The absurdity and heresy of Preterism

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
May 23, 2020
1,558
313
83
How could you claim that Israel was redeemed and restored? They didn't believe that Jesus was their Messiah then and still don't till this very day.
Yes they did....1000s of them. Did you think not a single Jew knew he’s the Messiah? All who wanted to did.
And the Lord will be dealing with them during the tribulation period regarding this issue.
Already over and He did deal with them.
Those Israelites who did and do believe in Jesus as Messiah belong to the church.
Correct
The unbelieving nation of Israel who do not believe in Jesus as their Messiah, is who God is going to be dealing with during the tribulation and specifically the last 3 1/2 years of that seven year period.
That makes no sense at all. All the billions who died before are lost forever. How unjust! What good does it do them if some future generation decides to believe?
At some point during that time, regarding Jesus they are going to say "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord."
Ah, the magic words as it were.
 
May 23, 2020
1,558
313
83
You have is BACKWARDS.

Because the Jews (in general) rejected Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah/King, God brought severe judgments on Judea, Jerusalem, and the Jews through the Romans culminating in 70 AD. Following that the Jews were scattered throughout the Roman Empire, and the land of Judea was left desolate.

But if you will kindly study the prophecies pertaining to the future of Israel (the nation as well as the land), you will note that AFTER the Second Coming of Christ Jerusalem and Israel will be thoroughly purged and purified, and a believing remnant of the twelve tribes will be settled in greater Israel for eternity.

One would have to go through the entire Old Testament to see why the apostles asked Christ this question just before His ascension: When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6)
No, 1000s accepted Him. There were 3000 in one day alone. Don’t they count?

I’ve know your theology. I don’t believe it. Don’t mistake not believing for not knowing.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,004
8,373
113
You have is BACKWARDS.

Because the Jews (in general) rejected Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah/King, God brought severe judgments on Judea, Jerusalem, and the Jews through the Romans culminating in 70 AD. Following that the Jews were scattered throughout the Roman Empire, and the land of Judea was left desolate.

But if you will kindly study the prophecies pertaining to the future of Israel (the nation as well as the land), you will note that AFTER the Second Coming of Christ Jerusalem and Israel will be thoroughly purged and purified, and a believing remnant of the twelve tribes will be settled in greater Israel for eternity.

One would have to go through the entire Old Testament to see why the apostles asked Christ this question just before His ascension: When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6)
Absolutely correct.
Luke13:35....This one verse alone lays the whole thing out for everybody and anybody.
And yet the preterists and amillennialist will misinterpret this thing....... it is incredible.

https://biblehub.com/luke/13-35.htm
Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Hosea 5:15 anybody?
I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
9,054
1,051
113
I can see you're not a true follower of preterism, only an admirer of specific definitions. At first, your answers made it seem you were. But this recent/current post proves otherwise. I can only assume then you were playing the fence here, basically reading answers from all views and just going with the flow.
Would you agree that the book of Revelation is in the genre of apocalyptic literature?
 
May 23, 2020
1,558
313
83
HAve you read Matthew 24 yourself? Have you read and re-read Luke 21 yourself? or do you just allow those who make money off the "end times" eschatology industry decide for you the meanings of such bible chapters?
I’ve read the whole Bible many times over. And you got me wrong. Matt 24 is mostly fulfilled prophesy and the chapter came alive when I understood that. Same for Revelation. I finally understood the book.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,004
8,373
113
No, 1000s accepted Him. There were 3000 in one day alone. Don’t they count?

I’ve know your theology. I don’t believe it. Don’t mistake not believing for not knowing.
You're hopeless. Those are Christians a.k.a. the Bride of Christ. The sons of Jacob who do not convert to Christianity are being reserved and preserved (as anyone can see!) for Daniel's 70th week, and the millennium! Furthermore the unconditional Abraham and Davidic covenants will be fulfilled IN THEM!
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,004
8,373
113
The only problem with this is that Artaxerxes did not give a COMMANDMENT.
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:... (Dan 9:25,26)

