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At this time, the people of Europe thought of their nations as 'Christian', and many believed that their new-found power and technological supremacy in the world was ordained by God. They compared themselves with other parts of the world and concluded that they were superior, the spreaders of Christian civilization. With this outlook, some Christians breathed new life into the concept that Christians would themselves build the Kingdom of God on earth, after which Christ would return. Thus the post-millennial view was temporarily reinforced. This view was especially popular in Britain where it remained a major force until World War 1. The devastating results of the war shattered the optimistic view that the 'tribulation' had occurred sometime in the past and that the world was going to improve progressively until Christ returned. Before the more pessimistic and modern outlook took hold, however, the advocates of post-millennialism interpreted many verses as very symbolic and extremely allegorical. As strange as it might seem, some even believed that the spread and establishment of Christian colonialism actually represented the return of Christ spoken of in Scripture. (179:1) However, the pre-millennialists pointed out that 'Christian' Europe was not at this point united or at peace. Moreover, Roman Catholicism was spreading throughout the colonies even as Protestantism was. To the Protestants, it appeared increasingly as if the nations were being gathered by the 'beast', mentioned in the Book of Revelation, to wage war with Christ when He returned. Consequently, they reacted against the very popular post-millennial view. Unfortunately, they also reacted strongly to the allegorical interpretations of the post-millennialists. They advocated a strict literal approach to the Scriptures, building upon the views espoused by Martin Luther when he broke with the Roman Catholic Church.
(179:2)
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