A Case For Optimistic Amillennialism -- An Article from Mason S. Craig.
Introduction This post presents a case for optimistic amillennialism, which is somewhat of an eclectic position drawing upon both classic amillennialism and postmillennialism. This post doesn’t convey a complete eschatology, but highlights and clarifies a few points. Although my distinctions may seem slight to some, I aim to convey my current view, which doesn’t seem to fit neatly into either of the previously mentioned eschatological camps. As one of my professors once said, “The higher in theology you go, the more precise your theology must become.” --- The Kingdom of God The Expectation of Kingdom Expansion on Earth Throughout the gospel narratives, Jesus’ teachings regarding the Kingdom of God suggest an expectation that the Kingdom would expand. The Lord’s Prayer not only anticipates the kingdom, but earnestly asks for it to come (Matt 6:10). The parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven foretell the inevitable growth of the kingdom (Matt 13:31-33). Jesus Christ proclaims his Church will be built and says, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18). In The Great Commission, Christ grounds his command to make disciples in the statement, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt 28:18). Since the gates of hell will not prevail, Christ has authority and disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities of this world at the cross, and he is with us always, we can have a humble confidence that the Kingdom of God will continue to grow through the success of the gospel going forth in power. Now to be clear, Christ’s kingdom is not derived from this world (Jn 18:36), but that doesn’t discount the fact that Christ condescended to His earthly creatures, in an earthly body, to establish his earthly church. Everything about our existence as we know it happens on earth, so to think of the kingdom of God as wholly unearthly is to deny a dimension of its presence in our existence. So, technically, the Kingdom of God is not of this world, but we can expect its effects to be seen in this world. Ongoing Hostility Although I am convinced and confident that Christ’s kingdom will grow through the gospel’s success, I also believe that in ever age until Christ’s return, there will be hostility towards the Church. Whether Christianity spreads to 1%, 10%, 51%, or 99% of the world, the Scriptures seem to also teach that believers must be prepared to endure ongoing suffering. The wheat field will continue to grow with tares within it. That is not to say that a Christian majority is impossible, but that in every age, Christians will have to grow up alongside sons of the evil one (Matt 13:24-30, 36-43). --- The Millennium The Binding of Satan Common to both amillennialism and postmillennialism is the present limited state of Satan. In Revelation 20:1-3, John depicts Satan as bound and sealed within the bottomless pit “so that he might not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were ended” (Rev 20:3). The triumph of Christ over all cosmic powers occurred with His crucifixion and resurrection, which simultaneously limited Satan’s ability to deceive on a national level and prepared the way for the gospel to spread on a national level, as Christ commands in the Great Commission. With the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth, Satan’s ability to deceive is fleeting. The Millennium is Now In Revelation 20:4-6, John writes of a time when believers will reign with Christ for a thousand years. According to amillennial thought, this period is currently taking place and constitutes the entire church age, beginning at Christ’s first advent and terminating in His second coming. In contrast to classic postmillennialism, I do not believe the Millennium to be a distinguishable future golden-age. Rather, saints are reigning in heaven with Christ as we speak! --- Christ’s Second Coming According to traditional amillennial thought, Christ’s second coming will simultaneously actuate the final defeat of Satan, the resurrection of believers and unbelievers, the Final Judgment, and the new creation. Also, just as the old man passes away and believers are regenerated into new creations, our current world will also pass away and be renewed (2 Cor 5:16-17). Romans 8:19-22 discusses the current condition of creation under the curse of sin, anticipating the coming day when it will be set free from its bondage. Also, in 2 Peter 3, the day of the Lord is depicted as a refinement rather than destruction. We can expect this “glorification” of the cosmos to occur at Christ’s second and to be the foundation for the new creation. --- Conclusion While these may be elementary for some, I needed to record my current eschatological position. My primary aim is to simultaneously hold the Lordship of Christ over all and the success of the gospel without the triumphalist mentality that disregards potential suffering and pushback to the gospel in every age. Thus, the label optimistic amillennialism. Thank you for taking the time to read it, and if you have any questions, comments, or any other concepts I should consider, please comment below. Or, if you just want to talk theology, I am free until the end of the age!