The Preterist Train

By John Hedges
 

Mention the word preterist to someone and the reply you will Usually get is, ‘Oh they are those A.D.70 weirdoes. ‘And they will often say the preterist believe everything has already been fulfilled. Most common of all is the immediate barrage of questions flowing from their subconscious regarding numerous aspects of their particular expectations. These questions range from the astute to asinine, due in part to the general ignorance there is regarding the fulfilled view. Instead of focusing on the fundamental principles, questions tend to run along this line.

“Do you know the significance of Nero’s big toe and how the preterist framework of eschatology can reveal it? Were the two witnesses, if literal people, standing side by side, or were they on two different parts of the city?'

If we haven’t gotten the fundamentals straight, though, how many irrelevant or highly specific details do we really need to know before understanding the greater importance? I think most preterist have come to a great enough understanding of the timing and nature of our Lord’s Parousia. They can present a solid case through biblical and historical proof if needed. Yet I think it may be time to start digging into the greater principles of what those time statements reveal about God and his relationship with us now. 


I had a friend recently come back to Pal Talk, which is a online chat program. This new Christian found out about the (full) preterist view about 9 months ago. He was totally blown away, by the TIMING of fulfillment, with the various biblical time statements, and the visible history the signal of the fallen of the temple, ect. Who could blame him? I know that my life was drastically changed when I discovered the same. This same person, though, completely missed the big picture of the NATURE of fulfillment, causing him to veer off the path into strange ideas not supported by the fundamental principles.


This man became wrapped up in time statements , and grew so immersed in what ended in A.D.70, that he forgot to search one point, which is what started and became available in that year and at that time. 


This man today has rejected the bible. Not having enough deep groundwork laid, rather seeking to satisfy every single prophecy question which was spoken, and also not being able to understand the spiritual significance of the timing he has moved on to become a agnostic.  


So what is the point of this article ? What did my friend miss and what we are all putting on the back burner? The kingdom of God.  


Let us turn our attention from time statements to the glorious kingdom of our Lord and Savior. Let us focus on the same old story – the good news of the kingdom John came preaching out of the wilderness to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. We must focus on the same good news that Christ proclaimed to the whole world. I believe we have it so much better than John - for when he proclaimed it was at hand, we have the honor of saying it is here. 


So let’s move on, share the time statements when needed, but instead of being “TIMING” people, let us rather be known as the ones who proclaim the NATURE of our present kingdom. Lets go back to the parables of the kingdom once again, concentrating on what the bible really says about the NATURE of the kingdom in which we NOW RESIDE. The spiritual significance of A.D.70 is deeply overshadowed by our constant concern of the physical, outward aspects of the story. Not only would we personally benefit from dropping the fleshly focus, moving into the spiritual aspects living as members of Christ’s kingdom, but those fresh into the view might not become lost in time, but rather rejoice in the current work of the kingdom of glory in their lives. 


Romans 14:17 

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 


God bless 


By JHedges on 2005 May 3 - 01:14
 

Date: 05 Dec 2006
Time: 12:36:29

Comments:

Nice article John. And AMEN!

Our focus has been below for too long, we have not looked above to see what has been established within. For that is the fullness of and purpose for all those historical events in the first place.

God Bless