WHAT IF? - FACTOR #6
M. A. Nichols 5-23-2013
What if "Preterism" is true? What if God provided us with scriptural and historical evidence to confirm that the Lord did indeed return in the first century?
No. 6 – This Generation
CASE: CHRIST VS. ISRAEL
I. THE INDICTMENT:
The first century generation of unbelieving Israel was charged with being:
(A) An "evil and adulterous generation". (Matt.12:38-41; Mark 8:38; Luke 11:29).
(B) A "faithless and perverse generation". (Matt.17:17; Luke 9:41; Acts 2:40; Phil. 2:15).
(C) Full of "hypocrisy and lawlessness" (disobedience of God’s laws). (Matt.23:28).
(D) The generation that "rejected the Messiah", who was walking, talking, doing miracles, and fulfilling all Messianic prophecies, in their presence. (Luke 17:25).
II. THE EVIDENCE:
The facts presented about the first century generation of unbelieving Israel proved:
(A) That generation participated in the crucifixion of the Lord.
(B) That generation persecuted and killed the prophets, apostles, and disciples, during the transition period (30ad – 66ad).
Jesus said: "Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city." (Matt.23:34; Luke 11:49).
III. THE VERDICT:
The ruling by Christ was that the first century generation of unbelieving Israel was "guilty"! It was on that particular generation that the accountability fell for all of the righteous blood of all of God’s prophets and all of those sent to that nation.
Jesus said: "That on you (first century Israel) may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation." (Matt.23:35-36; Luke 11:50-51).
IV. THE SENTENCE:
The judgment by Christ was for the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, along with the passing away of the nation of Israel in God’s plans going forward in history. This judgment was carried out in that first century generation at the Lord’s second coming Parousia in 66-70ad. The city and temple were totally destroyed in the Jewish-Roman war ending in 70ad. There were no more sacrifices, no more temple ceremonies, and no more genealogies.
Jesus said: "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place." (Matt.24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32).
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WHAT IF? - FACTOR #5
M. A. Nichols 5-17-2013
What if "Preterism" is true? What if God provided us with scriptural and historical evidence to confirm that the Lord did indeed return in the first century?
No. 5 – No More Sin.
The Bible does not say that there will be "no more sin" when the Lord returns. Instead, He will destroy the Old Covenant Jewish religious temple system; complete His final judgments; and then fully establish His New Covenant spiritual gospel kingdom.
"Now this, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken (old covenant temple system), as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we (first century saints) are receiving a (new covenant spiritual gospel) kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." (Heb. 12:27-28).
The Old Covenant Jewish temple system is described as the "old heavens and old earth". It will be shaken and pass away. This occurred with the destruction of the Temple in 70ad. The New Covenant Kingdom is described as the "new heavens and new earth". It is a spiritual kingdom that is within each of His born-again believers. (Luke 17:20-21).
"Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved (old covenant system), what manner of persons ought you (first century saints) to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the (soon) coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens (old covenant temple system) will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements (laws, principles, rudiments) will melt with fervent heat?" (2 Pet. 3:11-12).
"Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth (new covenant spiritual kingdom) in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13).
It is an everlasting spiritual kingdom that cannot be shaken. The Holy Spirit indwells each of His elect believers and only righteousness dwells in the spiritual Kingdom. All believers after 70ad live their physical lives on earth until their deaths. But they also live their kingdom lives in the spiritual Body of Christ during their lifetimes on earth.
The transition saints participated in the foundation of the New Covenant Kingdom, while still living with the Old Covenant Jewish temple system. They looked for Christ to return soon in their near future. Their salvation was not yet consummated until Christ came back out of the heavenly holy of holies and returned in 66-70ad. They suffered extreme persecutions from the unbelieving Jews and the Romans for their faith. They had to go through the resurrection and the judgment. Those who endured until the end were judged to be righteous and received eternal life with great rewards for their faithfulness. This occurred at Christ’s second coming Parousia in 66-70ad.
"So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those (first century saints) who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." (Heb. 9:28).
We born-again believers after 70ad have our salvation fully consummated. We are securely and eternally in Christ. We do not have to go through the resurrection and judgment as the pre-70 saints did. We are permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit and have a fully consummated eternal life in Christ.
