JAMES WHITE'S POSTMILLENNIAL FALLACY

Sermon: My Journey to Hope for the Future - YouTube

Last year, Reformed Baptist Pastor James White (director of Alpha and Omega Ministries) announced that after many years of being a "pan-millennial" (it will all pan out in the end), he has finally opted to support the postmillennial eschatological position. 

There are essentially four eschatological views: Historic Premillennialism, Dispensational Premillennialism, Amillennialism, and Postmillennialism. The summary of each of these positions below is very brief and variations within them are not included. 

Historic premillennialism is so called because it was the view articulated by the early church fathers including Irenaeus, Papias, Justin Martyr, Tertullian and Hippolytus. Historic premillennialism (known in the early church as chiliasm) is the literal futuristic view that the second coming of Jesus Christ will occur prior to the thousand-year reign subsequent to the great apostasy. Historic premillennialists deny a pre-tribulation rapture and anticipate that the church will go through the great tribulation. (2 Thessalonians 2:3; Matthew 24:3-21).

Dispensational premillennialism is the view developed by John Nelson Darby and popularized by CI Scofield in the 19th century. This view supports a literal thousand year reign of Jesus Christ after an alleged "seven year tribulation". Dispensational premillennialists make a rigid distinction between Israel and the church, maintaining that God does not work with the Church and Israel at the same time. There are many exegetical problems associated with this view, not least, the popular, but problematic, pre-tribulation rapture theory.  

Amillennialism (non-millennial) is the view that the millennium and the book of Revelation are allegorical. 

Postmillennialism is the view that Jesus Christ will return at the end of an indefinite period of time (the millennium) after the majority of the world has been converted to Christianity. Reformed theologian, Kenneth L Gentry Jr gives a brief summary of modern Reformed postmillennialism below:

"Postmillennialism holds that the Lord Jesus Christ established his kingdom on earth in the first century through his preaching and redemptive work. Since then he has continued to equip his Church with the gospel, empower her by his Spirit, and charge her with the Great Commission to disciple all nations. Postmillennialism expects that eventually the vast majority of men living will be saved. Increasing gospel success will gradually produce a time in history prior to Christ’s return in which faith, righteousness, peace, and prosperity will prevail in the affairs of men and of nations. After an extensive era of such conditions, the Lord will return visibly, bodily, and gloriously, to end history. Associated with his return will be the general resurrection and the final judgment after which the eternal order follows. Because of its worldwide historical implications, postmillennialism generates an holistic worldview touching on all areas of life.." {1}

The aim of this post is to critique the postmillennial view as articulated by James White in the above sermon livestreamed by Apologia Studios on the 14th February 2021.   

It doesn't take James White very long to dismiss what he refers to as "beasts in Revelation" and "obscure passages in Daniel". Like many of us, James White admits to having been negatively impacted by "Left Behind" pre-trib dispensational premillennialism as touted by Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye. While I agree that it is advisable to reject the eisegetical teachings of the pre-trib camp, it would be catastrophic to dismiss explicit eschatological material in the book of Revelation and related Old Testament passages. According to pre-trib scholar Arnold Fruchtenbaum, there are over five hundred references to the Old Testament in the Book of Revelation: "Some of these references back to the Old Testament do speak of the very same thing as the Revelation. However, in others, the Revelation merely borrows a phrase or motif for the purpose of developing a new area. This distinction should be kept in mind in the study of those Old Testament references." {2} 

The Gnostic Roots of Postmillennialism

In common with Calvinism, the roots of postmillennialism go back to 4th century philosopher, Augustine of Hippo. Augustine infused Christian doctrine with Neoplatonism and was the primary catalyst that brought about a shift in thinking about the literal one thousand year view of the millennium in the west. Most historians agree that Augustine was amillennial, as was Jerome, his counterpart in the Eastern Orthodox Church. In Augustine's City of God, an earthly or physical millennial kingdom is repeatedly dismissed. {3}. In the late 2nd century, a literal thousand years was challenged by Origen and Clement of Alexandria who favoured allegorical biblical interpretations.

The first person to articulate a definitive postmillennial view was Church of England minister, Daniel Whitby (1638-1726). 

