The Law of Moses in 2 Corinthians 3

The Ministration of Death

No discussion on the fulfillment of eschatology should omit the study of the Law of Moses in 2 Corinthians 3. It is such a rich text on the background of Israel’s experience under Torah, the events of Sinai and their application to a then present transition. In most Amillennial studies, the law of Moses ends at the cross, is completely fulfilled then, with nothing to be heard of it from that time forward.

This is the view of most. In their defense of that  position, texts from John 19:30, Eph. 2:15, and Col. 2:14 are cited as proof that all was fulfilled at the cross. According to them, God at that point completed his covenant promises to Israel. Everything from that time forward related only to the church. Can the Law of Moses be packed into such a restricted and limited time frame? Not if 2 Corinthians 3 has anything to do with that discussion.

The Law of Moses and the Glory on Moses’ Face

“But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away.” (2 Cor. 3:7).

In the historical case and after Moses had received the tables of testimony from God in the mount, he descended to rejoin Israel at its base. But his face was transformed so that it shone. Both Aaron and the people of Israel were afraid to come near him. They asked him to put a veil over his face whenever he spoke to them after meeting with God. Their fear prevented them from looking at his face. (Ex. 34:29-35)

According to Paul, this glory which was on Moses face was passing even at the time Israel looked upon it. It was not a permanent. Nevertheless, the only way they would meet with him was if he wore the veil.

The Law of Moses, the Ministry of Death

The covenant Moses received, Paul says, constituted a ministry of death. The law of Moses could not give life, (Gal. 3:21).  Such depended upon man’s perfect obedience, (Jas. 2:10). Yet even as a covenant of death, it had glory. Israel looked upon that glory as their ancestors looked upon Moses, i.e. through a veil. What they could not see was that the Law of Moses was passing in the time of Paul (Heb. 8:13)  just as the glory which shone on Moses’ face was passing during the Exodus.

This point is misunderstood and largely ignored. Yet receives attention in Paul’s discussion of passing of the Law. He introduces it to teach by analogy, the ongoing transition from the ministration of death to the ministration of life, i.e. the New Covenant in the Spirit. (2 Cor. 3:8-10).

The Law of Moses Is Passing Away

In the context, the verb tenses are present passive. “For if what is passing away is glorious, what [is] remaining is much more glorious. The language here is both clear and emphatic. The law of Moses had not passed away. It however was in the process of passing away. It could not fully pass until all, i.e. every jot and tittle of the law were fulfilled. Jesus said, till heaven and earth pass, i. e. till all were fulfilled.” (Matt. 5:17-18)  We will continue our study of the “Law of Moses” in the next post.

Revelation Bible Commentary

Lunch At Preterist Pilgrim Weekend

Now that we have in brief set each of the respective views before us, in our previous Revelation Bible commentary let us dig down a little deeper to offer critique on the Premillennial Preterist view. McKenzie wrote extensively on this view in an article posted on the Preterist Archive. He argues that full preterism has a few glitches in the fulfilled millennium in A.D. 70. One of his main arguments is that two of the seven churches are promised blessings that extend beyond A.D. 70 and are therefore experienced in the millennium. We set forth his argument below.

Revelation Bible Commentary of Russell & Mckenzie

Mckenzie offers James Stuart Russell’s argument that the end of the millennium is the one exception to that which must shortly come to pass in the book of Revelation. Already we are expression concern. But his reason for rejecting it is based upon presupposition, not scripture. It amounts to nothing more than he objects, because he objects! We examine more of their Revelation Bible Commentary below.

