Here is my take of the 3 main views on millenialism with respect to “gospelization” and missions as I went through recent revelation overview.
1. Premillenialism (exalting true sanctification, as the gospel is the sovereignty of God)
– Honoring literal historical-grammatical interpretation of Scripture first
– believing Christ direct intervention after missions, thus believing what is more important is daily holy living and witness of the gospel while waiting for Christ’s return
– the focus on missions is on biblical grounding and correct teaching
– Christ’s coming could be hastened, or that Christ’s coming could come any time, so that missions work is so urgent for attaining crown
– emphasis on personal sanctification and worship, that bible study should guide missions
References:
http://www.normgeisler.com/articles/theology/Eschatology/2009-TheImportanceOfPremillenialism.htm
http://www.internationalbulletin.org/system/files/2009-03-129-pocock.html
http://www.newwine.org/Articles/Amil1.htm
2. Postmillenialism (exalting cultural transformation of the power of the gospel, thus gospel is important)
– Presuppositionalism interpretation?
– hope of societal transformation through the gospel right now
– The power of the gospel to fulfill all promises of OT one day
– Puritans
– binding of satan makes missions and evangelism possible
– Early modern missionaries hope of all nations to be filled with a knowledge of the glory of God
References:
http://www.graceonlinelibrary.org/eschatology/postmillennialism/postmillennialism-statement-of-the-doctrine-by-loraine-boettner/
http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/are-you-becoming-a-post-millennialist
3. Amillennialism (exalting back towards the core of the gospel, regeneration itself is the gospel)
– The optimism of the power of the gospel right now
– bleak end times and Satan attacking the gospel core, but gospel is already unstoppable after Jesus Christ resurrected
– focus on gospel doors
– whole bible overview and connection
– glory of the assurance of a regenerated and transformed life
– thus the focus of missions is focusing on building leaders knowing regeneration
– binding of satan makes missions and evangelism possible
– all amillenialists are reformed
References:
http://www.heartcrymissionary.com/asia-blog/post/learning-from-william-carey
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/01/09/why-i-changed-my-mind-about-the-millennium/
Gospelization 