Q & A
Question:
I’ve come over the preterist position and feel
comfortable with it. There are a few questions I’ve never
seen well addressed though I’d like to ask.
What do you make of the 14th chapter of Zechariah–how should
we interpret it.
Reply:
The 14th chapter of Zechariah starts with a reference to the
day of the Lord. Some marginal references list Isaiah 13:6-9.
For comments on this chapter, see the video at this site re:
2 Peter 3 and the End of the World or Destruction of Jerusalem
in A.D. 70.
The “Day of the Lord” is the term God used to speak of nations
being destroyed as divine visitations upon the people for their
sins. This is the manner in which it is used in Zechariah 14.
See especially verse 3, of the Lord going forth and fighting
against those nations in the day of battle.
The prophecy refers to Jerusalem’s fall by the Romans in 70
A.D.,(Luke 21:20-22). The language is highly figurative in
speaking of the Lord’s feet standing on the Mount of Olives.
Christ comes in connection with Jerusalem’s fall. (Matthew
24:30-34).
The language of “not day and night” corresponds with the
usual apocalyptic language of the darkening of the sun, moon
and stars (v. 6-7). Compare the day not known with Matthew
24:36.
However, in connection with the event, salvation arrives
from “living waters” that flow from Jerusalem. The living
waters are also figurative.
Jesus said that rivers of living waters would flow from the
heart of those who believe in him, (John 7:38). Yet, I’ve
neither seen nor heard of anyone who claims they have literal
rivers of water in their hearts.
This however is a great clue to the understanding of the
text and the time of the event. Jesus spoke of living water
in connection with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The
spirit was poured out on Pentecost (Acts 2) and would
continue until the great and terrible day of the Lord as
spoken by Joel (2:28-32).
Thus, the day of the Lord, finds its culmination in the
consummation of the miraculous ministry of the Holy Spirit,
which takes one right back to Jesus’ Parousia in A.D. 70,
(1 Corinthians 1:7, 8).
According to Zechariah 14:9, it is then that the Lord would
be King over all the earth. Ezekiel’s prophecy identifies
this as the time of the New Covenant when God has called the
Gentiles, and through them Israel of the dispersion back to
him through the gospel. (Ezekiel 37:14ff).
You may note that that text likewise in the passage cited,
begins with the work of the Holy Spirit. Unless God pours out
the Holy Spirit in more than one end of the age or last days
period, it is the same time and treats of the exact same theme.
The safety and peace of Jerusalem is the New Jerusalem also
called the church in Hebrews 12:22-23.
To summarize the latter parts of the text, the “Feast of
Tabernacles”demonstrates that the “Harvest of Souls” reaped
in the end of the age (Matthew 13:39-43), has occurred and
the celebration of eternal life has begun.
The imagery is Jewish, for salvation is of the Jews, but it
is not literal. Notice that unless everyone goes to this
Jerusalem, upon them there shall be no rain.
This is the message of the redeemed and the purified
tabernacle through Christ’s blood from which the wicked,
expressed in the term “Canaanite” cannot enter. Compare with
the picture of the Holy City in Revelation 21:27; 22:15.
Question:
From a preterist position how do we explain the New Jerusalem
being laid out in measured dimensions. I understand it
represents the New Covenant, but why give physical measurements
to something that is a concept and not a physical place.
Reply:
Literal measurements are used to help man get some concept of
the meaning God seeks to convey. For example, the same question
could be asked of Ephesians 3:17-19:
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you,
being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend
with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and
height–to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge;that
you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
On the one hand, if this text speaks of Christ’s love, how
shall one measure it? It may be possible due to the affinity
between Ephesians and Revelation, that it speaks of the very
same city as in the Apocalypse.
John is carried to see the New Jerusalem, (Revelation 21:10),
which is described as a city with foundations and walls. These
are figurative descriptions of the spiritual temple of the Lord.
Naturally, the idea of measurements convey concepts which help
us to wrap our minds around this city. Yet, it has no limiting
boundaries of which I am aware.
Every major “building of God” is described with details of
measurement. The ark a vehicle through which man was saved was
measured. God measured the tabernacle/temple which mediatorially
offered man access to Him.
It’s natural to see this spiritual place described in accomodative
terms. However, they are not literal measurements and the practice
of literalizing them creates much confusion and misunderstanding.