“Some interpreters indeed attempt to get over the difficulty [of the end of the millennium not being one of the things that were at hand when John wrote] by supposing that the thousand years, being a symbolic number, may represent a period of very short duration, and so bring the whole within the prescribed apocalyptic limits [of AD 70]; but this method of interpretation appears to us so violent and unnatural that we cannot hesitate to reject it.  The act of binding and shutting up the dragon does indeed come within the “shortly” of apocalyptic statement, for it is coincident, or nearly so, with the judgment of the harlot and the beast; but the term of the dragon’s imprisonment is distinctly stated to be for a thousand years, and thus must necessarily pass entirely beyond the field of vision so strictly and constantly limited by the book itself.  We believe, however, that this is the solitary example which the whole book contains of this excursion beyond the limits of “shortly;” and we agree with [Moses] Stuart that no reasonable difficulty can be made on account of this single exception to the rule. We shall also find as we proceed that the events referred to as taking place after the termination of the thousand years are predicted as in a prophecy, and not represented as in a vision.  Indeed the passage, chap. 20:5-10, seems evidently introduced parenthetically, interrupting the continuity of the narrative, which is again resumed, as we shall see, at ver. 11.  James Stuart Russell, The Parousia pg. 514 emphasis mine. “[dm]”

Revelation Bible Commentary Visions Contain Time Prophecies

We happen to disagree with both Russell and McKenzie, and suggest that no such exception exists. The best way to demonstrate this is to examine the arguments set forth to uphold it to see if they fulfill their purpose. His Revelation Bible commentary falls short of proof. Note that he asserts Revelation 20: 5-10 as parenthetically inserted prophecy versus part of John’s vision. There is no rule of exegesis which says that a prophecy cannot be contained within a vision. In fact, many prophecies were given as visions.  The scene on the Mount of Transfiguration was a vision and so said Christ, 17:9. Yet, Peter said it was a sure word of prophecy.

“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…And so we have the prophetic word confirmed…” (2 Peter 1:16, 19). The coming of the Lord is certainly a prophecy. Peter said it was confirmed in the vision of the transfiguration. Thus, to argue that Rev. 20:5-10, is not a part of the vision because it may contain prophecy is incorrect. Such is not accurate revelation bible commentary.

We might also add that the vision of the transfiguration certainly interrupted the continuity of the narrative, i.e the discussion of Christ with Peter, James and John. Nevertheless, it did not change the fact that the vision contained prophecy nor the does it affect the timing of the prophecy within the vision.

Tracy VanWyngaarden, in his excellent refutation of premillennial/partial preterism (See at Preterist Archive) points out that in both the Psalms and 2 Peter 3:8, the designation “a thousand years” is clearly likened to a short period of time.

Revelation Bible Commentary – A Day As A Thousand Years

“For David “a thousand years in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by, Or as a watch in the night”. The night watch was divided by three each consisting of about three hours. This short period, taken along with yesterday when it passes by”, and also Peter’s declaration that “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” should be sufficient grounds for allowing the full preterist some leeway in his assertion that the thousand years my indeed be indicative of the short forty year inter-advent period from the cross to the second coming in A.D. 70. ” (emp. his) To be continued.

A Day As A Thousand Years – Christian Eschatology

2010 Eschatology Bible Conference

Second Peter three is a much abused text in the study of Christian eschatology (the end times and last days prophecy). One of the most abused passages in the chapter is verse 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.” How have the futurists, skeptics and Dispensationalists used this verse? In a word, backwards.

What I mean is that they have used it in exactly the opposite manner as that intended by the Apostle. So, in this writing, we want to show three things. First, we will show that Christian eschatology is a reiteration of Old Testament prophecy. To be more accurate, there is no such thing as Christian Eschatology. Eschatology, properly means the last of something, whether an individual or system. As a system of faith, there is no end to Christianity, thus it has no eschatology. More on this later.

Secondly, we will show that Peter spoke of the time of the day of the Lord in very clear and emphatic terms. There should be no mistake about the “when” or time of fulfillment. We will note this directly from his epistle.

Thirdly, we there is no end to Christianity, i.e. the kingdom of God or the present age.

Christian Eschatology Is A Reiteration of Old Testament Prophecy.

There is no teaching of the end times found in the New Testament which is not already taught in the Old Testament. What is the importance of this point. It means that if the Old Covenant is fulfilled, then all Bible prophecy is fulfilled. That means the preterit view is the correct application of Bible prophecy. Most all expositors are preterists in some of their eschatology.

