To Jesus Be All Glory: A Study of Prophecy - Covenant Post Millennial Theology

Introduction

Post-Millennialism was more popular before WW1, as the onset of the war disillusioned people who thought that the world was improving. It has seen a resurgence in popularity with the rise of theonomy and reconstructionism.

Post-Millennialism was quite popular prior to WW 1. When WW 1 broke out, many doubted the fundamental tenets of Post-Millennialism that said the world would get gradually better. Loraine Boettner was instrumental in the resurrection of Post-Millennialism through his book "The Millennium". In the 1957 book, the author takes pains to convince the reader that the world is really getting better. During the 1980's the market was flooded with Post-Millennial books and the theology took off once again. The two most prolific and influential authors are Earl Paulk and David Chilton.

Post-Millennial Church Age Timeline

From Pentecost to Start of Millennium

The church takes on the task of preaching the gospel, the world improves incrementally. The church progresses in it's mission until a golden age gradually arises. The church age gradually merges into the Millennial period.

From Start of Millennium to the Tribulation

The church continues spreading the gospel during an undefined period of time known as the Millennium. Many Millennial kingdom prophecies are fulfilled at this time by the church, and it is called "the glorious age of the church", or "the golden age".

Incredibly large numbers receive salvation. Rousas John Rushdoony claims "the church will conquer the world from pole to pole", and the Millennium will be "a long and glorious reign of peace", during which time "the government of the world will be ruled by he law of God;, and after all this, Christ will return".

Rushdoony continues: "Suffice it to say that basic to all these activities, health, education, welfare, politics, economics, the family, the church, our vocations, and son is is the necessity to TITHE, so that the work of reconstruction may be expedited."

Post-Millennialist claim these prophecies speak of the nations coming under the rule of the church during the Millennial period "before" the Lord returns. Psa 2:8, Psa 22:27-28, Psa 45:17, Psa 47:1, Psa 66:4, Psa 110:1, Isa 2:2-4, Isa 9:6-7, Isa 9:11, Isa 40:4-5, Isa 52:10, Isa 54:1, Isa 60:1, Isa 62:1, Isa 66:1.

Read Boettner's example of how Isaiah is used to apply prophecies meant for Israel to the church during this "Millennial" period on page 18 of Israelology - The Missing Link is Systematic Theology by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

From Tribulation to the Second Coming

R. Ludwigson states, "At the very end of this period, there will be a reactionary outbreak of wickedness known as the period of the Great Tribulation."

"At the end of this millennial period, and just before the second coming of Christ, ... Satan will be loosed for a little season. There will be a brief period of apostasy and violent conflict between the kingdoms of light and darkness."

Ludwigson continues regarding Revelation 20, "This is exclusively a martyr scene. John has seen the souls of the martyrs under the lather in Rev 6. Now he sees them on thrones reigning with Christ during the millennial period."

From Tribulation to the Second Coming

Ludwigson, "Postmillennarian hold that Christ will return at the close of this millennial period after a brief period of tribulation. At His coming, there will be a general resurrection... Christ will also deliver up the kingdom to the Father, and the "righteous ones will shine firth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Matt 13:43)".

"The wicked will also be resurrected and will be judged together with the righteous at the second coming..."

"The present earth and heaven will be dissolved by fire, giving way to a new heaven and a new earth which will be characterized by righteousness, unalloyed by any evil."

Post-Millennial Summary

Definition

Charles Hodge believed that Israel was "cast off" and the blessings were extended to the Gentiles. Israel is just another people group that gets absorbed into the church.

Since the post-millennial view sees the Millennial Kingdom being established over time and with improving conditions brought on by the church, it depends heavily upon the identity of Israel being the church. There is no Messianic (Jewish) Kingdom.

J. Marcellus Kik - "... looks for a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of a glorious age of the church upon earth through the preaching of the gospel under the power of the Holy Spirit."

The Post-Millennialist sees these Old Testament prophecies being fulfilled by the church and not Israel during Messianic Kingdom.

