Postmillennialism
"The postmillennialist believes that the millennium is an era (not necessarily a literal thousand years) during which Christ will reign over the earth, not from a literal and earthly throne, but through the gradual increase of the Gospel and its power to change lives. After this gradual Christianization of the world, Christ will return and immediately usher the church into their eternal state after judging the wicked. This is called postmillennialism because, by its view, Christ will return after the millennium." ^[1]^
Contrast with Premillennialism
"In contrast to premillennialism, the postmillennialists emphasize the present aspects of God's kingdom, which will reach fruition in the future. They believe that the millennium will come through Christian preaching and teaching. Such activity will result in a more godly, peaceful, and prosperous world. The new age will not be essentially different from the present, and it will come about as more people are converted to Christ. Evil will not be totally eliminated during the millennium, but it will be reduced to a minimum as the moral and spiritual influence of Christians is increased." Elwell, Walter A. (ed.): Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Edition, Millenium, Views of the (article), page 771.
Postmillennial Theologians
- Kenneth G Talbot
- Kenneth L Gentry
- Gary Demar
- Greg Bahnsen
- Francis Nigel Lee
- David Chilton
- Rousas J. Rushdoony
- R.C. Sproul
- Gary North
- Iain Murray