By Allan Cornford
Copyright © 2022 Allan Cornford. (Standard Copyright License.) All rights reserved. Independently Published through KDP. The images which are included for informative purposes only, are Screenshots, courtesy of Ewaranon’s YouTube documentary; ‘The Lost History of the Flat Earth’. All external links to images in the public domain, are courtesy from Wikimedia Commons and where possible, credits are given to each source. This I believe, comes under the term of Fair Use.
In his book ‘The Parousia’ (p.361) J. Stuart Russell, a nineteenth century preterist author, portrayed the Book of Revelation as being concerned
“primarily and principally with events with which its first readers only were immediately interested, that is, the events all shortly to come to pass.”
Indeed, John himself indicated how some prophetic events would occur shortly after he had recorded them, whilst others would transpire further down the line.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John: Revelation 1:1
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter Revelation 1:19
Hence, although it’s generally believed the Book of Revelation was written somewhere around 95 A.D. most Preterists believe that because it speaks to particular circumstances and events that were fulfilled within the lifetime of the book’s original first-century audience, its date of writing was most likely between 63 and 68 A.D.
Other arguments for a preterist view of prophecy related to the Book of Revelation is because it was addressed to first century readers.
Their proof lies in the seven churches which Jesus sends a message to.
It’s true, the book of Revelation does have a direct relevance to the original historical first century churches to whom it was addressed, and indeed, the text of the book itself points to the imminent fulfilment of many of its prophecies.
Yet it’s also true that John’s letters to the 7 churches in Asia are in a sense timeless, and in many ways relevant for every assembly of believers through the ages to this very day.
Of Full Preterism and concerning the Book of Revelation, former US pastor and theologian, John Walvoord wrote:
“The preterist view, in general, tends to destroy any future significance of the book, which becomes a literary curiosity with little prophetic meaning.”
Yet of the mild version, American theologian, R.C. Sproul writes in his The Last Days According to Jesus: (page 158).
While partial preterists acknowledge that in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 there was a parousia or coming of Christ, they maintain that it was not the parousia.
That is, the coming of Christ in A.D. 70 was a coming in judgment on the Jewish nation, indicating the end of the Jewish age and the fulfillment of a day of the Lord.
Jesus really did come in judgment at this time, fulfilling his prophecy in the Olivet Discourse.
But this was not the final or ultimate coming of Christ.
The parousia, in its fullness, will extend far beyond the Jewish nation and will be universal in its scope and significance.
If I understand him correctly, Mr. Sproul is suggesting that the 70 AD judgement of the Jewish nation fulfilled A particular day of the Lord, as opposed to a future worldwide judgement on the day of the Lord, referred to as
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. Joel 2:31
Indeed, there are two specific days recorded in Scripture, each corresponding with a different event, and each separate in time.
One is referred to as the ‘day of Christ,’ (, & Philippians 2:16).
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 2 Thessalonians 2:2
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Philippians 1:10
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain. Philippians 2:16
It’s also known as the ‘day of Jesus Christ’ (Philippians 1:6), the ‘day of our Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians 1:8), or the ‘day of the Lord Jesus’ (2 Corinthians 1:14).
Without exception, the context surrounding each of these terms is one of:
- hope
- deliverance
- blessing
such as:
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6
Furthermore, the scriptures indicate that this remarkable day is a prelude to the redeemed appearing before the judgement seat of Christ.
Here, rewards are received, or in some cases, maybe a loss of rewards, and should not be confused with the final judgement of souls at the great white throne.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. Revelation 20:11
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:4
The day of the Lord Jesus Christ should not be mistaken for ‘the day of the LORD’ aka the day of the Lord, or ‘the day of God’, a day which is always associated with times of severe wrath and divine judgement, and which is described as ‘great and terrible’.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10
Simply by way of reasoning from this one verse alone, the day of the Lord aka the day of God, cannot possibly be one and the same as the day of Christ.