Paul taught no other things than those which Moses and the Prophets said would come, Acts 24:13-15; Acts 22:16-18; 22-23. All his references to end times prophecy are quotes from the Old Testament. Even 1 Corinthians 15 begins with Hosea 6:1-3 and ends with Hos. 13:14 and Isa. 25:8. This is why he says, “then shall come to pass the saying that is written, “death is swallowed up in victory.

According to the Lord, not one jot or tittle could pass from the Old Covenant until all were fulfilled, (Matt. 5:17-18). If they are yet in force, then animal sacrifices are yet valid.

Christian Eschatology Misunderstands Peter’s Timing of the Day of the Lord

While the scoffers were asking where is the promise of His coming, Peter reminded his readers of what he wrote in “both” epistles. What he referred to was that contrary to the scoffers the day of the Lord would come as promised. To understand his end times message, read carefully 1 Peter 4:5, where God was “about” to judge the living and the dead.  In verse seven he said that the “end of all things” had drawn near. Finally, in verse 17, he writes that the time for “the judgment” had come.

Why would he contradict himself in the second letter, especially when he wrote that they received their message from the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven. Even the angels were interested in knowing the time revealed. Christian eschatology has circumvented bible eschatology and placed the end where it does not belong. A kingdom which has “no end” has no eschatology. See Luke 1:32-33.

In addition, Peter cites Isa 28:14-19, to show that God clearly would overturn the lies of the scoffers and through bringing the very judgment they condemned. Take the time to read those verses. They affirm the certainty of the judgment in spite of the lies of the scoffers. Now if the scoffers were saying the promise would not come to pass imminently as the Apostles taught and as the disciples eagerly expected and awaited in the first century (a point which all informed readers of the New Testament acknowledge), then Peter counters their mocking with verse 8-9.

In other words the teaching regarding a day is as a thousand years, does not mean a delay as the scoffers taught, but an imminent impending judgment about to happen, just as Peter taught in the first epistle. It is an abuse to use the verse for a delayed protracted end time, when Peter used it to counter the scoffers mockery and claim that there was a delay.

Christian Eschatology Misconstrues the End

Only a covenant which has an end can have eschatology. The Old Covenant was in its last days about the vanish having become obsolete, (Heb. 8:13). Therefore, the last days belonged to it. Jesus died in the “end of the age” to put away sin. He did not die in the Christian age. It was His death which made the Christian age possible. The church is the eternal kingdom which cannot be shaken, (Heb. 12:28). It is incorruptible, undefiled and does not fade away. “Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Eph. 3:21) A world without end cannot have eschatology, therefore properly speaking, there is no “Christian eschatology.

Signs of the End Times

No teaching appears to have challenged the status quo on the signs of the end times as has Preterism. As more people become aware of it, more literature and speeches begin to reflect this pendulum swing in the right direction. In time, this can only mean that more people will understand the true significance of the Old Covenant promises and the new people of God.

Preterist Prophecy Conference

It is the common belief of Dispensational Premillennialism that the state of Israel is the fulfillment of prophecy.

Signs of the End Times Slight of Hand

In John Hagee’s “In Defense of Israel, p. 53, he cites Romans 9:4, as a text that supports national Israel as proof in support of the modern state of Israel. In magic, this would be called slight of hand. First, Hagee is chronologically incorrect. The text applies not to a post biblical 1948 and forward time frame, but to a condition which existed in the first century in the time of Paul. That this verse is not a modern commentary on the signs of the end times should be apparent to any careful reader.

Hagee conveniently stops at verse 5. The next two verses completely destroy the concept of national Israel as God’s exclusive chosen people. “But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “in Isaac your seed shall be called.”  That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” (Rom. 9:6-8). One wonders what brand of cool-aid some bible readers are drinking to accept such a gross misuse of the Scripture.