God also used measurements as symbols of destruction. Belshazzar’s
kingdom was measured found wanting. Leaving off a measurement
as in the the case of the court outside the city in Revelation
11:2 denoted its destruction.
Question:
And, finally how do you interpret the lion and the lamb laying
down together since there is no Millennial reign of Christ on
earth.
Thank you.
Reply:
A pattern of using literal events, places, measurements
etc, to describe spiritual things is the best way to convey
their meaning. During the Exodus, God made himself known
not by revealing himself so that the Pharaoh and the people
saw the invisible God with their eyes, but they came to know
God through his power expressed in the events.
We don’t see electricity, but we see its effects. Yet we have
symbols and words to describe it. Isaiah chapter 11, is primarily
a chapter describing the peace of Christ’s eternal reign.
The enmity between Jew and Gentile (as expressed in Ephesians
2:14-16, is dissolved through obedience to the gospel. While
before they would not speak or eat together, in the body of
Christ, all eat together in fellowship with Him who died for all.
This is the meaning of the the wild animals lying down together.
Hopefully, no one will place their nursing child by a cobra’s hole,
nor put a toddler in the den of a viper.
The picture is the eternal kingdom, under the rule and counsel
of God’s peace for those who accept the gospel of Christ.
Finally, it is understood that many object to such interpretations
given above as “spiritualizing” prophecy. However, in view of the
imminent time and fulfillment of the return of Christ in the first
century, the passages cannot be taken in the literal sense without
grossly violating the language.
Incoming search terms:
- all things fullfilled com
- what if all things have been fullfilled
- romans 11 25- 28 preterist interpretation
- preterist 1 peter 3:18–22
- judgment day bible fulfilled
- joel 2:28-32 escotology
- got question org/what does it mean the great and terrible day of the lord
- fulfillment of gentile nations trodding jerusalem
- are the anglo-americans the final world power prophecied by the bible
- zechariah 14:9 preterist
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi William – could you post an article about this question:
If Christ's return in 70AD fulfilled all things, why did the early church seem to miss it? It seems that the church in general has completely "missed" what was supposed to be a "no brainer" event. How could the elect have been so wrong all these years?
Joe, I will begin to work on this article. Good to hear from you man. Let's talk soon.
The early church fully expected the return of Jesus Christ within their own generation. They did not miss anything.
I have a question..i always search for info on the end times events..while searching i come across several different views and opinions and prophecies of what to come………my question is are we already in the tribulation period? does anyone know when the world will end and is the anti-Christ already here?
Kristi, in response to your questions one at a time. (1) Are we in the tribulation period? No, the great tribulation involved events that immediately preceded the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Christ spoke of it in connection with the overthrow of the temple. See Matthew 24:15-29. All those events came to pass before the first century generation passed away, Matt. 24:34). Therefore, we are not "in the great tribulation" and can never be. It is in the past. (2). Does anyone know when the world will end? The Bible never speaks about the end of the material or physical world as we know it. In fact, God promised that although man's heart was evil from his youth, he would never bring such a destruction as he did during the flood. (Gen. 8:20-21). Even then the physical world was not destroyed. He gave Noah the sign of the rainbow as a covenant sign of the promise. Now that the world will never be destroyed is quite clearly taught in scripture. See Psalms 89:29, 34-37. The Lord's throne will continue as the days of heaven. God says David's seed [Christ] will continue forever and His throne as the sun before him. Also it would be established forever like the moon. When we read elsewhere, i.e. in Isaiah 9:7; Dan. 2:44-45; Luke 1:32-33; Heb. 12:28, that the kingdom of God (the throne) has no end, stands forever, is unshakable, etc), then we can only conclude that the throne has no end. Since it is compared to the sun and the moon, then the sun and moon, hence the world has no end. All verses in the Bible which speak of a world ending refer to God's judgments upon civil nations. That is true in the Old Testament as well as the New. In the new testament, "all passages" which speak of the end of the world refer to the "destruction of Jerusalem" in A.D. 70. (3). Is the anti-Christ already here? Again, the answer is no. The Antichrist was present in the first century, in what was called the "last hour."John clearly states that the Antichrists had already come, had been among the church in the first century and had gone out from them in his day. See 1 John 2:18-19; 4:3; 2 John 7. Those events belong exclusively to the first century and are not events we should be expecting today. Surely this causes a lot of people to worry, but they have absolutely nothing to worry about respecting those events. They all are in the past.
