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Chapter 1
by George Sidney Hurd
Postmillennial Preterists tend to sweep the testimony of the early Church under the carpet, simply saying - in spite of evidence to the contrary, that the majority position of the Church from the beginning has been Preterist and not Futurist. However, even the renowned historian, Schaff, who was not himself a Futurist, recognized that the Premillennial hope was indeed held by the Early Church Fathers. He said the following concerning their eschatology:
“The most striking point in the eschatology of the ante-Nicene age is the prominent chiliasm, or millennarianism, that is the belief of a visible reign of Christ in glory on earth with the risen saints for a thousand years, before the general resurrection and judgment. It was indeed not the doctrine of the church embodied in any creed or form of devotion, but a widely current opinion of distinguished teachers, such as Barnabas (died AD 61), Papias (died AD 100), Justin Martyr (AD 100 – 165), Irenaeus (AD 130 – 202), Tertullian (AD 160 – 225), Methodius (died AD 311), and Lactantius (AD 250 – 325); while Caius (third century AD) , Origen (AD 184 – 253), Dionysius the Great (died AD 264), Eusebius (AD 265 – 340) as afterwards Jerome (AD 347 – 420) and Augustin (AD 354 – 430) opposed it…
In connection with this the general expectation prevailed that the return of the Lord was near, though uncertain and unascertainable as to its day and hour, so that believers may be always ready for it. This hope, through the whole age of persecution, was a copious fountain of encouragement and comfort under the pains of that martyrdom which sowed in blood the seed of a bountiful harvest for the church…
Justin Martyr…speaks repeatedly of the second parousia of Christ in the clouds of heaven, surrounded by the holy angels. It will be preceded by the near manifestation of the man of sin (anthropos tas anomias) who speaks blasphemies against the most high God, and will rule three and a half years. He is preceded by heresies and false prophets. Christ will then raise the patriarchs, prophets, and pious Jews, establish the millennium, restore Jerusalem, and reign there in the midst of his saints; after which the second and general resurrection and judgment of the world will take place.” [1]
Also, the early Church historian Eusebius, who died in AD 339, traced the belief in the Futuristic Premillennial hope to the very feet of John the Revelator when he said:
“These things are attested by Papias, an ancient man who was a hearer of John and a companion of Polycarp, in his fourth book. To these belong his statement that there will be a period of some thousand years after the resurrection of the dead, and that the kingdom of Christ will be set up in material form on this very earth.” [2]
I would say that the likelihood that Papias who, according to Eusebius, was taught by John himself and was a companion of Polycarp, would teach a doctrine different from that of the Apostle John, is very remote indeed. Who would most likely reflect the original teaching of John the revelator? Papias who sat at John’s feet, or the Jesuit priest Alcasar who originated Preterism as an eschatology in the 17th century?
I did a search of the writings of the Early Church Fathers and found that the Futuristic hope of a Premillennial return of Christ after the apostasy, the future Great Tribulation, and the manifestation of the man of sin, was a recurrent theme throughout all of their writings. They all lived many years after the A.D 70 destruction and did not see that as having been the Second Coming. If indeed Christ came in 70AD and every eye of all nations and tribes of the earth saw Him coming in power and great glory as Jesus said they would (Matt 24:30; Rev 1:7), we would expect to have record of someone having seen Him come. In fact, there is no record of anyone, Christian or non-Christian, who considered Christ to have come in AD 70. The following is a brief sampling of just a few of the references to the Futuristic hope held to by the Early Fathers:
Justin Martyr (AD 100 to 165)
“…two advents of Christ have been announced: the one, in which He is set forth as suffering, inglorious, dishonoured, and crucified; but the other, in which He shall come from heaven with glory, when the man of apostasy, who speaks strange things against the Most High, shall venture to do unlawful deeds on the earth against us the Christians…” [3]
“But I and others, who are right-minded Christians on all points, are assured that there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built, adorned, and enlarged, [as] the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah and others declare.” [4]
Epistle of Barnabas (AD 120 to 150)
“Ten kingdoms shall reign upon the earth, and a little king shall rise up after them, who shall subdue under one three of the kings. In like manner Daniel says concerning the same, ‘And I beheld the fourth beast, wicked and powerful, and more savage than all the beasts of the earth, and how from it sprang up ten horns, and out of them a little budding horn, and how it subdued under one three of the great horns.’” [5]
The Shepherd of Hermas (2nd Century)
“Go, therefore, and tell the elect of the Lord His mighty deeds, and say to them that this beast is a type of the great tribulation that is coming. If then ye prepare yourselves, and repent with all your heart, and turn to the Lord, it will be possible for you to escape it, if your heart be pure and spotless, and ye spend the rest of the days of your life in serving the Lord blamelessly.” [6]
Irenaeus (AD 160 to 230)
“But there is another among these heretics, Marcus by name, who boasts himself as having improved upon his master… Thus it appears as if he really were the precursor of Antichrist.” [7]
“For he (Antichrist) being endued with all the power of the devil, shall come, not as a righteous king, nor as a legitimate king in subjection to God, but an impious, unjust, and lawless one; of whom the apostle thus speaks in the second Epistle to the Thessalonians: ‘Unless there shall come a falling away first, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself as if he were God.’” [8]
“And for this reason the apostle says: ‘Because they received not the love of God, that they might be saved, therefore God shall also send them the operation of error, that they may believe a lie, that they all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but consented to unrighteousness.’ For when he (Antichrist) is come, and of his own accord concentrates in his own person the apostasy, and accomplishes whatever he shall do according to his own will and choice, sitting also in the temple of God, so that his dupes may adore him as the Christ; wherefore also shall he deservedly ‘be cast into the lake of fire… whose coming John has thus described in the Apocalypse… And he will cause a mark [to be put] in the forehead and in the right hand, that no one may be able to buy or sell, unless he who has the mark of the name of the beast or the number of his name; and the number is six hundred and sixty-six," that is, six times a hundred, six times ten, and six units.’” [9]
“But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom…and restoring to Abraham the promised inheritance.” [10]
“If, however, any shall endeavor to allegorize [prophecies] of this kind, they shall not be found consistent with themselves in all points, and shall be confuted by the teaching of the very expressions [in question].
For all these and other words were unquestionably spoken in reference to the resurrection of the just, which takes place after the coming of Antichrist, and the destruction of all nations under his rule; in [the times of] which [resurrection] the righteous shall reign in the earth.” [11]
Daniel too, looking forward to the end of the last kingdom, i.e., the ten last kings, amongst whom the kingdom of those men shall be partitioned, and upon whom the son of perdition shall come, declares that ten horns shall spring from the beast, and that another little horn shall arise in the midst of them, and that three of the former shall be rooted up before his face…and [everything] shall be given into his hand until a time of times and a half time,’ that is, for three years and six months, during which time, when he comes, he shall reign over the earth. Of whom also the Apostle Paul again…thus says: ‘And then shall the wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the spirit of His mouth, and destroy by the presence of His coming.” [12]
“The Lord also spoke as follows to those who did not believe in Him: ‘I have come in my Father's name, and ye have not received Me: when another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive,’ calling Antichrist ‘the other,’ because he is alienated from the Lord. Which also he shall do in the time of his kingdom: he shall remove his kingdom into that [city], and shall sit in the temple of God, leading astray those who worship him, as if he were Christ. To this purpose Daniel says again: ‘And he shall desolate the holy place’…. And then he points out the time that his tyranny shall last, during which the saints shall be put to flight, they who offer a pure sacrifice unto God: ‘And in the midst of the week,’ he says, ‘the sacrifice and the libation shall be taken away, and the abomination of desolation [shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete.’ Now three years and six months constitute the half-week.” [13]
Tertullian: (AD 160 to 220)
“Christ promises to the Jews their primitive condition, with the recovery of their country…. As for the restoration of Judea, however, which even the Jews themselves, induced by the names of places and countries, hope for just as it is described… But we do confess that a kingdom is promised to us upon the earth, although before heaven, only in another state of existence; inasmuch as it will be after the resurrection for a thousand years in the divinely-built city of Jerusalem…” [14]
“In the Revelation of John, again, the order of these times is spread out to view…and that the city of fornication may receive from the ten kings its deserved doom, and that the beast Antichrist with his false prophet may wage war on the Church of God; and that, after the casting of the devil into the bottomless pit for a while, the blessed prerogative of the first resurrection may be ordained from the thrones; and then again, after the consignment of him to the fire, that the judgment of the final and universal resurrection may be determined out of the books. Since, then, the Scriptures both indicate the stages of the last times, and concentrate the harvest of the Christian hope in the very end of the world, it is evident, either that all which God promises to us receives its accomplishment then…” [15]
Hippolytus (AD 170 to 236)
“For John says, ‘And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.’ That is the half of the week whereof Daniel spake…
What saith the prophet? ‘the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them,’ because they will not give glory to Antichrist…
53. These things, then, shall be in the future, beloved… That refers to the one thousand two hundred and threescore days (the half of the week) during which the tyrant is to reign and persecute the Church, which flees from city to city…
62. The Lord also says, ‘When ye shall see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand), then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains, and let him which is on the housetop not come down to take his clothes; neither let him which is in the field return back to take anything out of his house. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved.’
64. These things, then, will come to pass, beloved, and the one week being divided into two parts, and the abomination of desolation being manifested then, and the two prophets and forerunners of the Lord having finished their course, and the whole world finally approaching the consummation, what remains but the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ from heaven, for whom we have looked in hope?
67. These things, then, I have set shortly before thee, O Theophilus, drawing them from Scripture itself, in order that, maintaining in faith what is written, and anticipating the things that are to be, thou mayest keep thyself void of offence both toward God and toward men, ‘looking for that blessed hope and appearing of our God and Saviour’…” [16]
Cyprian (AD 200 to 258)
“For you ought to know and to believe, and hold it for certain, that the day of affliction has begun to hang over our heads, and the end of the world and the time of Antichrist to draw near, so that we must all stand prepared for the battle; nor consider anything but the glory of life eternal, and the crown of the confession of the Lord; and not regard those things which are coming as being such as were those which have passed away.” [17]
Lactantius (AD 250 – 325)
“When the close of the times draws nigh, a great prophet shall be sent from God to turn men to the knowledge of God, and he shall receive the power of doing wonderful things….”
“But that king will not only be most disgraceful in himself, but he will also be a prophet of lies; and he will constitute and call himself God, and will order himself to be worshipped as the Son of God; and power will be given him to do signs and wonders, by the sight of which he may entice men to adore him. He will command fire to come down from heaven, and the sun to stand and leave his course, and an image to speak; and these things shall be done at his word, by which miracles many even of the wise shall be enticed by him. Then he will attempt to destroy the temple of God, and persecute the righteous people; and there will be distress and tribulation such as there never has been from the beginning of the world… As many as shall believe him and unite themselves to him, shall be marked by him as sheep; but they who shall refuse his mark will either flee to the mountains, or, being seized, will be slain with studied tortures. He will also enwrap righteous men with the books of the prophets, and thus burn them; and power will be given him to desolate the whole Earth for forty-two months.” [18]
“Therefore the Son of the most high and mighty God shall come to judge the quick and the dead, as the Sibyl testifies and says: ‘For then there shall be confusion of mortals throughout the whole Earth, when the Almighty Himself shall come on His judgment-seat to judge the souls of the quick and dead, and all the world.’
But He, when He shall have destroyed unrighteousness, and executed His great judgment, and shall have recalled to life the righteous, who have lived from the beginning, will be engaged among men a thousand years, and will rule them with most just command….
Then they who shall be alive in their bodies shall not die, but during those thousand years shall produce an infinite multitude, and their offspring shall be holy, and beloved by God; but they who shall be raised from the dead shall preside over the living as judges….
About the same time also the prince of the devils, who is the contriver of all evils, shall be bound with chains, and shall be imprisoned during the thousand years of the heavenly rule in which righteousness shall reign in the world, so that he may contrive no evil against the people of God.” [19]
Conclusion
As one can see, reading the Early Church Fathers is just like reading the present-day writings of Futuristic Premillennialists. They speak of Daniel’s 70th week of years with its final three-and-a-half years as yet future and separate in time from the first 69 weeks of years. They speak of the apostasy and the tyranny of the Antichrist beginning at the mid-point of Daniel’s 70th week and ending when he is cast into the lake of fire at Christ’s Second Coming. They speak of the abomination of desolation as being the Antichrist sitting in a rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. They speak of the mark of the Beast being required in the hand or in the forehead in order to be able to buy or sell. They speak of the final three-and-a-half years as a time of distress and tribulation such as has never been from the beginning of the world. They speak of the Second Coming and resurrection of the saints followed by Satan being bound for 1,000 years, during which time Christ will reign on the Earth with His saints.
About the only thing that is altogether absent from their teaching which is heard among many Futurists today, is the mention of a rapture of the Church seven years prior to His Second Coming. To the contrary, Justin Martyr speaks of the Antichrist as doing unlawful things against us, the Church during the tribulation. Tertullian also speaks of the Antichrist with his false prophet waging war on the Church of God and Hippolytus presents the Church as being persecuted during the Great Tribulation by the Antichrist.
The only hint of a rapture before the Second Coming of Christ is mentioned by the Shepherd of Hermas. However, he appears to be referring to a partial “pre-Great Tribulation rapture” which would occur at the mid-point of Daniel’s 70th week, rather than at its beginning, as Pretribulationists teach. He seems to speak of this “escape” as only including those who have already prepared themselves prior to the Great Tribulation and for that reason will have no need of further purification in the fires of affliction. (For more on this subject see my book entitled: “Focusing in on End-time Events”). However, a pretribulation rapture seven years prior to the Second Coming of Christ is also of recent origin and is not an essential element of Futuristic eschatology.
Therefore, we see that the Futurist Premillennial interpretation was that which was held by our Early Church Fathers. It is true that Amillennialism became predominant in the 5th Century, having been conceived through Origin’s spiritual/allegorical approach to Scriptures, and further developed and popularized by Augustine. It ruled the day throughout the Dark Ages and even into the beginnings of the Reformation. However, it is my conviction that we need to continue the Reformation until every historic biblical doctrine has been fully restored to the way they were before entering into the Dark Ages.
This blog is an excerpt from my book: Last Days – Past or Present?
[1] Schaff´s History of the Christian Church, Volume 1, chapter 12,158. Chiliasm.
[2] Eusebius Church History Chapter 39 – The writings of Papias
[3] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Justin Martyr; Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 110
[4] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Justin Martyr; Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 80 - The Opinion of Justin with Regard to the Reign of a Thousand Years.
[5] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Epistle of Barnabus Chapter 4
[6] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Pastor of Hermas; Book 1 Visions Chapter 2
[7] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1 Irenaeus; Against Heresies Book 1 Chapter 13
[8] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 25 section 1
[9] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 28 section 2
[10] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 30 section 4
[11] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 35 section 1
[12] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 35 section 4
[13] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 25 section 3,4
[14] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3 Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 3 Chapter 24
[15] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3, Tertullian: (AD 160 to 220) Apologetic Writings – The chaplet, Chapter 25
[16] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 5, Hyppolytus (AD 170 to 236),Treatise on the Antichrist, Sections 47-67
[17] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 5, Cyprian (AD 200 to 258) The Epistles of Cyprian, Epistle 55 §1
[18] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Lactantius (AD 250 – AD 325) Volume 7, Book 7, Chapter 17
[19] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 7, Lactantius (AD 250 – AD 325) Volume 7, Book 7, Chapter 24 – Of the Renewed World.
Postmillennial Preterists tend to sweep the testimony of the early Church under the carpet, simply saying - in spite of evidence to the contrary, that the majority position of the Church from the beginning has been Preterist and not Futurist. However, even the renowned historian, Schaff, who was not himself a Futurist, recognized that the Premillennial hope was indeed held by the Early Church Fathers. He said the following concerning their eschatology:
“The most striking point in the eschatology of the ante-Nicene age is the prominent chiliasm, or millennarianism, that is the belief of a visible reign of Christ in glory on earth with the risen saints for a thousand years, before the general resurrection and judgment. It was indeed not the doctrine of the church embodied in any creed or form of devotion, but a widely current opinion of distinguished teachers, such as Barnabas (died AD 61), Papias (died AD 100), Justin Martyr (AD 100 – 165), Irenaeus (AD 130 – 202), Tertullian (AD 160 – 225), Methodius (died AD 311), and Lactantius (AD 250 – 325); while Caius (third century AD) , Origen (AD 184 – 253), Dionysius the Great (died AD 264), Eusebius (AD 265 – 340) as afterwards Jerome (AD 347 – 420) and Augustin (AD 354 – 430) opposed it…
In connection with this the general expectation prevailed that the return of the Lord was near, though uncertain and unascertainable as to its day and hour, so that believers may be always ready for it. This hope, through the whole age of persecution, was a copious fountain of encouragement and comfort under the pains of that martyrdom which sowed in blood the seed of a bountiful harvest for the church…
Justin Martyr…speaks repeatedly of the second parousia of Christ in the clouds of heaven, surrounded by the holy angels. It will be preceded by the near manifestation of the man of sin (anthropos tas anomias) who speaks blasphemies against the most high God, and will rule three and a half years. He is preceded by heresies and false prophets. Christ will then raise the patriarchs, prophets, and pious Jews, establish the millennium, restore Jerusalem, and reign there in the midst of his saints; after which the second and general resurrection and judgment of the world will take place.” [1]
Also, the early Church historian Eusebius, who died in AD 339, traced the belief in the Futuristic Premillennial hope to the very feet of John the Revelator when he said:
“These things are attested by Papias, an ancient man who was a hearer of John and a companion of Polycarp, in his fourth book. To these belong his statement that there will be a period of some thousand years after the resurrection of the dead, and that the kingdom of Christ will be set up in material form on this very earth.” [2]
I would say that the likelihood that Papias who, according to Eusebius, was taught by John himself and was a companion of Polycarp, would teach a doctrine different from that of the Apostle John, is very remote indeed. Who would most likely reflect the original teaching of John the revelator? Papias who sat at John’s feet, or the Jesuit priest Alcasar who originated Preterism as an eschatology in the 17th century?
