The word “postmillennialism” does not even appear in this book, but it nonetheless captures the hopeful eschatology that motivated the Puritans to be excited, positive and altogether confident in the ultimate success of the gospel in the world. As with all eschatological views, there are biblical questions and theological disputes which make it difficult to know which view to hold, but this book does not concern itself with such questions. Instead it shows us that the main figures in past revivals since the reformation looked to the future with great hope, not with the expectation that spiritual and moral conditions would decay and deteriorate until Jesus comes again. Famous quotes like that of William Carey – “expect great things from God, attempt great things for God” (p.149) — were not rooted in a pessimistic view of the future, but in an “expectation that gospel preaching accompanied by future outpouring of the Spirit would be well able to transform the world.” (p.125).
If you want to be excited about missions, and need your confidence in the gospel renewed, and want your sluggish heart to be reinvigorated for the future of the church, then read this book. Spurgeon sums up the spirit of the book well — “The gospel must succeed; it shall succeed; it cannot be prevented from succeeding; a multitude that no man can number must be saved.” (p.251).