The following
link provides a further discussion on the subject of past or future
prophetic fulfillment
The Church Against the Rapture: Article by
Jack Kelly
Preterists,
(meaning past) believe that
most of Biblical prophecy was fulfilled by 70 AD. Thus the Kingdom
of God is already in manifestation through the existing church.
They hold that prophecies in Matthew 24, Luke 21, Daniel, Revelation
and other prophetic scripture are past. The resurrection of Christ
was the point of transition between the old covenant (temple worship
and law) and the church age which became a completely new manifestation
of the kingdom of God. Since the Jews and their religious Judaism
rejected Christ as messiah they were judged and the prophecies of
Jerusalem's demise culminated with destruction of the actual temple
in 70 a.d. If the kingdom has come, as the Preterists believe, God's
rule and justice must work out through the institutions of this
world. The task of the church is now to exercise dominion in all
arenas, natural, economic, political and social. The church has
authority to disassemble Satan's status and activities in the current
age and will eventually deliver peace and justice to the world through
Christian rule.
Regarding
the Preterist Doctrine
I encourage anyone who is interested in
examining preterism (or another prophetic view) do their own online
research using either video presentations on You tube or written
documentation supporting preterism from particular ministry publications.
As a Berean, prayerfully examine the scriptures for yourself. One
can not make a quick determination of any doctrine without thorough
study of the Word. Do not simply follow what I or anyone may preach
or teach. I will add below scriptural considerations that support
the future of prophetic fulfillment that is dispensational
and premillenial. Dispensation addresses the reality that
the church will conclude at some future time and the God will deal
with the world, once again, through its dealing with Israel. After
the final judgment, sin and Satan's rule will without any doubt,
be finished and a Kingdom will begin with a physical literal reign
of a Messianic future kingdom.
For the majority of fundamentalist Christians, the second coming
and the end-time scenario is imminent or future. The question of
past or future fulfillment will frame how one will read the book
of Revelation.
The Book of Revelation
I know a theologian with advanced doctorial degrees who told me,
"Reading Revelation will make you crazy!" Is Revelation
a prophetic book that fortells the future or a metaphoric or symbolic
allegory? Why is it avoided by so many pastors? If we examine the
question of any future literal reign of Christ, preterists
have determined that the kingdom is already in place and expressed
through the church . The Messianic Kingdom is addressed by most
Old Testament prophets. This was the hope and expectation of the
Jews in Jesus' time and was also the understanding of Jesus' own
disciples. The commonly held fundamentalist view holds that the
kingdom age will follow a time of judgment (tribulation) world-wide.
This tribulation period will culminate with Christ himself returning
in power and great glory to vanquish the unbelieving and rebellious
dwelling on the earth.
In
general preterists are a-milleniallists
meaning that they don't look for a future thousand years
of messianic rule. Replacement theology
an important tenet of preterism is that the "Christian church"
has replaced natural Israel. Thus, any prophetic promises made to
Israel in the First or New Testament now apply to the church. There
are many Bible scholars who hold to the preterist view. One has
only to do a search on Youtube to hear those who passionately support
preterism. Those who promote the preterist doctrine are undoubtedly
students of the Word as they will cite copious scripture to defend
their point of view. There is no doubt that these men who have invested
countless hours in study to obtain their understandings .
Judgment and Tribulation after Christ's
Death
Events
following the death of Messiah Jesus was most certainly a time of
excruciating tribulation and judgment upon the Jews who rejected
the messiah. In a.d. 70 the temple was destroyed by Roman armies.
The Jews were massacred and scattered. However, these facts alone
are not sufficient to support the greater questions surrounding
many other particular prophecies which could not have been fulfilled
then or in the centuries that followed until now.
In short, I find this doctrine and application
to scripture hard to support. I believe they miss what I see as
the clearest spiritual message dealing with the "The Kingdom
of God" on earth. Here is where one might ask some serious
questions. Where is the evidence that God's kingdom is growing and
establishing righteousness, morality and peace world-wide? Yes,
we see occasional demonstrations of goodness and righteousness in
individuals who stand out as being light in a dark world; or being
in the world but not of the world. As for the whole
earth being filled with the glory of God as the waters cover
the sea, we are very far from that. I will address this and
other matters in summary later.
We
have to judge this Preterist view in light of current realities.
