The seeds of millenarianism can be traced back to an ancient statement in the book of Genesis in which Satan (the serpent in the garden) would be bruised, or defeated, by a descendant of the women (Genesis 3:15). It was an indication that evil would be ultimately overcome. At any rate there existed, since ancient times, a belief in the ultimate triumph of good over evil in which "righteousness would cover the earth as the waters cover the sea." This idea has set the stage for the present day eschatology of Messianic Christianity as well as some non-Messianic religions of the world. The big issue facing the present advocates of this view is how this will come about.

Richard O. Govier (1928-2018) was a Protestant pastor and missionary and travelled the world in that capacity. He planted a number of churches as well as training pastors who served in Brazil, Chile, Argentina and across the United States.