Christian eschatology integrates three essential components: preterism, postmillennialism, and expansionism. Together, they form a coherent and victorious outlook on the history of redemption, the advance of God’s kingdom, and the role of believers in the world. Instead of anticipating decline or retreat, it promotes active and triumphant engagement with God’s plan as it unfolds, culminating in the glorious return of Christ.
Preterism: Prophecy Fulfilled in History
Preterism refers to the fact that most of the prophecies in the Bible have been fulfilled. In particular, many of the prophecies in the New Testament that are commonly assumed to be fulfilled in the future were actually fulfilled in the first century, especially in connection with the destruction of Jerusalem.
For example, the prophecies that many believe point to a future Great Tribulation actually describe the events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. As Jesus said to the people at that time, “This generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” He said that the fulfillment would occur in the first century.
This was a period of intense judgment and transition, marking the end of the old covenant era and the beginning of the new covenant age. Understanding the Great Tribulation in this historical context allows us to move forward with confidence, knowing that these events have been fulfilled and that we are now in the age of Christ’s reigning kingdom. We are not waiting for trouble. We are working for progress.
Most of the prophecies in the Bible have been fulfilled. However, the Bible aligns with partial preterism rather than full preterism. Full preterism is the heretical view that all prophecies have been fulfilled. There is nothing left. It is heresy because it denies essential doctrines such as the future return of Christ, the final resurrection, and the final judgment. Full preterism claims that these events have already taken place. But since the truth is that they have not yet taken place, full preterism effectively rejects these defining elements of the Christian faith.
Partial preterism provides a foundation for understanding the present role of the church. We are not awaiting some catastrophic end for the church. Instead, we recognize that Christ has triumphed over his enemies, and we are called to build on that victory as we advance his kingdom on earth. The knowledge that most prophecies have already been fulfilled empowers us to approach our mission with unwavering faith and courage. We are not living in anticipation of imminent destruction, but we are participating in the expansion of the victorious reign of Jesus Christ.
This perspective frees the church from an eschatology of doom and instead provides us with an eschatology of hope and progress. We do not need to prepare for some future tribulation; instead, we are to work towards the ongoing expansion of God’s kingdom, secure in the knowledge that Christ’s victory has been inaugurated.
Postmillennialism: The Expanding Reign of Christ
Postmillennialism refers to the fact that the kingdom of Jesus Christ is advancing throughout history and will continue to grow until it fills the entire world. Contrary to the defeatist outlooks of premillennialism and amillennialism, Scripture teaches postmillennialism, which affirms that the gospel will ultimately bring about a time of peace, righteousness, and prosperity before the return of Christ.
The “millennium” is not necessarily a literal thousand-year period, but could be much longer. Some postmillennialists believe it represents the era of Christ’s reign that began with his ascension and continues through the church’s mission in the present age, while others see it as a future period of gospel success, righteousness, and peace on earth that will occur before Christ’s return.
Postmillennialism gives us an optimistic view of history. While conflicts and challenges will arise, the ultimate outcome is the victory of Christ’s kingdom. The church is called to be a beacon of light in the darkness, transforming society through the power of the gospel, and actively participating in the growth of Christ’s kingdom.
Postmillennialism challenges the idea that the world is destined to spiral into hopelessness. We are to expect the growth of righteousness and the triumph of the gospel, leading to a time of widespread peace and blessing. Christ’s reign is here and now, and his kingdom is destined to expand until it fills the earth. This expectation transforms how we live our daily lives, urging us to act in faith, hope, and power. We are not bystanders but active agents in God’s unfolding plan, partnering with him to bring about his purpose for humanity and the world.
Some might argue that events such as world wars, natural disasters, and other tragedies contradict the postmillennial vision of progress. However, this only shows a lack of understanding. These events do not contradict or disprove postmillennialism. Postmillennialism envisions an extended period of gospel victory, during which the overall trajectory is positive, even if there are temporary setbacks and periods of decline. The advancement of Christ’s kingdom is not a straight line. There are ups and downs, but the ultimate outcome is assured.
Postmillennialism is a very long term view, and the progress will mostly be gradual, with moments of darkness giving way to increasing light. While we acknowledge that suffering and evil persist in the world, we maintain that Christ’s reign will continue to expand, and the gospel will ultimately bring about a time of peace, righteousness, and flourishing on a global scale.
Postmillennialism has practical implications for every believer. It means that our efforts to preach the gospel, to train disciples, to influence culture, and to work miracles are part of God’s plan to extend his kingdom. This perspective encourages us to engage in all spheres of life, but especially the spiritual aspects, knowing that spiritual weapons are effective and will prevail. As Isaiah said, “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Our mission is to labor faithfully, knowing that our work contributes to the progress and victory of the kingdom of Christ.
Expansionism: The Church’s Mission of Power
Eschatology does not stop at interpreting the past or envisioning the future. It also addresses what we are to do now. This is where the Bible’s doctrine of expansionism comes in. Expansionism refers to the teaching that Christians are called to expand God’s kingdom through preaching and miracles.