How can we believers, who remain in our natural, fallen state; whose
hearts are governed by self-centered lusts, be capable of bringing
this kingdom to pass? The preterist's presumption is that a glorious
and wisely governed 'Ekklesia' will transform the nations in righteousness.
Actually, this is not a scriptural viewpoint. If we read the epistles
we find sufficient proof that the power of Satan is still in unbridled
operation. Paul in 1Timothy 4 and in 2nd Timothy 3 tells us that
the end times will see evil increase greatly and perilous
times dominate the world scene. The apostolic message
has been that the human race in the latter days will be lured away
following deceiving, seductive spirits and twisted religious doctrine.
The current age grows darker and more ungodly. The church apparently
has little impact on the world. Despite spirited preaching and teaching
about the church arising in power wide rebellion and apostasy are
on the increase.
I
stand with the prevailing conservative view that the future millenial
kingdom yet awaits for a future time, when the rule of righteousness
will govern the nations with the divine King, Yeshua, King of the
Jews and Messiah. He will literally rule upon the throne in Jerusalem.
Remember that Jesus at his earthly trial before Pilate, stated clearly
that - - "NOW my kingdom is NOT OF THIS WORLD." Preterists
would argue the contrary.
The Preterists
hold that after 70 A.D.the Kingdom of God was established in this
world and has been in force thereafter. Bible teachers like Hank
Hannegraf support "preterist" teachings that argue the
Kingdom age began about 70 A.D. It was at this time that Rome under
Titus Vespacian, destroyed Jerusalem and the temple ending temple
sacrifices. Thus, any scripture such as Matthew 24 that speaks of
the temple, abomination, or fleeing to refuge had to have the second
temple of Herod in mind. For the preterist, It was at that time
that God's judgment was meted upon an unrighteous and apostate Jewish
priesthood thus wresting traditional religious practice and their
Kingdom inheritance from Israel and the Jews. The preterist view
is is the non dispensational interpretation.
A dispensational view is that the church age has an appointed conclusion
and after this God will once again deal with saving Israel. Among
the principle tenets of Preterism is that there is no promised future
coming of the Lord nor any validity to teaching a rapture
(removal) of the body of Christ called the church ekklessia.
Preterists Denounce a Rapture Doctrine
Preterists condemn as false teachers the likes of Tim LaHae, Hal
Lindsay, John Hagee, or Jack Van Impe who are said to misread and
misunderstand the prophetic Scriptures, the Gospels and Epistles.
So, if you are among those who look for the 'blessed hope'
in the imminent appearing of Christ to be called up to be with him,
we must set this teaching aside;
If you are among those who say that God's time for the Jews has
not been abandoned, we must set this belief aside. If we believe
in the future appearing visibly and gloriously to cleave the Mt.
of Olives, we must set this teaching aside.
Preterists
and Revelation
The strength and foundation of Preterist
eschatology (the study of future things) requires
an early dating of the writing of the Book of Revelation. Preterists
hold the view of Revelation being written before the destruction
of the temple, about 60 a.d. This dating allows that any mention
of "tribulation" or anti Christ can be attributed to the
rule of the Caesars, especially Nero. Most of the content of Revelation
can be allotted to events and places existing at that time. The
evil times, e.g. Paul's letter to Timothy, would also describe the
days of Nero but I assure you that it can grow far worse than that.
The Seventy Weeks of Daniel Chapter 9
Daniel's
ninth chapter addresses the prophecy of the 70 weeks which is one
of the most relevant end times prophetic documents. It addresses
events, both fulfilled and unfulfilled that affect the Jews only.
The seventy weeks prophecy measures in years the exact day when
the Messiah is revealed to Israel, the day he made his entry into
Jerusalem seated on a donkey. The seventieth week is a stumbling
block for preterists owing to the "gap" between the 69th
and seventieth week.
Dispensational
View: The Jews will have a future opportunity to receive the true
Messiah Yeshua
According
to the dispensational reading of the Bible,
the church age is a parenthetical time period in which the
70th week has been interrupted from its fulfillment until the end
of the church age, an unspecified duration of time. The time of
the Gentiles will have been concluded and the 70th week of Daniel
(Daniel chap.9) then resumes after the signing of the peace treaty
of the antichrist world ruler with Israel. The Biblical time line
reverts back to the nation of Israel and the future restoration
and redemption of the Jewish nation. Preterists contend that any
"gap" in the prophetic timeline is inconsistent with working
of prophecy in the past and thus is unacceptable view.
Summary:
What do Preterists Believe?
