Postmillennial Worldview

PMW 2025-023 by David Russell

Gentry note: This continues from my previous posting of an insightful section of David Russell’s The “New Heavens and the New Earth” published by Visionary Press. To get the context of this posting, you must read the previous one.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to determine the best reading and its interpretation in the context. While there is strong support for the translation, “will be found” in the sense that humanity’s works “will be laid bare” (NIV), this view nevertheless seems strained. It may reflect the thinking of the scribe who at an early stage introduced the reading but whether or not it represents the reading of the author’s hand is uncertain. The reading has merit since the primary focus of the passage is the judgment upon the wicked. However, this view drives a wedge between humankind and the created order. A solidarity between humanity and the creation is always a basic working assumption whether or not it is expressed. The author’s contemplation of God’s judgment on evil works naturally leads to a consideration of the effects of that judgment upon the created order. Just as the decree upon humanity affected the creation according to Genesis 3 so also will God’s judgment have cosmic consequences. Additionally, verses 10–11 imply that the earth will suffer a similar fate as the heavens. This clearly accounts for the reading of aphanisthesontai. Wolters’ interpretation does not necessarily demand the acceptance of eurethesetai. He could have arrived at the same basic conclusion from the verb katakaesetai (cf. Mal. 4.1). Wolters’ strength is the emphasis upon the OT context, and moreover Bauckham’s conjecture that an apocalyptic source lies behind 2 Peter 3, while plausible, merely affirms the use of traditional motifs. Particularly noteworthy is 1 Enoch 1.6 which as noted above by Metzger also may contain an acceptable solution for the reading. Continue reading →

PMW 2025-022 by David Russell

Gentry note: The following paragraphs are cited from David M. Russell, The “New Heavens and New Earth,” Philadelphia: Visionary, 1996, pp. 186–97. Though not agreeing with all of his arguments, I highly recommend this book. This will be presented in two posts.

2 Peter 3 is important for discussion not only because of the reaffirmation of Isaiah’s promise of the new heavens and new earth but as the most explicit statement in the Bible of the total destruction of the earth by fire. Conclusions regarding the teaching of the passage are far from evident and are immediately complicated due to text-critical matters and the general worldview of the author. These will be addressed in the course of the discussion of the text. Significantly, 2 Peter provides an appropriate vantage point for this study for it addresses three important aspects central to the concept of creation and cosmic hope: the creation and constancy of the created order (vv. 4-5), the world’s plight and judgment (vv. 6-7, 10-12), and the new creation (v. 13).
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PMW 2025-014 by Geerhardus Vos

Gentry note: This material is take from Geerhardus Vos, Reformed Dogmatics. It has been re-published in Reformed Eschatology in the Writings of Geerhardus Vos (2024).

35. What will precede the consummate salvation of the children of God?

The appearance of a new world. Scripture speaks of that very clearly. In Acts 3:21 Peter speaks of an apokatastasis, a ‘restoration of all things.” And in Revelation 21:5 He who sits on the throne says: “Behold, I make all things new.” As a matter of fact, all this is inherent in the relationship to the rest of creation in which man stands. It is given to him so that he would rule over it. It has been carried along with him in his fall. Continue reading →