What did the amillennial writer Whitby admit about premillennialism in early church history?
Whitby, though thoroughly amillennial, admitted that premillennialism was held by the best Christians for the first 250 years of church history. He acknowledged it passed among them during that period, and no opposing writer appeared in those same 250 years.
Les explains that during the first 250 years of church history, the so-called Church Fathers stood adamantly on the soon departure of the Church and on the whole Millennial earthly rule of Christ without apology. He lists Justin, Irenaeus, Nepos, Victorinus, Tertullian, and many others, along with Paul, Barnabas, and John. In that same 250-year period, there was not one single writer in opposition. The amazing thing, Les says, is that Whitby, a totally amillennial opponent of premillennialism, admitted that premillennialism passed amongst the best Christians for 250 years.