When we die in this human life, we immediately "put on" our new immortal, incorruptible, glorified, heavenly, visible bodies and spend eternity.
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WHAT IF? - FACTOR #2
M. A. Nichols 5-14-2013
What if "Preterism" is true? What if God provided us with scriptural and historical evidence to confirm that the Lord did indeed return in the first century?
No. 2 – Every Eye Will See Him
Jesus Christ sent His angel to Apostle John to reveal things that would shortly take place in the first century generation of the Apostles. (Rev.1:1-3). This Revelation was written to the seven churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). John wrote:
"Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen." (Rev. 1:7).
Now, who were these people that would see Him? We have a hint in this verse that it was "they who pierced Him". These were the first century Jews in the Roman province of Palestine. They were the ones that brought about His crucifixion on the cross of Calvary.
They are also of the twelve tribes of Israel, which is described in prophecy as "the earth". It is not referring to the entire planet, but it is the unbelieving Jewish people, who mourned when they saw their beloved city of Jerusalem destroyed to the ground right before their eyes (Matt. 24:30).
This occurred in 70ad, just like Jesus had prophesied in 30ad. "Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’" (Matt. 24:1-2).
History shows that not one stone was left standing when the Roman armies and Jewish Zealots battled each other, ending in the final destruction of the city and temple in 70ad. The Jewish historian, Josephus, wrote: "Where is this city that was believed to have God Himself inhabiting therein? It is now demolished to the very foundations." (Josephus, Complete Works, Wars 7.8.7). The signs of Christ’s presence in the clouds were witnessed by all of those Jews and reported by the Jewish priests as recorded by Josephus. (ie: Wars 6.5.3; etc.).
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What If?
WHAT IF? - FACTOR #1
M. A. Nichols 5-13-2013
What if "Preterism" is true? What if God provided us with scriptural and historical evidence to confirm that the Lord did indeed return in the first century?
No. 1 – A Spiritual Kingdom
John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matt. 3:2).
From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt. 4:17).
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:20-21).
The kingdom that was to come soon was a spiritual kingdom. It was not a physical kingdom. The Pharisees and unbelieving Jews expected a physical kingdom for Israel. Jesus rejected that whole idea. His kingdom was a spiritual one that would be within His believers (believing Jews and believing Gentiles). Those who advocate a physical kingdom either then or in the future are promoting something that Christ rebuffed.
The kingdom was at hand in the first century. It was to be fully established upon the Lord’s second coming return at His "parousia" in 70ad. It is indeed a spiritual kingdom that is within all of His believers, who have been born-again and are in Christ by faith. Each Christian is spiritually in the Body of Christ and has the Holy Spirit indwelling him or her.
From God’s standpoint all Christians have had their sins permanently and eternally atoned for. His kingdom is in Christ, by Christ, and for Christ. It includes all born-again believers who are all spiritually placed in the Body of Christ. In God’s eternal perspective, His New Covenant kingdom is a spiritual one in which righteousness dwells. (Rom. 11:36; Rom. 13:12; Phil. 4:5; Titus 3:5; James 5:8; 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 22:10).
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WHAT IF? - FACTOR #4
WHAT IF? - FACTOR #3
M. A. Nichols 5-15-2013
What if "Preterism" is true? What if God provided us with scriptural and historical evidence to confirm that the Lord did indeed return in the first century?
No. 3 – Flee To The Mountains
"..then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains." (Matt. 24:16).
Jesus told His close disciples as he sat on the Mount of Olives when He would return at His second coming; and what would be the signs of His coming, which would also be the end of the Jewish age. (Matt. 24:3-28).
He described a time of persecution and trouble for the first century disciples to whom He was talking (24:9). He said that there would be many false prophets and much deception that would involve the breaking of God’s laws (24:11-12). Jesus reported that there would be desecration of the ‘holy place’ in the Jerusalem temple and that would be a final warning for them to get out of the city (24:15).
Who were given this warning to flee to the mountains? The answer: the disciples in Judea (Matt. 24:16). This was not an event that would affect all believers everywhere. It was local to the territory of Judea in the Roman province of first century Palestine.
The first century disciples remained faithful even while suffering extreme persecutions from the Romans and unbelieving Jews. They obeyed the Lord and fled Judea to the mountains.
"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled." (Luke 21:20-22).