Loraine Boettner - "Post-Millennialism is that view of the last things which holds that the Kingdom of God is now being extended in the world through the preaching of the gospel and the saving work of the Holy Spirit, that the world will eventually be Christianized, and that the return of Christ will occur at the close of a long period of righteousness and peace commonly called the Millennium."

Some points Boettner makes - "Our current time will gradually merge into a coming a golden age, which is understood as the Millennium, during which time sin will be reduced. The Millennial period, will last an indefinitely long time, be brought about by the preaching of the gospel, and result in a negligible number of unbelievers at the time Christ returns.

Branches of Post-Millennialism

Two forms of Post-Millennialism are:

Dominionism (Theonomy - Rule by God's Law)

The work of the church is to see a theocracy implemented on the earth, including OT Law with the NT.

Christ in Prophecy (David R. Reagan), "The other major flavor of the Post-Millennial revival is called Dominion Theology. Its roots are very different. It is advocated by non-Charismatic, Calvinist theologians.

The philosophical father of Dominion Theology is Rousas John Rushdooney. He has been on the scene for a long time, but his writings are obtuse and have been popular among only a handful of intellectuals. But in the past ten years his theories have been popularized by his son-in-law, Gary North of Tyler, Texas and by David Chilton, a Presbyterian preacher in California."

Christ in Prophecy (David R. Reagan), "Dominion Theology differs from Kingdom Now not only in its roots but also in its methods. Kingdom Now supposedly relies on supernatural methods. Believers, as “little gods,” assert their godhood by speaking dominion over the nations.

Dominion Theology relies on more traditional methods. The world is to be claimed for Christ through missionary effort and political activism." This theology is generally cessationist and it opposition to the operation of the charismatic gifts in direct opposition to Kingdom Now theology.

"Dominionism is the theocratic idea that regardless of theological view, means, or timetable, Christians are called by God to exercise dominion over every aspect of society by taking control of political and cultural institutions."

Dominionism Rising - A Theocratic Movement Hiding in Plain Sight

https://www.politicalresearch.org/2016/08/18/dominionism-rising-a-theocratic-movement-hiding-in-plain-sight

Branches of Dominionism

Soft vs. Hard Dominionism - Soft = Believe America is a Christian nation, opposed to separation of church and state. Hard = dominion theology and Christian reconstructionism.

Authors and Writers

Theonomic Theologians - Greg Bahnsen, Ray Sutton, Gary North, J. Marcellus Kik, Rousas John Rushdoony. Writers include Gary DeMarr, Kenneth Gentry, Larry Pratt and Peter J. Leithart.

Associated Organizations - Calvinist Christian Reconstructionism. Many of these organization arose from "Christian Nationalism", and are broadly related to "the Christian Right".

Charasmatic

Pentecostal, the Charismatic revival is God's means of binding Satan and reclaiming material possessions and wealth. The church needs to restore it's understanding of its role and potential for dominion through the work of the Spirit so that it can bring about the Kingdom of God on earth in it's fullness. The believer must learn to exercise dominion if he is to take part in advancing the kingdom.

Charasmatic and Pentecostal Kingdom Now Theology - Christ in Prophecy (David R. Reagan), "Paulk’s approach is a natural outgrowth of the confused hyperfaith doctrines that have come to characterize much of the Charismatic movement. Paulk says that Christians are “little gods” with the authority of Christ. We can therefore confess dominion over the earth and, through faith, what we confess will come to pass. Paulk’s theology is the one referred to as Kingdom Now."
It should be noted that not all Dominionist are Post-Millennial.

Theologians and Writers

Dominion Theologians - Bishop Earl Paulk, Paul Yongi Cho, Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Pat Robertson.

Other writers include Loraine Boettner, Lain H, Murray, Charles Hodge, A. A. Hodge, B. B. Warfield, Roderick Campbell, David Brown, and William G. T. Shedd.

