unraveling the end a biblical synthesis of competing views

Unraveling the EndUnraveling the EndA Biblical Synthesis of Competing ViewsA Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

““Few doctrines unite and separate Few doctrines unite and separate Christians as much as eschatology...Christians as much as eschatology...

...One of the most divisive elements in ...One of the most divisive elements in recent Christian history.”recent Christian history.”

Christianity TodayChristianity Today February 6, 1987; p-1-IFebruary 6, 1987; p-1-I

2 Guidelines2 Guidelines

1)1) Sola Scriptura Sola Scriptura

2)2) In LoveIn Love

SUMMARY:SUMMARY: 7 Reasons Why Vital7 Reasons Why Vital

1)1) How much of the Bible is involved? How much of the Bible is involved? 2)2) How much salvation do we currently have?How much salvation do we currently have?3)3) How much of the kingdom do we currently How much of the kingdom do we currently

have?have?4)4) What do you do with the modern-day nation What do you do with the modern-day nation

of Israel?of Israel? 5)5) It’s the focal point of the liberal-skeptic It’s the focal point of the liberal-skeptic

attack on the Bible and Deity of Christattack on the Bible and Deity of Christ..6)6) It makes a difference in your worldview It makes a difference in your worldview 7)7) It makes a difference in your life and familyIt makes a difference in your life and family

Four AbusesFour Abuses

1)1) Tendency to Tendency to import import or or addadd things not things not there in the text.there in the text.

2)2) InconsistentlyInconsistently applying literal or symbolic applying literal or symbolic meanings.meanings.

3)3) Accepting a belief because it was simply Accepting a belief because it was simply ““told ustold us.”.”

4)4) Stubborn Stubborn resistanceresistance to to changechange when when confronted with scriptural evidence.confronted with scriptural evidence.

Four ViewsFour Views(in order of prominence)(in order of prominence)

#1 – Premillennial (Dispensational)#1 – Premillennial (Dispensational)#2 – Amillennial#2 – Amillennial#3 – Postmillennial#3 – Postmillennial#4 – Preterist#4 – Preterist

Unraveling the EndUnraveling the EndA Biblical Synthesis of Competing ViewsA Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

#3 – Postmillennial View#3 – Postmillennial View

Motivated our Motivated our forefathersforefathers in the faith to in the faith to come to America . . .come to America . . .

• Not just to escape religious persecution. Not just to escape religious persecution.

• But to But to expandexpand the kingdom of God. the kingdom of God.

• And help And help ChristianizeChristianize the world. the world.

• BetterBetter and and betterbetter as society was as society was transformedtransformed..

• Each Christian’s individual Each Christian’s individual responsibilityresponsibility. .


““discredited” discredited” • World War I and World War IIWorld War I and World War II

• Atom BombAtom Bomb

• Threat of a nuclear ArmageddonThreat of a nuclear Armageddon

• Moral decline of society, Moral decline of society,

• Rebirth of the nation of Israel (1948) Rebirth of the nation of Israel (1948)


““. . . there used to be a group called . . . there used to be a group called ‘postmillennialists.’ . . . World War I greatly ‘postmillennialists.’ . . . World War I greatly disheartened this group and World War II disheartened this group and World War II virtually wiped out this viewpoint. No self-virtually wiped out this viewpoint. No self-respecting scholar who looks at the world respecting scholar who looks at the world conditions and the accelerating decline of conditions and the accelerating decline of Christian influence today is a ‘postmillennialist.’”Christian influence today is a ‘postmillennialist.’”

Hal Lindsey,

The Late Great Planet Earth, 164-165.


• Are Are SURESURE – Christ’s Second Coming is – Christ’s Second Coming is future (happens after the 1,000 years) future (happens after the 1,000 years)

• Be personal, visible, bodily, and in great Be personal, visible, bodily, and in great glory glory ending historyending history at the “end of time.” at the “end of time.”

• But will But will notnot occur any time occur any time soonsoon..

• All three other Four Chief Moments are All three other Four Chief Moments are also also futurefuture..


• OptimisticOptimistic kingdom orientation. kingdom orientation.• Rarely, if ever, charged with Rarely, if ever, charged with heresyheresy.. • A lot of Scripture to A lot of Scripture to backback their view . . . for . . . their view . . . for . . .• Earthly and historical success of the gospel. • Growth of the present and earthly kingdom of

God in this present age. • Victory within history . . . in terms of converting a

sizeable portion of humankind to Christianity.• All of which must take place BEFORE Christ can

return.

#3 – Postmillennial View#3 – Postmillennial ViewScripturesScriptures

• Genesis 1:28Genesis 1:28

• Isaiah 9:6-7Isaiah 9:6-7

• Ezekiel 47:1-12Ezekiel 47:1-12

• Daniel 2:35; 2:44; 7:27-28Daniel 2:35; 2:44; 7:27-28

• Luke 1:33Luke 1:33

• Mark 1:15Mark 1:15


Growth parablesGrowth parables

• SEEDSEED scattered on the ground produces the scattered on the ground produces the harvest (Mark 4:26-29).harvest (Mark 4:26-29).

