"WAIT...YOU BELIEVE WHAT?!?!?!"
Yes, that is the common reaction to someone saying
"I believe that Jesus Christ has already come back".
You might have said this yourself, or atleast thought it, and that is understandable.
Most of the men & women who hold to the position of what is called "Full Preterism", "Fulfilled Eschatology", or "Covenant Eschatology", have all had that same thought at one time or another.
What you must ask YOURSELF is...ARE YOU WILLING TO INVESTIGATE WHAT THE SCRIPTURES TRULY TEACH? ARE YOU WILLING TO ACT AS A "NOBLE BEREAN" AND "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES" to see if what is being said is true or not? (see, Acts 17:11)
Definitions:
Full Preterism- Full Preterism is the belief that the Bible teaches that the "Second Coming", judgment and resurrection of the living and dead took place at the end of the Old Covenant age in the events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem and her Temple in AD 70. Any modern dictionary will define "preter" as a prefix, meaning "past, beyond." This word is from the prefix "pre" which means "before in time, before in place, before in rank." And the terms "ist" or "ism" are simply suffixes, which can refer to doctrines. Therefore,"preterism" or "preterist" is simply a prefix and a suffix put together!
Fulfilled Eschatology- The word "Eschatology" comes from the Greek eschatos/eschatē/eschaton meaning "last". and partnered with -ology means the science of. Eschatology is a reference to what are known as the final events of history, the ultimate destiny of humanity—commonly referred to as the "end of the world" or "end times". To say one adheres to "fulfilled eschatology" means all of this events have been fulfilled.
Covenant Eschatology- Understanding the narrative story of the Scriptures in regards to the Covenants (Galatians chapter 5, Hebrews chapter 8, etc) helps to understanding what was being fulfilled at the "end of the age". Covenant Eschatology focuses on the transition from the Old and the New Covenants, from a ministration of death to one of life. In contrast to a world-wide effect of things, Covenant Eschatology focuses on the "end-times" of Gods' Old Covenant which happened at the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
Futurism- A belief that the meaning of life and one's personal fulfillment lie in the future and not in the present or past. In regards to Christian eschatology, this would mean a looking forward to events such as the "coming of Lord", judgment, and resurrection in the future.
Partial Preterism/ Partial Futurism- The position that some or part of the events described in the Olivet discourse lie in the past (A.D. 70) but the "Second Coming", universal judgment, and bodily resurrection are in the future.
"I believe that Jesus Christ has already come back".
You might have said this yourself, or atleast thought it, and that is understandable.
Most of the men & women who hold to the position of what is called "Full Preterism", "Fulfilled Eschatology", or "Covenant Eschatology", have all had that same thought at one time or another.
What you must ask YOURSELF is...ARE YOU WILLING TO INVESTIGATE WHAT THE SCRIPTURES TRULY TEACH? ARE YOU WILLING TO ACT AS A "NOBLE BEREAN" AND "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES" to see if what is being said is true or not? (see, Acts 17:11)
Definitions:
Full Preterism- Full Preterism is the belief that the Bible teaches that the "Second Coming", judgment and resurrection of the living and dead took place at the end of the Old Covenant age in the events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem and her Temple in AD 70. Any modern dictionary will define "preter" as a prefix, meaning "past, beyond." This word is from the prefix "pre" which means "before in time, before in place, before in rank." And the terms "ist" or "ism" are simply suffixes, which can refer to doctrines. Therefore,"preterism" or "preterist" is simply a prefix and a suffix put together!
Fulfilled Eschatology- The word "Eschatology" comes from the Greek eschatos/eschatē/eschaton meaning "last". and partnered with -ology means the science of. Eschatology is a reference to what are known as the final events of history, the ultimate destiny of humanity—commonly referred to as the "end of the world" or "end times". To say one adheres to "fulfilled eschatology" means all of this events have been fulfilled.
Covenant Eschatology- Understanding the narrative story of the Scriptures in regards to the Covenants (Galatians chapter 5, Hebrews chapter 8, etc) helps to understanding what was being fulfilled at the "end of the age". Covenant Eschatology focuses on the transition from the Old and the New Covenants, from a ministration of death to one of life. In contrast to a world-wide effect of things, Covenant Eschatology focuses on the "end-times" of Gods' Old Covenant which happened at the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
Futurism- A belief that the meaning of life and one's personal fulfillment lie in the future and not in the present or past. In regards to Christian eschatology, this would mean a looking forward to events such as the "coming of Lord", judgment, and resurrection in the future.