When we turn to Nehemiah we see that Artaxerxes gave permission to a request from Nehemiah: And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. (Neh 2:6)
I think that's splitting hairs, But I know that 445 BCE works perfectly in terms of the mathematics.
To be honest I'm quite sure that Neh ch2 is correct.
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
9,054
1,051
113
Absolutely correct.
Luke13:35....This one verse alone lays the whole thing out for everybody and anybody.
And yet the preterists and amillennialist will misinterpret this thing....... it is incredible.

https://biblehub.com/luke/13-35.htm
Look, your house is left to you desolate. And I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Hosea 5:15 anybody?
I will return again to My place Till they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”
I'm not sure if I follow what you're saying here.

where is Jesus when he says this?

does he say this before the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday?
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,887
2,113
113
The only problem with this is that Artaxerxes did not give a COMMANDMENT.
The word translated in the kjv as "commandment" can also mean "word"... like the ylt has it:

"And thou dost know, and dost consider wisely, from the going forth of the word [H1697] to restore and to build Jerusalem till Messiah the Leader is seven weeks, and sixty and two weeks..."

https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1697.htm [see the range of meaning, here]
 
Apr 5, 2020
2,273
464
83
Would you agree that the book of Revelation is in the genre of apocalyptic literature?


In his writing of the "Against Heresies," Irenaeus wrote, that John was the author of the "Apocalypse."

So here alone, we have confirmation that 70 AD was not the Apocalypse and it was still to come.

Irenaeus also wrote, John knew the number/who the Beast was but kept it secret because it was not yet time to be revealed.

So, we have precise and clear evidence that what John wrote was not about the past, was about the future, and that John kept the information about the Beast and its number a complete secret into his death.

So yes, it is definitely apocalyptic!
 
Apr 5, 2020
2,273
464
83
In his writing of the "Against Heresies," Irenaeus wrote, that John was the author of the "Apocalypse."

So here alone, we have confirmation that 70 AD was not the Apocalypse and it was still to come.

Irenaeus also wrote, John knew the number/who the Beast was but kept it secret because it was not yet time to be revealed.

So, we have precise and clear evidence that what John wrote was not about the past, was about the future, and that John kept the information about the Beast and its number a complete secret into his death.

So yes, it is definitely apocalyptic!


One could even conclude by writing AGAINST HERESIES, Irenaeus, was addressing preterist of his day since he is specific about John-Domitian-Patmos 94 AD! And he was calling them HERETICS with a Doctrine of HERESY!
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,887
2,113
113
Consider the following article, when ascertaining what is meant at back of the term "apocalyptic literature" (not that everyone who uses the term comes at it from this perspective, but that the scholars who tout it likely do):

[quoting excerpt from Dr Paul Martin Henebury--more at link, below]

"If you have been keeping abreast of evangelical treatments of the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Zechariah, or the Olivet Discourse or Book of Revelation you will have run into the term “Apocalyptic literature.” It’s the favorite go-to for anyone who wants to stop the mouths of the prophets while sounding scholarly.

"I realize that opening line is a bit testy, but I write it as one who has spent some time studying the major works on Apocalyptic – all written by critical liberal scholars – and have read the almost threadbare regurgitations of conservatives who are content to use this scholarship to support their reading of the Bible while retaining traditional beliefs.

"It is hard to find an evangelical treatment of apocalyptic language and literature that has any depth. Evangelical discussions of the genre lean heavily on liberal work, and are often both cursory and deficient in their reporting of the state of the matter. Only a few evangelical scholars, like Brent Sandy (Plowshares and Pruning Hooks)† , provide any in-depth work on the genre, and his work is heavily dependent on liberal scholarship and the kind of philosophical hermeneutics which relies on an evolutionary view of language. Small wonder then that Sandy has moved further left in his commitments. (For example, his The Lost World of Scripture, co-authored with John Walton, is an insidious attack on inerrancy and authorship via appeal to extra-biblical authorities).

"In saying this I am not claiming that there is no such thing as apocalyptic. But I am saying that a truly biblical approach to it will have to look very different than the standard critical proposals. This is because the assumptions which force critical scholarship into interpreting the genre contradict the Bible’s own worldview, including the origin and purpose of language and the function of the prophet."