• MUSTARD SEEDMUSTARD SEED into a tree (Matt. 13: 31-32; into a tree (Matt. 13: 31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19).Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19).

• YEASTYEAST throughout the dough (Matt. 13:33; Luke throughout the dough (Matt. 13:33; Luke 13:20-21).13:20-21).


Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20)““All authority in heaven and on earth has All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.”very end of the age.”


Matthew 24:14Matthew 24:14

““And this gospel of the kingdom will be And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”will come.”

““During the past sixteen years I can During the past sixteen years I can recollect only two occasions on which I recollect only two occasions on which I have heard sermons specifically devoted have heard sermons specifically devoted to the theme of the Kingdom of God. . . . I to the theme of the Kingdom of God. . . . I find this silence rather surprising because find this silence rather surprising because it is universally agreed by New Testament it is universally agreed by New Testament scholars that the central theme of the scholars that the central theme of the teaching of Jesus was the Kingdom of teaching of Jesus was the Kingdom of God.” God.”

[quoting Dr. I. Howard Marshall of the University of Aberdeen]

Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy, 59.

Supportive QuotesSupportive Quotes• "the great omission . . . why . . . today's church [is] so weak" "the great omission . . . why . . . today's church [is] so weak"

Dallas Willard, Dallas Willard, The Divine ConspiracyThe Divine Conspiracy, 40f., 40f.

• "reductionism of the gospel" "reductionism of the gospel" Darrell Guder, Darrell Guder, The Continuing Conversion of the The Continuing Conversion of the ChurchChurch, , xiiifxiiif. .

• ““the gospel we proclaim has been shrunk” the gospel we proclaim has been shrunk”

Robert Lynn, “Far as the curse is found” in Robert Lynn, “Far as the curse is found” in Breakpoint WorldviewBreakpoint Worldview magazine, Oct. ’06, 14. magazine, Oct. ’06, 14.

• ““we have settled for a little gospel, a miniaturized version that we have settled for a little gospel, a miniaturized version that cannot address the robust problems of our world” cannot address the robust problems of our world”

Scot McKnight, “The 8 Marks of a Robust Gospel” in Scot McKnight, “The 8 Marks of a Robust Gospel” in Christianity TodayChristianity Today magazine, March 2008, 36. magazine, March 2008, 36.

Rediscovering the KingdomRediscovering the Kingdomby Myles Munroeby Myles Munroe

1) “Fulfilling the assignment of preaching 1) “Fulfilling the assignment of preaching the Kingdom is the key to the timing of the the Kingdom is the key to the timing of the return of Christ. Jesus said that the end return of Christ. Jesus said that the end will come after the gospel of the Kingdom will come after the gospel of the Kingdom is preached to all nations. . . . The fact that is preached to all nations. . . . The fact that Jesus has not come back yet is proof that Jesus has not come back yet is proof that His assignment, which He delegated to His assignment, which He delegated to His followers in every generation, has not His followers in every generation, has not yet been fulfilled.” yet been fulfilled.”


2) “How many churches today are actively 2) “How many churches today are actively and conscientiously preaching the gospel and conscientiously preaching the gospel of . . . . the Kingdom of God? Not just any of . . . . the Kingdom of God? Not just any message will do. . . . Jesus will return only message will do. . . . Jesus will return only when the message of the when the message of the KingdomKingdom has has been proclaimed in all the earth, and that been proclaimed in all the earth, and that proclamation is the Church’s proclamation is the Church’s responsibility.”responsibility.”


3) “[In] Africa, many African believers have 3) “[In] Africa, many African believers have never heard the gospel of the Kingdom of never heard the gospel of the Kingdom of God. They know Jesus, but they have God. They know Jesus, but they have never been taught about their status and never been taught about their status and rights as sons and daughters of God and rights as sons and daughters of God and citizens and heirs of His Kingdom. . . . citizens and heirs of His Kingdom. . . . Even in Europe and the West . . . few Even in Europe and the West . . . few people have heard the gospel of the people have heard the gospel of the Kingdom. [Yet] Many have heard about Kingdom. [Yet] Many have heard about Jesus. . . .”Jesus. . . .”


4) [Some] “have heard the wrong message 4) [Some] “have heard the wrong message of the Kingdom. . . . that is perhaps the of the Kingdom. . . . that is perhaps the most serious [deficiency] of all. . . . The most serious [deficiency] of all. . . . The gospel of the Kingdom of God . . . must be gospel of the Kingdom of God . . . must be carefully defined so that there are no carefully defined so that there are no ambiguities. . . .” ambiguities. . . .”


5) “One of the reasons the Church is not 5) “One of the reasons the Church is not more effective at reaching the nations is more effective at reaching the nations is because we are not preaching the because we are not preaching the message they need to hear. . . . message they need to hear. . . . Unfortunately many in the Church have Unfortunately many in the Church have discovered the King but they have no clue discovered the King but they have no clue about the Kingdom that He came to bring about the Kingdom that He came to bring to mankind.” to mankind.”