The disciples in Judea and those in the city of Jerusalem escaped to the mountains before the deadly fighting by Jewish Zealots and Roman soldiers could kill them. The city and the temple were subsequently totally destroyed in the 3 ½ year Jewish-Roman war ending in 70ad.
The Old Covenant system was shaken and completely destroyed. God then fully established His budding New Covenant kingdom going forward in human history. (Heb. 12:28; 2 Pet. 3:10-13).
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M. A. Nichols 5-16-2013
What if "Preterism" is true? What if God provided us with scriptural and historical evidence to confirm that the Lord did indeed return in the first century?
No. 4 - All the World
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matt. 24:14).
Jesus told His close disciples in 30ad what the signs would be before His second coming, and the end of the Jewish age (Matt. 24:3). He also assured them that it would be before the end of their generation in that first century (Matt. 24:34).
One of these signs was the preaching of the gospel in all the world. If this did not occur by 66-70ad, then Preterism falls flat on its face! The scriptural evidence shows that Apostle Paul proclaimed that the gospel had indeed been preached in all the world in that first century.
"…the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth." (Col. 1:5b-6).
"… the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister." (Col. 1:23).
"First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." (Rom. 1:8).
"But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: ‘Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.’" (Rom. 10:18).
The term "all the world" as prophesied by Jesus and confirmed by the New Testament writers was not referring to the entire planet. Instead it was the world of the Roman Empire, and specifically the nations of the Jewish diaspora. (Also see: Luke 2:1; Acts 2:5; Acts 17:6; 1 Tim. 3:16).
When we try to understand what the Bible is teaching, we must not interpret it from our own paradigm (2000 in the future). Instead, we must be diligent to determine what the Lord and Apostles intended the text to mean by their use of words in their language. Example: Did "soon" mean "soon" in their time schedule? Or did they intend "soon" to mean "soon" to us 2000 years later and counting?
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WHAT IF? - FACTOR #7
M. A. Nichols 5-24-2013
What if "Preterism" is true? What if God provided us with scriptural and historical evidence to confirm that the Lord did indeed return in the first century?
No. 7 – Second Coming
Beloved, here is a mystery for you to solve, if you are interested. The following passages in the New Testament all speak of something that is going to occur soon in the generation of those first century saints, to whom these things were written before 66ad.
As a detective investigating a case, be open to the evidence. Examine these statements by the witnesses that were written by and for those saints living at that time, not 2000 years later. Without any preconceived presuppositions, ask yourself, "according to the plain sense of these inspired words, when are these things to take place?"
The day is at hand (Rom. 13:12).
The Lord is at hand (Phil. 4:5).
The coming of the Lord is at hand. (James 5:8).
The end of all things is at hand. (1 Pet. 4:7).
The time is at hand. (Rev. 22:10).
Know that [His coming] is near – at the doors! (Matt. 24:33; Mark 13:29)
Know that [Jerusalem’s] desolation is near. (Luke 21:20).
Your redemption draws near. (Luke 21:28).
The kingdom of God is near. (Luke 21:31).
The time is near. (Rev. 1:3).
Things which must shortly take place. (Rev. 1:1; Rev. 22:6)
Behold, I am coming quickly. (Rev. 3:11).
Behold, I am coming quickly. (Rev. 22:7; 22:12; 22:20)
You [disciples] will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matt. 10:23).
This generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. (Matt. 24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32).
The time is short. (1 Cor. 7:29).
The form of this world is passing away. (1 Cor. 7:31).
Upon [us] the end of the ages have come. (1 Cor. 10:11).
We [first century saints] shall be changed. (1 Cor. 15:51-52).
O Lord, come! (1 Cor. 16:22).
For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. (Heb. 10:37).
[Christ] is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:5).
In spite of what anyone else thinks, the biblical evidence shows that the New Testament writers spoke of events that were to occur soon, shortly, near, quickly, and were at hand in their first century generation, not 2000 years later in history.
This historical evidence by the writings of first century historians, such as Josephus (not a Christian), describe the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 70ad. Was Jerusalem destroyed then? The answer is yes! Was the Old Covenant of Judaism destroyed at that time? The answer is yes! The New Covenant spiritual gospel kingdom, which is within His believers, was then fully established by the Lord Jesus and continues to this day.