Partial Preterism/ Partial Futurism- The position that some or part of the events described in the Olivet discourse lie in the past (A.D. 70) but the "Second Coming", universal judgment, and bodily resurrection are in the future.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
If we believe that the "coming of the Lord" that is commonly called "the Second Coming" has already occured, what does that mean for us? This is a very valid question!
The obvious being that we are not looking and waiting for some yet future "coming of the Lord". That means that the reality He was bringing is already present. Sadly, this is a misunderstood and much under-realized reality because so many are falsely waiting for "something else" or "something more". The kingdom of God is and was a Spiritual kingdom (John 3-4, Romans 14:17, Hebrews 9:8-10, Luke 17:20-21).
Taking Jesus Christ at His Word and letting "every man be a liar (Romans 3:4)" is a daunting task. If we are to take seriously the words of Matthew 16:28 this leads us to conclude that either Jesus came back to them or lied. That's pretty scary, right? That has led many men to re-consider what they have taught for years and it should challenge you to re-study what you have believed.
When we come to terms with the fact that Jesus Christ did exactly that, came back to "some of them standing there" (Matthew 16:28) in that "generation" in AD 70, when judgment came upon Jerusalem and not "one stone was left upon another (Matthew 24:1-2)". God was and is faithful!!
As we begin to understand the implications of this understand, we can then realize that we are in the kingdom of God NOW! We have the salvation that would come at the "second coming (Hebrews 9:28)".
What does this mean for the future? As we begin to take the teachings of Jesus Christ serious, establishing a firm foundation upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-27), we can truly trust that the "truth will set us free (John 8:31-32)". Free from false legalism, free from false teachings, ultimately freedom to live a fulfilled life (John 10:10). Understanding that we are Spiritually in the kingdom of God enables us to truly bring "healings to all the nations (Revelation 22:2)".
The obvious being that we are not looking and waiting for some yet future "coming of the Lord". That means that the reality He was bringing is already present. Sadly, this is a misunderstood and much under-realized reality because so many are falsely waiting for "something else" or "something more". The kingdom of God is and was a Spiritual kingdom (John 3-4, Romans 14:17, Hebrews 9:8-10, Luke 17:20-21).
Taking Jesus Christ at His Word and letting "every man be a liar (Romans 3:4)" is a daunting task. If we are to take seriously the words of Matthew 16:28 this leads us to conclude that either Jesus came back to them or lied. That's pretty scary, right? That has led many men to re-consider what they have taught for years and it should challenge you to re-study what you have believed.
When we come to terms with the fact that Jesus Christ did exactly that, came back to "some of them standing there" (Matthew 16:28) in that "generation" in AD 70, when judgment came upon Jerusalem and not "one stone was left upon another (Matthew 24:1-2)". God was and is faithful!!
As we begin to understand the implications of this understand, we can then realize that we are in the kingdom of God NOW! We have the salvation that would come at the "second coming (Hebrews 9:28)".
What does this mean for the future? As we begin to take the teachings of Jesus Christ serious, establishing a firm foundation upon the rock (Matthew 7:24-27), we can truly trust that the "truth will set us free (John 8:31-32)". Free from false legalism, free from false teachings, ultimately freedom to live a fulfilled life (John 10:10). Understanding that we are Spiritually in the kingdom of God enables us to truly bring "healings to all the nations (Revelation 22:2)".
WHAT ABOUT THE 'HISTORIC FAITH' AKA ORTHODOXY?
Many people are confused and misled by what is called "orthodoxy" or "right belief", the problem is, who is deciding this? According to we must "let God be true and every man a liar (Romans 3:4)". Therefore, just as the Apostle Paul told Timothy to know the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15-17), we must do the same thing. If something is taught that contradicts the proper interpretation of Scripture then it must be dismissed regardless of how widespread or 'historic' it is. For example watch this video by Doug Wilson as he explains the difference between "partial" and full preterism.
The issue we come up with is:
WERE THE MEN WHO WROTE THE CREEDS INFALLIBLE? WHAT TRULY IS "ORTHODOX"?
As one writer noted, "Partial preterists teach that Matthew 24:30 is talking about AD70. Partial preterists teach that full preterists are wrong to not believe in a future (for us) second coming, because the church creeds teach that doctrine. But the creeds also base this doctrine on Matthew 24:30 and other passages which partial preterists have said refer to AD 70. Is there a Biblical text that teaches a future second coming that CANNOT refer to AD70?"