I did a search of the writings of the Early Church Fathers and found that the Futuristic hope of a Premillennial return of Christ after the apostasy, the future Great Tribulation, and the manifestation of the man of sin, was a recurrent theme throughout all of their writings. They all lived many years after the A.D 70 destruction and did not see that as having been the Second Coming. If indeed Christ came in 70AD and every eye of all nations and tribes of the earth saw Him coming in power and great glory as Jesus said they would (Matt 24:30; Rev 1:7), we would expect to have record of someone having seen Him come. In fact, there is no record of anyone, Christian or non-Christian, who considered Christ to have come in AD 70. The following is a brief sampling of just a few of the references to the Futuristic hope held to by the Early Fathers:
Justin Martyr (AD 100 to 165)
“…two advents of Christ have been announced: the one, in which He is set forth as suffering, inglorious, dishonoured, and crucified; but the other, in which He shall come from heaven with glory, when the man of apostasy, who speaks strange things against the Most High, shall venture to do unlawful deeds on the earth against us the Christians…” [3]
“But I and others, who are right-minded Christians on all points, are assured that there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built, adorned, and enlarged, [as] the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah and others declare.” [4]
Epistle of Barnabas (AD 120 to 150)
“Ten kingdoms shall reign upon the earth, and a little king shall rise up after them, who shall subdue under one three of the kings. In like manner Daniel says concerning the same, ‘And I beheld the fourth beast, wicked and powerful, and more savage than all the beasts of the earth, and how from it sprang up ten horns, and out of them a little budding horn, and how it subdued under one three of the great horns.’” [5]
The Shepherd of Hermas (2nd Century)
“Go, therefore, and tell the elect of the Lord His mighty deeds, and say to them that this beast is a type of the great tribulation that is coming. If then ye prepare yourselves, and repent with all your heart, and turn to the Lord, it will be possible for you to escape it, if your heart be pure and spotless, and ye spend the rest of the days of your life in serving the Lord blamelessly.” [6]
Irenaeus (AD 160 to 230)
“But there is another among these heretics, Marcus by name, who boasts himself as having improved upon his master… Thus it appears as if he really were the precursor of Antichrist.” [7]
“For he (Antichrist) being endued with all the power of the devil, shall come, not as a righteous king, nor as a legitimate king in subjection to God, but an impious, unjust, and lawless one; of whom the apostle thus speaks in the second Epistle to the Thessalonians: ‘Unless there shall come a falling away first, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself as if he were God.’” [8]
“And for this reason the apostle says: ‘Because they received not the love of God, that they might be saved, therefore God shall also send them the operation of error, that they may believe a lie, that they all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but consented to unrighteousness.’ For when he (Antichrist) is come, and of his own accord concentrates in his own person the apostasy, and accomplishes whatever he shall do according to his own will and choice, sitting also in the temple of God, so that his dupes may adore him as the Christ; wherefore also shall he deservedly ‘be cast into the lake of fire… whose coming John has thus described in the Apocalypse… And he will cause a mark [to be put] in the forehead and in the right hand, that no one may be able to buy or sell, unless he who has the mark of the name of the beast or the number of his name; and the number is six hundred and sixty-six," that is, six times a hundred, six times ten, and six units.’” [9]
“But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom…and restoring to Abraham the promised inheritance.” [10]
“If, however, any shall endeavor to allegorize [prophecies] of this kind, they shall not be found consistent with themselves in all points, and shall be confuted by the teaching of the very expressions [in question].
For all these and other words were unquestionably spoken in reference to the resurrection of the just, which takes place after the coming of Antichrist, and the destruction of all nations under his rule; in [the times of] which [resurrection] the righteous shall reign in the earth.” [11]
Daniel too, looking forward to the end of the last kingdom, i.e., the ten last kings, amongst whom the kingdom of those men shall be partitioned, and upon whom the son of perdition shall come, declares that ten horns shall spring from the beast, and that another little horn shall arise in the midst of them, and that three of the former shall be rooted up before his face…and [everything] shall be given into his hand until a time of times and a half time,’ that is, for three years and six months, during which time, when he comes, he shall reign over the earth. Of whom also the Apostle Paul again…thus says: ‘And then shall the wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the spirit of His mouth, and destroy by the presence of His coming.” [12]
“The Lord also spoke as follows to those who did not believe in Him: ‘I have come in my Father's name, and ye have not received Me: when another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive,’ calling Antichrist ‘the other,’ because he is alienated from the Lord. Which also he shall do in the time of his kingdom: he shall remove his kingdom into that [city], and shall sit in the temple of God, leading astray those who worship him, as if he were Christ. To this purpose Daniel says again: ‘And he shall desolate the holy place’…. And then he points out the time that his tyranny shall last, during which the saints shall be put to flight, they who offer a pure sacrifice unto God: ‘And in the midst of the week,’ he says, ‘the sacrifice and the libation shall be taken away, and the abomination of desolation [shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete.’ Now three years and six months constitute the half-week.” [13]
Tertullian: (AD 160 to 220)
“Christ promises to the Jews their primitive condition, with the recovery of their country…. As for the restoration of Judea, however, which even the Jews themselves, induced by the names of places and countries, hope for just as it is described… But we do confess that a kingdom is promised to us upon the earth, although before heaven, only in another state of existence; inasmuch as it will be after the resurrection for a thousand years in the divinely-built city of Jerusalem…” [14]
“In the Revelation of John, again, the order of these times is spread out to view…and that the city of fornication may receive from the ten kings its deserved doom, and that the beast Antichrist with his false prophet may wage war on the Church of God; and that, after the casting of the devil into the bottomless pit for a while, the blessed prerogative of the first resurrection may be ordained from the thrones; and then again, after the consignment of him to the fire, that the judgment of the final and universal resurrection may be determined out of the books. Since, then, the Scriptures both indicate the stages of the last times, and concentrate the harvest of the Christian hope in the very end of the world, it is evident, either that all which God promises to us receives its accomplishment then…” [15]
Hippolytus (AD 170 to 236)
“For John says, ‘And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.’ That is the half of the week whereof Daniel spake…
What saith the prophet? ‘the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them,’ because they will not give glory to Antichrist…
53. These things, then, shall be in the future, beloved… That refers to the one thousand two hundred and threescore days (the half of the week) during which the tyrant is to reign and persecute the Church, which flees from city to city…
62. The Lord also says, ‘When ye shall see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place (whoso readeth, let him understand), then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains, and let him which is on the housetop not come down to take his clothes; neither let him which is in the field return back to take anything out of his house. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved.’
64. These things, then, will come to pass, beloved, and the one week being divided into two parts, and the abomination of desolation being manifested then, and the two prophets and forerunners of the Lord having finished their course, and the whole world finally approaching the consummation, what remains but the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ from heaven, for whom we have looked in hope?
67. These things, then, I have set shortly before thee, O Theophilus, drawing them from Scripture itself, in order that, maintaining in faith what is written, and anticipating the things that are to be, thou mayest keep thyself void of offence both toward God and toward men, ‘looking for that blessed hope and appearing of our God and Saviour’…” [16]
Cyprian (AD 200 to 258)
“For you ought to know and to believe, and hold it for certain, that the day of affliction has begun to hang over our heads, and the end of the world and the time of Antichrist to draw near, so that we must all stand prepared for the battle; nor consider anything but the glory of life eternal, and the crown of the confession of the Lord; and not regard those things which are coming as being such as were those which have passed away.” [17]
Lactantius (AD 250 – 325)
“When the close of the times draws nigh, a great prophet shall be sent from God to turn men to the knowledge of God, and he shall receive the power of doing wonderful things….”
“But that king will not only be most disgraceful in himself, but he will also be a prophet of lies; and he will constitute and call himself God, and will order himself to be worshipped as the Son of God; and power will be given him to do signs and wonders, by the sight of which he may entice men to adore him. He will command fire to come down from heaven, and the sun to stand and leave his course, and an image to speak; and these things shall be done at his word, by which miracles many even of the wise shall be enticed by him. Then he will attempt to destroy the temple of God, and persecute the righteous people; and there will be distress and tribulation such as there never has been from the beginning of the world… As many as shall believe him and unite themselves to him, shall be marked by him as sheep; but they who shall refuse his mark will either flee to the mountains, or, being seized, will be slain with studied tortures. He will also enwrap righteous men with the books of the prophets, and thus burn them; and power will be given him to desolate the whole Earth for forty-two months.” [18]
“Therefore the Son of the most high and mighty God shall come to judge the quick and the dead, as the Sibyl testifies and says: ‘For then there shall be confusion of mortals throughout the whole Earth, when the Almighty Himself shall come on His judgment-seat to judge the souls of the quick and dead, and all the world.’
But He, when He shall have destroyed unrighteousness, and executed His great judgment, and shall have recalled to life the righteous, who have lived from the beginning, will be engaged among men a thousand years, and will rule them with most just command….
Then they who shall be alive in their bodies shall not die, but during those thousand years shall produce an infinite multitude, and their offspring shall be holy, and beloved by God; but they who shall be raised from the dead shall preside over the living as judges….
About the same time also the prince of the devils, who is the contriver of all evils, shall be bound with chains, and shall be imprisoned during the thousand years of the heavenly rule in which righteousness shall reign in the world, so that he may contrive no evil against the people of God.” [19]
Conclusion
As one can see, reading the Early Church Fathers is just like reading the present-day writings of Futuristic Premillennialists. They speak of Daniel’s 70th week of years with its final three-and-a-half years as yet future and separate in time from the first 69 weeks of years. They speak of the apostasy and the tyranny of the Antichrist beginning at the mid-point of Daniel’s 70th week and ending when he is cast into the lake of fire at Christ’s Second Coming. They speak of the abomination of desolation as being the Antichrist sitting in a rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. They speak of the mark of the Beast being required in the hand or in the forehead in order to be able to buy or sell. They speak of the final three-and-a-half years as a time of distress and tribulation such as has never been from the beginning of the world. They speak of the Second Coming and resurrection of the saints followed by Satan being bound for 1,000 years, during which time Christ will reign on the Earth with His saints.
About the only thing that is altogether absent from their teaching which is heard among many Futurists today, is the mention of a rapture of the Church seven years prior to His Second Coming. To the contrary, Justin Martyr speaks of the Antichrist as doing unlawful things against us, the Church during the tribulation. Tertullian also speaks of the Antichrist with his false prophet waging war on the Church of God and Hippolytus presents the Church as being persecuted during the Great Tribulation by the Antichrist.
The only hint of a rapture before the Second Coming of Christ is mentioned by the Shepherd of Hermas. However, he appears to be referring to a partial “pre-Great Tribulation rapture” which would occur at the mid-point of Daniel’s 70th week, rather than at its beginning, as Pretribulationists teach. He seems to speak of this “escape” as only including those who have already prepared themselves prior to the Great Tribulation and for that reason will have no need of further purification in the fires of affliction. (For more on this subject see my book entitled: “Focusing in on End-time Events”). However, a pretribulation rapture seven years prior to the Second Coming of Christ is also of recent origin and is not an essential element of Futuristic eschatology.
Therefore, we see that the Futurist Premillennial interpretation was that which was held by our Early Church Fathers. It is true that Amillennialism became predominant in the 5th Century, having been conceived through Origin’s spiritual/allegorical approach to Scriptures, and further developed and popularized by Augustine. It ruled the day throughout the Dark Ages and even into the beginnings of the Reformation. However, it is my conviction that we need to continue the Reformation until every historic biblical doctrine has been fully restored to the way they were before entering into the Dark Ages.
This blog is an excerpt from my book: Last Days – Past or Present?
[1] Schaff´s History of the Christian Church, Volume 1, chapter 12,158. Chiliasm.
[2] Eusebius Church History Chapter 39 – The writings of Papias
[3] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Justin Martyr; Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 110
[4] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Justin Martyr; Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 80 - The Opinion of Justin with Regard to the Reign of a Thousand Years.
[5] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Epistle of Barnabus Chapter 4
[6] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Pastor of Hermas; Book 1 Visions Chapter 2
[7] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1 Irenaeus; Against Heresies Book 1 Chapter 13
[8] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 25 section 1
[9] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 28 section 2
[10] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 30 section 4
[11] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 35 section 1
[12] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 35 section 4
[13] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 25 section 3,4
[14] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3 Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 3 Chapter 24
[15] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 3, Tertullian: (AD 160 to 220) Apologetic Writings – The chaplet, Chapter 25
[16] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 5, Hyppolytus (AD 170 to 236),Treatise on the Antichrist, Sections 47-67
[17] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 5, Cyprian (AD 200 to 258) The Epistles of Cyprian, Epistle 55 §1
[18] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Lactantius (AD 250 – AD 325) Volume 7, Book 7, Chapter 17
[19] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 7, Lactantius (AD 250 – AD 325) Volume 7, Book 7, Chapter 24 – Of the Renewed World.
- Published on
by George Sidney Hurd
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25)
If you have attended church services for any length of time, without a doubt you have noticed that we are living in a time when an alarming number of Christians are no longer congregating with those of like faith, and the few who still do often attend megachurches where there is little or no body-life or one-on-one interaction.
I had a life-transforming encounter with the Lord in 1969 during what became known as the Jesus Movement Revival. At that time, local churches were usually small but well attended by vibrant believers with a passion for the Lord, their first love. For most of us, just two services on Sundays with a midweek Bible study and Friday night prayer meeting wasn’t enough. When we came together, the presence of the Lord was so real and tangible that we didn’t want to leave and we couldn’t wait for the next meeting.
Sadly, if you were to visit those same churches today, what you would often discover is that, if the church hasn’t already closed its doors, the attendance is minimal, often only meeting once a week on Sundays. Currently there are many more local churches that are closing their doors than there are new churches being planted. Why this great exodus from the local churches?
Obviously, the root problem is a heart condition. When Christ is the center of our affection and devotion, His life is manifested in our midst and He is able to draw others to Himself through us. But all too often, little by little, He ceases to be the center of our affection, and the next thing we know, we have left our first love (Rev 2:1-7). We may still be attending church and carrying out the same activities – in fact many intensify them, but it is done out of a sense of duty rather than pure devotion. We may still pray, but without the intimate communion we once enjoyed.
When the Church holds fast to Christ, her Head, it grows with a growth that God gives (Col 2:19). While the Church in Acts simply continued steadfastly in communion, the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly (Acts 2:46-47; 6:7). The only way that the enemy can stop the growth that God gives is to seduce us away from our simplicity of devotion to Christ, our Head, resulting in His life no longer being manifested in our midst. That was Paul’s primary concern with the believers at Corinth. He said:
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Cor 11:3 NIV)
Christ is the source of life for us individually, and also collectively as His body, the Church. If we remove Christ from the center of our lives and church-life for whatever reason, the fountain of life that causes us to flourish spiritually dries up. As Jesus said, “separate from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). No amount of religious activity, however correct and biblical it may be, can produce life. No amount of organizational structure, or lack thereof, can produce the increase that only He can give.
A pastor friend of mine here in Colombia sought to plant a church using a popular church growth strategy which has produced megachurches here in Colombia and throughout Latin America. He related how that one night he couldn’t get to sleep because he kept calculating in his mind how many members he could have in his congregation in six months or in a year using this strategy. After several hours, he still couldn’t shut off his mind and go to sleep. When he asked the Lord to help him go to sleep, he felt the Lord say to him: “Don’t seek numbers. Seek my face and I will take care of the numbers.” From that moment on, he abandoned the church-growth strategy and instead began to focus on developing intimacy with the Lord. Shortly afterwards, the presence of God descended upon their small congregation, and within a few months he couldn’t find buildings big enough to contain the multitudes that came to drink of the water of life.
Sadly, when this multiplication led to a great inflow of money, little by little I saw his focus shift from Christ to material prosperity. The awe of Christ’s presence, which was what initially produced such vibrant growth, began to diminish in the measure that the focus shifted from Christ to personal wealth. In a desperate attempt to compensate for the lack of His manifest presence, they began to use light shows and special effects, with him even once coming on stage on a stunt motorcycle like Evel Knievel with fireworks and all. However, there is absolutely nothing, including special effects, that can bring life and vitality to a congregation apart from simple devotion to Christ.
Paul’s concern was that we not be seduced away from our sincere and pure devotion to Christ. What are some of the things that can seduce us away from Christ as our first love?
Materialism
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
I believe that perhaps the primary reason why believers have lost their first love, resulting in the decline in church attendance, especially in America, is materialism. Materialism is defined as “placing more value on material possessions than spiritual values.” It is the pursuit of things, rather than God, and is a form of idolatry (Col 3:5). Jesus said:
“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Luke 16:13 NIV)
The problem is not with one having an abundance of material possessions, but rather material-ism, or the love of things at the expense of our love and full devotion to God. Many of us who were saved during the Jesus Movement were formerly drug addicts or hippies, having come to the Lord with practically nothing but the clothes on our back. Our main focus and passion was our relationship with the Lord. However, I began to note that as many of us began to prosper, buying houses, cars and boats, for many, their relationship with the Lord subtly began to take a backseat to their preoccupation with their material possessions. Many either skipped Sunday services to go boating or cruising on their motorcycles, whereas others simply attended church out of a sense of duty, wishing they were somewhere else.
Gradually, I saw materialism become an obsession in society and even within the churches. In the 1960s and 70s all the stores were closed on Sundays. The streets were empty on Sunday mornings and the churches were full. However, little by little that shifted, until today in most cities the shopping centers are now full on Sundays while the churches are empty. The church in America has become like the Laodiceans who said that they were rich and in need of nothing, without realizing that, as to their spiritual condition, they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked (Rev 3:14-22). It is well and good to possess material things, but they should never possess us. If we discover that we would rather be with our things than to congregate where the Lord is in the midst of His people, we need to return to our first love.
