Posted on 12/15/2016 5:37:56 PM PST by grumpa
BIBLE PROPHECY INTRO (“Cliff Notes” Version)
by Charles Meek
SUMMARY: A common view of Bible prophecy is that Jesus will return bodily at the end of time to punish the reprobate and save the faithful (again). This is usually accepted without question. However, because false predictions about the Second Coming and end of the world are so prevalent, many Christians are increasingly willing to seriously re-examine whether this tradition is truly biblical.
Old Testament prophecy of Jesus’ First Advent (Isaiah 53, etc.), was, of course, fulfilled by a bodily appearance. But, “Second Coming/End Times” prophecy may actually be ALL (or at least mostly) about the changing of the covenants—culminating with Jesus’ divine (but non-bodily) COMING IN JUDGMENT against Old Covenant Israel in AD 70. This is the so-called preterist view.
Let’s walk through how this could be so. To grasp this, take yourself out of your modern setting and see yourself as part of the original first-century audience of the New Testament. Remember that the Bible was written FOR us but not TO us. This will be a short intro and you should look up the passages I cite to see how they fit together, and do your own research into this question (“test all things,” 1 Thessalonians 5:21).
1. The foundation of Bible prophecy is Deuteronomy 27-32. Here we see a discussion about God’s covenant with Israel (29:1), which could be sustained only IF the Israelites were obedient. The passage intimates that at some time in the future—in the “latter days” (32:20, 29)—Israel would break their side of the covenant (31:16) and be destroyed (28:20, 24, 33, 45, 48, 61, 64; 32:23, 26).
2. Deuteronomy 27-32 was known to the subsequent Old Testament writers (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Malachi, etc.) and is certainly what they had in mind when making their own prophetic utterances. All these subsequent prophets merely elaborated on the passage in Deuteronomy, pointing more specifically to AD 70 and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple—when the ancient custom of temple sacrifices for sin ended forever. For example, Daniel 12 prophesied that the “time of the end” (Daniel 12:6) would happen when the “power of the holy people comes to an end” (Daniel 12:7) and when “the regular burnt offering is taken away” (Daniel 12:11)—which would be the time of the “abomination of desolation” (Daniel 12:11). Jesus confirmed Daniel’s time line in the Olivet Discourse (Abomination of Desolation, Matthew 24:15), which would close out the END OF THE AGE (Matthew 24:3, 13) while some of those living in the first century were still alive (Matthew 24:34)—coincident with the destruction of the temple (Matthew 24:2). This was clearly the culminating end of the Old Covenant Age, which was just in front of the biblical writers (Hebrews 8:13).
3. Jesus tied the fulfillment of Deuteronomy 27-32 to his own generation multiple times. For example, the time of VENGEANCE from Deuteronomy 32:35, 41, 43 was the first-century generation. Jesus said, “THESE are the days of VENGEANCE to fulfill all that is written” (Luke 21:22, 32). Jesus also echoed the Deuteronomy prophecy about a “perverse generation” (Deuteronomy 32:20), and told the Jews of his day that THEY were that generation (Matthew 12:38, 39, 42; Luke 11:29-32). The other New Testament writers affirmed their own generation as the “perverse” one (Acts 2:40; Romans 10:19; Philippians 2:13-15). In Matthew 3:1-12, John the Baptist spoke of the wrath of Jesus, which was “about to come” (Matthew 3:7, literal translation). Indeed, Jesus would baptize them with fire (Matthew 3:11) and the axe was already laid at the root of the tree (Matthew 3:10), teaching that the judgment prophesied in Malachi 3-4 was imminent. The judgment was indeed imminent and ties perfectly with AD 70.
4. In Matthew 23:29-39 Jesus told the Jews of his day that THEY were the target of his wrath, upon whom the blood of all the prophets EVER IN HISTORY would befall, fulfilling the prophecy from Deuteronomy 32:43! Of further note, Revelation echoes this condemnation against “the great city Babylon” (Revelation 18:21-24) which is clearly identified as the “city where the Lord was slain” (Revelation 11:8-9), again confirming that the Great Judgment was against Jerusalem—an event which would “shortly take place” (Revelation 1:1-3; 22:6-20).
5. So, why would Jesus have been so upset with the Jews of the first century? Well, (a) they were indeed evil (Luke 11:29), (b) they fulfilled all Old Testament prophecy (Luke 21:22), and (c) they refused to accept Him as Savior (Matthew 21:33-46; 22:1-14; 23:37).
6. Biblical writers often referred to the First and Second Comings as two parts to the same event. Examples: Daniel 9:24-27, Matthew 3:1-12; Hebrews 9:24—28.
7. Christians underestimate the importance of AD 70. With the temple gone, and with it the sacrifices for sin, recorded genealogies, and rituals—Jesus became the sole source of our salvation (Revelation 21:22).
OBJECTIONS TO THE AD 70 PRETERIST THESIS:
OBJECTION #1. This cannot be the whole story because we know that WE are living in the end times today. ANSWER: This is simply an assumption from the echo chamber. Let’s stick with the Bible. There are 14 primary mentions of the end times/last days in the New Testament. The culmination of none of them can be placed outside the first century. Examples: Acts 2:17-21; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 1:2; 1 Peter 4:7, 17; 1 John 2:17-18.