Dominionist and Charismatic Sub Groups

Post-Millennialism manifests in the world around us through specific actions and strategies designed to bring about a theonomy that can one day be turned over to Christ.

Christian Nationalism - The mixing of the spiritual kingdom of God and physical kingdom of men. Mixing patriotism and righteousness. It places one's earthly citizenship above that of being a follower of Christ. It gives a nation-state a Messianic identity, a nation state through which salvation will come. (What is Christian nationalism? - https://christianchronicle.org/what-is-christian-nationalism/)
Kingdom Now Theology - Teaches that Jesus cannot return until the church subdues and rules the earth. (Apologetics Index - https://www.apologeticsindex.org/l04.html)

Latter Rain Movement - Teachings include 1) the Church must be restored and equipped to rule by the five-fold ministries. 2) it must come to perfection and complete visible UNITY. 3) out of the purified church will come a spiritual elite corps, a Corporate Christ who possess the Spirit without measure 4) they will purge the earth of all wickedness and rebellion 5) they will judge the apostate Church 6) they will redeem all creation, and restore the earth 7) they will eventually overcome death itself in a counterfeit of the Rapture 8) the Church will thus inherit the earth, and rule over it from the Throne of Christ. (Apologetics Index - https://www.apologeticsindex.org/l39.html)

The Latter Rain movement, revived by C. Peter Wagner, teaches that there is coming an outpouring of supernatural powers in the future, which will allow them to subdue or take over the nations. (Dominionism Rising A Theocratic Movement Hiding in Plain Sight -
https://www.politicalresearch.org/2016/08/18/dominionism-rising-a-theocratic-movement-hiding-in-plain-sight
Latter Rain morphed into the New Apostolic Reformation

Five Fold Ministry - The 5 fold ministry comes from Eph 4:11, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. This ministry claims that God is "restoring" to the church these 5 fold ministries. This is a part of the "Restoration" movement, and the "Kingdom Now" movement. The New Apostolic Reformation claims to have apostles and prophets with equivalent roles to the early church.

New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) - Like the "Five Fold Ministry" group, NAR teaches that God is restoring the offices of Apostle and Prophet. They claim that these apostles and prophets alone have the power and authority to execute God's plans on the earth. They claim Jesus visits them in person, and they hear directly from God new revelations.

Bill Johnson, Kris Vellotton, Johnny Enlow, Sh are an influencial part of NAR.

From Dominionists are on the move...and they mean business (http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/mwest/111011)

"The goals of the CR and the NAR seem like a good idea, right? I mean, who could argue with wanting to influence the seven spheres of society that are dominated by secular humanists. Christians are not wrong in desiring to have a society based on Judeo-Christian principles. But here's the problem. This "mandate" the NAR mob subscribes to did not come from the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 18:36 Jesus made it clear: "My kingdom is not of this world."

However, dominionists never let a little thing like what Jesus said get in the way of their lofty goals. One of the most troubling aspects of their "theology" is the unbiblical teaching on spiritual warfare. They believe they have a kingdom mandate to do "strategic-level spiritual warfare" which is "a popular charismatic method of casting out demons from geographical locations or territories. It identifies three levels of demonic control on earth. Firstly, are "Ground-Level" demons, which possess people. Secondly, "Occult-Level" demons empower witches, shamans, magicians. Finally, "Strategic-Level" demons which are the most powerful of the three, are said to rule over certain regions or territories. Their main purpose is to hinder people from coming to Christ." (Online source)

Hence, dominionists go hither and yon to do strategic-level spiritual warfare to tear down demonic strongholds established by Satan and his demons. This is not local; it's global.

7 Mountain Mandate
https://www.gotquestions.org/seven-mountain-mandate.html

"The leading edge of the seven mountain mandate is the New Apostolic Reformation, which teaches that the church of the 21st century will be ruled by apostles and prophets. The movement is not governed by a specific denomination but by the alleged apostles and prophets who, of course, claim to receive direct revelation from God. In lending credence to modern-day prophets and apostles, the NAR denigrates the Bible and sola scriptura, emphasizes experience-oriented theology, and promotes mysticism."