Lawlessness
“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matt 24:12)
A major cause of the decrease in church attendance within the last few years is the increase of lawlessness. The Apostle John equates lawlessness with sin (1Jn 3:4). Sin (ἁμαρτία) is a missing of the mark, whereas lawlessness (ἀνομία) is a refusal to submit to a law or moral standard. Therefore, taken together, lawlessness in Scripture is a willful missing the mark of God’s moral standard.
Jesus said that towards the end, just prior to His return, the rejection of God’s moral restraints will result in the love of many growing cold. As long as Jesus is our first love, we will keep His commandments (Jn 14:15). Conversely, as long as we keep His commandments we abide in His love. Jesus said: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love” (Jn 15:10).
However, beginning with the moral revolution of the 70s, with their slogan, “If it feels good, do it,” society as a whole began to reject God’s moral standards, and little by little, through entertainment, media and the educational system, the conscience of many within the churches began to be desensitized to the point where today the love of many within the churches has grown cold. They often talk about the unconditional love of God for them but then show their lack of any real love for Him by their disobedience.
Today many Christians actually call good what God calls evil, and evil what God calls good. They have made God in their own image to the point where some think that the grace of God frees us to live as we choose without any consequences, and even accuse those who truly love God and endeavor to obey Him of being modern-day Pharisees.
Jesus Christ is grace personified. Therefore, Christ or Grace personified in us will produce His obedience in us as we simply abide in His love, Just as He obeyed His Father, abiding in the Father’s love (Jn 15:10). John said that we know we are in Him by the fact that we walk just as He walked (1Jn 2:5-6). He also said: “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (1Jn 3:7).
Sadly, the reason why many no longer congregate is because they are practicing sin and want to remain in darkness lest their sinful conduct should be exposed by the light. The Apostle John said: “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1Jn 1:5-7). As Jesus said, the unrepentant do not want to come to the light lest their sinful deeds be exposed. In contrast, the repentant want to congregate with others in the light of His presence so that any sin that remains in their lives can be brought to the light and removed (Jn 3:19-21; Psa 139:23-24).
When we are closely connected with other believers in the context of a local church, we receive the daily exposure to the word and the fellowship which helps us to remain spiritually focused upon Christ. Only those who are connected to a local assembly can put into practice the scriptural injunction which says, “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:13).
False Teachers
Another major reason for the great exodus from the churches which we are witnessing in our day is that many are being drawn away from the faith by false teachers. Paul said that in the last days many would depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (1Tim 4:1). He referred to them as savage wolves who would come in among us, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:29-31).
Peter likewise said that the time would come when there would be false teachers among us who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who purchased us with His own blood (2Peter 2:1). Today, it is not uncommon to hear teachers denying the deity of Christ or making light of His substitutionary atonement by which He redeemed us to the Father, shedding His own blood. Often today, the churches in the community are empty, while the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah Witnesses is filled with former church members who no longer believe in the deity of Christ or salvation by grace apart from works.
This is one of the main reasons why we are commanded to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, especially now, seeing that the day of His appearing approaches. God has appointed elders in the local churches as overseers to shepherd or pastor the flock and protect believers from false teachers that, as savage wolves, prey on the Lord’s flock. Paul said to the elders:
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds (pastors) of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:28-31)
False teachers do not usually outright deny truth. Rather, in order to prey on the sheep who are not yet firmly rooted and grounded in the truth of God’s Word, they dress in sheep’s clothing, subtly distorting the truth in order to deceive and thereby draw the disciples away from the faith. Paul said that they deceitfully scheme by trickery and craftiness through philosophy and empty deceit according to the wisdom of the world, and not according to Christ (Eph 4:14-16; Col 2:8-10). Their arguments often have the appearance of wisdom, and they use such convoluted and lofty logic that even the most intellectual scholars have difficulty interpreting their reasoning, let alone a Christian with little real knowledge of the Scriptures.
There is a God-ordained structure within each local church for the equipping of the saints which is essential for the preservation and growth of the body of Christ. Simply attending a megachurch or connecting through the internet to Zoom meetings and Facebook groups can never substitute for the essential body-life within a local church. As the writer of Hebrews said, if there ever was a time when God’s people needed to be under the ministry of the local churches it is now as that day draws near.
One problem with this generation is that many have become self-willed and independent and unwilling to subject themselves to the leadership of a local church. Christ has appointed pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry but, all too often, Christians today are not willing to submit to the God-ordained authority within a local assembly. The author of Hebrews, recognizing this human tendency, admonishes believers, saying:
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” (Heb 13:17)
“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” (Heb 13:7)
A Christian who is not a part of a local assembly and in submission to those given the oversight is depriving himself or herself of the God-ordained structure necessary for our protection and proper development within the body of Christ. At the same time, Peter, recognizing the possibility of those in authority abusing their office as overseers says:
“Shepherd (pastor) the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (1 Peter 5:2-4)
So, while the members of a local church are commanded to submit to those in authority over them, he also tells those in authority not to abuse it by lording over the flock but to lead by being an example. When each member of the body is in their God-ordained position within the local church, each member within the body of Christ grows with the increase that God supplies. Paul sets this forth in Ephesians 4. He said of Christ and His Church:
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (Eph 4:11-16)
I have heard many say that they no longer attend a church because they were offended or mistreated by a pastor or other church members. However, learning to bear with one another and forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave us, is essential in order to grow in agape love. One will never increase in love by rejecting those who reject, hurt, or offend us. As members of His body, we must determine to arm ourselves with the mind of Christ. Paul says:
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (Col 3:12-13)
As those who believe in the final salvation of all, it is inevitable that we will experience a certain amount of rejection in spite of every effort on our part to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3-5). However, in most cases one can find a church in their area that will receive us once they see that we agree on all the essentials of the faith, as long as we don’t cause division.
The unity of the Spirit doesn’t require agreement upon every point of doctrine. To the contrary, it actually requires unity in spite of disagreement on some non-essentials, since none of us see eye-to-eye on everything. However, even if we are not able to find a local church of like faith in our area, neglecting the assembling of ourselves together with other believers should never be considered an option as members of the body of Christ. If we cannot find a church in our area, we should pray about starting a home-group and inviting friends and neighbors. That is how many churches began.
In conclusion, I will cite the same admonition I presented at the beginning:
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25)
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25)
If you have attended church services for any length of time, without a doubt you have noticed that we are living in a time when an alarming number of Christians are no longer congregating with those of like faith, and the few who still do often attend megachurches where there is little or no body-life or one-on-one interaction.
I had a life-transforming encounter with the Lord in 1969 during what became known as the Jesus Movement Revival. At that time, local churches were usually small but well attended by vibrant believers with a passion for the Lord, their first love. For most of us, just two services on Sundays with a midweek Bible study and Friday night prayer meeting wasn’t enough. When we came together, the presence of the Lord was so real and tangible that we didn’t want to leave and we couldn’t wait for the next meeting.
Sadly, if you were to visit those same churches today, what you would often discover is that, if the church hasn’t already closed its doors, the attendance is minimal, often only meeting once a week on Sundays. Currently there are many more local churches that are closing their doors than there are new churches being planted. Why this great exodus from the local churches?
Obviously, the root problem is a heart condition. When Christ is the center of our affection and devotion, His life is manifested in our midst and He is able to draw others to Himself through us. But all too often, little by little, He ceases to be the center of our affection, and the next thing we know, we have left our first love (Rev 2:1-7). We may still be attending church and carrying out the same activities – in fact many intensify them, but it is done out of a sense of duty rather than pure devotion. We may still pray, but without the intimate communion we once enjoyed.
When the Church holds fast to Christ, her Head, it grows with a growth that God gives (Col 2:19). While the Church in Acts simply continued steadfastly in communion, the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly (Acts 2:46-47; 6:7). The only way that the enemy can stop the growth that God gives is to seduce us away from our simplicity of devotion to Christ, our Head, resulting in His life no longer being manifested in our midst. That was Paul’s primary concern with the believers at Corinth. He said:
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Cor 11:3 NIV)
Christ is the source of life for us individually, and also collectively as His body, the Church. If we remove Christ from the center of our lives and church-life for whatever reason, the fountain of life that causes us to flourish spiritually dries up. As Jesus said, “separate from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). No amount of religious activity, however correct and biblical it may be, can produce life. No amount of organizational structure, or lack thereof, can produce the increase that only He can give.
A pastor friend of mine here in Colombia sought to plant a church using a popular church growth strategy which has produced megachurches here in Colombia and throughout Latin America. He related how that one night he couldn’t get to sleep because he kept calculating in his mind how many members he could have in his congregation in six months or in a year using this strategy. After several hours, he still couldn’t shut off his mind and go to sleep. When he asked the Lord to help him go to sleep, he felt the Lord say to him: “Don’t seek numbers. Seek my face and I will take care of the numbers.” From that moment on, he abandoned the church-growth strategy and instead began to focus on developing intimacy with the Lord. Shortly afterwards, the presence of God descended upon their small congregation, and within a few months he couldn’t find buildings big enough to contain the multitudes that came to drink of the water of life.
Sadly, when this multiplication led to a great inflow of money, little by little I saw his focus shift from Christ to material prosperity. The awe of Christ’s presence, which was what initially produced such vibrant growth, began to diminish in the measure that the focus shifted from Christ to personal wealth. In a desperate attempt to compensate for the lack of His manifest presence, they began to use light shows and special effects, with him even once coming on stage on a stunt motorcycle like Evel Knievel with fireworks and all. However, there is absolutely nothing, including special effects, that can bring life and vitality to a congregation apart from simple devotion to Christ.
Paul’s concern was that we not be seduced away from our sincere and pure devotion to Christ. What are some of the things that can seduce us away from Christ as our first love?
Materialism
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
I believe that perhaps the primary reason why believers have lost their first love, resulting in the decline in church attendance, especially in America, is materialism. Materialism is defined as “placing more value on material possessions than spiritual values.” It is the pursuit of things, rather than God, and is a form of idolatry (Col 3:5). Jesus said:
“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Luke 16:13 NIV)
The problem is not with one having an abundance of material possessions, but rather material-ism, or the love of things at the expense of our love and full devotion to God. Many of us who were saved during the Jesus Movement were formerly drug addicts or hippies, having come to the Lord with practically nothing but the clothes on our back. Our main focus and passion was our relationship with the Lord. However, I began to note that as many of us began to prosper, buying houses, cars and boats, for many, their relationship with the Lord subtly began to take a backseat to their preoccupation with their material possessions. Many either skipped Sunday services to go boating or cruising on their motorcycles, whereas others simply attended church out of a sense of duty, wishing they were somewhere else.
Gradually, I saw materialism become an obsession in society and even within the churches. In the 1960s and 70s all the stores were closed on Sundays. The streets were empty on Sunday mornings and the churches were full. However, little by little that shifted, until today in most cities the shopping centers are now full on Sundays while the churches are empty. The church in America has become like the Laodiceans who said that they were rich and in need of nothing, without realizing that, as to their spiritual condition, they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked (Rev 3:14-22). It is well and good to possess material things, but they should never possess us. If we discover that we would rather be with our things than to congregate where the Lord is in the midst of His people, we need to return to our first love.
Lawlessness
“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matt 24:12)
A major cause of the decrease in church attendance within the last few years is the increase of lawlessness. The Apostle John equates lawlessness with sin (1Jn 3:4). Sin (ἁμαρτία) is a missing of the mark, whereas lawlessness (ἀνομία) is a refusal to submit to a law or moral standard. Therefore, taken together, lawlessness in Scripture is a willful missing the mark of God’s moral standard.
Jesus said that towards the end, just prior to His return, the rejection of God’s moral restraints will result in the love of many growing cold. As long as Jesus is our first love, we will keep His commandments (Jn 14:15). Conversely, as long as we keep His commandments we abide in His love. Jesus said: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love” (Jn 15:10).
However, beginning with the moral revolution of the 70s, with their slogan, “If it feels good, do it,” society as a whole began to reject God’s moral standards, and little by little, through entertainment, media and the educational system, the conscience of many within the churches began to be desensitized to the point where today the love of many within the churches has grown cold. They often talk about the unconditional love of God for them but then show their lack of any real love for Him by their disobedience.
Today many Christians actually call good what God calls evil, and evil what God calls good. They have made God in their own image to the point where some think that the grace of God frees us to live as we choose without any consequences, and even accuse those who truly love God and endeavor to obey Him of being modern-day Pharisees.
Jesus Christ is grace personified. Therefore, Christ or Grace personified in us will produce His obedience in us as we simply abide in His love, Just as He obeyed His Father, abiding in the Father’s love (Jn 15:10). John said that we know we are in Him by the fact that we walk just as He walked (1Jn 2:5-6). He also said: “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (1Jn 3:7).
Sadly, the reason why many no longer congregate is because they are practicing sin and want to remain in darkness lest their sinful conduct should be exposed by the light. The Apostle John said: “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1Jn 1:5-7). As Jesus said, the unrepentant do not want to come to the light lest their sinful deeds be exposed. In contrast, the repentant want to congregate with others in the light of His presence so that any sin that remains in their lives can be brought to the light and removed (Jn 3:19-21; Psa 139:23-24).
When we are closely connected with other believers in the context of a local church, we receive the daily exposure to the word and the fellowship which helps us to remain spiritually focused upon Christ. Only those who are connected to a local assembly can put into practice the scriptural injunction which says, “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:13).
False Teachers
Another major reason for the great exodus from the churches which we are witnessing in our day is that many are being drawn away from the faith by false teachers. Paul said that in the last days many would depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (1Tim 4:1). He referred to them as savage wolves who would come in among us, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:29-31).
Peter likewise said that the time would come when there would be false teachers among us who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who purchased us with His own blood (2Peter 2:1). Today, it is not uncommon to hear teachers denying the deity of Christ or making light of His substitutionary atonement by which He redeemed us to the Father, shedding His own blood. Often today, the churches in the community are empty, while the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah Witnesses is filled with former church members who no longer believe in the deity of Christ or salvation by grace apart from works.
This is one of the main reasons why we are commanded to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, especially now, seeing that the day of His appearing approaches. God has appointed elders in the local churches as overseers to shepherd or pastor the flock and protect believers from false teachers that, as savage wolves, prey on the Lord’s flock. Paul said to the elders:
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds (pastors) of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:28-31)
False teachers do not usually outright deny truth. Rather, in order to prey on the sheep who are not yet firmly rooted and grounded in the truth of God’s Word, they dress in sheep’s clothing, subtly distorting the truth in order to deceive and thereby draw the disciples away from the faith. Paul said that they deceitfully scheme by trickery and craftiness through philosophy and empty deceit according to the wisdom of the world, and not according to Christ (Eph 4:14-16; Col 2:8-10). Their arguments often have the appearance of wisdom, and they use such convoluted and lofty logic that even the most intellectual scholars have difficulty interpreting their reasoning, let alone a Christian with little real knowledge of the Scriptures.
There is a God-ordained structure within each local church for the equipping of the saints which is essential for the preservation and growth of the body of Christ. Simply attending a megachurch or connecting through the internet to Zoom meetings and Facebook groups can never substitute for the essential body-life within a local church. As the writer of Hebrews said, if there ever was a time when God’s people needed to be under the ministry of the local churches it is now as that day draws near.
One problem with this generation is that many have become self-willed and independent and unwilling to subject themselves to the leadership of a local church. Christ has appointed pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry but, all too often, Christians today are not willing to submit to the God-ordained authority within a local assembly. The author of Hebrews, recognizing this human tendency, admonishes believers, saying:
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” (Heb 13:17)
“Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.” (Heb 13:7)
A Christian who is not a part of a local assembly and in submission to those given the oversight is depriving himself or herself of the God-ordained structure necessary for our protection and proper development within the body of Christ. At the same time, Peter, recognizing the possibility of those in authority abusing their office as overseers says:
“Shepherd (pastor) the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (1 Peter 5:2-4)
So, while the members of a local church are commanded to submit to those in authority over them, he also tells those in authority not to abuse it by lording over the flock but to lead by being an example. When each member of the body is in their God-ordained position within the local church, each member within the body of Christ grows with the increase that God supplies. Paul sets this forth in Ephesians 4. He said of Christ and His Church:
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (Eph 4:11-16)
I have heard many say that they no longer attend a church because they were offended or mistreated by a pastor or other church members. However, learning to bear with one another and forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave us, is essential in order to grow in agape love. One will never increase in love by rejecting those who reject, hurt, or offend us. As members of His body, we must determine to arm ourselves with the mind of Christ. Paul says:
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” (Col 3:12-13)
As those who believe in the final salvation of all, it is inevitable that we will experience a certain amount of rejection in spite of every effort on our part to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3-5). However, in most cases one can find a church in their area that will receive us once they see that we agree on all the essentials of the faith, as long as we don’t cause division.
The unity of the Spirit doesn’t require agreement upon every point of doctrine. To the contrary, it actually requires unity in spite of disagreement on some non-essentials, since none of us see eye-to-eye on everything. However, even if we are not able to find a local church of like faith in our area, neglecting the assembling of ourselves together with other believers should never be considered an option as members of the body of Christ. If we cannot find a church in our area, we should pray about starting a home-group and inviting friends and neighbors. That is how many churches began.
In conclusion, I will cite the same admonition I presented at the beginning:
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Heb 10:24-25)
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)Last Days Past or Present? (2 of 2)
by George Sidney Hurd
Every generation of believers who has loved or longed for Christ’s return have held on to the blessed hope of the glorious appearing of our Lord within their own lifetime, just as we have been exhorted to do (2Tim 4:8; Titus 2:13; Mark 13:37).
However, within just the last few years a growing number of Christians have abandoned the blessed hope, instead embracing Preterism, which is the belief that the last days are behind us – that Christ already returned in 70AD, destroying Jerusalem through the Roman armies, binding Satan in the abyss and initiating His millennial reign on earth.