I keep thinking about something. If we were to look in the book of Daniel, chapters 9 and12, leave out all the previous interperteations, just read the book like I have as it is writen asking God for discernment and understanding of his words….I was wondering if any one has made the same connections? The Domb of the Rock is built on the Temple wing. The Domb of the Rock on the inside of the building has writings that rejects Jesus as the son of God. Anything built on the Jewish Temple site is considered an abomination. Then lets take another leap forward last chapter. The only thing that fits into the number is the time that it took to build the Dome of the Rock. I could be wrong with my dates. Also, the other number fits something else. One more thing, lets just say that Israel gets bombed and has raditaion fall out. (God, my father in heaven, I hope this isn't the case.)Would that cause the rebuilding of Babylon? For months these questions have popped up in my head. I asked God for help with these questions and I keep coming up with the same answers. Also There are other scriptures that keep supporting what I think.
Please just tell me what your thoughts are…
please explain who is the seed of Abraham and what is their inheritance according to the promise?
on the other hand explain also who are the descendants of Abraham after him and what about their inheritance?
Thanks for this question. I think it is appropriate to reply to this in a full blog post. So look for it shortly.
What are we, as Christ's body, to be focused on today? What does the future hold for us? Life after death? Everything I thought I knew about God is being shaken. Where do I start in reteaching my children?
Learning something new for the first time always changes what we knew in the past in some way and at times drastically. It's also important to look at what we can stop focusing on i.e. an imminent end of the world. That means we have tremendous opportunity to become a catalyst for a better world by embracing it and engaging in it from a positive force. The Bible says our future after death is better than what we experience in this life, Phil. 1:23; Rev. 14:13. That should be enough to satisfy anyone about their future beyond the grave. But the future on here must be responsibly seized and created.
I read your articles, and I must admit you brought up very good points about the fact that the end has already come in AD 70. What is not really clear is the Millenium explanation that it has come already.
Can you please explain it with more references to the Gospel?
Most of the confusion surrounding the millennium stems from all the bad and confusing press it gets from dispensationalism. Thus most people approach the subject with a a jaded view. The simplicity of the millennium is that it ends with the passing of the "first heaven and earth" i.e. with the passing of the Old Covenant world of Judaism. That occurred in 70 A.D. Thus the millennium or "thousand years" reign is a figurative description of events which occurred primarily between Jesus' death and parousia. It is the time when he was subduing all his enemies before the end arrived in AD 70. After that point, the church entered their inheritance of the kingdom which has no end. All enemies have been declared and manifested as powerless.
Mr Bell, I agree with you on the subject of Christs return in the days of the deciples. I have a question on another subject though. Everyone teaches that Jesus and God were one as the father. The more I read the more I see that Jesus was the son of God only. I believe that God was seperate from Jesus because of the many verses that speak of Jesus recieving power from the father and Jesus talking and preaching about God as being greater than him and sending him and giving him orders and permision ect…What do you think?
I agree.
@ATF – are you claiming that Jesus is NOT God? Maybe i misunderstood. Can you elaborate or explain what you mean, please? Thank you.
By no means am I claiming that Christ is not God. Jesus declared Himself to be so and everywhere the subject is taught in the Bible, I believe it.
Mr. Bell,
What about The Root in the Old Testament and how it refers to natural Israel. It is also mentioned in the New Testament. I always viewed the root in the New Testament to refer to Christ, but when looking at the context of Romans 11, and how Paul is explaining the the state of the Jews and Gentiles it appears to still show Israel as the root and we are branches grafted into their inheritance and not necessarily grafted into Jesus. I don't like thinking that, but when reading it in context and comparing it to scriptures it does read that way to me.