--Dr Paul Martin Henebury, "Apocalyptic Fixation" [end quoting; bold mine]

- https://drreluctant.wordpress.com/2017/12/28/apocalyptic-fixation/

____________

Just something to consider... and somewhat of a caution. ;)
 

Kolistus

Well-known member
Feb 3, 2020
538
276
63
The timing of the "rapture" in Thessalonians is very specifically, and literally from context, bound to the lifetimes of the listeners, though:

1 Thes 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The interpretation of the time of Christ's coming must satisfy all the Scriptures, not only a few.
When was 1 Thessalonians 4:17 ever fulfilled?
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,776
113
The word translated in the kjv as "commandment" can also mean "word"... like the ylt has it
Context is critical. And in this case it is "a word of command" according to Brown-Driver-Briggs.

b. word of command, (הַ)מֶּלֶךְ ׳ד 1 Chronicles 21:4,6;Esther 1:12 6t. Esther; Ecclesiastes 8:4 compare 2 Chronicles 30:5; 31:5; Daniel 9:23,25;

God charged or commanded Cyrus, therefore Cyrus commanded the Jews: Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged* me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. (Ezra 1:2)
* פָקַ֤ד (p̄ā-qaḏ) = has commanded

It is quite amazing that this heathen king recognized that the true God was "the LORD God of heaven" and that he was bound to obey His charge or commandment.
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,887
2,113
113
Context is critical. And in this case it is "a word of command" according to Brown-Driver-Briggs.
b. word of command, (הַ)מֶּלֶךְ ׳ד 1 Chronicles 21:4,6;Esther 1:12 6t. Esther; Ecclesiastes 8:4 compare 2 Chronicles 30:5; 31:5; Daniel 9:23,25;
God charged or commanded Cyrus, therefore Cyrus commanded the Jews: Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged* me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. (Ezra 1:2)
* פָקַ֤ד (p̄ā-qaḏ) = has commanded
It is quite amazing that this heathen king recognized that the true God was "the LORD God of heaven" and that he was bound to obey His charge or commandment.
Wait a minute... you're not suggesting that the word that we're talking about in Dan9:25 is the same word that you're now pointing out in Ezra 1:2, are you? Coz they are two different words.

--Daniel 9:25's word: H1697 - dabar (which can mean "word" like in the ylt; and is translated "commandment" in the kjv - https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1697.htm )

--Ezra 1:2's word: H6485 - paqad ("Definition: to attend to, visit, muster, appoint" - https://biblehub.com/hebrew/6485.htm )



Not only are these two words distinct ^ , but having studied this pretty in-depth, I think the phrase "to restore [H7725 (2x in this verse)] and to build [H1129] Jerusalem" is key... and takes us precisely to [what we call] "Palm Sunday" when Jesus DID the Zech9:9 thing [re: Jerusalem] and SAID the Lk19:41-44 thing [also re: "the city" / Jerusalem], which is what the actual prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 pertains to ("70 Weeks ARE DETERMINED UPON thy [Daniel's] people, AND UPON thy [Daniel's] HOLY CITY...")



[one author has tweaked Sir Rob't Anderson's factorings by (something like) one day... and shows how this (Anderson's) results are indeed the ONLY "year" that could have "fit," based on the number of moons "fitting" between "Nisan" to "Nisan"... I made a post on that quite some time back]
 

TheDivineWatermark

Well-known member
Aug 3, 2018
10,887
2,113
113
Oh, and one more thing...

I had meant to point out in my last post... about the word in Daniel 9:25 (as shown in your B-D-B example ^ ), see where he points out that this H1697 is also used in Dan9:23, well it is in that verse TWO times, as such:

"At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment [H1697] came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter [H1697], and consider the vision."



So both of these are also within the range (in meaning) of what v.25 is conveying.


I believe "from the going forth of THE WORD [H1697] to" is certainly just as fitting.
 

Dan_473

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2014
9,054
1,051
113
What the report in the Revelation depicts also is described elsewhere in the Bible.
it makes sense to me that John would use symbols and figures of speech that people were familiar with.

maybe it's like if I wanted to make a modern-day parable based on The tortoise and the hare.
but I decided to add a butterfly.
even though she flies in a zigzag and rests frequently, she makes steady progress and ends up winning.