Manifest Sons of God - Teaches that a "new breed" of Christians will arise, who will have supernatural spiritual power and be instrumental in subduing the earth. This group is also known as "Joel's Army". They claim they will eventually subdue all the enemies of Christ, and gain power and authority throughout the world. After all earthly authorities submit to them, Christ will return, and they will present the Kingdom to Him.

Christian Reconstructionism - An extreme sect of Christianity that advocates for a government that brings Old Testament law to earth. They claim the Biblical Law is a basis for "reconstructing" society towards the Kingdom of God on earth. (Apologetics Index - https://www.apologeticsindex.org/r10.html") Rushdoony was a definer of the concept.

Word of Faith Movement - The belief that faith is a "force" and that man has the ability to speak things into existance in the way that God spoke the universe into existence. This concept is related to groups such as NAR. (Apologetics Index - https://www.apologeticsindex.org/4914-word-faith-movement)

Post-Millennials in the News

The Radical Theology That Could Make Religious Freedom a Thing of the Past
https://www.texasobserver.org/dominion-theology/

Dominionism Rising A Theocratic Movement Hiding in Plain Sight
https://www.politicalresearch.org/2016/08/18/dominionism-rising-a-theocratic-movement-hiding-in-plain-sight

Quote: "The rise of Ted Cruz is a singular event in American political history. The son of a Cuban refugee and evangelical pastor, Cruz was raised in the kind of evangelicalism-with-a-theocratic-bent that has come to epitomize a significant and growing trend in American public life. That is, dominionism: a dynamic ideology that arose from the swirls and eddies of American evangelicalism to animate the Christian Right, and become a defining feature of modern politics and culture.

Dominionism is the theocratic idea that regardless of theological camp, means, or timetable, God has called conservative Christians to exercise dominion over society by taking control of political and cultural institutions. The term describes a broad tendency across a wide swath of American Christianity. People who embrace this idea are referred to as dominionists."

“According to his father and [New Beginnings Pastor Larry] Huch, Ted Cruz is anointed by God to help Christians in their effort to “go to the marketplace and occupy the land … and take dominion” over it, Fea continued. “This ‘end-time transfer of wealth’ will relieve Christians of all financial woes, allowing true believers to ascend to a position of political and cultural power in which they can build a Christian civilization. When this Christian nation is in place (or back in place), Jesus will return.”

"Rafael Cruz and Huch have long embraced a strain of evangelical theology called Seven Mountains dominionism, which calls for believers to take control over seven leading aspects of culture: family, religion, education, media, entertainment, business, and government. The name is derived from the biblical book of Isaiah 2:2 (New King James Version): “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains.” "

"But it is the broad vision that dominionists share that should be of greatest interest and concern to those outside the movement. C. Peter Wagner traces the lineage of his version of dominion theology “through R.J. Rushdoony” and theologians of the Protestant Reformation in his 2008 book, Dominion! How Kingdom Action Can Change the World.50 Wagner adopted an old concept: “sphere sovereignty,” the idea that all areas of life must be brought under a comprehensive biblical worldview. While Rushdoony called this “theonomy,” Wagner’s 7M theology offered a contemporary version with a Pentecostal twist. (There is some metaphorical flexibility in this sector as the term “mountains” is sometimes used interchangeably with “spheres” or “gates.”) Reflecting the trend away from premillennialism, Wagner emphasized the “primacy” of the cultural (or dominion) mandate, over evangelism."

"For the Apostles and Prophets who comprise Mattera’s USCAL, 7M roads to dominion are just as clear. The government officials that emerge from their ranks must be informed by a “biblical worldview” and their “every purpose must be to establish or further the Kingdom of Jesus on earth.”