1. End times prophecy has already been fulfilled
2. Jesus' return has already happened (spiritually) to set up his
kingdom
3. There is no literal resurrection of the dead
4. We are no longer looking forward to a future end-time scenario
5. The perilous times and great tribulation occurred during the
Roman empire
6. The book of Revelation was written early, around 61 a.d.
7. The anti-christ of Revelation was Nero or subsequent emperor
8. The temple destruction terminated Judaism and sealed judgment
on the Jews
9. The church "ekklessia" is now the Israel of God (Replacement
Theology)
10. The Daniel (ch9) prophesies have been concluded without any
gap in the 70 weeks
11. The Book of Revelation should be read as insight on a metaphorical
level
12. Epistles need to be interpreted as a message given to that/those
specific recipient,s
13. There is to be no future kingdom as we are already in the kingdom
age
14. The "millennial reign" of Christ has occurred already (Amillennial
interpretation)
15. Satan has been dethroned as Jesus declared, "All authority...
is given to me."
Themes
Inconsistent With the A.D. 70 Dating of Revelation
-
"Behold
He comes in the clouds and every eye shall behold him" This
speaks to the physical and glorious return of Messiah.
This has never happened.
-
"A seven year peace covenant confirmed" He confirms a
covenant with many.(Dan 9:27)
This has never happened.
-
The destruction of the city of Babylon; (Rev. 18:21)
This has never happened.
-
The Euphrates River drying up to allow the Kings of the East to
pass over; (Rev.16:12)
This has never happened.
The two witnesses who testify and are killed, resurrected.
The whole world being able to see their bodies; (Rev.11)
There was no technology that would allow this to happen.
-
A mark that was required for buying or selling; (Rev. 13:16)
This has never happened.
-
Destruction by great seventy pound hailstones (Rev. 16:21)
This has never happened.
-
Rescue of Israel at the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:17)
This has never happened.
-
Death of 1/4 all of the world's population, earth's vegetation,
life in the seas, etc.
This has never happened.
-
Re
gathering of Israel into her own land
The destruction and the diaspora scattered Israel no regathering
until the 20th century.
-
The
"False Prophets" supernatural signs and wonders.
This has never happened.
-
The
Euphrates river dries up allowing armies to cross over.
This has never happened.
-
A new temple (third) is buildt in Jerusalem
with functioning priests and
daily sacrifices.
This has not yet happened.
-
The
salvation of 144000 Jewish witnesses who evangelize the world.
This has never happened.
-
The
"man of sin" sitting in the temple in Jerusalem.
This has never happened.
-
An image of the False Messiah who can speak and send out
fire to destroy.
This has never happened.
-
Great
hailstones weighing 200 lbs fall along with an earth changing earthquake
in Jerusalem.
This has never happened.
-
Jesus
returning will destroy all the works of the devil and purge the earth
of sin (Dan.9:24)
This has never happened.
-
The earth will be renewed after nearly being destroyed.
This has never happened.
-
The
literal return to the Mt. of Olives to be seen by human eyes just
as he was seen departing.
This has never happened.
-
Peace
ensues and wars cease!
This has never happened.
Dating
the Book of Revelation as 90 to 95 a.d.
The
majority opinion by conservative Bible scholars is that Revelation was
written by John at the end of the reign of Emperor Domitian whose reign
ended in 96 a.d. It was under Domitian that Christians were sought out
for persecution throughout the farther reaches of the Roman empire.
A number of early church writers including Iranaeas mention this detail,
connecting John's writing to the reign of Domitian. He was sentanced
by Domitian to Patmos. Therefore, any association with the last trumpet
mentioned in the Book of Revelation that ties it to Paul's referance
to the trumpet would then be incorrect since Revelation had not been
written when Paul addressed the issue of the resurrection and the trumpet
of God (1Thess.4:16 and 1Cor.15:52)
Final
Thoughts about the Preterist View of Eschatology
I believe that scripture teaches that the
present Church age (dispensation) we are living in as I write this is
still the "age of Grace." The age of Judgment is an entirely
different time and can not coinside with grace. We are not to engage
our detractors, nor take up arms against those who speak evil of us.
"As he is so are we in this world." We are told to
love our enemies even those who spitefully abuse us. In Isaiah 61 the
verses read by Jesus apply to the church age. He ended the reading in
the middle of the text, omitting the discussion of vengeance and wrath.