Christians from all walks of life are to participate, whether they are male or female, rich or poor, educated or uneducated. They are to expand God’s kingdom to more places of the world through increasingly greater miracles. All Christians are active participants in God’s plan, bringing every area of life under the authority of Christ.
Expansionism emphasizes the manifestation of God’s power. Christians are to transform culture and society not by political and economic maneuvers, but by spiritual methods such as preaching the gospel, healing the sick, and working various miracles by faith and by the Holy Spirit.
Against the heresy of cessationism, which denies the continuation of supernatural gifts and miracles, expansionism teaches that the miraculous manifestations of the Holy Spirit should not only continue but also exponentially increase in power and frequency.
Jesus said that anyone who believes in him can do the same miracles he did and even greater miracles than he did. More power.
Joel prophesied that God would pour out his Spirit upon all kinds of people, and not only on the likes of kings and prophets. Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord can receive the Holy Spirit and experience supernatural power, including healing, prophecy, visions and dreams, and all kinds of miracles. More people.
Jesus also said that we would receive power once the Holy Spirit has come upon us, and then we would be his witnesses, starting with Jerusalem to the end of the earth. More places.
And Peter said that the promise was made to those who heard him, and to their descendants, and to as many as God would call. More periods.
Expansionism is the basic gospel program, that there would be more power, in more people, to more places, through more periods. It is one pillar of the discipleship program of Jesus and the very meaning of the Great Commission. And it is the functional aspect of biblical eschatology. Thus to deny any aspect of expansionism to any degree is to oppose the program of the gospel. It is to become an enemy of the Christian faith.
In this way, expansionism supports postmillennialism by providing the practical means through which the kingdom of Christ advances. We are to expect greater things as we exercise faith and work to see God’s kingdom expand. We are not waiting for defeat. We are moving from victory to victory. It is necessary to emphasize that the kingdom grows not only through the preaching of the gospel but also through the demonstration of the Spirit’s power by miracles that are increasing in intensity and frequency.
People who disagree with the biblical doctrine of expansionism are faithless and worthless. They are disobedient losers and spiritual garbage. When our experience does not measure up to the teachings of the gospel, they would lower the standard so that it seems like God already approves of our performance. Instead, we should admit that we do not live up to the standard, and trust in God’s grace to keep improving.
Instead of criticizing those of us who hold out the truth, they should join us and pray with us, so that we may improve together. But faithless and worthless losers do not want to do that. They want to remain proud and comfortable. So when they do not yet live up to something that the Bible teaches, they want to claim that the Bible does not teach it. Many of these people have never believed in Jesus, so of course they would think this way.
A Unified Vision: Victory, Progress, and Action
The integration of preterism, postmillennialism, and expansionism provides a unified vision of victory, progress, and action. Preterism grounds our eschatological understanding in historical fulfillment, showing that many prophecies have already been accomplished. Postmillennialism provides the theological framework for expecting the ongoing and expanding victory of Christ’s kingdom. Expansionism calls believers to participate in the process, and to do it by the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit.
This eschatology rejects the defeatist mentality of other systems that expect decline or retreat. Instead, it provides a basis for us to rise up in faith and engage in the mission of expanding God’s kingdom. It also rejects damnable faithless doctrines and assumptions, exemplified in cessationism, that undergird false interpretations of the history of redemption and the mission of the church.
We have been given the victory in Christ, and our task is to enforce that victory in every area of life, by our faith and by the power of the Spirit of God. Jesus said that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. This emboldens us to move forward, for we know that nothing can stop the advance of God’s kingdom.
This vision of victory, progress, and action calls every believer to take their place in God’s unfolding plan. We are not spectators. We are participants in a divine mission that spans all of history and culminates in Christ’s ultimate triumph. Indeed, Christ has already triumphed, but he will prove it more and more, and more and more people will know it and admit it.
This is the mindset that should characterize every Christian – an unshakeable conviction that we are part of a winning cause, empowered by the Spirit to bring transformation and light to a dark world.
Christian eschatology provides a victorious vision for the present age. Preterism ensures that we interpret prophecy accurately, instead of waiting for cataclysmic events that already happened hundreds of years ago. Postmillennialism gives us confidence in the progress of the gospel and the growth of Christ’s kingdom. Expansionism challenges us to participate in that growth by preaching with power, healing the sick by faith, and performing all kinds of miracles by the Holy Spirit.
Together, these elements form a theology of victory, empowering Christians to engage the world with faith, optimism, and expectation of God’s power increasingly manifesting until Christ’s return. This biblical system of eschatology gives believers both confidence and direction, providing a clear path forward as we live out our calling in the present age.
We are called to be agents of transformation, moving forward in the assurance that Christ reigns and that his kingdom will increasingly triumph over all opposition. As we labor in faith, we know that our work is not in vain, and that God’s power is at work in us to fulfill his glorious purpose for the world. One day, all creation will witness the glorious culmination of his redemptive plan, and we will rejoice in the everlasting victory of our Lord Jesus Christ.