Recruitment

"This may be a less peaceful process than Wagner and some 7M roaders would have us believe. Many dominionists of all stripes anticipate deepening political tensions, violence and even religious or secessionist war, especially in the wake of legal and social acceptance of marriage equality and permanent access to legal abortion.79 Gary North thought this was likely. He predicted in 1989 that as the dominionist movement rose, the idea of constitutionally protected religious pluralism “will be shot to pieces in an ideological (and perhaps even literal) crossfire” as Christians and humanists continue to square off in “an escalating religious war.”80 [emphasis in the original]

One contemporary example will suffice. David Lane, a leading Christian Right electoral organizer, declared in a 2013 essay that religious war may be on the horizon.81 Meanwhile he has shifted the electoral emphasis of his Mississippi-based American Renewal Project. (The group hosts all-expenses paid policy briefings for clergy and their spouses, featuring top politicians like Gov. Mike Pence (R-IN), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Gingrich, Huckabee, Cruz, and often David Barton. Republican presidential contender Donald Trump addressed one such event in August 2016.82) They are currently recruiting and training clergy with a dominionist vision to run for office at all levels.83 Lane’s own pastor, Rob McCoy, won a city council seat in Thousand Oaks, California, in 2016.84 Lane’s vision is clear: “I don’t think there’s any such thing as a separation of church and state. This was not established as a secular nation, and anybody that says that it is, they’re not reading American history. This was established by Christians for the advancement of the Christian faith. My goal is to return—to restore a biblically based culture and a Judeo-Christian heritage.” "

Note: The Seven Mountain's Dominionism is based on a spiritualized reading of Isaiah 2:2.

C. Peter Wagner: Dominion Theology and Postmillennialism on NPR
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/c-peter-wagner-dominion-theology-and-postmillennialism-on-npr_b_996000

Quote: "In the 1980s, the early years of the NAR, there was significant cross-fertilization between Reconstructionists and Pentecostalism. Notable Pentecostals were reading Reconstructionists and Gary North was in conversation with several leaders, hoping that the energy and vitality of those movements made them a more promising vehicle for spreading Christian Reconstruction than the “frozen-chosen” Orthodox Presbyterian Church. North dedicated Unholy Spirits to Bob Mumford and 75 Bible Questions to Bob and Rose Weiner.

For Reconstructionists, Postmillennialism and dominion theology are inextricably linked, but Pentecostals blended dominion theology with their Premillennialism. Though, when Gross asked Wagner if he believes in the “rapture and all that,” Wagner said he used to but not anymore, and surprised me by embracing Postmillennialism:

“the Gospel will be preached to all nations... I believe the world is going to get better... we believe God has sent us out to restore things... when that has happened enough, Jesus will return to a very strong world, reflecting the Kingdom of God.” "
Citing rise of ‘Christian nationalism,’ Secular Democrats unveil sweeping recommendations for Biden
https://religionnews.com/2020/11/30/secular-democrats-unveil-sweeping-recommendations-for-biden-administration/

"WASHINGTON (RNS) — A Democratic group dedicated to representing secular values unveiled a slate of recommendations for President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration on Monday (Nov. 30), outlining a sweeping agenda designed to roll back many of President Trump’s actions involving religion and to “restore a vision of constitutional secularism.”

The 28-page document, crafted by the Secular Democrats of America PAC, is being presented to the incoming administration by Democratic Representatives Jamie Raskin and Jared Huffman — both co-chairs of the Congressional Freethought Caucus.

The SDA’s agenda offers a wide range of policy recommendations to push back against the so-called “Christian nationalist movement,” which the the group describes as an “extraordinarily well-funded and well-organized” phenomenon whose “extreme and sectarian agenda (was) on constant display under the Trump-Pence administration.”

Restoring Constitutional Secularism and Patriotic Pluralism in the White House
https://seculardems.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/SecularDemocratsofAmerica_Blueprint_BidenHarrisTransition_11-30-20_FINAL.pdf

Note: Jared Huffman coauthor. 2nd Congressional district, northern coast.