In the title of his book, one Partial Preterist expresses the common sentiment of Preterists towards those who still believe that we are living in the last days, entitling it, “Last Days Madness.” [1] In the previous blog, Where is the Promise of His Coming? I briefly sought to demonstrate from Scripture that the Second Coming is yet future. The objective of this blog is to also demonstrate that the prophecies concerning the last days were not fulfilled in 70AD and that many of them have yet to occur.
Two Distinct Sets of Prophecies concerning the Last Days
What many fail to take into account is that there are two sets of prophesies concerning the last days. First, there are prophecies given to the people of Israel in the Old Testament concerning the last days, beginning with the coming of Christ, their Messiah. Then, there are the prophecies given to the Church concerning the last days and the Second Coming of Christ.
For Israel, the first event in the last days was the coming of their Messiah and King to set up His kingdom on earth from Jerusalem after a prolonged period of dispersion. Several passages prophesied concerning this coming restoration of the nation and the Messianic reign which would begin in the last days:
“For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.” (Hos 3:4-5)
“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (Yahweh Tsidquenu). 7 Therefore, behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that they shall no longer say, ‘as the Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ 8 but, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ And they shall dwell in their own land.” (Jer 23:5-8).
“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isa 2:2-4)
As one can see from the above prophesies concerning the latter days, the coming of Christ, Israel’s Messiah, was the first indicator that they were in the last days when all Israel would turn to the Lord and He would restore them as a nation, reigning over the nations of the world from Jerusalem. However, Israel rejected their Messiah and King when Christ formally presented Himself in the triumphal entry. It was upon rejecting His kingdom offer that Jesus said to them: “the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it” (Matt 21:43). Then He told them that they would be left desolate because they did not recognize the hour of their visitation:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matt 23:37-39, cf. Luke 19:44)
So, when the time came for Israel’s promised last days restoration of the kingdom, the kingdom was temporarily taken from them until such a time when they would receive Him. Instead of Israel being regathered from the dispersion and Christ reigning from Jerusalem, Jesus told the Jews in Judea that they also would be dispersed, just as the northern tribes before them, and that Jerusalem would be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles should be fulfilled (Luke 21:24). Only after that will the remaining last days prophesies concerning Israel be fulfilled when Christ comes a second time to deliver and restore them.
The disciples, knowing about the prophesies concerning Israel’s restoration in the last days and failing to understand that Israel had been set aside in judgment, asked Jesus after He had risen from the dead if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel at that time (Acts 1:6). They were correct in their understanding as to the sequence of events prophesied concerning the last days for Israel, but they failed to see that, due to Israel’s rejection of the kingdom, the clock for their prophetic calendar had stopped. Israel was temporarily set aside in judgment until the times of the Gentiles should be fulfilled and the fullness of the Gentiles entered into the fold. Then the clock will resume for them and all Israel will be saved (Rom 11:25-29).
It is for this reason that the author of Hebrews, as well as Peter, spoke of the incarnation and earthly ministry of Christ as having occurred “in these last days” (Heb 1:1-2; 1Peter 1:20-21). Yet, at the same time, Peter spoke of the last days as something still in the future. He said:
“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)
Here we see Peter telling believers around 65AD what would occur in their future in the last days. Around the same time, Paul also spoke of the latter days as being yet future, saying: “in the latter times some will depart from the faith…”, “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…”, and “in the last days perilous times will come because men will be lovers of self…” (1Tim 4:1-2; 2Tim 4:1-5; 3:1-6). Obviously, if Preterism were true, Peter and Paul wouldn’t have been speaking of the last days as something yet future. Being so near to 70AD, surely they would have emphasized that they were already living in the last days.
The reason why the New Testament authors could at times refer to the last days as present and also future is because there are two sets of prophesies concerning the last days. From the time of the incarnation of Yahweh Tsidquenu, their Messiah, they were in the last days for Israel, which, due to their rejection of Him, were frozen in time until the times of the restoration of all, prophesied in the Old Testament (Acts 3:19-21). At the same time, they were entering into the times of the Gentiles, which will continue until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, which will occur in the last days for the Church, when Christ will return. This age ends with the New Testament signs of the end of the age and the Second Coming of Christ dovetailing with the remainder of the signs of the last days given to Israel in the Old Testament.
Last Day Events Yet to be Fulfilled
Preterists claim that the last days concluded and Christ returned in 70AD, ushering in the new age. However, there are numerous prophesies concerning the last days in both testaments which have yet to be fulfilled. Here we will be examining a few of them.
The Invasion of Israel by Russia in the Latter Years
The expression “latter years” and “latter days” are used interchangeably in Ezekiel 38, indicating that they refer to the same point in history. Therefore, if we establish that the “latter years” are yet future, then all the fifteen times where the “latter days” are mentioned can be assumed to refer to the same future time. Looking at Ezekiel 38 and 39, it is clear that the latter days, or latter years, are yet future:
“Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops — many people are with you… 8 After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. 9 You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you…’ 14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? 15 Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. 16 You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” (Ezek 38:2-9,14-16)
While it is not the objective of this blog to enter into detail concerning the fulfillment of this prophecy, it is definitely referring to a yet future event in the latter days. History has not recorded an allied invasion against Israel which fits this description.
In the first place, it states that the invasion will take place at a time referred to as the latter years or the latter days when Israel will have been re-gathered into the land. In the first century, Israel had not yet been fully regathered into the land of Israel. On more than one occasion we see reference to those Jews who were still dispersed among the nations in the first century:
“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.” (James 1:1; cf. Jn 7:35; 1Peter 1:1; Acts 26:7)
Obviously, in the times of Christ the majority among the twelve tribes were still scattered in the dispersion. Some would say that the ten northern tribes were forever lost. However, Paul, in Acts 26:7 refers to the twelve tribes as existing in his day. The promised re-gathering of the nation of Israel, which we see referred to several times in the Old Testament, had not yet occurred in AD 70 (cf. Hosea 3:4; Isa 11:9-11; Ezek 37:21-38:12). Therefore, the latter-day re-gathering of Israel, when David shall be their king for the coming ages, has not yet been fulfilled.
It is important to understand that even before Israel crossed over the Jordan into the Promised Land, the Lord, who knows the end from the beginning, told Israel that they would be conquered and scattered among the nations until the latter days, at which time they would be restored, never to be dispersed again. God said to Israel in Deuteronomy four:
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed. 27 And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you. 28 And there you will serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. 29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice 31 (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.” (Deut 4:26-31; cf. Ezek 37:21-27; Isa 2:2-4)
In Deuteronomy 4, we clearly see that none of Israel’s actions have taken God by surprise. From the moment God called Abraham, He knew that his descendants would reject and crucify their Messiah. That was included in His eternal plan. Also included in that plan was His irrevocable oath that He would not forsake nor destroy Israel, but that they would be re-gathered and restored in the latter days, never to be scattered again. Therefore, we can clearly see that the last days do not refer to Israel’s destruction in 70 AD, but rather they refer to Israel’s re-gathering and deliverance at the time of Christ’s future Second Coming when they shall say, “blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”
In the second place, Israel has not yet been invaded by the allied forces described in this prophecy. While it is debated, Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, most probably has reference to modern day Russia. Meshech and Tubal seem to be referring to the western and southern regions of Russia (Rosh). Before the Bolshevik revolution, the western capital was Moscow, which is believed by some to have evolved from Meshech, and the eastern capital is Tobolsk which is said to have evolved from Tubal. Several of the other nations mentioned as participating with Russia are presently allied with Russia against Israel. Also, we see that God’s divine intervention for Israel’s deliverance will be so obviously supernatural that all nations will know that He is the Lord (Ezek 39:6-7). Such an unprecedented deliverance for Israel indicates that we have yet to see this battle take place. Therefore, the latter days have not yet reached their culmination. This battle certainly did not occur in the Preterist's 70AD “last days” destruction event. The battle of Ezekiel 38-39 is said to save Israel from their enemies, not destroy her.
Some have argued that Ezekiel cannot be referring to modern day Russia, since the description of weaponry does not correspond to a modern-day battle. However, even if Ezekiel was shown a modern battle in his vision, he would have still described it with terms familiar to the people of his day so that they could understand him. There were not even words in their vocabulary to adequately describe modern weaponry.
Christ Reigns from Jerusalem in the Latter Days
We also see in the Old Testament Scriptures that the latter days not only marks the end of “man’s day,” but also introduces us into the Day of the Lord, when war shall be no more because the Lord will have set up His throne in Jerusalem:
“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. 2 Many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. ‘For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 3 He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. 4 But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. 5 For all people walk each in the name of his god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God Forever and ever. 6 ‘In that day,’ says the Lord, ‘I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast and those whom I have afflicted; 7 I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcast a strong nation; so the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever.” (Mic 4:1-7)
Cleary, this prophesy is yet to be fulfilled when the Deliverer comes from Zion to save Israel (Rom 11:25-29). That which occurred in Jerusalem in 70AD was the exact opposite of that which this prophesy concerning the last days is describing.
The Resurrection of the Dead is at the End of Days, after the Great Tribulation
Another event that marks the last days, which has not yet occurred, is the resurrection of the dead. That it is a bodily resurrection and not merely a spiritual one, as some Preterists would affirm, is evident from Daniel’s description, where he speaks of it as the awakening of those sleeping in the dust of the earth:
“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase… 9 And he said, Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13 But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” (Dan 12:1-4; 9-13)
Here we see, just as presented in the New Testament, that the resurrection takes place after the Great Tribulation. Daniel is told that he will rise to his inheritance at the end of the days. Are we to understand by this that Daniel was resurrected in 70AD? Of course not! The resurrection is at the end of days, after the future Great Tribulation, at the same time that the living are caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1Thess 4:16-17).
Jesus also referred to the resurrection as taking place at the time of the end or the last day:
“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:39-40)
Scoffers in the Last Days
There is another passage in the New Testament that, to me, clearly militates against the claim that the last days ended in 70AD, as Preterists claim. Peter says in 2 Peter three:
“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’ 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2Peter 3:3-13)
According to the Preterists, the last days ended, and the Day of the Lord commenced in AD 70. However, in this passage we see that, due to the apparent delay of the Lord’s coming, many will begin to scoff at Christians for their continued hope in His return. He explains that the reason for the Lord’s delay is His longsuffering toward us, not willing that any of us should perish. However, he says that the day will come suddenly. When the day of the Lord does come, it says that the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat - bringing in the new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. This is very obviously referring to a yet future Day of the Lord. Nothing occurred in 70AD, which could in any way be said to correspond to that which is here described.
Nevertheless, Preterists attempt to argue that it was actually fulfilled in 70AD. Instead of seeing it as having reference to those who will come scoffing prior to a future Second Coming to bring deliverance, the Preterist Jonathan Welton explains in his book, Raptureless: “the Christians were being mocked for believing that Jesus was actually coming to bring judgment upon the Temple.” [2] However, Peter says that at that time the heavens will pass away, and the earth will be burned up. How does Welton explain that? He doesn’t attempt to explain how the heavens could have passed away at that time, but he does try to argue that the reference to the “earth” being burned up in the Day of the Lord, only refers to the land of Israel being burned in 70AD. He says:
“The word for ‘earth’ used here in the Greek is ge, not kosmos. Ge is the word for ‘land,’ whereas kosmos is the word for ‘the whole world.’ This is not about the destruction of the Planet Earth (kosmos), but it is about the destruction of the land of Israel (ge).” [3]
However, his argument does not hold up under scrutiny. As I further demonstrate in my book Last Days – Past or Present?, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the Greek word ge is the proper name of our planet, just as “the Earth” to us normally means Planet Earth, and even moreso when accompanied by the definite article. Especially when we see the earth mentioned in relation to the heavens, we know instinctively that it is referring to the entire Planet Earth. Therefore, this exhortation for godly living is applicable to the entire Church all around the world and not just to the Christians who happened to be living in Jerusalem before AD 70.
It further states in 2Peter 3:10 that the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. The obvious sense of the elements melting with a fervent heat is that it refers to the recreation of heaven and earth. However, that does not fit well with a 70AD fulfillment. How does Welton explain this? Incredibly, he argues that the elements that are melted with a fervent heat refer to the elementary rituals and observances of feast days mentioned by the apostle Paul. [4]
If indeed the context were to indicate that Peter was actually talking about the observances of the rituals of the Law, we could possibly, with a little creative imagination, construe the “melting of the elements with a fervent heat” to have reference to the passing of the Old Covenant Law. However, the context is not speaking of the Law, but rather the heavens and the earth, which will be melted down and made anew in the Day of the Lord.
The Antichrist and the Last Hour
Before leaving the subject of the last days, I would like to consider a verse which, as translated in some versions, could lead one to believe that John thought they were living at the very end of the age:
“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” (1John 2:18)
As rendered, John seems to be saying that the presence of antichrist gnostic teachers indicated that they were in the final hour when the prophesied Antichrist was to appear. However, this wouldn’t lend support to a 70AD coming, since 1John was written between 95 and 100AD, long after the destruction of Jerusalem. Also, in the original Greek, the phrase “last hour” in both instances is anarthrous (without the definite article), as we see expressed in a literal translation of the text:
“Little children, it is a last hour, and as you heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have risen up, from which you know that it is a last hour.” (1John 2:18 LITV)
The absence of the definite article in Greek does not necessarily constitute the noun indefinite as in English, but rather emphasizes its character or qualities. Therefore, what John was actually saying was that the times in which they were living had the characteristics of the final hour, due to the presence of antichrists. However, at the same time, he makes it clear that the Antichrist was yet to come on the scene. He did not say that it was the last hour, but rather that it bore resemblance to the last hour. The Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest captures the true sense of 1 John 2:18 in his translation. It reads:
“it is a last hour in character. And even as you heard that Antichrist comes, even now, antichrists, many of them, have arisen and are here; from which fact we know by experience that it is a last hour in character.” [5]
Welton argues that the Antichrist is not a personage yet to come, but rather a system of teaching. He says: “The antichrist isn’t a person; it is a belief system, specifically, Gnosticism.[6] To do this, he must establish that the word antichrist is not a proper noun, and therefore does not refer to a person, but to a belief system. He argues the following:
“The reason for the capitalization is because the translators inserted the word the before the word antichrist, thus making antichrist into a proper noun, which requires capitalization. The early Church had heard that antichrist (false teaching) was coming, but they had not heard that the Antichrist (a One-World ruler) was coming. The insertion of the and the capitalization of Antichrist was added 1,500 years later by the translators.” [7]
In response, I would like to point out that the Byzantine text, which is representative of the majority of the extant Greek texts, does appear with the Greek definite article, and for that reason, “Antichrist” appears capitalized in the majority of the translations. Even if one places more weight upon the few earlier texts which exclude the article, the absence of the article doesn’t indicate that it is not a proper name. Proper names very often occur in the Greek text without an article.
Also, contrary to what Welton claims, we see that the early Church understood the Antichrist to be a person who would come in their future and not just a belief system. [8] Being themselves Greek speaking, and the closest in time to the teaching of the apostles, we should be reluctant to discount their understanding of the Antichrist.
Conclusion
In summary, we have seen that most of the prophesies concerning the last days, whether they be those of the Old Testament, or those of the New Testament, have yet to be fulfilled. Therefore, the references to the last days in Scripture do not apply to the 70AD destruction of Jerusalem. Looking at the present situation in the world and in many of the churches, I am convinced that we are now living in the last days and that Jesus will soon return.
Some say that this subject isn’t worth contending for. However, I am convinced that perhaps the greatest end-time deception of our day is the Preterist’s denial that we are living in the end-times, since it results in the very generation of Christians who most need to be watchful, ignoring the signs of the end and the warnings concerning the end-times deception and a final apostacy or deconstruction, departing from the faith. In closing, I would like to leave the reader with a few of the relevant passages to ponder, passages which are being ignored as being irrelevant by many Preterists in our generation:
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Tim 4:2-5)
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith (deconstruct), giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” (1Tim 4:1-2)
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Tim 3:1-5)
“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)
“Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand… 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matt 24:23-25,27)
“And he said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.’” (Dan 12:9-10)
This blog is in part an extract from my book, Last Days – Past or Present?
[1] Gary Demar, Last Day Madness: Obsession of the Modern Church.
[2] Welton, Jonathan (2013-11-01). Raptureless: An Optimistic Guide to the End of the World - Revised Edition Including The Art of Revelation (Kindle Locations 2017-2018). BookBaby. Kindle Edition.
[3] Welton, Jonathan (2013-11-01). Raptureless: An Optimistic Guide to the End of the World - Revised Edition Including The Art of Revelation (Kindle Locations 2042-2044). BookBaby. Kindle Edition.
[4] Welton, Jonathan (2013-11-01). Raptureless: An Optimistic Guide to the End of the World - Revised Edition Including The Art of Revelation (Kindle Locations 2072-2190). BookBaby. Kindle Edition.
[5] An Expanded Translation by Kenneth S. Wuest
[6] Welton, Jonathan (2013-11-01). Raptureless: An Optimistic Guide to the End of the World - Revised Edition Including The Art of Revelation (Kindle Locations 2262-2263). BookBaby. Kindle Edition.
[7] Welton, Jonathan (2013-11-01). Raptureless: An Optimistic Guide to the End of the World - Revised Edition Including The Art of Revelation (Kindle Locations 2268-2271). BookBaby. Kindle Edition.
[8]Irenaeus (AD 160 to 230)“But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father…”
“For he (Antichrist) being endued with all the power of the devil, shall come, not as a righteous king, nor as a legitimate king in subjection to God, but an impious, unjust, and lawless one…”
Tertullian: (AD 160 to 220)
“…that the city of fornication may receive from the ten kings its deserved doom, and that the beast Antichrist with his false prophet may wage war on the Church of God…”
Every generation of believers who has loved or longed for Christ’s return have held on to the blessed hope of the glorious appearing of our Lord within their own lifetime, just as we have been exhorted to do (2Tim 4:8; Titus 2:13; Mark 13:37).
