Joy in Christendom

What do Postmillenialists Believe?

"According to evangelical, Bible-believing postmillennialism, fallen man is utterly incapable of entering or advancing the kingdom of God in his own effort, wisdom, or accomplishment. God's kingdom comes not by human work, but by the redemptive mission of Jesus Christ (cf. Colossians 1:13-14) and according to the gracious power of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said to Nicodemus: "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

Postmillennialists believe that Jesus established the kingdom of God on earth during His first advent. Mark summarizes what Jesus preached: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand" (Mark 1:14). From His exorcism of demons Jesus authoritatively concluded: "the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28). Jesus is now despoiling Satan's house (v. 29), as the kingdom slowly grows in the earth (Matthew 13:31-32), and every enemy is brought in submission under His feet (Hebrews 1:13; 10:13). He must reign until all opposition is defeated, and then He will deliver up the kingdom to the Father -- at His second coming, which is "the end" of history (1 Corinthians 15:24-25).

Postmillennialists believe that the victorious advance of Christ's kingdom comes about by means of the preaching of the gospel and the powerful work of God's Spirit in regeneration and sanctification. That is, it is the pursuit of the Great Commission, rather than the use of violence or military confrontation, which peacefully secures the widespread conversion of the world and brings it to obey all that Jesus has commanded (cf. Matthew 28:18-20).

However, the process through which the kingdom grows involves an intense spiritual battle, with its ensuing afflictions, persecutions, hardships and suffering for God's people. The ultimate victory which shall come through the struggle does not cancel the pain and sorrow which attends that struggle. The Apostle John spoke of himself as a "companion in the suffering and kingdom... that are ours in Jesus" (Revelation 1:9). Paul called on Timothy to "be a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:8), realizing that "if we suffer [with Him], we shall also reign with Him" (2:12)." - Dr. Greg Bahnsen

I love being a Christian.

Do Postmillennialists Overlook Suffering in this Life?

"This is a rhetorical distoration of the Postmillenial Position.  By using language like this the critic insinuates false accusations and communicates unfair connotations about the postmillennial position, without offering details or objective proof. You will find that it is much easier to make these kinds of claims than to demonstrate them through responsible analysis and scholarship.

Postmillennialists do not deny, try to evade, or downplay the constitutive dimension of suffering and sorrow in the Christian life or in the history of the church. One can hardly imagine that the Scottish theologians Symington or Brown had somehow forgotten the "killing times" of the Covenanters when they expressed their postmillennial confidence.

Charles Hodge, the postmillennial "dean of theologians" at Princeton Seminary in the last century, wrote in his commentary on 2 Corinthians 4 that "We constantly illustrate in our person the sufferings of Christ... [being] neglected, defamed, despised, maltreated...." This is hardly consistent with the charge that postmillennialists forget the theology of the cross!

Both postmillennialists and amillennialists (not to mention premillennialists) recognize the inevitable hardships and persecution which believers undergo in this world. That is not what separates them. Postmillennialists trust the word of the Lord that, even when contrary to outward appearances, our sufferings in this world eventuate in a greater manifestation of Christ's saving rule on earth, not a diminished one. We suffer to be sure, but it is a suffering-unto-victory, rather than a suffering-unto-defeat." G. Bahnsen

Two Peoples?

Are there two distinct peoples of God?  Did the Church exist in the Old Testament?  Is there an Elect people in the New Testament?  What are we to make of the Jew/Gentile distinction?

It is the point of the this post to state that there has always been and will ever be one people of God, the Elect and Chosen of the Risen Lord.  The scriptures teach the strong continuity between the Church and Israel.  In laying this foundation, we hope to build a more perfect understanding of the Character of God, the purpose of Christ and a hopeful eschatology.

Contrary to this, dispensationalism is a school of thought within certain sects of Christendom and teaches, among other things, that there are two distinct and separate peoples of God.  As I will show here, any such teaching is in direct conflict with the Scriptures.