The rise of Christian Nationalism in America
https://www.salon.com/2020/10/04/the-rise-of-christian-nationalism-in-america-_partner/
Christian Nationalism and Donald Trump
https://www.politicalresearch.org/2018/04/06/christian-nationalism-and-donald-trump

American Postmillennialism: Seeing the Glory
https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-61/american-postmillennialism-seeing-glory.html

A Theology of Power: Mike Pence and the Dominionists
https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/01/30/a-theology-of-power-mike-pence-and-the-dominionists/

"Those involved in what’s become a major component of the evangelical right in the United States call themselves “dominionists.” They follow “dominion theology.” Pointing to the Bible, they emphasize that in it God gave humans “dominion” over the natural world and life in it. This, they believe, gives them license to exploit the earth. Further, the “dominionists” have expanded this to justify theocratic rule of society.

It is an evangelical segment that Donald Trump has sought to attract. They constitute a significant portion of his so-called “base.

And, as the just-published book, The Shadow President: The Truth About Mike Pence, by award-winning journalists and authors Michael D’Antonio and Peter Eisner, states: “For most of his life Pence had believed he was guided by God’s plan. He believed that the Lord intended for him to halt the erosion of religious conviction in the United States. And though he avoided stating it himself, many of his evangelical friends vbelieved Pence’s ultimate purpose was to establish a government based on biblical law. That was what they called Christian Dominionism.”

A Creeping Threat: Christian Dominionism in America
https://brewminate.com/a-creeping-threat-christian-dominionism-in-america/

"If you stop to wonder how the political arena in the U.S. got so top heavy with fundamentalist Christians, indeed, as the social fabric began to fray under the multiplicity of stressors associated with modernization, a parallel movement of “back to fundamentals” began to emerge in all three Abrahamic religions. It is not only Islam that has birthed its own variety of fundamentalism. Orthodox synagogues are seeing a swelling of congregations, and a new strain of Christianity, which is both fiercely political as well as militant in its promotion of theocracy has emerged as a potent force on the American scene.

Its ideology calls for the institution of a government under Biblical law. This mandate is called “Dominionism.” Christian Reconstructionists believe that the authority to exert political control in the material world is provided in Genesis, where it is written that: “Let them [man] have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, over the cattle and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” According to CR, this dominion is also to be executed over nations, specifically the American nation, which is seen as the instrument for God’s plan to rule the world."

Dominionists are on the move...and they mean business
http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/mwest/111011

"Once we have the apostles in place, we will then bring the intercessors and the prophets into the inner circle, and we will end up with the spiritual core we need to move ahead for retaking the dominion that is rightfully ours." — C. Peter Wagner

Until recently not many folks were aware of a man by the name of C. Peter Wagner. But Wagner is quickly becoming a person of interest thanks largely to Christian Right (CR) becoming chummy with him and other high-level charismatic dominionists. In the past couple of months much has been written on pro-family groups uniting of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) dominionists. In fact it was the prominent American Family Association (AFA) that sponsored Governor Rick Perry's August 2011 prayer rally The Response that included many NAR notables in leadership roles.

The NAR's purpose is to restore the office of Apostles and Prophets and advance the Kingdom of God. According to Albert James Dager "dominion theology is predicated upon three basic beliefs: 1) Satan usurped man's dominion over the earth through the temptation of Adam and Eve; 2) The Church is God's instrument to take dominion back from Satan; 3) Jesus cannot or will not return until the Church has taken dominion by gaining control of the earth's governmental and social institutions. (Online source)

So — the NAR/dominionist's goal is to transform society into the kingdom of God on earth. How? By controlling various aspects of society. The term they use is the "Seven Mountains," or "Seven Spheres" of society. The Seven Mountains are: 1) Arts and Entertainment; 2) Business/Economy; 3) Education; 4) Family; 5) Government; 6) Media; 7) Religion. The NAR holds that as they accomplish ridding the world of evil, things will get better and better and then Jesus Christ will return to set up His kingdom.