If you have materials or an article on this, please share
You have asked a very good question and it deserves more time and space than I have time for at the moment, but let me give you a brief answer. I will offer this statement, then seek to establish it from scripture. Until we accept and learn that it is "Christ" who is Israel, then we will always be confused about the identity and destiny of Israel. Now, allow me to explain. First, think about Hosea 11:1. "Out of Egypt I have called my son." Yes, that passage calls to mind the Exodus of Israel from Egypt, but it is not historical but a prophecy. Hosea spoke long after Israel had come out of the physical land of Egyptian bondage. Therefore, God is looking at an even greater event. To whom does he apply this prophecy? In the N. T. when Christ goes to Egypt, as his parents fled from Herod to save him from the slaughter of infants, upon the return, Matthew writes, "When he arose he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I have called My Son" (Matt. 2:15). Now who was the son, God called out of Egypt? It was Christ. Therefore Christ is Israel. This means that Israel's destiny is tied up in Christ. Let me add this point. Christ is also the ROOT! "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious." (Isa. 11:10; Rom. 15:12). Observe that it is when Christ is the root, i.e. "in that day (the eschatological day of judgment) that God would set his hand again the second time to deliver Israel (the remnant) of His people who are left. (My wife is a seamstress and she often buys remnants, i.e. what remains from a roll of cloth when they've marked it down). It's not the entire roll or boat, but the portion left after the rest. Therefore, Israel (the nation) reaches their destiny through the ROOT, who is Christ. But, it's even more interesting. Christ dies to the Old Covenant and its Laws, etc. His death, is called an "Exodus" (Luke 9:31), why because he was about to leave the Old Covenant realm of the flesh forever and never to return. He was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, but was raised in the Spirit according to power of holiness by the resurrection of the dead. (Rom. 1:4). Therefore, when Christ rose from the dead, he rose in "newness of life", i.e. into a new realm of the Spirit (1 Pet. 3:18). Thus, all in Israel who wanted to be saved had to believe on Him and die in Him through that belief to become a part of the new Israel. That is John 3:7, where Jesus says to Nicodemus, Do not marvel that I said to you (singular meaning Nicodemus) that you (plural, meaning Israel) must be born again. In other words, they needed a better birth, than that which tied them biologically to Abraham and to the covenant of Moses. They, like Christ, needed to be born again from death to live in the Spirit. Only the remnant accepted Jesus, and therefore, became a part of the Root. So, my understanding is that Christ is the Root. "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star" (Rev. 1:16) Therefore, if natural Israel are not in Christ, they are not Israel, (Rom. 2:28-29; 9:6-8). If they are not in Christ, they are not the root. Finally, as to the text in Romans 11, what I read is that Israel were the "natural branches" borne by the root, but not the root. Gentiles were wild branches grafted into the olive tree. But all the branches were borne by the root. Thus, "for if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree. (Rom. 11:16-17) He does not say they became the root, but they became a partaker of the root by being grafted in as unnatural branches with the natural branches (Israel) among which some natural branches had been cut off. So, he tells them, don't boast against the "branches" those in Israel who were cut off, else they would not be supported by the root. To me that means they were being compared not to the root, but to the natural branches. That would reinforce the point, that Christ is the Root. I would appreciate your response here and I an open to another opinion.
how was 2 thessalonians 4:16-17 fulfilled in the first century- particularly how were those who were alive caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. This verses don't seem to fit in to the preterist position
I assume that you mean 1 Thess. 4:16-17. It may on a surface reading appear to be the case that these verses speak of a literal gathering to the Lord in literal clouds, in the literal air. However, there are several points that must be considered, first are the time statements, "we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord." Those statements are parallel to Matt. 24:34, which show the event would occur before the first century generation passed. See also Matt. 16:28. Secondly, I would highly recommend you get a copy of Don K. Preston's "We Shall Meet Him In The Air, The Wedding of the King of Kings." See pages 141-170 for the most detail commentary you can find on these verses that explain it in much more detail than I can do justice here. Check it out at his website at eschatology.org.
I am a full Preterist, but I'm still learning where things were fulfilled. A question was posed to me today, and I'm hoping you can help. These ladies do not believe that all of this was fulfilled in the first century since the Man of Perdition has not come yet. Since I'm sure he has and that the church has not understood the meaning as it needs to be understood, would you mind showing where this has been fulfilled and what it really means?