6) “So much time today we get the message wrong by 6) “So much time today we get the message wrong by preaching the good news of preaching the good news of heavenheaven. The two are not . The two are not the same. We tell people to put their faith in Jesus for the same. We tell people to put their faith in Jesus for salvation and then we focus on heaven as our goal and salvation and then we focus on heaven as our goal and destination. Jesus never preached heaven. The destination. Jesus never preached heaven. The disciples never preached heaven, and neither should we. disciples never preached heaven, and neither should we. There may be a lot of appeal to the idea of going to There may be a lot of appeal to the idea of going to heaven . . . but people struggling with daily life on heaven . . . but people struggling with daily life on earth . . . . need to hear the good news of the Kingdom earth . . . . need to hear the good news of the Kingdom of heaven—the rule of God has come to earth and all of heaven—the rule of God has come to earth and all can experience the reality of that world.” can experience the reality of that world.”


7) “People everywhere are looking for the 7) “People everywhere are looking for the Kingdom, even if they don’t recognize it by Kingdom, even if they don’t recognize it by that name. . . . “People are not looking for that name. . . . “People are not looking for religion; they are looking for power, and religion; they are looking for power, and the Kingdom offers power. . . . If we the Kingdom offers power. . . . If we preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God, preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God, people will respond.” people will respond.”


8) “When we preach Christ without 8) “When we preach Christ without preaching also about the Kingdom of God, preaching also about the Kingdom of God, we do people a great disservice. . . . Jesus we do people a great disservice. . . . Jesus preached the Kingdom, but the Church preached the Kingdom, but the Church preaches so many other things rather than preaches so many other things rather than the Kingdom. . . . It’s the lost message of the Kingdom. . . . It’s the lost message of Jesus that needs to be resurrected in our Jesus that needs to be resurrected in our times.” times.”


9) 9) “The gospel of the Kingdom is the only true gospel. Anything else we preach is not the true gospel, or at least, not the complete gospel. Preaching about Jesus Christ is a vital and essential part of preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, because He is our way into the Kingdom. Just because we place our faith in Christ, however, does not mean that we automatically understand either what it means to be a citizen of the Kingdom or how to live like one.”


10) “Every one of the 7 billion people on planet 10) “Every one of the 7 billion people on planet earth is seeking the Kingdom of God, which is earth is seeking the Kingdom of God, which is their ultimate fulfillment. Every religion and their ultimate fulfillment. Every religion and activity of mankind is man’s attempt to find the activity of mankind is man’s attempt to find the Kingdom. It is the pearl that out-values all Kingdom. It is the pearl that out-values all pearls, and the only treasure that is worth all the pearls, and the only treasure that is worth all the other treasures of life. The Kingdom is life other treasures of life. The Kingdom is life itself. . . . [and] The king is the central itself. . . . [and] The king is the central component of a kingdom and embodies the component of a kingdom and embodies the essence of the kingdom.” essence of the kingdom.”


DemiseDemise

1) 1) NegativeNegative world events. world events.

2) Absorbed into the 2) Absorbed into the social gospelsocial gospel movement.movement.

3)3) ChargesCharges of being “triumphalistic.” of being “triumphalistic.”

4) A small band of modern-day 4) A small band of modern-day postmillennial scholars postmillennial scholars fight backfight back..

Onward, Christian Soldiers Onward, Christian Soldiers (1865)(1865)

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,With the cross of Jesus going on before.With the cross of Jesus going on before.Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;Forward into battle see His banners go!Forward into battle see His banners go!

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.raise.

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus (1858)(1858)

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,Stand up, stand up for Jesus,Ye soldiers of the cross,Ye soldiers of the cross,

Lift high His royal banner,Lift high His royal banner,It must not suffer loss; It must not suffer loss;

From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,Till every foe is vanquishedTill every foe is vanquishedAnd Christ is Lord indeed.And Christ is Lord indeed.

Joy to the World! Joy to the World! (1719)(1719)

(1)(1) Joy to the world, the Lord is come!Joy to the world, the Lord is come!Let earth receive her King;Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,Let every heart prepare Him room,And heaven and nature sing,And heaven and nature sing,And heaven and nature sing,And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.


(2)(2) Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!Let men their songs employ;Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plainsWhile fields and floods, rocks, hills and plainsRepeat the sounding joy,Repeat the sounding joy,Repeat the sounding joy,Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.


(3) No more let sins and sorrows grow,(3) No more let sins and sorrows grow,Nor thorns infest the ground;Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flowHe comes to make His blessings flowFar as the curse is found,Far as the curse is found,Far as the curse is found,Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.Far as, far as, the curse is found.


(4) He rules the world with truth and grace,(4) He rules the world with truth and grace,And makes the nations proveAnd makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,The glories of His righteousness,And wonders of His love,And wonders of His love,And wonders of His love,And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders, of His love.And wonders, wonders, of His love.

??????

For the darkness shall turn to dawning,For the darkness shall turn to dawning,

And the dawning to noonday bright,And the dawning to noonday bright,

And Christ’s great kingdom shall come to earth,And Christ’s great kingdom shall come to earth,

The kingdom of peace and light.The kingdom of peace and light.

