What is Postmillennialism?
Quick Summary
Postmillennialism is the view that the “millennium” of Revelation 20 is a future golden age of gospel growth and worldwide peace before Christ’s return. In this perspective, the church will flourish across the nations, society will be renewed, and only after this long season of spiritual prosperity will Christ return. The view emphasizes hope in the power of the gospel, but interprets Revelation’s vision differently than premillennialism or amillennialism.
The Basic Idea
The word postmillennial simply means “after the millennium.” Postmillennialists believe Christ will return after a long period of gospel victory in history. They expect the nations to be discipled, the church to expand, and justice and peace to grow in tangible ways.
Unlike premillennialism, which expects Christ to inaugurate a literal thousand-year reign after his return, or amillennialism, which sees the millennium as symbolic of Christ’s present reign, postmillennialism looks for an era of widespread faith before the end.
See also: What Is the Millennium in Revelation?
Historical Roots
Postmillennialism developed in the Reformation and especially in the Puritan era. Thinkers like Jonathan Edwards believed that the outpouring of revival was a foretaste of a greater age to come. Edwards wrote:
“There is no one thing that I know of, which God has made so much the subject of his promises… as of the universal prevalence of true religion, and the reign of Christ in his kingdom.” (History of Redemption, p. 295).
This confidence fueled missionary movements and reform efforts. If the gospel was destined to triumph on earth before Christ’s return, then preaching, education, and social renewal were seen as essential tools for ushering in the millennium.
In the 19th century, theologians like Charles Hodge and B. B. Warfield defended postmillennial hope, interpreting the kingdom of God as advancing steadily through history until Christ’s climactic return.
Strengths of Postmillennialism
Postmillennialism appeals to many because:
It emphasizes gospel optimism: The kingdom of God is not shrinking but growing, like leaven working through the dough.
It connects faith to culture: Evangelism and social reform are seen as working hand in hand to shape society.
It offers a hopeful narrative: Instead of decline and despair, it expects the nations to turn toward Christ before the end.
See also: The Central Message of Revelation: Hope, Endurance, and the Victory of the Lamb.
Critiques of Postmillennialism
At the same time, critics raise several concerns:
Overly optimistic? History seems filled with cycles of revival and decline, not a steady upward curve.
Downplays persecution: Revelation speaks often of struggle and endurance; postmillennialism may seem to soften that.
Linked to culture wars: In some expressions, postmillennialism has been tied to the idea that the church must seize political power to “Christianize” society, a move many find troubling.
See also: Persecution of Early Christians in the Roman Empire.
Comparing the Views
Premillennialism: Christ returns before a literal thousand-year reign.
Amillennialism: The millennium is now, symbolic of Christ’s current reign.
Postmillennialism: Christ returns after the gospel brings about a widespread era of peace and righteousness.
See also: Four Major Views of Interpreting Revelation.
Why It Matters
Postmillennialism shifts how Christians think about mission. If you believe the world will only worsen until Christ comes, you may be tempted to withdraw. But if you believe the gospel will spread across every sphere of life, you may feel called to labor toward cultural renewal and long-term transformation.
This makes postmillennialism a view that inspires activism. Schools, missions, justice efforts, and revival preaching have all been connected historically to this vision of a gospel-shaped world.
Meaning for Today
Even if one doesn’t adopt postmillennialism, its central reminder is important: the gospel is powerful. God’s kingdom does not retreat. Whether through slow change or dramatic moments, Christ’s reign is advancing, often in ways unseen.
Revelation’s visions — hymns, worship scenes, and images of endurance — remind us that victory comes not by human triumphalism but by the Lamb who was slain. The real hope of postmillennialism is not in our ability to fix the world, but in Christ who is making all things new.
See also: Worship Scenes in Revelation.
FAQ
What does postmillennial mean?
It means Christ will return after the millennium — a golden age of gospel growth on earth.
Who are some key figures in postmillennialism?
Jonathan Edwards, Charles Hodge, and B. B. Warfield are prominent voices.
Is postmillennialism still common today?
It is less common in mainstream evangelical circles but continues in some Reformed and theonomic traditions.
How is it different from amillennialism?
Amillennialism sees the millennium as symbolic and present; postmillennialism expects a future global flourishing of Christianity before Christ returns.
Related Content
Sources Cited
Jonathan Edwards, A History of the Work of Redemption (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1974).
Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3 (Eerdmans, 1979).
B. B. Warfield, “The Millennium and the Apocalypse,” in Biblical Doctrines (Oxford University Press, 1929).
Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation (NICNT), pp. 364–370.
G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation (NIGTC), pp. 1017–1024.
