The Millennium: Peace, Prosperity and National Covenanting, by Matthew Murray, is the Reformation (especially second Reformation) view of postmillennialism as set forth and explained in terms of the national blessings and gospel purity that will be present when the millennium arrives.

Some items discussed include:

• The visible state of unity in the church during the millennium
• National covenanting
• How kings will be "nursing fathers" (Isa. 49:23) to the church during this blessed period of history
• How "all nations shall serve him" (Ps 72:11) in that day (and there are no nations in heaven -- so this must be speaking of what will take place on earth before Christ returns, contrary to Amillennialism)!

In short, the millennium will be marked by visible civil and ecclesiastical obedience to Christ as King! This is exactly the opposite of the situation that we are presently experiencing -- for we live in the days of the great apostasy (2 Thes. 2:3). The church (visible) is in disarray and has grievously backslidden from her previous Reformation attainments.

No nation is covenanted with Christ (as a nation), but instead, "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and castaway their cords from us" (Ps. 2:2-3).

The nations and many churches despise Christ's royal law and He now "vex(es) them in his sore displeasure" -- but when the millennial glory arrives the river of His Spirit will fill the earth (Ezek. 47:1-12) and His high priestly prayer will be answered (John 17:21: "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.").

This is a greatly encouraging introduction to this topic and the best short treatment of this subject that we offer!

This book has been extracted from the Original Covenanter and Contending Witness magazine (volumes 2:4-6).