Futurism or Preterism: Dealing With Key Texts

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1 Futurism or Preterism: Dealing With Key Texts Any person interested in being a faithful interpreter of Scripture must seriously consider the element of timing found on the pages of Scripture. We do this all the time in the way we live our lives. When we are picking through a stack of newspapers, we look at the date to make sure we are reading in context. We look at the dates on milk containers to protect ourselves from drinking spoiled milk. Faithful Bible interpreters need to take care to notice the timing element in the Bible, too. How do we do this? We look at the words themselves. Are they in a past, present, or future tense? If they are in the future, does the Bible give any specific indication of how long it will be before the prophecy is going to come to pass? Do any other texts written later in Scripture speak about fulfillment of prophecies contained earlier? What about the nature of the fulfillment itself? We need to compare Scripture with Scripture to see how words, phrases, and numbers are used in other places. In this way, we are letting the Scripture itself be our guide to right interpretation. For example, passages about Jesus coming on the clouds; the sun, moon, and stars; and marks on foreheads. We would do well to look elsewhere in Scripture to see how these concepts are dealt with. If we can find parallels, inspired by the same Holy Spirit, we can receive help in rightly interpreting them. All Bible-believing Christians need to take this seriously. It is a present reality that there is much disagreement in the area of eschatology among Christians. We need to study and discuss in a humble, loving, and forbearing spirit. I remind you that this is not an issue that divides Christian from unbeliever. Futurism Futurists understand the Olivet Discourse (Matt 24, Mk 13, and Lk 21) to still be primarily future for us. They understand the book of Revelation to be primarily about the future (many futurists would see an exception for chapters 2-3). Futurists believe the prophecies about the Great Tribulation, the rise of the Beast / Antichrist, another destruction of Jerusalem and slaughter in Israel are still left unfulfilled and are to be fulfilled in the future. Futurists believe that when the terms Last Days, latter days, end of days are used they are speaking about the last days of the NC age (or church age). Preterism Preterism is derived from the word preterite, or past in old French. It also has its roots in the mediaeval Latin word præterium, meaning past or last. Preterists believe that prophecies about the Great Tribulation, the Beast, the Destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (a Day of the Lord coming in judgment of Christ), and the Babylon (Jerusalem) of Revelation have already been fulfilled. They were future prophecies when they were written, yet fulfillment is in our past, not our future. 1

2 So, preterists believe the Great Tribulation already happened (A.D ) and that it is over but still believe that there is tribulation in the world today (but not the Great Tribulation). The Land Beast was Rome and the man Beast of Revelation 13:18 was Caesar Nero. The Olivet discourse was fulfilled in this time period. Most preterists believe that the terms Last Days, latter days, end of days in both the OT and NT refer to the last days of the OC, not to the end of the NC age or the end of the world. A key element to preterists is understanding that just as God came in judgment on different nations in the OC era, Christ came in judgment on Israel. So, preterists believe that there is more than one judgment coming of God in history. Preterists believe there will be a physical, visible return of Christ on the "last day." That is the final judgment. This is the 2 nd Coming in that both the Incarnation and the 2 nd Coming involve a physical, visible nature. At that time, all the dead will be given their resurrection bodies. Preterists believe that Christ s present reign from His throne in heaven brings progressive impact on the earth in the NC age. Yet, the last enemy that will be put down forever is physical death (1 Cor 15:20-24). There is a heresy known as Full-Preterism, Consistent- Preterism, or Hyper-Preterism. They believe that all prophecies were fulfilled by A.D. 70 and deny the orthodox understanding of the resurrection. In Partial Preterism, since Christ still has enemies, and there is still physical death, the bodily resurrection cannot have already come to pass. Nearly all Partial Preterists are either amillennial or postmillennial. Texts The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. Rev 1:1, 3 F Soon (tachos) can mean in a brief time, or quickly. it clearly refers to the imminence or nearness of an event, not the speed at which it happens Thus, the things which must soon take place about which John wrote do not happen in a brief time span, but are imminent This phrase reiterates the truth taught in 1:1, that the events depicted in the book of Revelation are imminent. Time does not translate chronos, which refers to time on a clock or calendar, but kairos, which refers to seasons, epochs, or eras. The next great era of God s redemptive history is near (MacArthur). P The events that the book of Revelation described were to happen soon and did happen soon in relation to those who were the first recipients of the book. The time was near. If soon and near don t mean what they seem to mean, then what other words could God have used in order to tell these Christians that these things were going to happen soon? If the controlling principle is that prophecy is always imminent (futurist position), then time-frame references would indeed be meaningless (Sproul). 2