Judgment is deferred but it has not been deleted from the Word of God.
The time of wrath must be separated from the age of grace. Preterism
seems to blend these together. Jesus said, "Now my kingdom is
not of this world. If it were my people would fight.!" The king
is coming and it is he who shall tread down his enemies. It is he who
will be proclaimed 'King of Kings and Lord of lords,' It is He who will
tread down the winepress of iniquity and destroy all that is evil with
the brightness of his coming.!! Amen
How
Will the Millenium Look Compared to Today's World?
I am compelled to ask the question, how should
this Millennial Kingdom look? It will bear no resemblance to present
society! In the promised kingdom to come, and we continue to pray for
it, God's divine peace and justice will be in evidence throughout the
world! Today, does nature itself reflect Edenic serenity? Or are we
still ravaged by disease, evil men and nature? A view that the argument
that this present church age has entered into any kind
of enlightened, overcoming influence on Planet Earth is all but impossible
to believe!
Yes, we believers in this church age are indeed
promised a token, a downpayment, of kingdom authority and status
as adopted sons of the Most High. Christians know that through we bear
witness to the "Kingdom of Heaven" within us, with righteousness,
peace, joy in the Holy Spirit. But can we say that the perfect has come?
It is impossible to deny that the expression of evil has grown worse
and worse in the world. If we are objective we can see the institutional
church remains mostly adrift in darkness. Institutional churches strain
to exercise there own authority and status quo.
I can only conclude that preterists are stretching
Bible interpretation more for the sake of intellectual argument than
in measuring the evidence of the world we are facing at the start of
the 21st Century. The Apostle Paul has noted that the natural man, through
natural (soulish) wisdom and scholarship can not know God. Preterists,
belligerently, uphold a theology of; no Israel, no rapture, and evidently,
no future physical second coming and rule of Jesus the Messiah upon
the throne of David.
I remain convinced of the soon-return for
the bride as taught in the allegory of the Jewish Bride by Zola Levitt
and other spirit-filled believers;
By the typology of Noah and Lot;
By the great distress and deception currently manifested through
all the earth;
By the return of Israel as a nation once again and Jerusalem
becoming its capital. By the dream of Nebuchadnezzar;
By the signs described in reading the Olivet discourse of Jesus;
By the typology of 6 days creation with a Sabbath rest; six days of
creation, six thousand years to establish the righteous kingdom.
By the two witnesses seen dead and by the whole world followed by their
resurrection and ascension;
By the parenthetical prophecy of Isaiah 61, quoted by Jesus in Luke
4;
By the growing evil and corruption, the growing darkness in this present age; (1Timothy 4 and
2Timothy 3:1-3)
By the separation of the sheep and goats in Math. 25 with the subsequent
Kingdom of God commencing at that time;
By the present Kingdom of God (Kingdom of the heavens) invisible
as Jesus told Pilate;
By the physical coming of the Lord in power and great glory with thousands
and ten thousands to exact judgment on the whole world.
I am further pursuaded by revelations and first hand accounts of numerous,
contemporary saints who "died," and miraculously returned
from heaven to testify that Jesus personal admonition-- 'My coming
again is at hand; I am coming soon; Tell my people I am coming again
very soon'; There are many with such testimonies by those that I know
personally, Paul Crisan, Roxanne Brandt, and other persons I know who
died and returned from heaven with messages that Jesus gave to
them regarding things shortly to come;
I also do not discount end time warning dreams and visions given to
me and to others.
These I believe are god authored visions and messages warning of coming
judgment.
Here are some other particular points to challenge the preterist view
of Scripture:
The re-gathering of Israel as a mile marker in prophetic fulfillment
"The perfect" has not come, prophecies have not all manifested
We are not yet in Christ's (Messiah's) resurrection likeness
The sheep and goat judgment of the nations and handing over the Kingdom
(Matt 25.)
The battles spoken of in Ezekiel 38 & 39 The 2nd bodily return of
Christ (not a non physical 'spiritual return"as held by some sects. Zechariah's prophecy (Ch.14) of the returning Messiah,
" - They shall look upon him whom they had pierced -", see his
wounded hands, etc.and mourn for their error.
The Messiah Jesus stated to the Jewish rulers that they "-would not receive me
but another you will receive- -" This referring to 'the antichrist
deceiver.
In the millenium the lion will lie down with the lamb.
These are some of the end time prophecies of Israel remaining to be
fulfilled.
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