It would take a bit more space to go into full detail but you are correct that the "man of perdition" has come and been destroyed. The prophecy has as its background, Daniel 7:8f, in the discussion of the "little horn" who arises among (though separate and distinct) from the 4th great and terrible beast which is Rome. This means that historically, the "little horn" is active during the time of the ancient Roman Empire. The focus of the vision is the war the little horn wages against the saints, (Dan. 7:21-22) until the Ancient of Days came and a judgment was made in favor of the saints. The saints are Christians and therefore, the time frame must occur within the first century after the preaching of the gospel has commenced. It ends when the saints possess the kingdom. You can note in Heb. 12:28, that the saints were already in the process of "receiving" the kingdom, and they were being severely persecuted by Old Covenant Israel (who is the little horn) of Daniel's vision. See also 1 Thess 2:14-16. Paul makes it clear that in 2 Thes. 2:4, the man of sin was present at the time he wrote the letter and he writes of a subject of which his readers were well aware. Note the present tense verbs that he "opposes" and "exalts" himself and he "sits" as God in the temple of God "showing" that he was God. This means the temple in Jerusalem was yet in tact as well. Further, the "restraining power" that Paul mentions was already at work restraining the "man of perdition', and once again he says the "mystery of lawlessness was already at work." So, there could be no doubt that he spoke of events already in progress at the time. The man of sin would be destroyed by the brightness of the Lord's coming, when he came in his kingdom (Matt. 16:27-28) to reward his servants before all in that generation died, and to give them the kingdom which of course was AD70. This correlates perfectly with the events of the text in Daniel 7. Since all things written were fulfilled in AD70, one cannot take the prophecy out of that time frame to ascribe to some other time. Hope this helps. You may want to share my study on the last days with these ladies. See at http://allthingsfulfilled.com/lastdaysvideo. Thanks
Mr. Bell, the more I read and study the Preterist position on Eschatology the more I am convinced it is correct. The case has been made, IS being made for ALL THINGS FULFILLED related to Eschatology but I need more clarification about what we as Christians living in/under the New Covenant are to do NOW. In other words, how does the Bible apply to us now in the 21st Century? Do things like the Lord's Supper still have application today? How is the Church today supposed to worship? In general, what applies to the New Covenant and what does not? If someone, such as yourself, would take the time in these areas of concern and give them some definition people like mmyself would greatly benefit. Thank you so much.
The Bible makes it clear from prophecy that God intended for the church to worship. Isaiah 56:6-8, says the house of the Lord would be called the house of prayer. Jesus quotes this prophecy in Mark 11:17. Zech. 14:16-21 again speaks of the nations that would come up to worship God. Jesus said the time was coming and now is, when true worshipers will worship the father in spirit and truth for God was seek such to worship him. In Revelation 21:24-27, the nations continue to be saved and come into the new Jerusalem, the heavenly city of God, which came down from heaven, (Rev. 21:2-3).
Yes, the Lord's Supper remains valid. The first century church had to "show the Lord's death (by participation as a united community of Jew and Gentile) until the mystery of God was completed. That being done, we no longer have to show what God has completed but we do celebrate it by drinking anew in the kingdom of God. As far as what we should be doing today, we should serve where service is needed. Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and imprisoned, teach the lost and worship God. Help to restore the respect in the Christian faith by righteous living and teach against the "end of the world" hype so that people realize they have a fulfilled hope and the assurance in Christ whether they live or die. Yes, there is much work to do. Fulfillment of prophecy does not eliminate that work, but gives it a fuller expression in meaning and reason to be done.
Is there any Bible prophecy that states anything about the Anglo-American world power? If not, can you direct me to some literature that explains who the last World Empire was and how it relates to the image that King Nebuchadnezzar saw. Specifically, the Iron and Clay feet of the image.
Robert, the last world empire referenced in King Nebuchadnezzar's vision was the Roman Empire. The image Nebuchadnezzar saw represented 1. Babylon – the head of gold, 2. Medo Persia – chest and arms of silver 3. Greece – belly and thighs of bronze and 4 Ancient Rome – legs of Iron 5. Israel under Roman dominion (feet of iron and ceramic clay which did not mix).
Mr. Bell, I need your assistance in clearing up some of my confusion and that is according to Preterist position, the rewards and judgment day are past events which occurred in AD 70. My question is this, what type and who received the rewards when Jesus returned in AD 70? If the judgment day already occurred, did everyone who live on planet earth including believers and unbelievers judge before and during AD 70? Since the rewards is a past event, are the believers in the 21st century should be no longer be expecting or looking for rewards in the future because it was already past? Similar question, since the judgment day already occurred, does this mean believers and unbelievers are not going to be judge anymore in the future after death? When the scriptures says " Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Hebrew 9:27) Is this verse only applies when Jesus returned in AD 70? In other words, people who are living in the 21st century should not be expecting for any rewards and a coming judgment in the future because these events already occurred in AD 70. Please clarify my confusion. Thank you in advance.