We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations

(1896)

““the most serious error in much of the the most serious error in much of the current ‘prophetic’ teaching is the claim current ‘prophetic’ teaching is the claim that the future of Christendom is to be that the future of Christendom is to be read not in terms of revival and victory, but read not in terms of revival and victory, but of growing impotence and apostasy.”of growing impotence and apostasy.”

Oswald T. Allis, in Foreword to Oswald T. Allis, in Foreword to Roderick Campbell, Roderick Campbell, Israel and the New Israel and the New CovenantCovenant, , ixix..


The bottom line for why postmillennialists The bottom line for why postmillennialists think their view is think their view is hatedhated so much so much nowadays is this:nowadays is this:

Their view of exercising “dominion in Their view of exercising “dominion in history . . . . teaches history . . . . teaches responsibilityresponsibility.”.”

Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.,

He Shall Have Dominion, back cover.


Duration of the MillenniumDuration of the Millennium

• Some say Some say figurativelyfiguratively. .

• Lasts Lasts longerlonger than a literal thousand years. than a literal thousand years.

• We are living in it We are living in it nownow..

• NotNot something to come something to come cataclysmicallycataclysmically at at some future time.some future time.


Duration of the MillenniumDuration of the Millennium• Others believe we are not now living in the

millennium. • See it as a special and future “golden age”

of peace and prosperity, of gospel success, and the triumph of good over evil.

• May or may not be a literal thousand years in length.


End of the MillenniumEnd of the Millennium

• The end of time and the end of history coming after the millennium at Christ’s Second Coming.

• Proceeded by a brief period of apostasy and conflict between Christian and evil forces . . .

• Headed up by the end-time antichrist.


End of the MillenniumEnd of the Millennium• Christ taking his Church to be with Him. • The resurrection of the righteous and the

wicked.• An end to all earthly existence and to the earth

itself.• The final judgment. • The beginning of “the eternal state.” • A totally new or renewed earth—“the new

heavens and new earth.”

““This does not mean that there ever will be a This does not mean that there ever will be a time on this earth when every person will be a time on this earth when every person will be a Christian, or that all sin will be abolished. But it Christian, or that all sin will be abolished. But it does mean that evil in all its many forms does mean that evil in all its many forms eventually will be reduced to negligible eventually will be reduced to negligible proportions, that Christian proportions, that Christian principles will be principles will be the rule, not the exception, and that Christ will the rule, not the exception, and that Christ will return to a truly Christianized world.”return to a truly Christianized world.”

Loraine Boettner, Loraine Boettner, The MillenniumThe Millennium, 14., 14.

C.S. Lewis condemn it as:C.S. Lewis condemn it as:

• ““the idea which here the idea which here shuts outshuts out the Second the Second Coming from our minds.” Coming from our minds.”

• ““Idea for the world slowly ripening to Idea for the world slowly ripening to perfection” as “a perfection” as “a mythmyth . . . which . . . which distractsdistracts us from our real duties and our real us from our real duties and our real interest.”interest.”

C.S. Lewis, “The World’s C.S. Lewis, “The World’s Last Night” Last Night” (1960), in (1960), in The Essential The Essential C.S. LewisC.S. Lewis, , Lyle W. Dorsett, ed., 388.Lyle W. Dorsett, ed., 388.


Many Comings of ChristMany Comings of Christ

• Includes his “return in judgment” coming in A.D. 70.

• His future final coming in glory and consummation at the end of time.

• In the meantime and in between there have been, are, and will be many comings of Christ in various ways.


One More Big Problem Re: Matt. 24:14One More Big Problem Re: Matt. 24:14• According to the Bible itself, the gospel of the According to the Bible itself, the gospel of the

kingdom was preached to all nations and to the kingdom was preached to all nations and to the world in that world in that 1st century1st century..

Col 1:6, 23Col 1:6, 23Rom. 1:8; 10:18; 16:26;Rom. 1:8; 10:18; 16:26;

Acts 1:8 2:5; 24:5Acts 1:8 2:5; 24:5Luke 2:1Luke 2:1

• The Greek word “world” is The Greek word “world” is oikoumeneoikoumene, meaning , meaning “land . . . specifically the “land . . . specifically the Roman EmpireRoman Empire. .

• Jesus’ prerequisite is Jesus’ prerequisite is pastpast in fulfillment and was in fulfillment and was satisfiedsatisfied over 1900 years ago. over 1900 years ago.

#4 – Preterist View#4 – Preterist View

• The The leastleast known. known.

• But now the chief recipient of But now the chief recipient of heresyheresy charges.charges.

• The The easiesteasiest view to present. view to present.

• But perhaps the But perhaps the hardesthardest to believe. to believe.


• Preterist is Preterist is derivedderived from the Latin word from the Latin word praeterpraeter—which —which meansmeans “past.” “past.”

• Used in Used in verb formsverb forms (past tense). (past tense).

• In eschatology it In eschatology it meansmeans “past in “past in fulfillment.”fulfillment.”