However, within just the last few years a growing number of Christians have abandoned the blessed hope, instead embracing Preterism, which is the belief that the last days are behind us – that Christ already returned in 70AD, destroying Jerusalem through the Roman armies, binding Satan in the abyss and initiating His millennial reign on earth.
In the title of his book, one Partial Preterist expresses the common sentiment of Preterists towards those who still believe that we are living in the last days, entitling it, “Last Days Madness.” [1] In the previous blog, Where is the Promise of His Coming? I briefly sought to demonstrate from Scripture that the Second Coming is yet future. The objective of this blog is to also demonstrate that the prophecies concerning the last days were not fulfilled in 70AD and that many of them have yet to occur.
Two Distinct Sets of Prophecies concerning the Last Days
What many fail to take into account is that there are two sets of prophesies concerning the last days. First, there are prophecies given to the people of Israel in the Old Testament concerning the last days, beginning with the coming of Christ, their Messiah. Then, there are the prophecies given to the Church concerning the last days and the Second Coming of Christ.
For Israel, the first event in the last days was the coming of their Messiah and King to set up His kingdom on earth from Jerusalem after a prolonged period of dispersion. Several passages prophesied concerning this coming restoration of the nation and the Messianic reign which would begin in the last days:
“For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.” (Hos 3:4-5)
“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (Yahweh Tsidquenu). 7 Therefore, behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that they shall no longer say, ‘as the Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ 8 but, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ And they shall dwell in their own land.” (Jer 23:5-8).
“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house
Shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” (Isa 2:2-4)
As one can see from the above prophesies concerning the latter days, the coming of Christ, Israel’s Messiah, was the first indicator that they were in the last days when all Israel would turn to the Lord and He would restore them as a nation, reigning over the nations of the world from Jerusalem. However, Israel rejected their Messiah and King when Christ formally presented Himself in the triumphal entry. It was upon rejecting His kingdom offer that Jesus said to them: “the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it” (Matt 21:43). Then He told them that they would be left desolate because they did not recognize the hour of their visitation:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matt 23:37-39, cf. Luke 19:44)
So, when the time came for Israel’s promised last days restoration of the kingdom, the kingdom was temporarily taken from them until such a time when they would receive Him. Instead of Israel being regathered from the dispersion and Christ reigning from Jerusalem, Jesus told the Jews in Judea that they also would be dispersed, just as the northern tribes before them, and that Jerusalem would be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles should be fulfilled (Luke 21:24). Only after that will the remaining last days prophesies concerning Israel be fulfilled when Christ comes a second time to deliver and restore them.
The disciples, knowing about the prophesies concerning Israel’s restoration in the last days and failing to understand that Israel had been set aside in judgment, asked Jesus after He had risen from the dead if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel at that time (Acts 1:6). They were correct in their understanding as to the sequence of events prophesied concerning the last days for Israel, but they failed to see that, due to Israel’s rejection of the kingdom, the clock for their prophetic calendar had stopped. Israel was temporarily set aside in judgment until the times of the Gentiles should be fulfilled and the fullness of the Gentiles entered into the fold. Then the clock will resume for them and all Israel will be saved (Rom 11:25-29).
It is for this reason that the author of Hebrews, as well as Peter, spoke of the incarnation and earthly ministry of Christ as having occurred “in these last days” (Heb 1:1-2; 1Peter 1:20-21). Yet, at the same time, Peter spoke of the last days as something still in the future. He said:
“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)
Here we see Peter telling believers around 65AD what would occur in their future in the last days. Around the same time, Paul also spoke of the latter days as being yet future, saying: “in the latter times some will depart from the faith…”, “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine…”, and “in the last days perilous times will come because men will be lovers of self…” (1Tim 4:1-2; 2Tim 4:1-5; 3:1-6). Obviously, if Preterism were true, Peter and Paul wouldn’t have been speaking of the last days as something yet future. Being so near to 70AD, surely they would have emphasized that they were already living in the last days.
The reason why the New Testament authors could at times refer to the last days as present and also future is because there are two sets of prophesies concerning the last days. From the time of the incarnation of Yahweh Tsidquenu, their Messiah, they were in the last days for Israel, which, due to their rejection of Him, were frozen in time until the times of the restoration of all, prophesied in the Old Testament (Acts 3:19-21). At the same time, they were entering into the times of the Gentiles, which will continue until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, which will occur in the last days for the Church, when Christ will return. This age ends with the New Testament signs of the end of the age and the Second Coming of Christ dovetailing with the remainder of the signs of the last days given to Israel in the Old Testament.
Last Day Events Yet to be Fulfilled
Preterists claim that the last days concluded and Christ returned in 70AD, ushering in the new age. However, there are numerous prophesies concerning the last days in both testaments which have yet to be fulfilled. Here we will be examining a few of them.
The Invasion of Israel by Russia in the Latter Years
The expression “latter years” and “latter days” are used interchangeably in Ezekiel 38, indicating that they refer to the same point in history. Therefore, if we establish that the “latter years” are yet future, then all the fifteen times where the “latter days” are mentioned can be assumed to refer to the same future time. Looking at Ezekiel 38 and 39, it is clear that the latter days, or latter years, are yet future:
“Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. 5 Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops — many people are with you… 8 After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. 9 You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you…’ 14 Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? 15 Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. 16 You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.” (Ezek 38:2-9,14-16)
While it is not the objective of this blog to enter into detail concerning the fulfillment of this prophecy, it is definitely referring to a yet future event in the latter days. History has not recorded an allied invasion against Israel which fits this description.
In the first place, it states that the invasion will take place at a time referred to as the latter years or the latter days when Israel will have been re-gathered into the land. In the first century, Israel had not yet been fully regathered into the land of Israel. On more than one occasion we see reference to those Jews who were still dispersed among the nations in the first century:
“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.” (James 1:1; cf. Jn 7:35; 1Peter 1:1; Acts 26:7)
Obviously, in the times of Christ the majority among the twelve tribes were still scattered in the dispersion. Some would say that the ten northern tribes were forever lost. However, Paul, in Acts 26:7 refers to the twelve tribes as existing in his day. The promised re-gathering of the nation of Israel, which we see referred to several times in the Old Testament, had not yet occurred in AD 70 (cf. Hosea 3:4; Isa 11:9-11; Ezek 37:21-38:12). Therefore, the latter-day re-gathering of Israel, when David shall be their king for the coming ages, has not yet been fulfilled.
It is important to understand that even before Israel crossed over the Jordan into the Promised Land, the Lord, who knows the end from the beginning, told Israel that they would be conquered and scattered among the nations until the latter days, at which time they would be restored, never to be dispersed again. God said to Israel in Deuteronomy four:
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that you will soon utterly perish from the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess; you will not prolong your days in it, but will be utterly destroyed. 27 And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you. 28 And there you will serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. 29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice 31 (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.” (Deut 4:26-31; cf. Ezek 37:21-27; Isa 2:2-4)
In Deuteronomy 4, we clearly see that none of Israel’s actions have taken God by surprise. From the moment God called Abraham, He knew that his descendants would reject and crucify their Messiah. That was included in His eternal plan. Also included in that plan was His irrevocable oath that He would not forsake nor destroy Israel, but that they would be re-gathered and restored in the latter days, never to be scattered again. Therefore, we can clearly see that the last days do not refer to Israel’s destruction in 70 AD, but rather they refer to Israel’s re-gathering and deliverance at the time of Christ’s future Second Coming when they shall say, “blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”
In the second place, Israel has not yet been invaded by the allied forces described in this prophecy. While it is debated, Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, most probably has reference to modern day Russia. Meshech and Tubal seem to be referring to the western and southern regions of Russia (Rosh). Before the Bolshevik revolution, the western capital was Moscow, which is believed by some to have evolved from Meshech, and the eastern capital is Tobolsk which is said to have evolved from Tubal. Several of the other nations mentioned as participating with Russia are presently allied with Russia against Israel. Also, we see that God’s divine intervention for Israel’s deliverance will be so obviously supernatural that all nations will know that He is the Lord (Ezek 39:6-7). Such an unprecedented deliverance for Israel indicates that we have yet to see this battle take place. Therefore, the latter days have not yet reached their culmination. This battle certainly did not occur in the Preterist's 70AD “last days” destruction event. The battle of Ezekiel 38-39 is said to save Israel from their enemies, not destroy her.
Some have argued that Ezekiel cannot be referring to modern day Russia, since the description of weaponry does not correspond to a modern-day battle. However, even if Ezekiel was shown a modern battle in his vision, he would have still described it with terms familiar to the people of his day so that they could understand him. There were not even words in their vocabulary to adequately describe modern weaponry.
Christ Reigns from Jerusalem in the Latter Days
We also see in the Old Testament Scriptures that the latter days not only marks the end of “man’s day,” but also introduces us into the Day of the Lord, when war shall be no more because the Lord will have set up His throne in Jerusalem:
“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. 2 Many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. ‘For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 3 He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. 4 But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. 5 For all people walk each in the name of his god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God Forever and ever. 6 ‘In that day,’ says the Lord, ‘I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast and those whom I have afflicted; 7 I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcast a strong nation; so the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever.” (Mic 4:1-7)
Cleary, this prophesy is yet to be fulfilled when the Deliverer comes from Zion to save Israel (Rom 11:25-29). That which occurred in Jerusalem in 70AD was the exact opposite of that which this prophesy concerning the last days is describing.
The Resurrection of the Dead is at the End of Days, after the Great Tribulation
Another event that marks the last days, which has not yet occurred, is the resurrection of the dead. That it is a bodily resurrection and not merely a spiritual one, as some Preterists would affirm, is evident from Daniel’s description, where he speaks of it as the awakening of those sleeping in the dust of the earth:
“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase… 9 And he said, Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13 But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” (Dan 12:1-4; 9-13)
Here we see, just as presented in the New Testament, that the resurrection takes place after the Great Tribulation. Daniel is told that he will rise to his inheritance at the end of the days. Are we to understand by this that Daniel was resurrected in 70AD? Of course not! The resurrection is at the end of days, after the future Great Tribulation, at the same time that the living are caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1Thess 4:16-17).
Jesus also referred to the resurrection as taking place at the time of the end or the last day:
“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:39-40)
Scoffers in the Last Days
There is another passage in the New Testament that, to me, clearly militates against the claim that the last days ended in 70AD, as Preterists claim. Peter says in 2 Peter three:
“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’ 5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2Peter 3:3-13)
According to the Preterists, the last days ended, and the Day of the Lord commenced in AD 70. However, in this passage we see that, due to the apparent delay of the Lord’s coming, many will begin to scoff at Christians for their continued hope in His return. He explains that the reason for the Lord’s delay is His longsuffering toward us, not willing that any of us should perish. However, he says that the day will come suddenly. When the day of the Lord does come, it says that the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat - bringing in the new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. This is very obviously referring to a yet future Day of the Lord. Nothing occurred in 70AD, which could in any way be said to correspond to that which is here described.
Nevertheless, Preterists attempt to argue that it was actually fulfilled in 70AD. Instead of seeing it as having reference to those who will come scoffing prior to a future Second Coming to bring deliverance, the Preterist Jonathan Welton explains in his book, Raptureless: “the Christians were being mocked for believing that Jesus was actually coming to bring judgment upon the Temple.” [2] However, Peter says that at that time the heavens will pass away, and the earth will be burned up. How does Welton explain that? He doesn’t attempt to explain how the heavens could have passed away at that time, but he does try to argue that the reference to the “earth” being burned up in the Day of the Lord, only refers to the land of Israel being burned in 70AD. He says:
“The word for ‘earth’ used here in the Greek is ge, not kosmos. Ge is the word for ‘land,’ whereas kosmos is the word for ‘the whole world.’ This is not about the destruction of the Planet Earth (kosmos), but it is about the destruction of the land of Israel (ge).” [3]
However, his argument does not hold up under scrutiny. As I further demonstrate in my book Last Days – Past or Present?, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the Greek word ge is the proper name of our planet, just as “the Earth” to us normally means Planet Earth, and even moreso when accompanied by the definite article. Especially when we see the earth mentioned in relation to the heavens, we know instinctively that it is referring to the entire Planet Earth. Therefore, this exhortation for godly living is applicable to the entire Church all around the world and not just to the Christians who happened to be living in Jerusalem before AD 70.
It further states in 2Peter 3:10 that the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. The obvious sense of the elements melting with a fervent heat is that it refers to the recreation of heaven and earth. However, that does not fit well with a 70AD fulfillment. How does Welton explain this? Incredibly, he argues that the elements that are melted with a fervent heat refer to the elementary rituals and observances of feast days mentioned by the apostle Paul. [4]
If indeed the context were to indicate that Peter was actually talking about the observances of the rituals of the Law, we could possibly, with a little creative imagination, construe the “melting of the elements with a fervent heat” to have reference to the passing of the Old Covenant Law. However, the context is not speaking of the Law, but rather the heavens and the earth, which will be melted down and made anew in the Day of the Lord.
The Antichrist and the Last Hour
Before leaving the subject of the last days, I would like to consider a verse which, as translated in some versions, could lead one to believe that John thought they were living at the very end of the age:
“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” (1John 2:18)
As rendered, John seems to be saying that the presence of antichrist gnostic teachers indicated that they were in the final hour when the prophesied Antichrist was to appear. However, this wouldn’t lend support to a 70AD coming, since 1John was written between 95 and 100AD, long after the destruction of Jerusalem. Also, in the original Greek, the phrase “last hour” in both instances is anarthrous (without the definite article), as we see expressed in a literal translation of the text:
“Little children, it is a last hour, and as you heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have risen up, from which you know that it is a last hour.” (1John 2:18 LITV)
The absence of the definite article in Greek does not necessarily constitute the noun indefinite as in English, but rather emphasizes its character or qualities. Therefore, what John was actually saying was that the times in which they were living had the characteristics of the final hour, due to the presence of antichrists. However, at the same time, he makes it clear that the Antichrist was yet to come on the scene. He did not say that it was the last hour, but rather that it bore resemblance to the last hour. The Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest captures the true sense of 1 John 2:18 in his translation. It reads:
“it is a last hour in character. And even as you heard that Antichrist comes, even now, antichrists, many of them, have arisen and are here; from which fact we know by experience that it is a last hour in character.” [5]
Welton argues that the Antichrist is not a personage yet to come, but rather a system of teaching. He says: “The antichrist isn’t a person; it is a belief system, specifically, Gnosticism.[6] To do this, he must establish that the word antichrist is not a proper noun, and therefore does not refer to a person, but to a belief system. He argues the following:
“The reason for the capitalization is because the translators inserted the word the before the word antichrist, thus making antichrist into a proper noun, which requires capitalization. The early Church had heard that antichrist (false teaching) was coming, but they had not heard that the Antichrist (a One-World ruler) was coming. The insertion of the and the capitalization of Antichrist was added 1,500 years later by the translators.” [7]
In response, I would like to point out that the Byzantine text, which is representative of the majority of the extant Greek texts, does appear with the Greek definite article, and for that reason, “Antichrist” appears capitalized in the majority of the translations. Even if one places more weight upon the few earlier texts which exclude the article, the absence of the article doesn’t indicate that it is not a proper name. Proper names very often occur in the Greek text without an article.
Also, contrary to what Welton claims, we see that the early Church understood the Antichrist to be a person who would come in their future and not just a belief system. [8] Being themselves Greek speaking, and the closest in time to the teaching of the apostles, we should be reluctant to discount their understanding of the Antichrist.
Conclusion
In summary, we have seen that most of the prophesies concerning the last days, whether they be those of the Old Testament, or those of the New Testament, have yet to be fulfilled. Therefore, the references to the last days in Scripture do not apply to the 70AD destruction of Jerusalem. Looking at the present situation in the world and in many of the churches, I am convinced that we are now living in the last days and that Jesus will soon return.
Some say that this subject isn’t worth contending for. However, I am convinced that perhaps the greatest end-time deception of our day is the Preterist’s denial that we are living in the end-times, since it results in the very generation of Christians who most need to be watchful, ignoring the signs of the end and the warnings concerning the end-times deception and a final apostacy or deconstruction, departing from the faith. In closing, I would like to leave the reader with a few of the relevant passages to ponder, passages which are being ignored as being irrelevant by many Preterists in our generation:
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Tim 4:2-5)
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith (deconstruct), giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” (1Tim 4:1-2)
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Tim 3:1-5)
“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)
“Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand… 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matt 24:23-25,27)
“And he said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.’” (Dan 12:9-10)
This blog is in part an extract from my book, Last Days – Past or Present?
[1] Gary Demar, Last Day Madness: Obsession of the Modern Church.
[2] Welton, Jonathan (2013-11-01). Raptureless: An Optimistic Guide to the End of the World - Revised Edition Including The Art of Revelation (Kindle Locations 2017-2018). BookBaby. Kindle Edition.
[3] Welton, Jonathan (2013-11-01). Raptureless: An Optimistic Guide to the End of the World - Revised Edition Including The Art of Revelation (Kindle Locations 2042-2044). BookBaby. Kindle Edition.
[4] Welton, Jonathan (2013-11-01). Raptureless: An Optimistic Guide to the End of the World - Revised Edition Including The Art of Revelation (Kindle Locations 2072-2190). BookBaby. Kindle Edition.
[5] An Expanded Translation by Kenneth S. Wuest
[6] Welton, Jonathan (2013-11-01). Raptureless: An Optimistic Guide to the End of the World - Revised Edition Including The Art of Revelation (Kindle Locations 2262-2263). BookBaby. Kindle Edition.
[7] Welton, Jonathan (2013-11-01). Raptureless: An Optimistic Guide to the End of the World - Revised Edition Including The Art of Revelation (Kindle Locations 2268-2271). BookBaby. Kindle Edition.
