[Note: This article
is a good representation of the doctrine classified here as
"Futurism" (even though it is really just good ol' Christianity).
This view, by definition at PreteristArchive.com,
sees virtually no
Fulfillment of matthew 24/25, and book of Revelation in the first
century.. allowing fulfillment only in "types" for the future.
Even though Finney allows AD70 to play a part in prophetic
fulfillment, he equivocates. "This may refer to the
destruction of the city and temple of God's ancient people, yet the
evidence for the opinion does not seem to be decisive. "]
"For the time has come
that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin
at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of
God?"
This may refer to the
destruction of the city and temple of God's ancient people, yet the
evidence for the opinion does not seem to be decisive.
A reference to the event is
possible and even probable. We know that when Jerusalem was
destroyed, not one Christian perished. They had timely notice in the
signs Christ had already given them, and perceiving those signs in
season, they all fled to Pella, on the east of the Jordan, and hence
were not involved in the general destruction.
But whether Peter refers to
this particular event or not, one thing is plain: he recognizes a
principle in the government of God, namely, that the righteous will
be saved, though with difficulty, but the wicked will not be saved
at all. It is plain throughout this whole chapter that Peter had his
mind upon the broad distinction between the righteous and the
wicked--a distinction which was strikingly illustrated in the
destruction of Jerusalem, and which can never lack illustrations
under the moral and providential government of a holy God.
The salvation of the
righteous, though certain, is difficult. Though saved, they will be
scarcely saved. On this basis rests the argument of the Apostle;--
that if their salvation be so difficult, the sinner cannot be saved
at all. His salvation is utterly impossible. This is plainly the
doctrine of the text.
It had a striking
exemplification in the destruction of Jerusalem, and the passage, as
I have said, may or may not have reference to that event. All
students of the Bible know that this great destruction is often held
up as a type or model of the final judgment of the world. It was a
great event on the page of Jewish history, and certainly had great
significance as an illustration of God's dealings towards our
sinning race.