But the good news is that it is relatively clear that there is great continuity between the Old and the New Testament on this matter.  As I will show, it can be clearly stated that the Church is the heir of God's promised blessings to Israel.

The Church is Israel

In Romans 11:17-18 we read that Paul describes Israel (the elect) as the tree - the Olive tree of faith - the important thing to note here is that there is only one tree with branches that are natural or grafted - in either case, they become the tree.  In this age, those branches have become the natural tree.  The branches that have been grafted in become the natural tree.  As proof to this belief, we see that In Galatians (6:16) during his declaration to the Galatians, the Church, he calls them the Israel of God.

And finally, in reading Ex 19:5,6 the Lord after calling them out of Egypt, pronounces them a holy nation and a kingdom of priests unto Him.  To mirror that, in I Peter 2, the apostle addresses the Church as a chosen race and a holy nation, providing continuity between Old Testament and New Testament believers.

Israel is the Church

In Act 7:38 we see that Steven speaks of the Church in the wilderness and Hebrews 3 and 4 we likewise read of the Church, that is Israel in the wilderness - a merging of those two concepts.  Furthermore, in the addresses that the Apostles make to their congregations we get a glimpse of how they understood that Israel was the Church.  In these (i.e. James 1:1:, 1 Peter 1:1) words and terms that would have applied to Israel are applied to the church.

Continuity and Fulfillment

What is so beautiful about this unfolding is that the New Testament helps us understand what the Old Testament was getting at - and this unfolding of His Kingdom to the ends of the earth.  Furthermore, by reading these we get the sense that "something big" is unfolding, which is precisely the case.

Check this out:  Jeremiah 31:33 says that God will make a new covenant with the house of Judah and Israel.  Fast forward to Jesus in Mathew where he says that "this is the new covenant in my blood" and He made it with the Church!  How exciting is that?

In 2 Corinthians 3:3-18 we see that Paul wants to transition his readers to from Israel to the New Covenant and Church.  And what is truly amazing is that he uses the inclusive "Us" to drive home his point in the matter.  What was promised to Israel was thereby promised to the Church.  What was promised to Israel is brought to the Church.  We see here in these passages the glorious continuity between Israel and the Church;  what was promised to Israel is fulfilled in the Church.

In other areas we read old testament language now being applied to the gentile believers.  In effect, "We are now the temple of God" (Eph 2, 1 Peter 2:5, Romans 12:1), THE tent of meeting, God indwelling the temple as we are the temple of God.  The new covenant fulfills the promises of God that were made to the old covenant people.   

And finally, in several occasions, the point is made that a true Jew is one that is firstly a Spiritual Jew. We are reminded that a Jew is not defined by circumcision outwardly but only by the circumcision of the heart (Rom 2:28,29).  And then in Philippians 3:3, continuing to drive the point home, Paul states that "we" are the true Jews.

Summary and Application

1. The promises made to Abraham and Israel in the old testament were made in and through Christ.
2. The church of Jesus Christ (both Jews and Gentiles) is now the kingdom of God, the people of God’s own possession, and as such inherits the promised blessings to Abraham and Israel.
3. We should be moved and marvel in the glorious plan of God for the prosperity of the Gospel.  These are the last days as foretold and we should rejoice that we get to witness the great expansion of the Gospel;
4. Likewise, we should be greatly encouraged and motivated for Christian missions;
5. We can be confident in the cultural blessings that this will bring to the world. We can be encouraged that our work (of Dominion) is not in vain in anyway.
6. We need to avoid the excesses of dispensationalism.

Jeremiah 31:33:  33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it t on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Math 26:28: 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for a many for the forgiveness of sins

2 cor 3:3-1: 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on v tablets of stone but on w tablets of x human hearts. 4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but a our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read o the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:5:  5 o you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:1:  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 2:28,29:  28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical.  29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Philippians 3:3: 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—

Deuteronomy 7:6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Ephesians 1:14- 4 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Titus 2:14 - 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Acts 15:7-9: 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.