[8]Irenaeus (AD 160 to 230)“But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father…”
“For he (Antichrist) being endued with all the power of the devil, shall come, not as a righteous king, nor as a legitimate king in subjection to God, but an impious, unjust, and lawless one…”
Tertullian: (AD 160 to 220)
“…that the city of fornication may receive from the ten kings its deserved doom, and that the beast Antichrist with his false prophet may wage war on the Church of God…”
- Published on
by George Sidney Hurd
The wrath of God is without a doubt the most misunderstood of all divine attributes. Those of the Augustinian persuasion often present God’s wrath in a manner inconsistent with His essential nature, which is love (1Jn 4:8,16). On the other hand, Progressive Christians tend to redefine His wrath in such a manner as to exclude all anger – even in the face of great evil and injustice.
Since those that hold to the doctrine of eternal torment believe that those consigned to the Lake of Fire will forever be the subjects of God’s unmitigated wrath without any redemptive purpose, they must present God’s nature as being divided. They must say that, while God is love, He is at the same time wrath, and that this love/wrath duality in the divine nature will endure throughout all eternity. Rather than God’s wrath against wickedness resulting in just judgments and corrective punishments with a view to the restoration of the objects of His love, they must present God’s love and mercy as forever ending in a heartbeat for the majority of mankind for whom Christ died. Some Calvinists, and even Martin Luther himself, have actually taught that God’s essential nature is divided, and that all things occur according to His either having eternally loved or eternally hated individuals. Luther said:
“The love and hate of God towards men are immutable and eternal, existing, not merely before there was any merit or work of ‘free-will,’ but before the world was made; [so] all things take place in us of necessity, according as He has from eternity loved or not loved... Faith and unbelief come to us by no work of our own, but through the love and hatred of God” [1]
However, the Scriptures indicate that it is God’s love and mercy that is eternal and never comes to an end, not His hatred and wrath:
“Love never ends…” (1Cor 13:8 ESV)
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.” (1Chron 16:34, cf. Psa 118, etc.)
“For the Lord will not cast off forever. 32 Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. 33 For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.” (Lam 3:31-33)
“For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, and the souls which I have made.” (Isa 57:16)
Have you ever heard someone speak of God’s “eternal wrath?” Did you know that such a concept never appears in the Bible? On the contrary, it is His love and mercy which are unending, not His wrath. God here says that He will not always be angry, lest the spirit and souls of those whom He made should fail before Him. It is inconceivable that a loving omniscient God would bring souls into existence, knowing from the very beginning that they would become the objects of His unending vindictive wrath – It is impossible that an all-wise benevolent Creator should create beings, knowing from the very beginning that He would be angry with them forever!
Rightly understood, wrath is a temporal contingent attribute of God’s essential nature, which is love. That is why, in His wrath He remembers mercy (Hab 3:2). Once Christ has subdued all His enemies and every knee has bowed, and every tongue confessed Him as Lord, there will be no more sin or lawlessness in all of God’s new creation. At that time, God will be all in all, and there will no longer exist an environment which would give occasion to His wrath (Php 2:10-11; 1Cor 15:28).
At the other end of the pendulum, while Progressive Christians often rightly point out that the wrath of God is a contingent attribute of His essential nature which is love, they often present His love as if it were a form of all-affirming permissiveness which disallows any anger for sin or punishment of evildoers, as we normally understand the word wrath. In order to do this, they must ignore the obvious meaning of the words for wrath as used in Scripture and seek to redefine wrath in a manner that excludes any real anger on God’s part. The following quote from Steve McVey illustrates this tendency, saying:
“We think of wrath in a human sense of some sort of retributive anger that is being poured out on somebody for something wrong that they have done. But the word doesn’t mean that at all when it comes to the wrath of God. One of the words for wrath in the original language of Scripture is the word orgē, and the word orgē is the same word from which we get the word orgy or orgasm. And the word doesn’t have to mean anger, the word can also mean an intense passion. In fact, the etymology of the word is that it means reaching out and grasping with a quivering hand – that kind of intensity. So, when we talk about the wrath of God, there are words that can be translated as anger, but when we talk about the wrath of God, if we have the idea that God is a punitive, judicial deity who is there to punish us for wrongdoing, then when we come across the word wrath, obviously we’re going to think that it refers to some sort of anger. But if we have this underlying belief that God is pure love, and He is, and that God is good, then when we come to the word wrath, we’ll understand that there is another way to see that word. It’s not changing the Scriptures, it’s just looking at the word in a historical sense in which we see it not as anger but as a passionate love for us that will stop at nothing to win us over.” [2]
As another Progressive author puts it: “I prefer to say that God loves with such intensity that it is wrath to those who are fighting against it.” So, instead of God actually being angered by our sin and rebellion, they depict Him as being more like an all-consenting parent that smothers their unwilling adolescent child with hugs and kisses, rather than showing anger and administering corrective discipline, as we would normally do as loving parents.
The etymology of a word, in and of itself, is not that which determines its actual meaning. Rather than contriving a definition from a derivative of one of the several words used in Scripture for wrath, one must determine a word’s meaning primarily by examining the contexts in which the word is used. While undeniably God’s wrath is ultimately rooted in His love, it is certainly not something comparable to a father’s embrace. When Paul says that Jesus delivers us from the coming wrath, he clearly does not mean to say that He delivers us from the Father’s loving embrace!
Contrary to what Steve McVey says, the historical sense of orge is not passionate love. The actual meaning of orge in the secular literature of that day is set forth in Kittle’s 10 volume lexicon. It states:
“In secular literature orge takes on the sense of anger as the most striking manifestation of powerful inner passion, thumos. ‘orge…becomes in the political life of the following period the characteristic and legitimate attitude of the ruler who has to avenge injustice.’ ‘orge relates, not to the verdict (Aristot. Rhet., I, 1, p. 1354 a, 16 ff.) but only to the sentence. In virtue of this orge itself acquired the meaning of ‘punishment.’ Apart from the moral wrath which protects against evil and which is sometimes expressly called dikaia orge (righteous indignation) (Demosth. Or., 16, 19; Dio C., 40, 51, 2; Ditt. Syll.3, 780, 22), orge in Gk. came under a predominantly negative judgment.” [3]
So, it is not true that the word orge in the culture of that time expressed a non-punitive passionate love. Looking at the passages in Scripture where God’s wrath is mentioned, we see that the meaning is essentially the same throughout as in the secular literature of that time. The short-term results of His wrath are seen to be just but clearly negative, often resulting in lives being cut short in judgment (Ex 15:5; 22:24; Num 11:33; Deut 29:23-28; Isa 13:9; Ezek 21:31; Nah 1:2-3,5, etc.).
Seeing that God’s wrath in Scripture clearly results in punitive action and often even death, Progressives reject those Scriptures which portray God as actively punishing the wicked in His wrath, saying that, in those instances, the human authors projected their own erroneous concepts of pagan deities upon God.
They correctly say that Jesus is the lens through which we must see Scripture. However, the Jesus they use as a lens is an edited version of the actual Jesus of the Bible. According to them, any portrayal of God in Scripture which they deem to be non-Christlike, or more specifically, any that does not present God in a passive, nonviolent cruciform manner, is to be rejected. However, there are many problems with using this approach to Scripture.
In the first place, Jesus Himself said that the Scriptures are the word of God which came through the human authors, and for that reason they cannot be broken (Jn 10:35). He said that God’s word as such is truth, and that not one jot nor tittle can pass from it without being fulfilled (Jn 17:17, cf. Psa 119:160; Matt 5:18). Paul further said of the Holy Scriptures that every part of them was breathed out from God (2Tim 3:15-16). I consider this subject in more detail in my four-part series of blogs on inerrancy.
In the second place, Jesus Himself is presented in Scripture as coming a second time in wrath to execute justice and deliver His people:
“And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Rev 6:15-17)
“Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” (Rev 19:15)
Here in the book of Revelation, Christ Himself is seen to be executing wrath against the nations when He comes again to reign. The reference to “the great day of His wrath” alludes to the day of eschatological wrath, or the “day of the Lord” prophesied in numerous Old Testament passages:
“Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and He will destroy its sinners from it. Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth will move out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts and in the day of His fierce anger.” (Isa 13:9,13; cf. Zeph 1:14-18; Joel 3:12-16; etc.)
How do Progressives get around these passages which undeniably present Christ as acting in a non-cruciform manner against the wicked among the nations when He returns? Some seek to eliminate the book of Revelation from the Bible altogether. Those who accept Revelation as canonical apply a spiritual/allegorical meaning according to their own particular theological persuasion. Preterists try to argue that these references to Christ’s wrath speaks of the 70AD destruction of Jerusalem. However, the judgment of His Second Coming described here is said to be “against the nations” and “the kings of the earth,” not against the nation of Israel. When Christ comes a second time, it will be to deliver Israel, not to destroy her (Rom 11:25-29). I find it inconsistent that many Preterists who deny that God’s wrath is in any way punitive, have no problem viewing the Jews as having been the recipients of God’s punitive wrath in 70AD.
Finally, Jesus affirmed God’s acts of judgment in wrath in the Old Testament and He warns of the eschatological wrath yet to come. In Deuteronomy 29:23 it says that the Lord overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah “in His anger and His wrath.” Jesus not only affirmed that God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, but He also compared His Second Coming to Sodom’s sudden destruction in the days of Lot (Luke 17:28-30). And while we see in Ezekiel 16 that God will finally restore those destroyed in Sodom (Ezek 16:53-55 NIV), Jesus indicated that they will still nevertheless have to give an account in the day of judgment (Mark 6:11).
Therefore, using Jesus as He is presented to us in the Bible as the lens by which to see Scripture, doesn’t enable one to remove from Scripture those passages which speak of the wrath of God. In fact, Jesus doesn’t allow us to remove even one jot or tittle from the Law and the prophets (Matt 5:17-18; Luke 24:44).
Paul and the Wrath of God
In spite of the fact that Paul is known as the Apostle of grace, he had more to say about the wrath of God than any other New Testament author. He spoke of both God’s wrath against wickedness in the present, and also the eschatological wrath which is being reserved for the judgment of the “day of wrath.”
Present Wrath
“The wrath of God is being revealed (present tense) from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” (Rom 1:18 NIV)
“But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath (orge)? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?” (Rom 3:5-6)
While God, in His patience, is holding off His just judgment against the unrepentant, giving them space to repent, He is angered by the wickedness and injustices being committed by mankind. Psalms 7:11 says, “God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” Paul indicates that, to a degree, the wrath of God is presently being revealed against the ungodly.
In what manner can God be said to be presently inflicting wrath? We can see God’s intervention throughout history, bringing judgments against the obstinately unrepentant. Some notable examples are the flood in the days of Noah and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the New Testament we see the judgment against Ananias and Sapphira when they were struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit and against Herod for accepting worship as a god (Acts 5:1-11; 12:22-23).
We can also see from history that God’s judgments have come against nations who turn from Him, practicing wickedness and persecuting His people. The Psalmist said: “The wicked shall be turned into Sheol, and all the nations that forget God” (Ps 9:17; cf. Isa 41:11-13). The same fate that befell the Roman Empire and the Soviet Union will inevitably come upon the United States, or any other nation, if they turn from God and practice wickedness.
On an individual level, we see that the wrath of God is often executed indirectly through the ruling authorities. Paul explains:
“Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger (ἔκδικος, ‘an executor of justice’) to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.” (Rom 13:3-6)
So, we see that God’s wrath or punishment is often indirectly carried out through His ministers, the established authorities.
Also, wrath, in the sense of punishment or negative consequences, is experienced in this life by those who persist in a life of fleshly indulgence. Paul speaks of God’s wrath in this sense saying:
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.” (Col 3:5-6)
“For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.” (Eph 5:5-7)
The sinful lifestyles Paul here mentions have negative consequences, not only in the future for the unrepentant by not being granted entrance into the kingdom, but also in the present, negatively affecting one’s spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing, often even resulting in premature death. God will not be mocked: whatever a man sows, sooner or later he will reap (Gal 6:7-8).
Future Wrath
Paul, after saying that one can despise the goodness of God by failing to see that His patience and goodness are intended to lead one to repentance, warns that those who obstinately remain unrepentant are storing up wrath for the day of wrath. He said:
“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who will render to each one according to his deeds.” (Rom 2:4-6)
The day of the Great White Throne Judgment is here referred to as the day of wrath because at that time just and measured punishments will be determined for the unrepentant. Those whose names are not found written in the book of life on that day will be judged according to their deeds, receiving their part in the Lake of Fire, being hurt by the second death (Rev 20:11-15; 2:11).
It must be kept in mind that even God’s wrath is paternal and rooted in His essential nature which is love. That being so, in His wrath He remembers mercy, and even His most severe judgments in wrath are corrective in nature, ending in restoration. This can be seen in His dealings with His people Israel in wrath when they persist in their evil ways. Note the language of fire and wrath which God uses against Israel:
“The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 18 ‘Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; they are all bronze, tin, iron, and lead, in the midst of a furnace; they have become dross from silver. 19 Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore behold, I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. 20 As men gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave you there and melt you. 21 Yes, I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you shall be melted in its midst. 22 As silver is melted in the midst of a furnace, so shall you be melted in its midst; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have poured out My fury on you… Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,’ says the Lord God.” (Ezek 22:17-23,31)
Here we see that God’s wrath against His beloved Israel is in the form of the purifying fires of affliction. God sets Himself against His people and throws them into the fire as silver, bronze or lead. But the furnace of fire is in order to separate the dross or scum from their lives. The end result is that they come forth from the furnace pure and separate from sin. Just as is the case with a loving father disciplining his son, His wrath is actually His love acting against the sin in their lives. The end result is the peaceable fruit of righteousness, as we can see further along in Ezekiel 36:24-26:
“For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. 25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
The end result of God’s wrath against Israel is that they become cleansed of all their filthiness and are given a new heart. The same could be said concerning His affliction of any of the children of men whom He has created. He does not willingly afflict nor grieve the children of men. What He does, He does only for their own benefit and the greater good. Therefore, we can see that God’s wrath, correctly understood, refers to His corrective punishment of His wayward, rebellious children, and is in no way incompatible with love.
Jesus delivers us from the Wrath to Come
“and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1Thess 1:10)
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Thess 5:9)
“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (Rom 5:9)
When we believe the gospel of salvation by grace, we are justified or declared righteous before God (Rom 5:1). As justified saints in Christ, there is now no condemnation (Rom 8:1). Having been justified through faith in Christ’s redemption from our sins by His blood, we have once-and-for-all been delivered from the wrath to come (Heb 9:12).
That is not to say that God isn’t angered, relationally speaking, when we as believers willfully sin, just as any good father would be angered by the willful disobedience of his children. Paul said that when we fail to judge sin in our own lives, God must intervene in judgment, at times even cutting our lives short, in order that we should not be condemned with the world (1Cor 11:30-32; 1Jn 5:16-17). Paul warns believers who would live in sexual immorality saying:
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.” (1Thess 4:3-6)
Also, in Romans 13 Paul is warning believers, rather than nonbelievers, against disobeying the civil authorities when he says:
“For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.” (Rom 13:4-5)
The Law brings about Wrath
“because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.” (Rom 4:15)
Paul says that the Law brings about wrath. Here orge is used primarily in the sense of penalty, rather than the emotion of anger, much as the wrath we experience from the civil authorities speaks of the penalty for the infraction, rather than those in authority literally becoming angry with the offender. If there is no 25-mile speed limit sign, you will not be penalized for going 35 miles per hour. But once the law is established, there will be a penalty and speeders will experience the wrath of the law.
It is the same with the Law God gave to the children of Israel. Once the Law was enacted, they began to experience the wrath or penalty for breaking it. It is significant that God is never seen to have shown wrath towards His people until Sinai. The wrath of God isn’t even mentioned in the Bible until we get to Exodus. But after the Law was given, His wrath is referred to either directly or indirectly nearly 500 times, and most often it is seen to be directed towards His own covenant people for having broken the Law.
There is a marked contrast between the Old Covenant of the Law and the New Covenant of grace. When the Law was inaugurated at Sinai, 3,000 people died in one day. In contrast, when the New Covenant was inaugurated on the day of Pentecost, 3,000 people were saved in one day. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, becoming a curse for us (Gal 3:10-14). While God may be angered by sin and rebellion in the lives of His children, resulting in discipline, as reborn sons we have been delivered from the Law with it’s resulting wrath and condemnation, and we now serve in the newness of the Spirit, not in the oldness of the letter of the Law (Rom 7:6; Gal 3:24-26).
Conclusion
In conclusion, I believe that an unbiased understanding of the entirety of the revelation of Scripture concerning the wrath of God disallows both the extreme of the Traditional Augustinian doctrine of “eternal wrath,” and also the Progressive’s attempt to so redefine the word wrath so as to deny that it involves any indignation against the evil and injustice of the wicked, claiming that His wrath is not a punishing wrath, but simply an intense emotion of love.
While God loves us with a love that never ends and therefore will not always be angry, His wrath against all ungodliness and wickedness of evil men is real and brings negative consequences. Understanding this to be so, I believe that it is actually unloving on our part to tell the unrepentant sinner that God’s wrath is nothing more than His passionate love for them.
Although there is an element of truth to that statement, it is deceptive, since it fails to warn them that as long as they continue in their unrepentant state, they are storing up wrath for the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each one according to their deeds (Rom 2:4-6). Rather than giving the unrepentant a false assurance, we need to speak the truth in love so that they will repent. As James says, “he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20; cf. Luke 3:7-9).
[1] Martin Luther: The Bondage of the Will, pp. 226, 228-229.
[2] Steve McVey, Love Unrelenting, youtube,1:05min.
[3] Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Copyright © 1972-1989 By Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., NT:3709
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%Where is the promise of His coming?
by George Sidney Hurd
Towards the end of the Apostle Peter’s life, he forewarned us as to what would be the attitude of many in the last days concerning the apparent delay in Christ’s Second Coming, saying:
“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’” (2Peter 3:3-4)
Both Peter and Paul were shown the conditions which would later prevail in the last days (cf. 1Tim 4:1-3; 2Tim 3:1-5). The signs mentioned by them are characteristic of our times, more than any other generation before us – especially within the last few years. In this blog, I will be considering some of the arguments used by a rapidly growing number of people who often ridicule those of us who still eagerly await a future return of Christ.
