OUTLINE: Geerhardus Vos: 2nd Coming and the Millennium

by Jim Dennison

Disclaimer:

a. The intended audience is probably for the Reformed Amil. Jim Dennison is quite adament about this topic and
is admittedly more dogmaticly opposed to the competing eschatological systems than perhaps Vos himself.

b. This is Jim Dennison's take on Vos's criticism of premillennialism and, by implication, classic postmillennialism's
distinctive features which parallel premillennialism. It does not directly discuss the contemporary theological issues
of preterism, common grace, cultural mandate, etc. which are necessary for an in depth look at modern postmillennialism
which has subsequently adopted the already/not-yet features of Vos's eschatology.

I. Readings

Geerhardus Vos. Redemptive History and Biblical Interpretation (25-58 / 415-422 "this article")
____________. Pauline Eschatology (ch 10, 226-260)

II. History of Eschatology

Early Church Premillennialism : Papias, Iranaeus, Justin Martyr
After Reformation: Anabaptists, Fundamentalists (19th century), Dispensational (20th)
Reformers:

• Historical Premil : Piscator (16th), Mede (17th), J. Brookes (19th), J.B. Payne (20th)
• Historic and Classical Postmil (dominant up to 20th century), theonomic (late 20th century)
• Amillennialism

III. The Chiliasm

Systematic Plausibility of chiliasm:

1. OT Prophets saw 1 coming of the Lord on the future horizon
2. NT separates this coming into two (First and Second Advent)
3. NT Prophets foretell 1 a singular future coming of the Lord

Conclusion: Therefore, why shouldn't we expect the NT prophecy to be fulfilled
with two future comings?

1. 1000 year reign by Christ on earth
2. And then in the New Creation

IV. Vos's Argument from NT's Silence:

But the NT only speaks of the second coming in terms of a single, undivided event,
sudden, cosmic, and eternal. It doesn't call us to hope in these two comings:

1. An inauguration of a temporal/provisional era of blessings of world-wide peace on earth
2. A consummation of the eternal order (cp. John 5:28f)

Then where did the idea of chiliasm come from?

1. Judaistic assumptions:

• Intertestimental Jewish interpretation divided the coming in two stages.
• Literalism: if prophets speak in earthly terms, we should expect earthly fulfillment

Vos responds:

• Such a division leads to absurd/bazaar conclusions:

• Jesus isn't the fulfillment of the Temple-> we still need future sacrifices?
• 1000 years == everlasting/eternal Temple?

• There is true progress in revelation.
• Refuses to allow the NT to be our guide in how we read the OT.
• The NT and Jesus interprets OT prophecy as being fulfilled in Christ's Body:

1. Church (semi-eschatologically, provisional inaugurated with Christ's resurrection)
2. New Creation (eternal order, consummated with Christ's own return)

2. Golden Age theology is attractive: (God's people will get to rule the world in power! )

Vos responds :

• Kingdom gradually adds the elect to heaven, but does not promise most people in the world will be
  converted.
• Only new creation can change the world, not more social action/ more evangelism, etc..
• Pseudo-Optimism: Future provisional hope still includes a world with sin, sinners, and evil!

V. Passages supporting future comings? // with Vos's rebuttals

1. Acts 3:19-21................... // Vos: seasons of refreshing == restoration of all things
2. 1 Cor 15:23-28............... // Vos: Christ is reigning now, the "end" is Second Coming
3. I Thes 4:13-18................. // Resurrection of believers will be for eternity "in the air"
4. Phil 3:9, 11...................... //
5. Rev 20:1-6...................... // Type of literature indicates that 1000 years is probably symbolic.

Should not base an entire eschatological system on one passage!

VI. Jim Dennison's Five Questions Determining One's Eschatology:

1. Is there a future provisional Kingdom?

• Premil....Yes, Isreal will reign for 1000 years with Christ
• Postmil...Yes, Church will reign spiritually with greater measure of the Holy Spirit
• Amil.......No, we are reigning now in the provional era.

2. An Eschatological dualism?

• Premil .....Yes, the Church now, and Isreal later.
• Postmil.....Yes, weak Church now, strong Church later
• Amil........ No: good and evil persists together

3. Eternal state after millennium?

• Premil......Yes
• Postmil.....Yes
• Amil........ "Yes" because we are in the millennium now.

4. This wordly triumphalism?

• Premil.....Yes, Jesus will rule with Rod of Iron
• Postmil....Yes, Church will have dominion over culture
• Amil........No, it will be like the days of Noah

5. Are things going to get better?

• Premil.....Yes when Christ comes physically
• Postmil....Yes when Holy Spirit comes in greater measure
• Amil........ No, wheat and tares will remain until the end.

Jim's questions show the similarities between Postmil and Premil. 4/5 agreement.[*]

Only the Amil is unique.

[ * ] One wonders if there are really five different questions here, if not selective. :)