Romans 3:32 - 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

"Our King, we are grateful that We enjoy your Covenant Blessings as the requirements are fulfilled and kept in Christ.  We thank you Lord for your Word and the grace that you have given to us, through your Spirit, to understand, eat, and enjoy it.  To us to teach our children that it applies to every area of life and to proclaim your Sovereignty in every sphere.  Amen."

End Times: A Quick Overview

"What are the major eschatological positions and to which one do you hold?"

A good friend of mine was asking me last night to give a quick run down of the major eschatological positions.  I didn't do a very good job at explaining things (I rarely do in person).  Hopefully this will clear things up a bit and also help me to organize it in such a way so that I can teach it to my children.

Premillennial Position
1. Argues that Christ will return prior to the millennium;
2. Believed that the millennium is a period of earthy prosperity, which ushers in righteousness;
3. There is a historical gap between 1st and 2nd resurrection;
4. The millennial age is distinct from the Church age;
5. The Millennium will see a historical Jewish nation with military might to rule over the world;
6. During the millennium Christ will rule Physically.  His kingdom will see prosperity, cultural advance, and unity among God's people, in the Jewish nation state.
7. Preaching, missions and the Great Commission will be of little avail as the world gets worse and worse and ends in its outward defeat - it will end in horror and tribulation.

Amillennial Position
1. This position argues that Christ returns after the millennium;
2. Believes that the millennium is not a semi-golden age on earth - any such language in the Scriptures pertains to the spiritual state on earth and to the intermediate state;
3. When Christ returns, it will synchronize with the general judgment; they deny that there is a period of time between this and the final judgment;
4. The millennium pertains to the present age between the 1st and second age;
5. The millennium period will see parallel development of good and evil - both good and evil grow together; (one of the hallmark traits, in my opinion)
6. The Old Testament prophecies of prosperity are to be taken figuratively for the spiritual condition of the church.   They do not pertain to the Gospel conquering at all
7. The preaching of the Gospel will not achieve pervasive success.  There will be believers everywhere but not the majority - the Gospel will have limited effect.  History will perhaps end in a tribulation (lawlessness, etc).  Christ will then instill the eternal state.

Postmillennial Position
1. Agrees with the Amillennial position that Christ returns after the millennium;
2. This position says that the millennium is the period of growth for the Kingdom on earth, with the saints gradually converting unto Christ over time;
3. This will synchronize with the general judgment, which will take place at the last day of human
history - the second resurrection and therefore our bodies will rise from the tombs;
4. The current and present age is the millennium which also the period of Christ Kingdom.  When Christ introduced this Kingdom, he likewise introduced the millennium;
5. During this period, we will see prosperity of the church, and will see the influence of the Church everywhere;
6. Prosperity in this age and in the physical is to be taken figuratively and literally, depending on the context.  The postmillenial position teaches victory on earth, before Christ's second return;
7. Preaching of the Gospel will disciple the nations, not by human social institutions or revolutions, but by the power of Gods' spirit - which will be broken briefly when Satan is loosed for a short period.

Personally speaking, my family is of the sober Postmillenial position.  Which means while we understand that Christ and His Kingdom will be victorious in history, we may not know exactly what that will look like.  Predicting or even ushering that in without the Gospel is a futile exercise.   We also believe that the missionary enterprise of the Church is weak today because we have in the 20/21st centuries grossly misunderstood the scriptures in relation to the end times, and have accepted a counter-biblical pessimistic approach.  The Gospel is indeed the power of God and it will not fail.  It will not fail in every area of life and we view the Gospel as total - a total transformation of life.  And it's because He is the resurrected Lord that he sends us into the Nations with the Gospel - a victorious march!  An upward march!!  Jesus is with us!!  What can overcome this?  What can overcome this power and Gospel?

1 Cor.  15:23-25 - 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

Mark 1:15 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

Matt. 12:28  28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Acts 2:33-36  33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

"The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.’

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus l whom you crucified."