“This generation will not pass”
Preterists present Jesus’ declaration in the Olivet Discourse, “this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place” as evidence that Christ returned in 70 AD, since Jesus describes both Israel’s desolation and His Second Coming in the same discourse.
However, a careful examination of the context within each of the three Synoptic Gospels makes it clear that there is a necessary separation between the 70 AD desolation of Jerusalem and Christ’s return.
Just prior to His discourse in Matthew 23:36 Jesus said to Israel’s representative leadership: “all these things will come upon this generation,” with “all these things” having reference to Israel’s judgment and desolation for rejecting the kingdom. Then in 38-39 He mentions His Second Coming as being subsequent to Israel’s desolation at such a time when they would be willing to receive Him as their Messiah and King. He said to them:
“See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more UNTIL you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matt 23:38-39)
Preterists would say that God has permanently rejected Israel as a people. However, Jesus refers to their judgment as only being temporary, continuing “until” such a time when Israel will say, “blessed is He who ‘comes’ in the name of the Lord.” Luke’s Gospel, which gives the most detail concerning Israel’s 70AD judgment and desolation, also presents Israel’s judgment as only being temporary, saying:
“For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles UNTIL the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:23-24)
Paul later received further revelation concerning Israel’s judgment and subsequent deliverance and restoration at Christ’s Second Coming. He said:
“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.’” (Rom 11:25-27)
Paul here tells us that Israel’s judgment is temporary, lasting “until” the fulness of the Gentiles has come in. At that time, Israel will be saved and restored when Christ the Deliverer comes out of Zion, referring to Christ’s Second Coming. When Christ comes a second time it will not be for Israel’s destruction, as Preterists affirm, but for Israel’s deliverance. Sadly, many, including the Preterists, are ignorant concerning this mystery, believing that the Church has permanently replaced Israel as a people. I demonstrate the temporary nature of Israel’s judgment in my blog entitled: “Has the Church Replaced Israel?”
So, we see that there is a necessary separation between Israel’s desolation and dispersion and her deliverance at Christ’s Second Coming when a subsequent generation will say: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
The Olivet Discourse has a Two-fold Fulfillment
After declaring Israel’s desolation and His subsequent coming at such a time when Israel would receive Him, Jesus continued saying in the next verse that not one stone of the temple would be left standing upon another. That was when His disciples asked Him the two-fold question: “Tell us, 1) when will these things be? And 2) what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matt 24:3).
In the context, we have already seen that Jesus spoke of “these things” (Israel’s desolation and the destruction of their temple) which would come upon that very generation, and His subsequent coming again at such a time when Israel would gladly receive Him. The entire discourse is Jesus’ reply to their two-fold question. While there are many parallels between the two events, the careful reader will notice that they are clearly distinguishable.
In Luke’s account, the disciples are presented as only asking Jesus about Israel’s desolation which Jesus had just said would occur in that same generation (Luke 21:7), and he accordingly gives more details concerning Jerusalem’s desolation, whereas Matthew’s Gospel answers both questions, while giving greater attention to the events surrounding the Second Coming of Christ.
For example, in Luke, Jesus told the Christians to flee Jerusalem as soon as they saw the Roman armies surrounding Jerusalem, and he records Jesus’ announcement of God’s judgment against Israel which would occur at that time:
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 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. 22 For these are the days of vengeance… For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles UNTIL the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:20-24)
As we see here, the surrounding of Jerusalem by the Roman armies is followed by the prolonged dispersion of the Jews and the Gentile occupation of Jerusalem. In contrast, in Matthew’s Gospel, we see more detail concerning the end of the age and events surrounding the Second Coming. In Matthew 24:14 Jesus said that the end of the age wouldn’t come until the gospel had been preached throughout the whole world. He said:
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world (οἰκουμένη) as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt 24:14)
Clearly, this wasn’t fulfilled prior to 70AD. To this day it still cannot be said that the entire inhabited world has heard the gospel. In the verses that immediately follow, we see another command to flee. However, in contrast to Luke’s account which commanded them to flee Jerusalem as soon as they saw the Roman armies surrounding the city, we see a command to flee Judea when the abomination of desolation is seen standing in the holy place:
“Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains… 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.” (Matt 24:15-17; 21-22)
While the casual reader may assume that Jesus was referring to the same event in both Evangels, upon careful examination it becomes evident that in Matthew’s account Jesus was referring to His Second Coming when unprecedented events would become so severe as to destroy all flesh, requiring His intervention in order to save the remnant of His elect people. When He comes again, it will not be for Israel’s destruction, but for her deliverance. The prophet Daniel saw the same coming, and Christ is likewise seen in the book of Daniel to come for Israel’s deliverance after the same unprecedented Great Tribulation. Daniel said:
“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life (eonian life), some to shame and everlasting contempt (eonian shame).” (Dan 12:1-2)
Jeremiah also refers to this same unprecedented tribulation as “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” and also says that Israel will be delivered at that time (Jer 30:7-9). Both Jesus and Daniel describe a physical resurrection when Israel is delivered at the close of the Great Tribulation (Matt 24:30-31). No physical resurrection occurred in 70AD, and Israel wasn’t delivered out of her tribulation by Christ’s Second Coming. Quite the contrary, she was left desolate and dispersed in judgment.
It is worthy of note that the Apostolic Fathers uniformly saw the abomination of desolation in Matthew 24 as being something yet in their future, followed by the visible return of Christ, whereas those Fathers who commented on Luke 21:20 saw the reference to the armies surrounding Jerusalem to have already occurred in 70AD. [1] Virtually no one in those days, whether secular or Christian, is on record as having understood Christ to have come at that time.
Timing of Jerusalem’s Destruction revealed – Timing of Second Coming concealed
The only sign given by Jesus to indicate that Israel’s desolation was imminent was that they would see the armies surrounding Jerusalem (Luke 21:20). Christians were commanded to flee Judea into the mountains at that time, and history records that they heeded His warning, fleeing to Pella before Jerusalem was completely surrounded.
In contrast to Israel’s desolation in 70AD, Jesus gave many signs which would indicate that His coming was imminent. One we have already considered was that the gospel will have been preached to all the nations of the world before the end comes and Christ returns.
Another sign we saw is that there would be “great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt 24:21-22). The Roman siege of Jerusalem certainly was a time of tribulation for the Jews. According to Josephus, over a million Jews perished. However, the tribulation described by Jesus is on an unprecedented global scale. He said that there would never occur anything like it again. Yet the tribulation under the Nazi regime resulted in nearly six times more Jews being killed, without taking into account the millions of Jews who later died under Stalin’s regime. Jesus was clearly referring to the Great Tribulation of three and a half years, further described in Daniel and the book of Revelation where the number of fatalities is in the billions worldwide, rather than just a little over one million Jews in Jerusalem in 70AD. (Rev 6:8; 9:15).
Furthermore, Jesus said that when He returns, every eye from all the tribes of the earth will see Him coming (Rev 1:7; Matt 24:30; 2Thess 2:8; Rev 6:12-17). At that time some will be sleeping in one part of the world, while others will be working in the fields in the daytime (Luke 17:34-36; Matt 24:40-41). The Lord will gather His elect throughout the earth at that time (Matt 24:30-31). Some will be taken, whereas others will be left. Clearly, Jesus did not come in AD 70. Christ had simply left Jerusalem desolate due to their rejection of the kingdom (Matt 23:38-39). He did not come to personally destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD. When Christ returns, it will be to save them from their enemies – not to destroy them.
While Jesus was specific in indicating the timing of Israel’s desolation, He was emphatic in stating that the timing of His Second Coming was only known to the Father (Matt 24:36). Just before Christ ascended to the Father, the disciples persisted in asking Jesus when He would come and restore the kingdom to Israel. In response, Jesus not only said that it wasn’t for them to know “the day nor the hour” of His coming, but that it wasn’t even for them to know the “times and seasons” which the Father has determined by His own authority (Acts 1:7). Instead, Jesus told them in different words what He already told them in the Olivet Discourse: He told them that it was necessary for them to preach the gospel to all nations as a witness throughout the entire world before the end would come (Matt 24:13). After telling them that it wasn’t for them to know the times and seasons, He repeated their assignment, the Great Commission:
“It is not for you to know the times and seasons… But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)
While the gospel was proclaimed in many of the nations surrounding Judah within that first generation, to this day it has yet to be proclaimed to all nations throughout the entire world.
Two Distinct Generations
While I believe that, by divine intention, it is not readily apparent, Jesus spoke to two Distinct Generations in the Olivet Discourse. While He said concerning Israel’s desolation, “all these things will come upon this generation” (Matt 23:36), referring to those living at the time, He afterwards gave specific signs which would indicate that His return and the end were near. In that context, He addresses the very generation that will see the signs of His coming and the end of the age, saying:
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near — at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” (Matt 24:32-34)
What were the signs He mentioned which would indicate that the end is near? In Matthew 24:7-8 He said that when nation rises against nation and kingdom against kingdom with famines and earthquakes in many places it would be just the beginning of the birth pains indicating that the end is drawing near.
After that, in verse 9-10, He said that we would then be hated by all nations and persecuted, and many would depart from the faith (cf. 2Thess 2:1-4). In 11-13, He warned that many false prophets would arise, deceiving many, and that wickedness would increase to such a degree that the love of most people would grow cold, but that those who endure to the end would be saved. Here I would point out that enduring to the end refers to enduring to the end when Christ returns, not enduring until Jerusalem is destroyed in 70AD. Then in verse 24, He said that there would be false signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
In 15, He gives the sign of the abomination of desolation in the holy place in the temple court of Jerusalem, saying that those in Judea at that time must flee because it will mark the beginning of the Great Tribulation. The Apostolic Fathers unanimously believed that this was something yet to occur in their future. Irenaeus (160 – 230AD) said, years after the 70AD destruction of Herod’s Temple:
“But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom…and restoring to Abraham the promised inheritance.” [2]
“And in the midst of the week,’ he says, ‘the sacrifice and the libation shall be taken away, and the abomination of desolation [shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete.’ Now three years and six months constitute the half-week.” [3]
In the same manner as Futurists today, the Early Fathers believed, according to Scripture, that the temple in Jerusalem would be rebuilt and the abomination of desolation would be set up in a rebuilt temple, beginning the time of the Great Tribulation.
Finally, Jesus mentions the signs which will immediately accompany His coming:
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matt 24:29-31)
It is in this context that Jesus says in verse 34, “this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” “This generation” in the context, refers to the generation which shall see the beginning of the specific signs He mentioned being fulfilled. No one is recorded as having seen the Son of Man coming in 70AD, and much less do we see where all the tribes of the earth mourned upon having seen Him coming with power and great glory.
“Shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom…”
These words of Jesus are best understood in their context. Beginning in Matthew 16:28 and reading through to 17:5 it says:
“Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. 17:1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’” (Matt 16:28-17:5)
Preterists often cite Matthew 16:28 as evidence that Christ had to have come a second time and established His kingdom on earth in 70AD while many of the disciples were still alive. However, when one reads the following verses, it becomes evident that the coming in His kingdom He was referring to occurred only six days after when Christ was transfigured before Peter, James and John, giving them a preview of His coming kingdom. Peter himself made reference to this as being a foretaste of the coming of Christ in His kingdom. He said of his mountaintop encounter with the glorified Christ:
“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” (2Peter 1:16-18)
Peter clearly understood the declaration of Jesus, “there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” as having been fulfilled when they saw Him transfigured on the mount with Moses and Elijah.
Apparent Delay Implied in the Parables
Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24;44 to live in a state of expectancy, saying to them, “the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect, while at the same time implying in parables that He would not come within the timeframe anticipated by His followers.
In the parable of the faithful and the evil servant, Jesus said that the evil servant said in his heart, “My master is delaying his coming,” and instead of being occupied in his master’s business, he began to live according to his own fleshly desires (Matt 24:48-51). In the parable of the ten virgins, “the bridegroom was delayed” – so much so, that even the five wise virgins slumbered and had to be awakened to receive the bridegroom (Matt 25:5). In the parable of the talents, He compared His coming to “a man traveling to a far country,” not returning until “after a long time” (Matt 25:14,18).
It is clear that Jesus wanted His disciples to live in anticipation of His soon return, diligently laboring to fulfill the Great Commission with the expectation that He could return within their own lifetime, while at the same time indirectly indicating through His parables that His return would be much farther in the future than they anticipated. He concluded His parables with a call to be watchful which not only applied to His disciples, but also to future generations until He comes. He said: “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:37).
His House must be Filled
To Paul, it was revealed that during the present time, blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. At that time, Christ the Deliverer will come out of Zion and all Israel will be saved (Rom 11:25-26).
Here we see that Christ will not come again until the gospel has been proclaimed to all nations and the fullness of the Gentiles has come into the fold. As soon as the last of God’s elect firstfruits from among the Gentiles has come into the fold, Christ will return, and all Israel will be saved when they look upon Him whom they pierced (Zech 12:10). At that time, the nation of Israel will be reborn in a day (Isa 66:8-10).
In the parable of the great supper, Jesus also implied that He wouldn’t return until the fullness of the Gentiles had come in. In this parable, the master had planned a great banquet for his invited guests, representing the nation of Israel. However, Israel rejected the invitation. The master became angry and told his servant to go to the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind, referring to the Samaritans who were held in contempt by the Jews. After having invited them, the servant said that there were still many empty seats. At this point in the parable, Jesus made reference to the Gentiles when He said in continuation:
“Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.” (Luke 14:23-24)
This parable of the master’s house being filled with those from the highways and hedges, referring to the Gentiles, rather than the Jews who were initially invited, is parallel with what Paul saw concerning the fullness of the Gentiles. God is holding off the feast until His house is filled. As soon as the fullness of the Gentiles has come in and His house has been filled, Christ will come.
This is the primary reason given by Peter for the seeming delay in Christ’s coming. After saying that in the last days we would be mocked for still awaiting Christ’s return, Peter explained:
“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering TOWARD US, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9)
Here we see that, in spite of how we may perceive it, the Lord hasn’t delayed His coming. Since He inhabits eternity, “shortly” does not mean the same to Him as it does to us. He then explains why He hasn’t come yet. He is longsuffering toward us, patiently waiting until all of us, as His elect firstfruits, have come to repentance. In other words, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in and His house is full.
“The time is near… I am coming quickly”
In the book of Revelation Jesus begins by saying, “the time is near,” and three times He repeats the phrase “I am coming quickly” (Rev 1:3; 3:11; 22:7,12). Many are scandalized by the fact that nearly 1900 years have passed since Jesus made these declarations. Preterists attempt to demonstrate that the book of Revelation was written before 66AD, instead of the generally accepted date of 96AD, in order to argue that Christ meant to say that He was coming in 70AD. I present the arguments against the early dating of Revelation in my blogs: “The Objective Evidences for a Late Dating of John’s Revelation” and “The Interpretive Arguments for an Early Dating of John’s Revelation.”
In my book, “Last Days – Past or Present?” I demonstrate in more detail why Christ’s coming is yet future. But without going into further detail here, it should be evident to any unbiased student of the Scriptures and history, that no past event can reasonably be argued to have been the Second Coming of Christ in power and great glory to receive His own and to reign upon the earth.
The admonitions to be watchful because the time is near must be understood in the light of the abundance of Scriptures which clearly imply a delay. The gospel must be preached to all nations and the fullness of the Gentiles must come in, filling His house. Only the Lord knows when that will have come to pass.
Also, as Peter explained, we must take into account the relative nature of time. Our sense of time is not the same as the Lord’s. For Him, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. The same is true of a child’s sense of time in comparison to that of an elderly person. When my children were little, we often went on long trips, even driving from California to Guatemala a couple of times. As an adult who had made the trip before, I knew how long it would take, and to me it seemed like a much shorter trip than it did to my 4-year-old son Cristian. After about an hour, he was already complaining, asking why it was taking so long. It wouldn’t have been of any use trying to explain to him every highway we would have to take, since he wasn’t old enough to understand. I started out by telling him that we would be arriving soon, and tried to keep him occupied with other things so he wouldn’t think about how long it was taking. Then when that failed, I would tell him something like, “when you see the big bridge, we are getting closer,” or, “when you see the ocean, it will be just a bit further.” My wife and I knew from the beginning how long it would take to reach our destination, but it was no use trying to explain to him how long the trip would last, since he wouldn’t have understood. And even if he could have comprehended the time required, it would have only made the trip more unbearable for him.
I believe that, in a similar manner, the Lord told His disciples that it wasn’t for them to know the times and the seasons, but rather that they were to busy themselves in proclaiming the gospel throughout the earth while at the same time being watchful for the signs which would indicate that His coming was at the door. May He find us occupied doing what He commissioned us to do when He comes.
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.” (Matt 24:44-46)
[1] Hyppolytus (AD 170 to 236),Treatise on the Antichrist, Sections 47-67
“These things, then, will come to pass, beloved, and the one week being divided into two parts, and the abomination of desolation being manifested then, and the two prophets and forerunners of the Lord having finished their course, and the whole world finally approaching the consummation, what remains but the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ from heaven, for whom we have looked in hope?
Tertullian (AD 160-220), Luke 21:1-38
“Then, having shown what was to be the period of the destruction, even ‘when Jerusalem should begin to be compassed with armies,’ He described the signs of the end of all things: ‘portents in the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity – like the sea roaring – by reason of their expectation of the evils which are coming on the earth."
[2] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 30 section 4
[3] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 25 section 3,4
Towards the end of the Apostle Peter’s life, he forewarned us as to what would be the attitude of many in the last days concerning the apparent delay in Christ’s Second Coming, saying:
“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’” (2Peter 3:3-4)
Both Peter and Paul were shown the conditions which would later prevail in the last days (cf. 1Tim 4:1-3; 2Tim 3:1-5). The signs mentioned by them are characteristic of our times, more than any other generation before us – especially within the last few years. In this blog, I will be considering some of the arguments used by a rapidly growing number of people who often ridicule those of us who still eagerly await a future return of Christ.
