among theologians during the Great Depression and World Wars. When things in the world seem to be more prosperous, it gains popularity. We know, however, the world is heading in a certain trajectory.

Matthew 24:21-22 “21 “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 “And unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”

2. Amillennialism

The other theological interpretation of the Millennium is Amillennialism, meaning no (a) millennium. The amillennialist will say there is no kingdom being established. The way things are today are how things are going to be, for better or for worse. So the premillennialist says things are going to get worse and then Jesus cleans house and sets up his kingdom. The postmillennialist says that things are getting better and when Jesus comes after the Church has finished its job, the kingdoms of this world and the Kingdom of God will merge. And the Amillennialist says that everything just goes its course and there is not establishment of the Kingdom of God

The amillennialist has a major problem with interpretation because the Millennial Kingdom described in Revelation 20 is clear that Satan is bound. How can Satan be bound when Scriptures clearly say that Satan is actively working to hinder the saints, blind the minds of men, and roaming around the earth roaring like a lion (Acts 5:3, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 2:18).

Historically, the Church in earliest post-apostolic eras understood the millennium of Revelation 20 to be a literal 1000 year period in which Christ would rule. “Papias, Barnabas, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian all give evidence of this fact in their writings” (MacArthur). It wasn’t until some 400 years later that other teachings began manifesting.