Two Basic Types:Two Basic Types:

• Full preterists Full preterists

• Partial preterists.Partial preterists.

#4 – Full Preterist View#4 – Full Preterist View

• All Four Chief Moments are All Four Chief Moments are pastpast in fulfillment. in fulfillment.• During the Jewish-Roman War of During the Jewish-Roman War of A.D. 66-70A.D. 66-70..• SureSure this was Christ’s Second Coming and this was Christ’s Second Coming and

Return.Return.• A A non-visiblenon-visible coming in judgment. coming in judgment. • But it was But it was personalpersonal and and gloriousglorious..• NoNo future coming or comings of Jesus following future coming or comings of Jesus following

A.D. 70. A.D. 70.

CriticismsCriticisms

• ““the position sounds the position sounds soso bizarrebizarre that some may that some may wonder if it seriously wonder if it seriously deserves deserves to be to be refutedrefuted.” .”

• . . . of sacrificing “the . . . of sacrificing “the plain senseplain sense of every other of every other prophecy about the return of Christ and end-prophecy about the return of Christ and end-times events.” times events.”

• ““heresyheresy of the of the worst stripeworst stripe” ” • ““sub-Christiansub-Christian heresy.” heresy.” • ““is currently is currently overthrowingoverthrowing the faith of many.” the faith of many.”

John MacArthur, John MacArthur, The Second Coming, 11, 13, 223.The Second Coming, 11, 13, 223.

Critical Assessment Critical Assessment

• ““the the debatedebate is shaping up as a showdown is shaping up as a showdown between preterism and futurism.”between preterism and futurism.”

Thomas Ice and Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., Thomas Ice and Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.,

The Great Tribulation: Past or Future?The Great Tribulation: Past or Future?, 6., 6.

• ““early forms of preterism were early forms of preterism were mildmild and and underdevelopedunderdeveloped by today’s standards.” by today’s standards.”

Thomas Ice & Timothy Demy, Thomas Ice & Timothy Demy,

When the Trumpet SoundsWhen the Trumpet Sounds, , 14.14.

‘‘9.5 Theses’9.5 Theses’

1. Everything1. Everything Jesus said would happen, Jesus said would happen, happenedhappened exactly exactly asas and and whenwhen He said it He said it would—within the lifetime of his would—within the lifetime of his contemporaries.contemporaries.

2. Everything2. Everything every New Testament writer every New Testament writer expected to happen, expected to happen, happenedhappened exactly exactly asas and and whenwhen they expected it would—within their they expected it would—within their lifetime—as they were guided into all truth and lifetime—as they were guided into all truth and told the things that were to come by the Holy told the things that were to come by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13).Spirit (John 16:13).


3. Scholars across a broad spectrum are in general agreement that this is exactly how every NT writer and the early Church understood Jesus’ words. If they were wrong on something this important, how can we trust them to have conveyed other aspects of the faith accurately, such as the requirements for salvation?


4. No4. No inspired NT writer, writing twenty or more inspired NT writer, writing twenty or more years later, years later, everever correctedcorrected their Holy-Spirit- their Holy-Spirit-guided understanding and fulfillment guided understanding and fulfillment expectations (John 16:13). Neither should we. expectations (John 16:13). Neither should we. Instead, they intensified their language . . . . Instead, they intensified their language . . . .

5. Partial fulfillment is 5. Partial fulfillment is not satisfactorynot satisfactory. 3 out of . 3 out of 5, 7 out of 10, etc., won’t work. Partial does 5, 7 out of 10, etc., won’t work. Partial does not pass the test of a true prophet (Deut. not pass the test of a true prophet (Deut. 18:18-22). Again, Jesus time-restricted 18:18-22). Again, Jesus time-restricted allall of of his end-time predictions to occur within the 1st-his end-time predictions to occur within the 1st-century time frame.century time frame.


6. 6. God is faithful (2 Pet. 3:9) and “not a man that God is faithful (2 Pet. 3:9) and “not a man that he should lie” (Num. 23:19). Faithfulness means he should lie” (Num. 23:19). Faithfulness means not only doing not only doing whatwhat was promised, but also was promised, but also doing it doing it whenwhen it was promised. it was promised.


7. 1st-century, fulfillment expectations were the 7. 1st-century, fulfillment expectations were the correct onescorrect ones and everything happened, right on and everything happened, right on time—no gaps, no gimmicks, no interruptions, time—no gaps, no gimmicks, no interruptions, no postponements, no delays, no exegetical no postponements, no delays, no exegetical gymnastics, and no changing the meaning of gymnastics, and no changing the meaning of commonly used and normally understood words. commonly used and normally understood words. Such manipulative devices have only given Such manipulative devices have only given liberals and skeptics a foothold to discredit liberals and skeptics a foothold to discredit Christ’s Deity and the inerrancy of Scripture.Christ’s Deity and the inerrancy of Scripture.


8. What needs adjusting is our understanding of 8. What needs adjusting is our understanding of both the both the timetime and and naturenature of fulfillment, and not of fulfillment, and not manipulation of the time factor to conform to manipulation of the time factor to conform to our popular, futuristic, and delay expectations.our popular, futuristic, and delay expectations.