I've responded to your second question but since you have more specific info here, I will add a few comments. It was always God's intention from the beginning for man to live with him eternally. Because man was made of dust, that could not be carried out on earth. Because physically man would eventually die and return to the ground. He was created with bio life and given food to consume to sustain him physically and told to procreate to perpetuate human life because without it the human race, animals and even the grass of the field would die out. That is the law of creation and procreation. Without procreation all mankind would die, but procreation without death would overpopulate the world with vegetation, animals, birds and man in very short order. Therefore, death had to be inherit in the botanical, animal and human world else God would be irresponsible and ignorant. That is not the all-wise God we serve. God gave the law of procreation in Gen 1, which proves that natural death is as natural as natural life and is not caused by sin. So, God placed the tree of life in the garden, then placed man there so he could eat of it in obedience to God and thereby secure his life after death since it was already established he could not live physically forever. Adam chose to disobey and eat of the forbidden fruit, which caused him to be separated from God and be cast out of the garden and shut off from that tree of life that would have allowed him to live with God forever after his earthly life ended. Not until God atoned for sin through Christ did he restore the tree of life and allow man back in the garden (See Revelation 22:3, 17), where man can once again eat and live forever. It is of course by choice. Therefore, 21st century man must choose that tree of life (Christ) just as Adam and those in the first century. Those who do, live, those who do not perish in death. Hades existed temporarily until God completed the plan of redemption. That's what Heb. 9:27 is about, i.e. Hades. It was appointed to man to once to die and after that judgment [to Hades] because on account of sin, he could not live forever with God in death. However, Christ came to die "once" and appear a second time in judgment bringing access to the tree of life so man could once again eat and live forever once he died. The judgment in 9:27, is what happened to man because of sin when he died. The judgment of verse 28 is what God did to reverse those consequences by sending his only son to die for us and open the way of the garden to all who would come to freely eat of the tree and take of the water of life. Now that Christ has shed his blood and returned, the way is open for all forever, where you lived in the first century or the 21st century. But, it is yet by choice. Some even now yet refuse the tree of life as did Adam and find themselves outside the city and when they die, they perish forever. There is no further redemption for them.
Mr. Bell, since the rewards and judgment are past events which already occurred in AD 70. The believers and unbelievers in the 21st century should not be expecting or looking forward for rewards or judgment in our future because those events are past. I'm just confuse, could you please explain and clarify. Thank you.
Mr.Bell, I am new to the preterist movement and have since moved from the futurist side to the preterist side but I still have some dought to some of its teachings. Please don't get me wrong, I just still have alot of questions. Getting used to a teaching that is so different from what I have always been taught takes alot to get used too. One thing that I wonder is, what about us christians today, when we die, I know we go to be with the Lord in heaven but what about our phisical bodies? We have always been told that at reserrection we are united with our body and we become new with a new heavenly body. Does our present body just turn to dust and fanishes or does it some how unite with our spiritual body and become new? The reserrection part of preterism bothers me a little. Also Acts 1:11 bothers me also. I find that this verse troubles alot of main line dispensationalist also. Would appreciate your responce, God Bless
If you can hold on for a couple of months, I am currently writing a book that covers both Acts 1:11 and the resurrection of the body. I can assure you it's going to be content you haven't heard before especially on Acts 1:11, and on the nature of death as taught in Genesis. It's 12:24, and I'm already 2:24 hours past my scheduled bedtime, which I am trying to stay disciplined about so I can be up at 5 a.m. to work on the book. The Acts 1:11 material covers about 50 pages of the book and the resurrection section is already about 75 pages. I have no idea just yet how long it will be and there will be some editing. I can assure you of one thing. When you read the Acts 1:11 material, you'll never have another doubt that it refers to AD 70. You can count on that.
Dear Mr.Bell Im concerned if all prophecies were fulfilled in 70 AD then why did John the Apostle write the book of Revelation in 96 AD . I mean if the book of revelation was written in 96 AD how was everything in the book of revelation fulfilled in 70 AD please respond im very confused
John, there is no need to be confused about this point. It is "assumed" that John wrote Revelation in 96AD, but that assumption is unfounded. First, the testimony is based on hearsay. It is questionable that the testimony of Irenaus who says he saw Polycarp who saw John or the Apocalypse (they can't determine which for sure). In addition, Irenaus also is reported to have said Jesus was 50 years old. Surely, that is not credible testimony. However, the strongest evidence is in the Bible. John was told he would live until Christ returned, (John 21: 21-22).