Old Covenant Israel Was Inclusive Not Exclusive

Stephen Sizer’s Zion’s Christian Soldiers? The Bible Israel and the Church, p. 47, offers the following on the “inclusive” nation of Israel even in the Old Testament. “You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother. You shall not abhor an Egyptian, because you were an alien in his land. The children of the third generation born to them may enter the assembly of the Lord.” (Deut. 23:7-8).  Remember, again from Romans, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Edom descends from Esau, not Jacob or Israel, but is clearly Israel’s brother and was not to be excluded from the nation.

The same was true of the Egyptians and others. “I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me; Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: This one was born there. And of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her; and the Most High Himself shall establish her. The Lord will record, when He registers the peoples: This one was born there. ” (Psa. 87:4-6). Neither the Old Zion, nor the New Zion had anything to do with racial exclusivity. Thus a charge of anti-Semitism is ludicrous.

Foreigners And the Signs of the End Times

Foreigners were to have an inheritance in Israel as “native-born Israelites according to their tribe of residence. “Thus you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. It shall be that you will divide it by lot as an inheritance for yourselves and for the strangers who dwell among you and who bear children among you. They shall be to you as native-born among the children of Israel; they shall have an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. And it shall be that in whatever tribe the stranger dwells, there you shall give him his inheritance, “says the Lord God.” (Ezk. 47:21-23).  This prophecy belong to the “signs of the end times.” Neither Old nor New Testament prophecy teaches exclusivity for Israel.

Finally, Isaiah records, “Do not let the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord Speak, saying, “The Lord has utterly separated me from His people. Nor let the eunuch say, Here I am, a dry tree.” (Isa. 56:3).

Signs of the End Times and Racism

Thus, to make national Israel, who has nothing to do with Bible prophecy one of God’s signs of the end times is a stretch of the imagination. Paul said he could wish that he were accursed from Christ for his “countrymen” (unbelieving Jews) according to the flesh. (Rom. 9:3). Yes, they did have the adoption, the covenants, the promises, and the law of God, etc, but they were “blinded” and did not obtain that for which they sought. (Rom. 11:7). Because of their “blindness” God brought in the Gentiles through faith in the gospel to provoke Israel to jealousy that he might save some of them through Christ, not through nationalistic racism.

Premillennial Preterism

Premillennial Preterism is the term ascribed to those who believe that Christ returned in judgment upon Jerusalem in A.D. 70, not to end the millennium already in progress, but to

begin the millennium of a 1000  years. Unlike Premillennialism espoused by Lindsay and other Leftbehind advocates which holds the millennium to be yet future, it suggests the thousand years reign commenced in AD 70 and is ongoing.

As such, it shares partly in the “present millennium” view of Amillennialism only differing in the time of inception by 40 years. Amillennialist teach that the millennium began in A.D. 30, following the ascension and coronation of Christ, whereas the “prepret” view holds it began 30 years later.

I’m sure this is very confusing and so it is to the writer to some extent. To make it even more fun, the Postmillennial partial preterist believes that the millennium occurred from Pentecost until A.D. 70, but inserts the last days for the current time. So, the last days of Partial Preterism chronologically equals the millennium of Amillennialism and PrePret millennialism. Yes, its a brain burner.

On the other hand, the full preterit view of the millennium is that it occurred from about A.D. 30 at the ascension and coronation of Christ upon David’s throne and ended in A.D. 70 at Jesus’ coming in judgment upon Jerusalem. So, where the PrePret has the millennium beginning many full preterists see it as the terminal point.

Is the Millennium Literal Or Figurative?

It doesn’t matter which view is taken, it must be concluded that the millennium is not literal but figurative. Why? Because according to the text in Revelation 20:4, those in the millennium live and reign with him a thousand years. We will examine this in the light of the views expressed above. First, let us take the Premillennial Preterism view espoused by Dr. Duncan McKenzie.

If the millennium began in A.D. 70 and ends with the alleged future coming of the Lord, then the it must be a figurative representation of a thousand years. For a literal thousand years cannot extend beyond that number. 1900 years and counting does not equal one thousand. Thus, if the alleged future return of Christ is another thousand or million years away, the millennium is certainly a figurative number.