9. The 9. The kingdom of God kingdom of God was the was the central central teachingteaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a present of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a present but greatly under-realized reality, and must but greatly under-realized reality, and must again become the central teaching of his again become the central teaching of his Church. Church.


9.5 We have been guilty of proclaiming a 9.5 We have been guilty of proclaiming a half-truthhalf-truth—a partially —a partially delivered faith to the world and to fellow Christians. We must repent delivered faith to the world and to fellow Christians. We must repent and earnestly “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to and earnestly “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). the saints” (Jude 3).

If Christianity has been as effective as it has by proclaiming that If Christianity has been as effective as it has by proclaiming that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, came, died for our sins, bodily arose Jesus Christ, the Messiah, came, died for our sins, bodily arose from the dead, and ascended to Heaven “at just the right time” from the dead, and ascended to Heaven “at just the right time” (Rom. 5:6; Dan. 9:24-27), how much more effective might it be if we (Rom. 5:6; Dan. 9:24-27), how much more effective might it be if we started preaching, teaching, and practicing the started preaching, teaching, and practicing the whole truthwhole truth—i.e., a —i.e., a faith in which everything else also happened “at just the right time,” faith in which everything else also happened “at just the right time,” exactly exactly asas and and whenwhen Jesus said it would and every NT writer Jesus said it would and every NT writer expected (John 16:13). Dare we continue to settle for less?expected (John 16:13). Dare we continue to settle for less?


The Three Biggest Problems The Three Biggest Problems

1) “I just can’t believe everything is 1) “I just can’t believe everything is fulfilled fulfilled and and over.over.””

2)2) ““My My eyeseyes aren’t seeing what these aren’t seeing what these wordswords are saying!”are saying!”

3)3) If all was fulfilled, where’s our If all was fulfilled, where’s our hopehope? ?


“Great Service”““The first is the time-frame references of the New The first is the time-frame references of the New Testament regarding eschatological prophecy. Testament regarding eschatological prophecy. The preterist is a sentinel standing guard against The preterist is a sentinel standing guard against frivolous and superficial attempts to downplay or frivolous and superficial attempts to downplay or explain away the force of these references.”explain away the force of these references.”

R.C. Sproul, R.C. Sproul,

The Last Days According to JesusThe Last Days According to Jesus, 202-203., 202-203.


“Great Service”““The second major issue is the destruction of Jerusalem. The second major issue is the destruction of Jerusalem. This event certainly spelled the end of a crucial This event certainly spelled the end of a crucial redemptive-historical epoch. It must be viewed as the redemptive-historical epoch. It must be viewed as the end of some age. It also represents a significant end of some age. It also represents a significant visitation of the Lord in judgment and a vitally important visitation of the Lord in judgment and a vitally important ‘day of the Lord.’ Whether this was the ‘day of the Lord.’ Whether this was the onlyonly day of the day of the Lord about which Scripture speaks remains a major point Lord about which Scripture speaks remains a major point of controversy among preterists.”of controversy among preterists.”

R.C. Sproul, R.C. Sproul, The Last Days According to JesusThe Last Days According to Jesus, 202-, 202-

203.203.

#4 – Partial Preterist View#4 – Partial Preterist View

• For For somesome it means – it means – somesome or or mostmost end- end-time prophecies were fulfilled, but time prophecies were fulfilled, but not allnot all..

• For For othersothers it means – it means – allall or or mostmost were were fulfilled in fulfilled in some sensesome sense but and but and awaitawait a a more complete, final, or ultimate more complete, final, or ultimate fulfillmentfulfillment when the Lord returns in the future at the when the Lord returns in the future at the “end of time.”“end of time.”

““I am convinced that the I am convinced that the substancesubstance of the Olivet of the Olivet Discourse as Discourse as fulfilled in A.D. 70fulfilled in A.D. 70 and that the and that the bulkbulk of of Revelation was likewise fulfilled in that timeframe. . . .Revelation was likewise fulfilled in that timeframe. . . .

““While While partial preteristspartial preterists acknowledge that in the acknowledge that in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 was destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 was aa parousia or parousia or coming of Christcoming of Christ, they maintain that it was not , they maintain that it was not thethe parousiaparousia. That is, the coming of Christ in A.D. 70 was a . That is, the coming of Christ in A.D. 70 was a coming in judgment on the Jewish nation, indicating the coming in judgment on the Jewish nation, indicating the end of the Jewish age and the fulfillment of a day of the end of the Jewish age and the fulfillment of a day of the Lord, Lord, Jesus really did come in judgment at this timeJesus really did come in judgment at this time, , fulfilling his prophecy in the Olivet Discourse. But this fulfilling his prophecy in the Olivet Discourse. But this was was not the final or ultimate coming of Christnot the final or ultimate coming of Christ. . . . [which . . . . [which will be] universal in scope and significance. It will come . will be] universal in scope and significance. It will come . . . at the end of human history as we know it. It will be, . . at the end of human history as we know it. It will be, not merely a day of the Lord, but the final and ultimate not merely a day of the Lord, but the final and ultimate day of the day of the Lord.”Lord.”