3 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Matt 10:23 F These words will find their fullest manifestation in the days of the Tribulation when the gospel will be carried throughout the entire world before Jesus Christ returns in power and glory to establish His kingdom on the earth (MacArthur). P Jesus coming in judgment on Jerusalem / Israel (A.D. 70) was going to be soon enough that there would not be enough time for His disciples to go through all the towns of Israel (France). Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. Matt 16:28 F Jesus must here have been referring specifically to His unique and awesome transfiguration before Peter, James, and John only 6 days later. Those 3 disciples were the some among the Twelve who would not die until, in a most miraculous preview, they would see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom (MacArthur). P If Jesus prediction to the disciples is fulfilled within one week (or a few weeks, if the prediction refers to the resurrection, ascension, or Pentecost), why would he specify that these events will occur before some [of them] standing here will taste death? It seems strange that Jesus would say, Some of you will not die this week. The timeframe indicated by the reference to some surviving death strongly suggests that there would be an interlude of several years between the prophecy and its fulfillment. Jesus manner of speaking would better suit an interval of 30 or 40 years, a time-frame in which it would be reasonable to expect that some of those present would die, but not all (Sproul). Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. Rev 1:7 F This is His 2 nd coming which will be with the clouds (Acts 1:9-11). Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him. Though the literal executioners and rejectors of Christ are now dead and will not be resurrected until after the Millennium, the godly remnant of Israel will look on [Him], the One they have pierced (Zech. 12:10). This godly remnant will represent the nation. Christ s 2 nd coming, however, will be visible to the entire world including unbelievers (Walvoord). P A description of Christ coming in judgment to destroy Jerusalem, not in person, but using the Roman armies in A.D. 70. Coming with the clouds is OT language for making historic judgments (Isa 19:1; Ezek 30:3; Ps 18:4, 7, 9-15; 104:3; Nah 1:3). Those who pierced him would be the actual generation who crucified Christ. Tribes (!"#$) of the land (%&) refers to the tribes of Israel. A better translation will not make people think this has to refer to a worldwide event (cf. Gregg). 3

4 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Matt 24:34 F This cannot refer to the generation living at that time of Christ, for all these things the abomination of desolation (v. 15), the persecutions and judgments (vv ), the false prophets (vv ), the signs in the heavens (vv ), Christ s final return (v. 30), and the gathering of the elect (v. 31) did not take place in their lifetime. It seems best to interpret Christ s words as a reference to the generation alive at the time when those final hard labor pains begin (MacArthur). P In this context this poetic language appropriately refers to the great changes which were about to take place in the world, when Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed. It speaks of the Son of Man entering into his kingship, and his angels gathering in his new people from all the earth. The fall of the temple is thus presented, in highly allusive language, as the end of the old order, to be replaced by the new régime of Jesus, the Son of Man, and the international growth of his church, the new people of God. All this would happen very soon, once the preliminary signs of vs have occurred, just as summer inevitably follows quickly once the leaves appear on the fig-tree. Within this generation it would all be over; we have Jesus word for it! (France) This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. Rev 13:18 F This is the essential number of a man. The number 6 falls one short of God s perfect number, 7, and thus represents human imperfection. Antichrist, the most powerful human the world will ever know, will still be a man, i.e., a 6. The ultimate in human and demonic power is a 6, not perfect, as God is. The 3-fold repetition of the number is intended to reiterate and underscore man s identity. When Antichrist is finally revealed, there will be some way to identify him with this basic number of a man, or his name may have the numerical equivalent of 666. (In many languages, including Heb., Gr., and Lat., letters have numerical equivalents.) Because this text reveals very little about the meaning of 666, it is unwise to speculate beyond what is said. P Ken Gentry concludes that the beast is Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, more commonly known by his adoptive name, Nero...Gentry gives a synopsis of Nero s violence-studded life, including the murders of his own family members, the castration of a boy Nero married, and the brutal murder of his pregnant wife by kicking her to death. Bizarre behavior was noted by the historian Suetonius, who wrote that Nero even devised a kind of game, in which, covered with the skin of some wild animal, he was let loose from a cage and attacked the private parts of men and women, who were bound to stakes. Nero began his reign as emperor in A.D. 54. His imperial persecution of the Christian community was launched in A.D. 64, the same year as the famous fire that many believe was set by Nero himself. It is often assumed that the persecution of Christians, whom Nero blamed for the fire, was a diversionary tactic to shift blame for his own actions to others. Nero committed suicide in A.D. 68, when he was but 31 years of age. Since the beast s appearance is one of the things which must shortly take place (Rev. 1:1), Nero is at least a prima facie candidate for the role of the beast. As described by 4

5 ancient historians, Nero is a singularly cruel and unrestrained man of evil. Many ancient writers cite the bestial character of Nero, and Gentry summarizes these references: Tacitus spoke of Nero s cruel nature that put to death so many innocent men. Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder described Nero as the destroyer of the human race and the poison of the world. Roman satirist Juvenal speaks of Nero s cruel and bloody tyranny. Apollonius of Tyana specifically mentions that Nero was called a beast : In my travels, which have been wider than ever man yet accomplished, I have seen many, many wild beasts of Arabia and India; but this beast, that is commonly called a Tyrant, I know not how many heads it has, nor if it be crooked of claw, and armed with horrible fangs. And of wild beasts you cannot say that they were ever known to eat their own mother, but Nero has gorged himself on this diet. In his manifestly depraved character Nero fulfilled the portrait of the beast well. The most critical question concerning Nero, however, is his relation to the number 666. In the ancient world alphabets often did double duty as a system of numbering. We are aware that Roman letters such as X, C, M, and L also functioned as numbers. Gentry notes that numerical cryptograms were fairly common in antiquity. Among the Greeks, he writes, it was called isopsephia ( numerical equality ); among the Jews it was called gimatriya ( mathematical ). Any given name could be reduced to its numerical equivalent by adding up the mathematical value of all of the letters of the name. A Hebrew spelling of [Nero s] name was Nrwn Qsr (pronounced: Neron Kaiser), says Gentry. It has been documented by archaeological finds that a first century Hebrew spelling of Nero s name provides us with precisely the value of 666. [Marcus] Jastrow s lexicon of the Talmud contains this very spelling. A great number of biblical scholars recognize this name as the solution to the problem. Is it not remarkable that this most relevant emperor has a name that fits precisely the required sum? 5