Was there any opposition to premillennialism in the first 250 years of the church?
No. During the first 250 years of church history, numerous so-called Church Fathers—including Justin, Irenaeus, Nepos, Victorinus, and Tertullian—stood firmly on the whole Millennial earthly rule of Christ. In that same period, there was not one single writer in opposition; even Whitby, an amillennial opponent, admitted premillennialism passed among the best Christians for 250 years.
Les explains that in those first 250 years, the so-called Church Fathers stood adamantly on the soon departure of the Church, beginning with Paul, who actually thought it would take place in his lifetime, and the writings of Barnabas and John. He lists fellows by the names of Justin, Irenaeus, Nepos, Victorinus, Tertullian, and many others. In all their writings, they stood on the whole Millennial earthly rule of Christ without any apology. Les emphasizes that in that same 250-year period there was not one single writer in opposition—not a one. He notes that Whitby, a strongly held opponent who was totally amillennial, admitted that premillennialism passed amongst the best Christians for 250 years.
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Was premillennialism opposed by anyone during the first 250 years of the church?
During the first 250-year period of church history, there was not one single writer opposing the Church Fathers' premillennial view.