R.C. Sproul, R.C. Sproul, The Last Days According to Jesus, The Last Days According to Jesus, 158.158.

““The modern revival of preterism represents an The modern revival of preterism represents an interesting and important paradigm shift in eschatology. interesting and important paradigm shift in eschatology.

The advantage of preterism is that is ‘saves the The advantage of preterism is that is ‘saves the phenomena’ of the New Testament time-frame phenomena’ of the New Testament time-frame references; it interprets biblical prophecy according to references; it interprets biblical prophecy according to the images used in Scripture itself; and it offers a the images used in Scripture itself; and it offers a framework for consistent interpretation of the difficult framework for consistent interpretation of the difficult apocalyptic literature of the Bible, such as that found in apocalyptic literature of the Bible, such as that found in Daniel and Revelation....Daniel and Revelation....

Serious study and dialogue are needed if we are to Serious study and dialogue are needed if we are to reach agreement as to how far preterism is to go and reach agreement as to how far preterism is to go and what remains for the hope of the church’s and the what remains for the hope of the church’s and the cosmos’ future in the full plan of redemptive history.”cosmos’ future in the full plan of redemptive history.”

R.C. Sproul, in Foreword, R.C. Sproul, in Foreword, And It Came To Pass: And It Came To Pass: The Third Annual C.E.F. Symposium: Preterism, viiThe Third Annual C.E.F. Symposium: Preterism, vii..

Four ViewsFour Views(in order of prominence)(in order of prominence)

#1 – Premillennial (Dispensational)#1 – Premillennial (Dispensational)#2 – Amillennial#2 – Amillennial#3 – Postmillennial#3 – Postmillennial#4 – Preterist#4 – Preterist

Recap – 2 QuestionsRecap – 2 Questions

1)1) How much end-time prophecy was How much end-time prophecy was relevant to his original audience? relevant to his original audience?

• PremillennialistsPremillennialists, “none of it” or “little of , “none of it” or “little of it” was. it” was.

• AmillennialistsAmillennialists, “some of it” was. , “some of it” was. • PostmillennialistsPostmillennialists, “most of it” was. , “most of it” was. • PreteristsPreterists, “all of it” was relevant and , “all of it” was relevant and

fulfilled, right on time.fulfilled, right on time.• What do What do youyou say? say?

Recap – 2 QuestionsRecap – 2 Questions

2) 2) Who’s right? • Premillennialists – the very-soon future

fulfillment of all things. • Amillennialists – some past partial fulfillment

but mostly future fulfillment whose time we cannot know.

• Postmillennialists – a lot of past partial fulfillment but significant far-away future fulfillment.

• Preterists – past fulfillment of all things. • What do you think?

Early Church FathersEarly Church Fathers(2(2ndnd-4-4thth centuries) centuries)

• At least At least fourfour subscribed to a preterist (past subscribed to a preterist (past fulfillment) understanding that . . . fulfillment) understanding that . . .

• At least At least somesome of Jesus’ “all these things” of Jesus’ “all these things” (Mt. 24:34) had indeed (Mt. 24:34) had indeed occurredoccurred within the within the timetime spanspan Jesus had specified. Jesus had specified.

• i.e., “this generation.”i.e., “this generation.”

Eusebius – a preterist viewEusebius – a preterist view

““It is fitting to add to these accounts the true It is fitting to add to these accounts the true prediction of our Saviour in which he foretold prediction of our Saviour in which he foretold these events . . . .’For there shall be these events . . . .’For there shall be great great tribulationtribulation . . . .’ These things . . . .’ These things took placetook place in this in this manner, in the second year of the reign of manner, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian [A.D. 70], in accordance to the Vespasian [A.D. 70], in accordance to the propheciesprophecies of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ . . . .”. . . .”

Eusebius, Eusebius, Ecclesiastical HistoryEcclesiastical History, Book 3, Ch.7, , Book 3, Ch.7, in The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathersin The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, , Vol. 1, Vol. 1,

141.141.


““. . . the . . . the abomination of desolationabomination of desolation, , proclaimed by the prophets [Dan. 9:27], proclaimed by the prophets [Dan. 9:27], stood in the very temple of God . . . which stood in the very temple of God . . . which was now awaiting its total destruction by was now awaiting its total destruction by fire.”fire.”

Ibid, Book 3, Ch.5., 138.Ibid, Book 3, Ch.5., 138.


““Moses had foretold this very thing and in due Moses had foretold this very thing and in due course Christ sojourned in this life, and the course Christ sojourned in this life, and the teaching of the new covenant was teaching of the new covenant was borne to all borne to all nationsnations, and at once , and at once the Romans besieged the Romans besieged Jerusalem and destroyed it and the Temple Jerusalem and destroyed it and the Temple there. At once there. At once the wholethe whole of the Mosaic law of the Mosaic law was was abolished, with all that remained of the Old abolished, with all that remained of the Old CovenantCovenant….”….”

