Christ's Victorious Kingdom

by John Jefferson Davis

The witness of the Old Testament --
The witness of the New Testament --
The growth of the kingdom in history --
Revelation 20:1-6 --
Contrary texts in the New Testament --
The signs of the times.

Genres: Theology

Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Bob O'Bannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

At just 134 pages, this is a solid introduction to the basics of postmillennialism, which is an optimistic eschatological view that anticipates unprecedented revival in the church before Jesus’ second coming, as opposed to an expectation of continuously worsening conditions in the church and in the world.

Davis does a good job distinguishing the postmil view from common misunderstandings: postmil does not imply a continuous line of social “progress” by secular means; it does not teach the absence of trouble or setbacks for the church; it does not necessitate full preterism (p.103); it does not deny a final apostasy before Jesus’ return; and it certainly does not imply some kind of universalism.

Instead, postmillennialism places special emphasis on Christ’s kingly rule as the one who possesses all authority in heaven and on earth, and expects a day coming when “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” will worship before the throne of the Lamb. (Rev. 7:9). The product of this view is a confident and hopeful expectation that our evangelistic and missionary enterprises will bear great fruit for Christ and his kingdom.

[Rachel Ramey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a good introduction to postmillennialism, particularly for those who are interested in the more historical version of the view, rather than the newer (usually theonomic) version. Unlike most of the other available books about historic postmillennialism, this one, originally written in 1986, is quite accessible.

Chapters address the witness of the Old Testament, witness of the New Testament, the growth of the Kingdom in history, Revelation 20:1-6, "contrary texts" in the New Testament, and the signs of the times. The most obvious objections are addressed, especially in that chapter about "contrary texts."

This isn't a very deep book, though, and it doesn't tackle a lot of nuances, or delve into most of the eschatological passages in Scripture. I also noticed the author makes the assumption that God "promised that he would never again destroy all living creatures as he did in the flood" -- an incorrect reading of the text and a significant assumption in this particular context.

All in all, it's quite worth reading, but isn't likely to be enough for most people's needs.

[Helbert Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente introdução ao pós milenismo que refuta as ideias pessimistas que permeiam o amilenismo e pré milenismo. Lembrando que maiormente o pós milenismo é uma questão cristologica fundamentada na exegese.

Não obstante, nos lembra que a crise humana tem sido historicamente um impulso para o crescimento da igreja, desde os primórdios do cristianismo. A perseguição, as guerras e as doenças foram catalisadores desse crescimento. Negar essa realidade seria ignorar eventos recentes, como a pandemia que aumentou a busca por significado espiritual e as tensões em Israel que evocam a expectativa da volta de Cristo. Esses fenômenos corroboram a visão do pós-milenismo, onde o reinado de Cristo é presente e seu reino já se estabelece.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is probably the best introduction to and overview of the postmillennial position. Reading this book would help to correct the endless caricatures and strawmen of postmillennialism that one comes across all too frequently. Moreover, the author also allows for a great falling away immediately prior to Christ's return. Thus, he corrects some of the excesses of other modern postmillennialists while doing justice to all that the Bible teaches on the subject of the expansion of the gospel in history and conditions on the earth shortly before the Lord's return.

[Joshua Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent little introduction or overview of postmillennialism. Could’ve used a heavier dose of orthodox preterism along with a shot of dominion theology. Nevertheless, some good nuggets. 3.5 stars, really.

[Logan Almy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a convincing case for “historical optimism.” However, the specific explanation of the millennium of Revelation 20 is weak, IMO.

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it because Hulse called it the best modern defense of the Puritan view of eschatology. Whether it was the best, I am not qualified to say. But it certainly was good.

Two key insights I gathered from Davis:

1. Partial-preterism regarding the book of Revelation is not a necessary condition for Postmillennial Eschatology. Davis believes, as do most theologians, that revelation was written around 100 AD.

2. Eschatology is Christology. This is, as near as I can make it out, Davis's thesis—it is certainly his refrain. And he argues it well. If Eschatology is Christology and if Christ is Lord of heaven and earth right now, then we get something fairly closely (at least in flavor) to Postmillennialism, don't we?

There is a chapter on the historical spread of the Gospel. Insofar as this sort of thing encourages the saints and rebuts the illiterate claim that "things have always been getting worse," it is helpful. But as a positive argument for Postmillennialism it carries little weight. All the same, it is nice to know.

[Felipe Sabino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelente. Publicado pela Editora Monergismo.

[Stephen Willcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent read. I don't hold to Davis' flavor of Post-mill but I agree with the big picture. A great defence from both the Old and New Testament.

[Wyatt Houtz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction. There are stronger arguments for post-mil, but this is a good primer.