“This generation will not pass”
Preterists present Jesus’ declaration in the Olivet Discourse, “this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place” as evidence that Christ returned in 70 AD, since Jesus describes both Israel’s desolation and His Second Coming in the same discourse.
However, a careful examination of the context within each of the three Synoptic Gospels makes it clear that there is a necessary separation between the 70 AD desolation of Jerusalem and Christ’s return.
Just prior to His discourse in Matthew 23:36 Jesus said to Israel’s representative leadership: “all these things will come upon this generation,” with “all these things” having reference to Israel’s judgment and desolation for rejecting the kingdom. Then in 38-39 He mentions His Second Coming as being subsequent to Israel’s desolation at such a time when they would be willing to receive Him as their Messiah and King. He said to them:
“See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more UNTIL you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matt 23:38-39)
Preterists would say that God has permanently rejected Israel as a people. However, Jesus refers to their judgment as only being temporary, continuing “until” such a time when Israel will say, “blessed is He who ‘comes’ in the name of the Lord.” Luke’s Gospel, which gives the most detail concerning Israel’s 70AD judgment and desolation, also presents Israel’s judgment as only being temporary, saying:
“For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles UNTIL the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:23-24)
Paul later received further revelation concerning Israel’s judgment and subsequent deliverance and restoration at Christ’s Second Coming. He said:
“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.’” (Rom 11:25-27)
Paul here tells us that Israel’s judgment is temporary, lasting “until” the fulness of the Gentiles has come in. At that time, Israel will be saved and restored when Christ the Deliverer comes out of Zion, referring to Christ’s Second Coming. When Christ comes a second time it will not be for Israel’s destruction, as Preterists affirm, but for Israel’s deliverance. Sadly, many, including the Preterists, are ignorant concerning this mystery, believing that the Church has permanently replaced Israel as a people. I demonstrate the temporary nature of Israel’s judgment in my blog entitled: “Has the Church Replaced Israel?”
So, we see that there is a necessary separation between Israel’s desolation and dispersion and her deliverance at Christ’s Second Coming when a subsequent generation will say: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
The Olivet Discourse has a Two-fold Fulfillment
After declaring Israel’s desolation and His subsequent coming at such a time when Israel would receive Him, Jesus continued saying in the next verse that not one stone of the temple would be left standing upon another. That was when His disciples asked Him the two-fold question: “Tell us, 1) when will these things be? And 2) what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matt 24:3).
In the context, we have already seen that Jesus spoke of “these things” (Israel’s desolation and the destruction of their temple) which would come upon that very generation, and His subsequent coming again at such a time when Israel would gladly receive Him. The entire discourse is Jesus’ reply to their two-fold question. While there are many parallels between the two events, the careful reader will notice that they are clearly distinguishable.
In Luke’s account, the disciples are presented as only asking Jesus about Israel’s desolation which Jesus had just said would occur in that same generation (Luke 21:7), and he accordingly gives more details concerning Jerusalem’s desolation, whereas Matthew’s Gospel answers both questions, while giving greater attention to the events surrounding the Second Coming of Christ.
For example, in Luke, Jesus told the Christians to flee Jerusalem as soon as they saw the Roman armies surrounding Jerusalem, and he records Jesus’ announcement of God’s judgment against Israel which would occur at that time:
“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 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. 22 For these are the days of vengeance… For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles UNTIL the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:20-24)
As we see here, the surrounding of Jerusalem by the Roman armies is followed by the prolonged dispersion of the Jews and the Gentile occupation of Jerusalem. In contrast, in Matthew’s Gospel, we see more detail concerning the end of the age and events surrounding the Second Coming. In Matthew 24:14 Jesus said that the end of the age wouldn’t come until the gospel had been preached throughout the whole world. He said:
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world (οἰκουμένη) as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt 24:14)
Clearly, this wasn’t fulfilled prior to 70AD. To this day it still cannot be said that the entire inhabited world has heard the gospel. In the verses that immediately follow, we see another command to flee. However, in contrast to Luke’s account which commanded them to flee Jerusalem as soon as they saw the Roman armies surrounding the city, we see a command to flee Judea when the abomination of desolation is seen standing in the holy place:
“Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains… 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.” (Matt 24:15-17; 21-22)
While the casual reader may assume that Jesus was referring to the same event in both Evangels, upon careful examination it becomes evident that in Matthew’s account Jesus was referring to His Second Coming when unprecedented events would become so severe as to destroy all flesh, requiring His intervention in order to save the remnant of His elect people. When He comes again, it will not be for Israel’s destruction, but for her deliverance. The prophet Daniel saw the same coming, and Christ is likewise seen in the book of Daniel to come for Israel’s deliverance after the same unprecedented Great Tribulation. Daniel said:
“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life (eonian life), some to shame and everlasting contempt (eonian shame).” (Dan 12:1-2)
Jeremiah also refers to this same unprecedented tribulation as “the time of Jacob’s trouble,” and also says that Israel will be delivered at that time (Jer 30:7-9). Both Jesus and Daniel describe a physical resurrection when Israel is delivered at the close of the Great Tribulation (Matt 24:30-31). No physical resurrection occurred in 70AD, and Israel wasn’t delivered out of her tribulation by Christ’s Second Coming. Quite the contrary, she was left desolate and dispersed in judgment.
It is worthy of note that the Apostolic Fathers uniformly saw the abomination of desolation in Matthew 24 as being something yet in their future, followed by the visible return of Christ, whereas those Fathers who commented on Luke 21:20 saw the reference to the armies surrounding Jerusalem to have already occurred in 70AD. [1] Virtually no one in those days, whether secular or Christian, is on record as having understood Christ to have come at that time.
Timing of Jerusalem’s Destruction revealed – Timing of Second Coming concealed
The only sign given by Jesus to indicate that Israel’s desolation was imminent was that they would see the armies surrounding Jerusalem (Luke 21:20). Christians were commanded to flee Judea into the mountains at that time, and history records that they heeded His warning, fleeing to Pella before Jerusalem was completely surrounded.
In contrast to Israel’s desolation in 70AD, Jesus gave many signs which would indicate that His coming was imminent. One we have already considered was that the gospel will have been preached to all the nations of the world before the end comes and Christ returns.
Another sign we saw is that there would be “great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matt 24:21-22). The Roman siege of Jerusalem certainly was a time of tribulation for the Jews. According to Josephus, over a million Jews perished. However, the tribulation described by Jesus is on an unprecedented global scale. He said that there would never occur anything like it again. Yet the tribulation under the Nazi regime resulted in nearly six times more Jews being killed, without taking into account the millions of Jews who later died under Stalin’s regime. Jesus was clearly referring to the Great Tribulation of three and a half years, further described in Daniel and the book of Revelation where the number of fatalities is in the billions worldwide, rather than just a little over one million Jews in Jerusalem in 70AD. (Rev 6:8; 9:15).
Furthermore, Jesus said that when He returns, every eye from all the tribes of the earth will see Him coming (Rev 1:7; Matt 24:30; 2Thess 2:8; Rev 6:12-17). At that time some will be sleeping in one part of the world, while others will be working in the fields in the daytime (Luke 17:34-36; Matt 24:40-41). The Lord will gather His elect throughout the earth at that time (Matt 24:30-31). Some will be taken, whereas others will be left. Clearly, Jesus did not come in AD 70. Christ had simply left Jerusalem desolate due to their rejection of the kingdom (Matt 23:38-39). He did not come to personally destroy Jerusalem in 70 AD. When Christ returns, it will be to save them from their enemies – not to destroy them.
While Jesus was specific in indicating the timing of Israel’s desolation, He was emphatic in stating that the timing of His Second Coming was only known to the Father (Matt 24:36). Just before Christ ascended to the Father, the disciples persisted in asking Jesus when He would come and restore the kingdom to Israel. In response, Jesus not only said that it wasn’t for them to know “the day nor the hour” of His coming, but that it wasn’t even for them to know the “times and seasons” which the Father has determined by His own authority (Acts 1:7). Instead, Jesus told them in different words what He already told them in the Olivet Discourse: He told them that it was necessary for them to preach the gospel to all nations as a witness throughout the entire world before the end would come (Matt 24:13). After telling them that it wasn’t for them to know the times and seasons, He repeated their assignment, the Great Commission:
“It is not for you to know the times and seasons… But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)
While the gospel was proclaimed in many of the nations surrounding Judah within that first generation, to this day it has yet to be proclaimed to all nations throughout the entire world.
Two Distinct Generations
While I believe that, by divine intention, it is not readily apparent, Jesus spoke to two Distinct Generations in the Olivet Discourse. While He said concerning Israel’s desolation, “all these things will come upon this generation” (Matt 23:36), referring to those living at the time, He afterwards gave specific signs which would indicate that His return and the end were near. In that context, He addresses the very generation that will see the signs of His coming and the end of the age, saying:
“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near — at the doors! 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” (Matt 24:32-34)
What were the signs He mentioned which would indicate that the end is near? In Matthew 24:7-8 He said that when nation rises against nation and kingdom against kingdom with famines and earthquakes in many places it would be just the beginning of the birth pains indicating that the end is drawing near.
After that, in verse 9-10, He said that we would then be hated by all nations and persecuted, and many would depart from the faith (cf. 2Thess 2:1-4). In 11-13, He warned that many false prophets would arise, deceiving many, and that wickedness would increase to such a degree that the love of most people would grow cold, but that those who endure to the end would be saved. Here I would point out that enduring to the end refers to enduring to the end when Christ returns, not enduring until Jerusalem is destroyed in 70AD. Then in verse 24, He said that there would be false signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
In 15, He gives the sign of the abomination of desolation in the holy place in the temple court of Jerusalem, saying that those in Judea at that time must flee because it will mark the beginning of the Great Tribulation. The Apostolic Fathers unanimously believed that this was something yet to occur in their future. Irenaeus (160 – 230AD) said, years after the 70AD destruction of Herod’s Temple:
“But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the glory of the Father, sending this man and those who follow him into the lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom…and restoring to Abraham the promised inheritance.” [2]
“And in the midst of the week,’ he says, ‘the sacrifice and the libation shall be taken away, and the abomination of desolation [shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete.’ Now three years and six months constitute the half-week.” [3]
In the same manner as Futurists today, the Early Fathers believed, according to Scripture, that the temple in Jerusalem would be rebuilt and the abomination of desolation would be set up in a rebuilt temple, beginning the time of the Great Tribulation.
Finally, Jesus mentions the signs which will immediately accompany His coming:
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matt 24:29-31)
It is in this context that Jesus says in verse 34, “this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” “This generation” in the context, refers to the generation which shall see the beginning of the specific signs He mentioned being fulfilled. No one is recorded as having seen the Son of Man coming in 70AD, and much less do we see where all the tribes of the earth mourned upon having seen Him coming with power and great glory.
“Shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom…”
These words of Jesus are best understood in their context. Beginning in Matthew 16:28 and reading through to 17:5 it says:
“Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. 17:1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’” (Matt 16:28-17:5)
Preterists often cite Matthew 16:28 as evidence that Christ had to have come a second time and established His kingdom on earth in 70AD while many of the disciples were still alive. However, when one reads the following verses, it becomes evident that the coming in His kingdom He was referring to occurred only six days after when Christ was transfigured before Peter, James and John, giving them a preview of His coming kingdom. Peter himself made reference to this as being a foretaste of the coming of Christ in His kingdom. He said of his mountaintop encounter with the glorified Christ:
“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” (2Peter 1:16-18)
Peter clearly understood the declaration of Jesus, “there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” as having been fulfilled when they saw Him transfigured on the mount with Moses and Elijah.
Apparent Delay Implied in the Parables
Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 24;44 to live in a state of expectancy, saying to them, “the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect, while at the same time implying in parables that He would not come within the timeframe anticipated by His followers.
In the parable of the faithful and the evil servant, Jesus said that the evil servant said in his heart, “My master is delaying his coming,” and instead of being occupied in his master’s business, he began to live according to his own fleshly desires (Matt 24:48-51). In the parable of the ten virgins, “the bridegroom was delayed” – so much so, that even the five wise virgins slumbered and had to be awakened to receive the bridegroom (Matt 25:5). In the parable of the talents, He compared His coming to “a man traveling to a far country,” not returning until “after a long time” (Matt 25:14,18).
It is clear that Jesus wanted His disciples to live in anticipation of His soon return, diligently laboring to fulfill the Great Commission with the expectation that He could return within their own lifetime, while at the same time indirectly indicating through His parables that His return would be much farther in the future than they anticipated. He concluded His parables with a call to be watchful which not only applied to His disciples, but also to future generations until He comes. He said: “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:37).
His House must be Filled
To Paul, it was revealed that during the present time, blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. At that time, Christ the Deliverer will come out of Zion and all Israel will be saved (Rom 11:25-26).
Here we see that Christ will not come again until the gospel has been proclaimed to all nations and the fullness of the Gentiles has come into the fold. As soon as the last of God’s elect firstfruits from among the Gentiles has come into the fold, Christ will return, and all Israel will be saved when they look upon Him whom they pierced (Zech 12:10). At that time, the nation of Israel will be reborn in a day (Isa 66:8-10).
In the parable of the great supper, Jesus also implied that He wouldn’t return until the fullness of the Gentiles had come in. In this parable, the master had planned a great banquet for his invited guests, representing the nation of Israel. However, Israel rejected the invitation. The master became angry and told his servant to go to the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind, referring to the Samaritans who were held in contempt by the Jews. After having invited them, the servant said that there were still many empty seats. At this point in the parable, Jesus made reference to the Gentiles when He said in continuation:
“Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.” (Luke 14:23-24)
This parable of the master’s house being filled with those from the highways and hedges, referring to the Gentiles, rather than the Jews who were initially invited, is parallel with what Paul saw concerning the fullness of the Gentiles. God is holding off the feast until His house is filled. As soon as the fullness of the Gentiles has come in and His house has been filled, Christ will come.
This is the primary reason given by Peter for the seeming delay in Christ’s coming. After saying that in the last days we would be mocked for still awaiting Christ’s return, Peter explained:
“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering TOWARD US, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9)
Here we see that, in spite of how we may perceive it, the Lord hasn’t delayed His coming. Since He inhabits eternity, “shortly” does not mean the same to Him as it does to us. He then explains why He hasn’t come yet. He is longsuffering toward us, patiently waiting until all of us, as His elect firstfruits, have come to repentance. In other words, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in and His house is full.
“The time is near… I am coming quickly”
In the book of Revelation Jesus begins by saying, “the time is near,” and three times He repeats the phrase “I am coming quickly” (Rev 1:3; 3:11; 22:7,12). Many are scandalized by the fact that nearly 1900 years have passed since Jesus made these declarations. Preterists attempt to demonstrate that the book of Revelation was written before 66AD, instead of the generally accepted date of 96AD, in order to argue that Christ meant to say that He was coming in 70AD. I present the arguments against the early dating of Revelation in my blogs: “The Objective Evidences for a Late Dating of John’s Revelation” and “The Interpretive Arguments for an Early Dating of John’s Revelation.”
In my book, “Last Days – Past or Present?” I demonstrate in more detail why Christ’s coming is yet future. But without going into further detail here, it should be evident to any unbiased student of the Scriptures and history, that no past event can reasonably be argued to have been the Second Coming of Christ in power and great glory to receive His own and to reign upon the earth.
The admonitions to be watchful because the time is near must be understood in the light of the abundance of Scriptures which clearly imply a delay. The gospel must be preached to all nations and the fullness of the Gentiles must come in, filling His house. Only the Lord knows when that will have come to pass.
Also, as Peter explained, we must take into account the relative nature of time. Our sense of time is not the same as the Lord’s. For Him, one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. The same is true of a child’s sense of time in comparison to that of an elderly person. When my children were little, we often went on long trips, even driving from California to Guatemala a couple of times. As an adult who had made the trip before, I knew how long it would take, and to me it seemed like a much shorter trip than it did to my 4-year-old son Cristian. After about an hour, he was already complaining, asking why it was taking so long. It wouldn’t have been of any use trying to explain to him every highway we would have to take, since he wasn’t old enough to understand. I started out by telling him that we would be arriving soon, and tried to keep him occupied with other things so he wouldn’t think about how long it was taking. Then when that failed, I would tell him something like, “when you see the big bridge, we are getting closer,” or, “when you see the ocean, it will be just a bit further.” My wife and I knew from the beginning how long it would take to reach our destination, but it was no use trying to explain to him how long the trip would last, since he wouldn’t have understood. And even if he could have comprehended the time required, it would have only made the trip more unbearable for him.
I believe that, in a similar manner, the Lord told His disciples that it wasn’t for them to know the times and the seasons, but rather that they were to busy themselves in proclaiming the gospel throughout the earth while at the same time being watchful for the signs which would indicate that His coming was at the door. May He find us occupied doing what He commissioned us to do when He comes.
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.” (Matt 24:44-46)
[1] Hyppolytus (AD 170 to 236),Treatise on the Antichrist, Sections 47-67
“These things, then, will come to pass, beloved, and the one week being divided into two parts, and the abomination of desolation being manifested then, and the two prophets and forerunners of the Lord having finished their course, and the whole world finally approaching the consummation, what remains but the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ from heaven, for whom we have looked in hope?
Tertullian (AD 160-220), Luke 21:1-38
“Then, having shown what was to be the period of the destruction, even ‘when Jerusalem should begin to be compassed with armies,’ He described the signs of the end of all things: ‘portents in the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity – like the sea roaring – by reason of their expectation of the evils which are coming on the earth."
[2] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 30 section 4
[3] Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1, Irenaeus: Against Heresies Book 5 Chapter 25 section 3,4