Eusebius, Eusebius, Proof of the GospelProof of the Gospel, Book. I, Ch. 6, 35., Book. I, Ch. 6, 35.


Recorded that in obedience to the Lord’s Olivet Recorded that in obedience to the Lord’s Olivet Discourse instructions, 1st-century Christians Discourse instructions, 1st-century Christians fledfled from Jerusalem to Pella in Transjordan from Jerusalem to Pella in Transjordan around A.D. 68 after the first siege and before around A.D. 68 after the first siege and before the second one,(1) . . . . and the second one,(1) . . . . and no Christiansno Christians were were trapped and destroyed in the siege of Jerusalem trapped and destroyed in the siege of Jerusalem which concluded in A.D.70.(2) which concluded in A.D.70.(2)

(1) Eusebius, (1) Eusebius, Ecclesiastical HistoryEcclesiastical History, Book III, V. 86, 138., Book III, V. 86, 138.

(2) Eusebius, (2) Eusebius, Ecclesiastical HistoryEcclesiastical History, Book 3, Ch. 5, 138., Book 3, Ch. 5, 138.


““For so it was prophesied concerning the destruction of For so it was prophesied concerning the destruction of the royal glory of the Jewish nation . . . . Yea, in return the royal glory of the Jewish nation . . . . Yea, in return for their insults to the Lord who thus prophesied, there for their insults to the Lord who thus prophesied, there has not failed for them lamentation, mourning and has not failed for them lamentation, mourning and wailing. And it was only after wailing. And it was only after our Saviour cameour Saviour came . . . . . . . . laying their Temple low, and driving them from their laying their Temple low, and driving them from their country, to serve their enemies in a hostile land . . . .” country, to serve their enemies in a hostile land . . . .”

Eusebius, W.J. Ferrar, ed., Eusebius, W.J. Ferrar, ed., The Proof of the The Proof of the GospelGospel, , Book 7, Ch. 4, 144, 146 – on Zechariah Book 7, Ch. 4, 144, 146 – on Zechariah 14:1-5.14:1-5.


““When, then, we see what was of old foretold for the When, then, we see what was of old foretold for the nations fulfilled in our own day, and when the nations fulfilled in our own day, and when the lamentation and wailing that was predicted for the Jews, lamentation and wailing that was predicted for the Jews, and the burning of the Temple and its utter destruction, and the burning of the Temple and its utter destruction, can also be seen even now to have occurred according can also be seen even now to have occurred according to the prediction, surely we must also agree that the King to the prediction, surely we must also agree that the King who was prophesied, the Christ of God, who was prophesied, the Christ of God, has comehas come, since , since the the signs of His comingsigns of His coming have been shewn in each have been shewn in each instance I have treated to have been instance I have treated to have been clearly fulfilledclearly fulfilled.”.”

Ibid., 147.Ibid., 147.

Clement of Alexandria Clement of Alexandria – a preterist view– a preterist view

“‘ “‘ . . . in the . . . in the one weekone week,’ was He Lord. The ,’ was He Lord. The half of half of the weekthe week Nero held sway, and in the holy city Nero held sway, and in the holy city Jerusalem placed the Jerusalem placed the abominationabomination; and in the ; and in the half of the weekhalf of the week he was taken away, and Otho, he was taken away, and Otho, and Galba, and Vitallus. And Vespasian rose to and Galba, and Vitallus. And Vespasian rose to the supreme power, and destroyed Jerusalem, the supreme power, and destroyed Jerusalem, and desolated the holy place.”and desolated the holy place.”

Clement of Alexandria, Clement of Alexandria, The StromataThe Stromata, or , or MiscellaniesMiscellanies, , Vol. 2, Book 1, in The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 2, Book 1, in The Ante-Nicene Fathers, 329. 329.

Athanasius – a preterist viewAthanasius – a preterist view

““And Jerusalem is to stand And Jerusalem is to stand till his comingtill his coming, and thenceforth, prophet , and thenceforth, prophet and vision cease in Israel…And this was why Jerusalem stood till and vision cease in Israel…And this was why Jerusalem stood till thenthennamely that there they might be exercised in the types as a namely that there they might be exercised in the types as a preparation for the reality…but preparation for the reality…but from that time forth all prophecy is from that time forth all prophecy is sealedsealed and the city and temple taken, why are they so irreligious and the city and temple taken, why are they so irreligious and so perverse as to see what has happened, and yet to deny and so perverse as to see what has happened, and yet to deny Christ, Christ, Who has brought it all to pass? …Who has brought it all to pass? …What then has not come to pass,What then has not come to pass, that the Christ must do? that the Christ must do? What is left unfulfilledWhat is left unfulfilled, that the Jews should , that the Jews should now disbelieve with impunity?”now disbelieve with impunity?”

Athanasius, Athanasius, Incarnation of the Word Incarnation of the Word, , Section 39 Verse 3, Section 40 Verses 1-7 Section 39 Verse 3, Section 40 Verses 1-7

in in The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 57-The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 57-58.58.

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