The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 8: The Fulfillment of Time • 277

“Many early Church Fathers held a view very much like premillennialism,” explained Father Greg. “But were they pre-trib or post-trib?” asked Preacher. “Neither,” replied Father Greg, “that idea only caught on when dispensationalism became popular in the late 1800s.” 22 “I remember my father’s premill preaching,” said Joseph, “most of his sermons were about how bad things will get before the Lord returns.” “What about all those grapes the elderly witness mentioned?” I asked. “That happens after the second coming,” explained Joseph, “when Christ reigns on the earth for a thousand years.” “What about postmillennialists,” I asked, “what do they believe?” “We believe this world is going to get a lot better before the Lord returns,” said Cesar. “You’re postmillennial?” I asked. “Of course,” he replied, “we’re building the kingdom now, but there’s still a lot of work to do before the Lord returns.” At last Mentor had restored order in the Crux so we returned to our bench. Augustine, at the lectern, directed one of his scribes to read a lengthy passage from the book of Revelation (20:1-6).

22 Pre-trib, post-trib are short for pre-tribulation, post-tribulation. Those who in the 19th century developed Dispensational Theology debated whether believers would be snatched away by the Lord prior to (pre-trib), or following (post-trib), the great tribulation mentioned in Matthew 24:21, Mark 13:19, Revelation 7:14, and other passages.