If Christ did not return in his lifetime, John must be yet with us. However, Christ did return in 70AD. That implies that all books of the N.T. were completed by that time. On the internal evidence of Revelation, chapter 11:2, speaks of the "times of the Gentiles being fulfilled" which equates with the same in Luke 21:23-24, referring specifically to the trodding down of Jerusalem in 70AD before the generation this living passed away, (Luke 21:20-24, 32). I would recommend that you read the introduction to Revelation by Foy E. Wallace Jr, in his Book of Revelation commentary (out of print or hard to find) and or Kenneth Gentry's before Jerusalem fell for the most thorough documentation of the early dating of the book of Revelation and more internal evidence. Both men's scholarly treatment of the subject is worthy of reading.
The last point is since the apostles wrote through revelation by the Spirit and since the Holy Spirit's miraculous activity ceased in 70AD with the coming of Christ (1 Cor. 1:7-8), then of necessity there could be no more inspired apostolic writings after that time.
How does Preterism interpret Romans 11:25
"that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."
Acts 15:8-17 is a good commentary on Romans 11:25, particularly, notice verse 11. "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they." God would save Israel in the same manner as he saved the Gentiles, i.e. by faith in Christ. The fullness of the Gentiles equates in time to the coming of the Lord out of Zion to take away Israel's sins. That coming occurred in 70AD. It was the completion of the mystery of God, Rev. 10:7.
Dear Mr. Bell what about the two witnesses that are going to prophercy for three and ahalf days, is that also complete.
Yes, it is. The book speaks of things which must shortly come to pass, Rev. 1:1,3 and the time had drawn near, not for those things to being, but to shortly come to pass, i.e. be consummated. That covers the entire message of the book as far as the prophecy was concerned. See also Rev. 22:6,10.
Dear Mr Bell are you saying that the commandments are done away too.1 John 5: 3For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous, And 1 John 3:4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.So how would you know sin without the LAW.
Dear Mr.Bell what happen to the wilderness and the going and to to land of Israel.Ezekiel 20 35And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
36Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.
37And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:
38And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
This question is from matthew 24;35 it states that heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away if the second coming has presented itself then why is the earth still here.
Hi Elizabeth, You've asked an excellent question. Firstly, "heaven and earth" as used in Matthew 24:35 is taken from Jewish literature. If you study the language of the Old Testament, you will find that they often used "heaven and earth" in a figurative sense. Let's start with Matt. 24:29. It' speaks of the sun, moon and stars falling. But, the text says, all of this would happen before the first century generation passed away, (Matt. 24:34). So, if we believe the words of Christ, the "sun, moon" and stars" passed away in his generation. Are there figurative uses of "sun, moon and stars" in the Old Covenant. Yes. Let's start with Genesis. Joseph dreamed that the "sun, the moon and the eleven starts bowed down to him, (Gen. 37:9). Does that mean the literal sun, moon and eleven stars bowed at his feet? Could he really have the sun at his feet without burning him to a crisp? No. So what did he really mean? What he meant was that all the authority figures in his life, would come to be his servants. Note how his father interpreted the dream. "Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you? (Gen. 37:10). What he meant was his natural father (the sun), his mother (the moon) and his eleven brothers (the eleven stars) would serve him. They did bow down to him when they came to Egypt during the time of the famine in Canaan.
Also, heaven and earth is used to refer to "nations" especially when the nation was about to be destroyed. The fall of the nation is called the destruction of "heaven and earth." (1) See Isaiah 13:1, which speaks of the burden or prophecy concerning ancient Babylon's fall. Read especially 13:10-13. It is not the destruction of the planet but of the nation of Babylon. See also Isaiah 24:5-6, 19-20, 23. Note that he is describing the people who "Broke the evelasting covenant." That refers to the people of Israel. Their nation was being destroyed.
Another example is found in Isaiah 34:4-5, to refer to the people of Edom when their nation was being destroyed. Even when speaking of the flood in the days of Noah, the Bible says, the "world that then was" perished in the flood. That did not mean the literal haven and earth was destroyed, but only that the people in Noah's generation died. So, the reference to "heaven and earth" being destroyed, per Matt. 24:29 and 35, do not refer to the physical creation but to the passing away of Judaism, the Old Covenant and their people.
The answers are found by comparing scripture with scripture. If you're listening to voices in your head, you're bound to wind up with errors in your understanding.