Premillennial Preterism Amillennial Ongoing Millennium

The same goes for the Amillennial view. Whatever time extends from Pentecost to A.D. 30 to the present and beyond means that the thousand years is figurative for the same reasons above.

The verdict is still out on the Premillennial view because they hold the event to be in the future, thus ascribing it to a literal one thousand years. But their view is merely speculative theory. Until it happens, it’s just blowing smoke. Further, for those who are pretrib and mid trib, they must add three and a half to seven years on the time anyway to account for their alleged future great tribulation.

Partial Preterism

The Partial Preterist “historical view” of the millennium likewise holds it out to be a “figurative” millennium. For it would commence from A.D. 30, and end with the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. That is the veiw expressed by Dr. Kenneth Gentry, Jr. in the book Three Views on the Millennium. Thus, the “thousand years” covers a 40 year period confined only to one generation, namely those in the first century. The commonality in all the views above is that they see a yet future final return of Christ extending far into the future.

Full Preterism

Similar to the  partial preterist, the full preterist holds the pre-parousia reign of Christ starting on Pentecost A.D. 30 as the beginning of the Millennium when he sits upon the throne continuing until all enemies are placed under his feet in A.D. 70. That again argues for a figurative thousand years reign. Only, at the end of the millennium Christ’s coming in judgment on Jerusalem is the consummate coming and beginning of His eternal reign with the Father, Rev. 11:15; 22:4-6. Click here to learn more about fulfilled prophecy.

Is God Late On Fulfilled Prophecy?

Revelation

In the previous study, we ended in Isaiah 28:14-19, on a discussion of the scoffers. Now we address the subject, A Day Is As A Thousand Years – Is God Late on Fulfilled Prophecy? Before delving specifically into that question, it is essential that we continue our thoughts on the scoffers. We pointed out that God prophesied some 800 years before it occurred that they would come with lies saying the end was not near.

That means that if they were lying as scoffers against an imminent coming, then God, Christ and the Apostles had to have stated the truth about it! In order for something to be a lie, there must be some truth from God to establish the lie of the scoffers. Observe the certainty of judgment expressed in the text. “Also I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not stand; when the overflowing scourge passes through, Then you will be trampled down by it. As often as it goes out it will take you; for morning it will pass over, and by day and by night; it will be a terror just to understand the report.” (Isa. 28:17-19).

Fulfilled Prophecy – Isaiah Affirmed the Certainty of God’s Promised Judgment

Notice that the “hail” will sweep away the refuge of lies, the waters will overflow the hiding place. Thus, the scoffers cannot hide in their lies. The two metaphors which God uses are those from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (hail) and may also include the destruction of the Egyptians in the plagues of Moses (a very fitting destruction symbol for national Israel) and the flood of Noah (overflowing waters). Thus, God’s certain judgment would counter the lying scoffers.

What were the scoffers lying about? They were asking, “Where is the promise of His Coming?” They were saying what all students of eschatology have recognized, namely that the scriptures taught an imminent end in the first century. They balked at the concept of imminent fulfilled prophecy. Note these words from Word Bible Commentary:

“In a Christian context a special significance attached to the death of the generation of the apostles, for the there were several well-known sayings of Jesus which seemed to predict his Parousia within the lifetime of his contemporaries (Matt 16:28 par. Mark 9:1 par. Luke 9:27; Matt. 24:34 par. Mark 13:30 par. Luke 21:32; John 21:22-23; cf. Matt 10:23). Thus the critical point for the nonfulfillment of the promise of the Parousia came at the time when it could be said that the generation of the apostles had died. The objection of the scoffers was not just that a long time had elapsed since the promise was given, but that the promise itself had set a time-limit within which it would be fulfilled and this time limit had passed.” Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 50, 2 Peter, p. 291.