OBJECTION #2. This cannot be the whole story because we know that Jesus has not returned. ANSWER: You have misunderstood both the NATURE and TIMING of Jesus “Second Coming.” He did not promise to return bodily, but rather promised to return just as Yahweh “came” in DIVINE JUDGMENT numerous times in the Old Testament against groups of people (Isaiah 13:9-13 against Babylon; 19:1-22 against Egypt; etc.) Jesus promised over and over to come while some of those living in the first century were still alive (Matthew 10:23; 16:27-28; 24:29-34; 26:64; Revelation 1:1-3; 22:6-20; etc.) In fact, there are over 100 imminence statements in the New Testament demanding the soon fulfillment of all last days’ events.
OBJECTION #3. OK, Jesus and the writers of the New Testament THOUGHT Jesus would return in their generation, but they were simply wrong. ANSWER: I find it hard to believe a Christian would say that, as this falls right into the hands of the skeptics. If Jesus and the writers of the New Testament were wrong, they were false prophets! If they were false prophets, how can we trust anything they taught? Indeed, the credibility of Christianity is at stake.
OBJECTION #4. Hey, look. We know Jesus has not come yet because when He does there will be a time of perfection on earth according Isaiah 65-66 and Revelation 21-22—in the new heaven and new earth. In this future time the wolf will graze with the lamb; there will be no more death, crying or tears. ANSWER: If you read these passages carefully, there is still sin and death in the “new heaven and new earth” (Isaiah 65:20; Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15). So, this is not Utopia-ville. In these passages, God has defeated his enemies, but life continues on. Interestingly, there are still people who have not heard about God and require evangelism (Isaiah 66: 15-19). Regarding the statement about no more death, there is a present reality for the Christian that death has already been abolished (John 11:25-26; 2 Timothy 1:10). The statement about “no more tears” refers to statements in the Bible about the long-awaited Messiah; Jesus has (past tense) “borne” our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:4, etc.). Proper biblical interpretation demands that we separate the literal from the figurative. These statements that you may have considered literal are biblical symbolisms about the benefits of the Messianic kingdom—i.e. the new covenant order, which we now enjoy. For the Christian, “old things have passed away; behold all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:17; Revelation 21:5).
OBJECTION #5. Well, I see with my head that you are right. But with my heart I still want to hope for a Second Coming. ANSWER: Just what do you hope to have at a supposed Second Coming that you do not have now? Your hope may be misplaced. The true Christian hope is heaven, and you already have that waiting for you now as a believer!
https://prophecyquestions.com/2014/01/10/prophecy-questions-specifically-for-dispensationalists/
So then humanity goes on forever and ever?
I guess I just must have slept through all of the incidents noted in Revelation and missed ‘em. Ah, well...
When Oct. 5th, 2017 comes and goes, will you eat your hat?
“So then humanity goes on forever and ever?”
==
You missed the Apocalypse too - it wasn’t just the all rest of us? We’re in Paradise now, doncha know.
I don’t see any wolves eating grass yet.
What kind of paradise still has wars going on. And if all was fulfilled, why did Israel become a nation again in 1948 after being dissolved.
OBJECTION #6: Your interpretation just “spiritualizes” any event that is clearly prophesied that could not have taken place already. The first resurrection, for example, is prophesied many times to accompany the Second Coming. This is a resurrection of ALL believers, living and dead, in which they receive new bodies and then go to reign alongside Christ.
If you argue the Second Coming has happened, you would also have to argue this first resurrection has happened, but it is obvious to any observer that living Christians are still here, in our plain old bodies, and we are not reigning over anything. At that point your only choice is to try to twist the language of Scripture so you can pretend that the words mean something completely different that you can argue might have already happened.
This is a major sign that any method of interpretation is flawed. If it leads to inconsistencies that you have to go to lengths to try to reconcile, then it’s always a bad method, not a good one, because the Word of God is not creating those inconsistencies, so the fault can only lie in the interpretation.
Yes
“What kind of paradise still has wars going on. And if all was fulfilled, why did Israel become a nation again in 1948 after being dissolved.”
==
Don’t ask questions based on reality and common sense - just enjoy never having to die, since death was cast into the Lake Of Fire. Like the Second Coming Of Christ, it happened but no one even noticed it!
I’m be sarcastic, by the way, heh.
I am of the opinion that all prophecy in the Bible will be fulfilled prior to the Lords return. The burden of Damascus (Isaiah 17:1)has not yet been fully executed. Close and unfolding now, but not yet completed.
Preterist poppycock.
I totally get your sense of sarcasm. :)
It’s a particularly goofy notion. It’s on the other end of the “world will end in December 2012” claim on the “Goofy Spectrum”. The world (and the heavens) already ended and were replaced with a new earth and heavens - it’s just that NOBODY NOTICED!
I don’t care if somebody is determined to actually believe it, it’s just hilarious in it’s absurdity.
Acts 1:9-11 (NIV):
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
1 Thess. 4:16-18 (NIV):
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
2 Thess. 2:1-12 (NIV):
2 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness[a] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
M4L
As if all the outright lies and propaganda of the Democrats going on at the present time isn’t bad enough, enter the equally asinine preterists.
Have the general resurrection and great judgment happened? Yes. At AD 70 hades was abolished per Revelation 20:13. See also Matthew 16:27-28; Acts 17:31; 24:15; Romans 13:11-12 (cf Daniel 12); 2 Timothy 4:1 (Young’s Literal Translation; 1 Peter 4:5,7, 17; Revelation 22:12.
See my article B18 here:
https://prophecyquestions.com/2014/02/01/articles-by-charles-meek/
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.