For if the heavens and the earth are burnt out of existence at his coming, how then can Jesus reign upon the earth for a thousand years?
The day of the Lord aka the day of God, occurs at some point in time beyond the one thousand years and after the little season when Satan is set free to deceive the nations once more.
Is it possible that we have all been hoodwinked in a way that beggars belief?
That the end-time events which the majority of Christians believe are on the horizon, were actually fulfilled 2,000 years ago?
Hypothetically speaking, it could be argued that the simplest way to conceal the past fulfilment of any prophetic event, would be to manipulate the timeline.
What better way of doing so, than to date the writing of that prophecy, as being two or three decades after the prophecy had actually come to pass?
Would we be any the wiser today?
When Were the Gospels written?
”Got Questions” state:
It is important to understand that the dating of the Gospels and other New Testament books is at best an educated guess and at worst foolish speculation.
For example, suggested dates for the writing of the Gospel of Matthew range from as early as A.D. 40 to as late as A.D. 140.
In the past many liberal theologians have argued for a later dating of many of the New Testament books than is probably warranted or valid, in an attempt to discredit or cast doubts upon the content and authenticity of the Gospel accounts.
On the other hand, there are many scholars who look to a much earlier dating of the New Testament books.
There are some that believe there is good evidence to support the view that the whole New Testament, including Revelation, was written prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
It is our contention that the evidence supports the earlier dating more than it does the later dating.
In three of the gospels:
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
Jesus foretells of the coming destruction of the city of Jerusalem and its Temple, of times of severe hardship and persecution for his followers, and the rise of many false christs and false prophets etc.
Yet not once in the entire New Testament is the actual destruction of Jerusalem, recorded.
This fact alone is a strong indicator that the entire New Testament was written and completed well before 70 AD.
Jesus refers to Jerusalem as ”that great city” spiritually called Sodom and Egypt (Revelation 11:8) and Peter refers to Jerusalem as ”Babylon”.
The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. 1 Peter 5:13
In Revelation 1:1, we read how John was shown things WHICH MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS.
Among other things, John foretells of the destruction of ”that great city”, Babylon.
Jerusalem is and always has been spiritual Babylon, and Jerusalem aka Babylon fell in 70 AD, and after the completion of the New Testament, which prophesied these events.
Don’t be so ridiculous, you say?
Then ponder upon the words of Jesus, when warning his disciples of what this generation, might have to endure, and also be witness to:
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another:
for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. Matthew 10:23
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; Matthew 13:41
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Matthew 16:27
Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. Matthew 16:28
Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said:
nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Matthew 26:64
Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. Matthew 23:36
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Matthew 24:34
For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Luke 21:22
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved:
but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days. Mark 13:20
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Mark 13:26
And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Mark 13:27
In Luke’s account, and having just made the astounding statement,
“and then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory”
Jesus continues with:
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:28
Jesus then relates a short parable of the fig tree, and how one can tell by the ripeness of its fruit, that the summer is near.
So likewise, ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Luke 21:31-32
Who then, does ”this generation” refer to?
Those present with Jesus on the mount of Olives?
Those who asked him if there would be signs to look out for, when Jesus foretold the destruction of the temple?
Or those born in the future, long after the destruction of Jerusalem?
I think Luke has already answered this question in previous chapters.
For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. Luke 11:30
That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; Luke 11:50
But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. Luke 17:25
For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. Luke 21:22
By using the Biblical principle of establishing a matter from the mouth of two or three witnesses,
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
are all in agreement; that some folks from this generation would still be alive to witness the coming of the Son of man in the clouds.
CONTINUE
BOOK: EXCERPT: Tartarian Rule? Or Millennial Kingdom? – Son of Man – Library of Rickandria
BOOK: Tartarian Rule? Or Millennial Kingdom? – Library of Rickandria
BOOK: EXCERPT: Tartarian Rule? Or Millennial Kingdom? – Preterism