Bright Orange Paint on the Deep Green Carpet | From the River to the Ends of the Earth

Bright Orange Paint on the Deep Green Carpet

Expository - From the River to the Ends of the Earth

Written by Douglas Wilson

Sunday, 10 February 2008 05:15

We have been having a wonderful time here in the UK, seeing the sights and fellowshiping with the British saints. One of the points that has come up in various discussions is related to one of the more admirable traits of British evangelicalism -- which is a great zeal and concern for evangelism, coupled with a zeal to guard that zeal for evangelism.

We had a wonderful time at Blenheim yesterday, with many believers gathered there from all over the UK. In the course of the talks, however, some of my postmillenialism spilled onto the floor and some people noticed it. This by itself is not remarkable. In our day, postmill optimism, especially in a nation under spiritual siege the way the UK is, stands out like bright orange paint on a deep green carpet. So one of the points that is perhaps being discussed is whether or not postmillenialism poses any kind of threat to a proper zeal for evangelism.

It actually seems to me that postmillennialism should provide an astounding impetus to evangelism. The earth is going to be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea? And that includes here? Well, let's get to work then.

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Last Updated on Sunday, 10 February 2008 05:15

Comments

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Tim	Sunday, February 10, 2008 6:37 am

When I saw the title I thought it was going to be about Ulster.

Douglas Wilson

Sunday, February 10, 2008 7:19 am

Tim, no. If that were the image, this is postmill stuff, and it means that the bright orange paint would cover every nation.

Tim Prussic

Sunday, February 10, 2008 11:13 am

Postmil'ism is like nitrous to many things, including evangelism and soli deo gloria.

Roger du Barry

Sunday, February 10, 2008 4:40 pm

We had an edifying time. Those of my congregation that attended were thrilled to hear independent confirmation of many of the things that they have been taught. It was good to meet you in person too.

Roger du Barry

Sunday, February 10, 2008 4:47 pm

Your brand of post-millennialism certainly grabbed our attention. We are PMs but our take is a little different. Christ is Victor, absolutely and no two ways about that, and he is ruling the nations from the right hand of Power. Major article of faith that is much neglected within evangelicalism.

However, in our tiny fellowship the thinking is not that this necessarily means salvation, but also destruction. Take the Jews, the first nation to reject the risen Lord. They were taken out by Christ. Their burning city and Temple were the sign that the Son of Man is in heaven, ruling.

Roger du Barry

Sunday, February 10, 2008 4:51 pm

cont ...

Christ is waging war from the right hand, placing his feet upon the necks of his enemies, like the Jews. Those who refuse to submit to his rule and authority will be destroyed.

So then, while there will be a remnant from every nation at the resurrection, there will be nations that as nations are absent. Other nations as nations will be present, like the men of Nineveh.

Please feel free to correct us where we have missed something important.

Douglas Wilson

Sunday, February 10, 2008 6:44 pm

Roger, everything you say about Christ revealing His lordship through such negative judgments is true. But the judgments He renders are not just willy-nilly, but are directed toward a certain end -- the growth and maturation of His Church, which is a tree that He will protect until it grows to the point where it fills the earth with its fruit -- the leaves of the trees in the New Jerusalem are for the healing of the nations.

Roger du Barry

Sunday, February 10, 2008 8:19 pm

Right. But said healing is in the New Creation, at the resurrection, right?

Does the tree fill the earth before the Parousia? That is the question. We agree with you that seen in 500 year increments there has been huge growth and advance in the kingdom. I think that we have the feeling that the remnant is really, really tiny, all the jokes about we four and no more notwithstanding.

Roger du Barry

Sunday, February 10, 2008 8:31 pm

Another talking point was the imminent parousia - or not! Most of us in the UK (I suspect) do indeed believe in an imminent parousia. I see your point about most of the texts having been fulfilled in 70 AD, and agree with that. Berkhof wrongly includes some of those in his doctrine of the final parousia.

My take on that is that there were two markers to be fulfilled before the final parousia - the destruction of Israel in 70 AD, and the destruction of the Roman Beast, according to the Revelation to John. TRhe gospel has already been preached to all nations, so nothing prevents the imminent return of the Lord - unless you are correct.

Ron Smith

Monday, February 11, 2008 2:43 pm

When one considers the high priestly prayer of our Lord, one wonders how He could return with the Church in such disarray. It was His prayer that the world would see our unity (John 17:21). Will He return while this is not the case?

Also, Paul in Eph 5 seems to indicate that the Church will be cleansed and spotless by the time Christ presents Her to Himself. And lest we think that this cleansing is in word only (justification), Paul says it is the result of our sanctification (vs 26), so this word, like The Word, will take on flesh as well.

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