Clarence Larkin: "... a new interpretation of the Millennial Reign of Christ was demanded. This interpretation was furnished by the Rev. Daniel Whitby (1638–1726), a clergyman of the Church of England, who claimed that in reading the promises made to the Jews in the Old Testament of their restoration as a nation, and the re-establishment of the Throne of David, he was led to see that these promises were spiritual and applied to the Church. This view he called a 'New Hypothesis.' 
His 'New Hypothesis' was that by the preaching of the Gospel Mohammedanism would be overthrown, the Jews converted, the Papal Church with the Pope (Antichrist) would be destroyed, and there would follow a 1000 years of righteousness and peace known as the Millennium; at the close of which there would be a short period of Apostasy, ending in the return of Christ." {4}

A postmillennial (allegorical) interpretation of Revelation 20:1-10 is highly problematic for at least four reasons.

1. Postmillennialism does not align with an exegetical reading of Revelation 20:1-10. There is no indication in the book of Revelation that the events described are allegorical. Revelation 1:1 describes "what must (dei - necessarily) soon come to pass". As such we must take the events literally in order to follow accepted principles of sound exegesis. 

2. The historic premillennial view was the predominant view of the early church fathers e.g. Irenaeus, Papias, Justin Martyr, Tertullian and Hippolytus. We therefore have early church tradition as a powerful witness attesting to historic premillennialism.  

3. Postmillennialism has its roots in Gnosticism.

4. The Enlightenment and the optimism of the 18th century "the golden age of theodicies". More information on this subject can be found at: FULL_TEXT.PDF (manchester.ac.uk)

Revelation discloses definitively what must literally soon (tachos - speedily) come to pass.

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near. (Revelation 1:1-3 cf. Daniel 12:1-13).

The book of Revelation gives a stern warning not to change (add or subtract) any part of its contents. (Revelation 22:19-20). I don't know what the consequences are for those who either allegorize or reject this book completely! 

Postmillennials have made a disastrous false assumption i.e. that the evangelization of the world leads progressively into the millennium and that the majority of people will be saved. However, the scriptures are clear that the evangelization of the world is a prerequisite to God's judgement on the wicked (the Day of the Lord), followed by Christ's physical return when His kingdom will be established on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10). And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14). The evangelization of the world is finally fulfilled by the first of the three angels in Revelation 14:6-9.

Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:6-7).

The worldwide proclamation of the gospel by the first angel is followed by a second proclamation, the impending doom of Babylon (second angel); and a third proclamation, the specific warning not to take the mark of the beast (third angel). (Revelation 14:9-11). In light of such explicit warnings, postmillennialism is left floundering. 

In this video James White concentrates the entirety of his efforts on Psalm 2, Psalm 110, Isaiah 42:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 15:20-27. These passages are eschatological, but they do not support postmillennialism. In common with the pre-trib rapture theory, not one verse of scripture supports the postmillennial view.

James White's worldly emotional appeal 

 

James White spends some time describing the current global situation as "..a rapid major movement of the entire globe toward a secular anti-Christian mindset and governmental system". He asks: "What is the intention of the church in light of advancing global secular totalitarianism?" I share his concerns about advancing global totalitarianism. However, current events align with the scriptures i.e. things will get worse and worse rather than better. There is no indication in the scriptures that the world will improve, rather the reverse is indicated. (Matthew 24:37; Luke 17: 22 -37; 2 Timothy 3:13; 1 John 2:17). 

James White's concerns for our progeny (the future of our children and future generations) appears to be based on an emotional reaction based on human concerns rather than the concerns of God. (Mark 8:33). As believers, our optimism must be founded on the coming of Jesus Christ, our blessed hope, NOT on some unscriptural assumption that the world will eventually be evangelized and will improve. ..waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:13). 

Look up - or wait for the world to improve? 

In order to be postmillennial you must reject the book of Revelation, Daniel and associated scriptures. You must also reject the explicit warnings of Jesus Christ concerning the end of the age in the Olivet Discourse. (Matthew 24:3). 

So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. And let no one in the field return for his cloak.(Matthew 24:15-18).

Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.. (Luke 21:10-19).

"And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:25-28 cf. Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24; Acts 2:20; Revelation 6:12-13, Isaiah 13:10; Joel 2:31).

For all of James White's protestations that he is scriptural, his soteriology (Calvinism) and eschatology (postmillennialism) are based on Gnosticism and do not reflect either the scriptures or early church tradition.

They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. (Titus 1:11).

1. Definition | Postmillennial Worldview
2. revelation.pdf (rebel13.nl)
3. De civitate Dei, 18.52-53; 20.7, 9, 19
4. Chapter 2. Pre-Millennalism - Dispensational Truth - Study Resources (blueletterbible.org)