Pastor Alan Bondar of New Covenant Eyes Church in Fort Myers, Florida made this video to show the hypocrisy of appealing to the 'historic creeds' when Scriptural evidence shows otherwise.
WERE THE MEN WHO WROTE THE CREEDS INFALLIBLE? WHAT TRULY IS "ORTHODOX"?
As one writer noted, "Partial preterists teach that Matthew 24:30 is talking about AD70. Partial preterists teach that full preterists are wrong to not believe in a future (for us) second coming, because the church creeds teach that doctrine. But the creeds also base this doctrine on Matthew 24:30 and other passages which partial preterists have said refer to AD 70. Is there a Biblical text that teaches a future second coming that CANNOT refer to AD70?"
Pastor Alan Bondar of New Covenant Eyes Church in Fort Myers, Florida made this video to show the hypocrisy of appealing to the 'historic creeds' when Scriptural evidence shows otherwise.
So...do we believe in the authority of the Scriptures or the 'historic creeds'? Could the Church had gone wrong with doctrine at some point? We do see in Scripture that in the first century false teaching had begun to creep into the Church (Acts 15:1-2;Jude 4).
A valid question that is usually raised is:
Why isn't this being taught?
Well...to be fair, many pastors and teachers are simply unaware of the misinterpretations that they have been taught, this is called a 'paradigm'. As false teaching picks up momentum it begins what is called "the snowball effect" and it gets bigger and bigger.
Unfortunately, there are also "wolves". Those who know what they are teaching is false and does not line up with Biblical doctrine yet they continue to propagate it. The reasons vary, being anything from political reasons to fear that if they tell the Truth they will lose congregants and therefore lose money. As I said...there are a host of reasons one might choose to continue teaching false doctrine.
A GREAT READ CONCERNING THE 'SNOWBALL EFFECT' THAT HAS OCCURED IN THE CHURCH CONCERNING ESCHATOLOGY IS 'THE ROAD BACK TO PRETERISM' BY KURT SIMMONS
“The advantage of preterism is that it 'saves the phenomena' of the New
Testament time-frame references; it interprets biblical prophecy according to
the images used in Scripture itself; and it offers a framework for consistent
interpretation of the difficult apocalyptic literature of the Bible, such as
that found in Daniel and Revelation." - R.C. Sproul
Robert Roberts (1855)
“The PAROUSIA, or proximity, of the Son of Man TO
JERUSALEM in the crisis of its overthrow WAS TO BE IN THE LIFETIME OF THAT GENERATION, according to the words of Jesus, who said,
“This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled.”(The
Signs of the Son of Man’s Presence at the Destruction of
Jerusalem)
“The most significant, redemptive, historical action that takes place outside
the New Testament, is the judgment that falls on Jerusalem, and by which
judgment the Christian Church now emerges as The Body of Christ.”
(R.C.Sproul, Dust to Glory video series, 1997)
A valid question that is usually raised is:
Why isn't this being taught?
Well...to be fair, many pastors and teachers are simply unaware of the misinterpretations that they have been taught, this is called a 'paradigm'. As false teaching picks up momentum it begins what is called "the snowball effect" and it gets bigger and bigger.
Unfortunately, there are also "wolves". Those who know what they are teaching is false and does not line up with Biblical doctrine yet they continue to propagate it. The reasons vary, being anything from political reasons to fear that if they tell the Truth they will lose congregants and therefore lose money. As I said...there are a host of reasons one might choose to continue teaching false doctrine.
A GREAT READ CONCERNING THE 'SNOWBALL EFFECT' THAT HAS OCCURED IN THE CHURCH CONCERNING ESCHATOLOGY IS 'THE ROAD BACK TO PRETERISM' BY KURT SIMMONS
“The advantage of preterism is that it 'saves the phenomena' of the New
Testament time-frame references; it interprets biblical prophecy according to
the images used in Scripture itself; and it offers a framework for consistent
interpretation of the difficult apocalyptic literature of the Bible, such as
that found in Daniel and Revelation." - R.C. Sproul
Robert Roberts (1855)
“The PAROUSIA, or proximity, of the Son of Man TO
JERUSALEM in the crisis of its overthrow WAS TO BE IN THE LIFETIME OF THAT GENERATION, according to the words of Jesus, who said,
“This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled.”(The
Signs of the Son of Man’s Presence at the Destruction of
Jerusalem)
“The most significant, redemptive, historical action that takes place outside
the New Testament, is the judgment that falls on Jerusalem, and by which
judgment the Christian Church now emerges as The Body of Christ.”
(R.C.Sproul, Dust to Glory video series, 1997)