Psalm 110:1  The Lord says to my Lord:  "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool."

Rev. 1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.  To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood

Matt. 28:19 19 Go therefore and k make disciples of all nations, baptizing them m in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

"Our Lord and King, how majestic is your name in all creation.  How good your benefits and how terrible your wrath.  Reform and revive your Church and bring us to repentance in all areas of life. Give us a hunger for your Word and humble us before your dear Son.  Amen."

Two Ways of Salvation?

[OK, Take 2]

Were there two ways of salvation, one for the Jew and one for the Gentile?

Were there two ways of salvation, one for the Jew and one for the Gentile? Furthermore, is the Law legalistic - is it a works-based salvation? Did the Israelite of the Old Testament (OT) have a different plan of salvation than the Jew and Gentile of the New Testament (NT)?  Certainly not.  Scriptures teach that the New Testament system of salvation is not any different then the Old Testament system of salvation.

The purpose of this little and painfully simple post is to refute any notion that there were ever two (or even more) salvific systems in history. We hear throughout the Church today that there is great discontinuity on this matter between the OT and the NT and teaching is deeply damaging to the Truth of the Word.  

The Truths of Scriptures are the following:

1. The OT Saints were saved by grace - just like NT believers.  God never offered a system of legalistic salvation. We see this in Hebrews all over the place, especially in Hebrews 4:2.  The Law was not united with Faith to them that heard.  The Gospel was preached to Israel. Their obedience, was not, however united with Faith.  They didn't enter into the promised land for the same reason your neighbor isn't going to enter - they were unbelieving - they lacked faith and obedience. Finally, Hebrews 3:19 likewise teaches us that they did not enter, they could not enter, because of their unbelieving and disobedience hearts.
2. We must not pit the Law against the Gospel.  Is the law against the promises of God?  The Law is not contrary to what was offered to Abraham.  Paul strongly refutes any such notion in his letter to the Galatians (3:21).  It was never the intention of the Law to be contrary to the Gospel. We see this clearly expressed in Gal 3:21. 
3. Continuing on this theme, we read in Romans 9:31-32 (this is for you, Jonny) that Paul will NOT have us pitting Law against Gospel in any way.  They did not arrive at the Law because they sought it not by faith but by works.  God always required faith, not merit, to gain his favor.  A faith only received by Grace.  They were to seek Him by faith.  In their own minds, they took the law as their self righteousness.  This was NEVER what the law taught.  OT Israel was never offered legalism.  NT saints and the OT saints are saved through active, obedient faith.  There was and is only one uniform salvation plan.
4. We have trouble with this truth not because we misunderstand the OT system of salvation, but we misunderstand, primarily, the NT system of salvation.  The modern Church has a tendency to believe that a conversion is an intense personal ghostly conversion - where as true faith, according to the Word, is a living, active obedient faith that is not separated from the Law, but embraces it, through grace as we display our newness unto Christ.  We must understand that men are saved by obedient faith.  Dead faith justifies no one.  We are saved by the Grace of God - the instrument of that is active, obedient faith.  Otherwise, we drive right back to a works mentality of faith.
5. The  dispensationalist believes that the NT is about grace, against the Law. However, we read in Mathew 5, when Jesus ushered in the new covenant, he proclaimed that not one jot or tittle will pass away.  Anyone who teaches that even the least of these have faded away will be among the least of them in heaven.  Our Lord takes this very seriously and so should we.  Our Lord himself  believes that the Law of God has not passed away and should be upheld by His Grace demonstrating that we are a new people.

Romans 9:31-32:  but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,

Hebrews 3:19 - 18:  And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

Hebrews 4:2:  For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.

Galatians 3:21:  Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

"Lord, our Merciful Father.  We thank you for your Word - a Word that is simple, clear and perfect.   Forgive us for treating it with skepticism and unbelief.  For any knowledge that you do bestow upon your Children is your good gift to lift your saints and Glorify your name.  Let it not puff us up against our brother but instead humble us unto righteousness.  Amen"