We would add this correction to the above. The entire generation had not completely died out. The time limit though very near had not yet passed when Peter wrote. Peter and John, were yet alive along with their readers, so these scoffers came near the end of their generation. As you will note, the requirements Christ gave for fulfilled prophecy were as follows:

• before all “some” who stood in His presence died
• before that generation [completely] passed
• before the apostolic ministry to Israel ceased
• before the Apostle John died

Fulfilled Prophecy is Very Specific

So, there is no question what the scoffers were scoffing at, and there is no question that most people, even learned Bible scholars believe that God failed on His promise or at least is now almost 2000 years late. But how can that be an overturning of the refuge of the scoffers lies? People yet ask, “Where is the promise of His coming?” And the response continues to be, God is on a journey. Perhaps he sleeps or some other irrational explain-away-the-simple-words-of-scripture.

The versus of Isaiah 28:14-19, affirm the immutability of God’s word and the inevitability of judgment. It was the actual coming of judgment that swept away the lies of the scoffers. If that judgment did not so occur, then the lies of the scoffers have prevailed and God is made out to be the big fibber! Shame on Futurism! It is impossible for God to lie, and that covers prophecy as well.

Is God Late on Fulfilled Prophecy?

How sad it is that men use the very scripture that the Holy Spirit used to say God is not late, to make Him say He is late?  “  Word Commentary offers this translation of 2 Peter 3:8-10.

“My dear friends, do not overlook this one fact, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years are as one day. The Lord is not late in fulfilling the promise, according to some people’s idea of lateness, but he is forbearing toward you, because it is not his will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with a roar, the heavenly bodies will be dissolved in the heat, and the earth and the works in it will be found. [wanting]

In the next study of fulfilled prophecy we will further examine the relationship of 2 Peter 3 and Isaiah 28.

Is God Late On Fulfilled Prophecy?

Futurists are well aware of the immanency of end times Bible prophecy. This fact is evident in the many attempts to explain or defend the so-called delay of the Lord’s coming. In other

Loosing of Satan

words, they believe God is late and they are ready to write him an excuse to let him back into prophecy class, like a student with a note from a parent. There is no escaping the fact that Jesus and His apostles taught, and both believers and non-believers’ expectations from those teachings was an imminent end of the world. To this very day, Christianity is mocked because of its seeming inability to cross the finish line of fulfilled prophecy.

Why Did the Scoffers Appear Prematurely To Protest the Delay of Fulfilled Prophecy?

Isn’t it rather strange that the scoffers of Second Peter three would appear so early in history to protest a coming that was not on God’s “things-to-do-list” until sometime in the 21st century and beyond? That would be the equivalent of a 2 year old who lives to be a centenarian showing up at his own funeral on his 3rd birthday, wondering why he isn’t dead yet.  Imagine the morticians telling him, well, young man, you’ve got 97 more years to live before we do this. We’ll be happy to oblige but all of us will have already died before you!

The Scoffers Lie About Fulfilled Prophecy

Why did God predict and foretell that they would come in the first century to scoff at a coming and judgment for which he would be late? In Isaiah 28:14-19, God prophesied through Isaiah that men would come scoffing in the last days. “Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scornful men, who rule this people who are in Jerusalem, Because you have said, “We have made a covenant  with death, and with Sheol we are in agreement, when the overflowing scourge passes through, it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.”

Please note the text very carefully. Even though the scoffers are prophesied as saying that the judgment will not come to us, and because God says they have “trusted in lies for their refuge and hidden themselves under false hood…” Wait a minute. Hold the phone, please. God predicts that not only the scoffers would come to protest the judgment, but he says they are liars! Now what does that mean for the immanency of fulfilled prophecy? If the scoffers lied then shouldn’t we examine that about which they lied?  What were they saying? They were saying God is late, the judgment is not coming as prophesied, taught and expected!  Futurists, do you hear it.  God said that was a lie!

Fulfilled Prophecy and Delay

How could God get it right about the scoffers coming in the last days and lying about a supposed delay, but miss it on Christ’s coming in those same last days? Why would He make Christ and the Apostles to teach falsehood to make the scoffers look good about that imminent coming? That’s the equivalent of saying that God knows how to fulfill prophecy for liars but not for those who on every other occasion recorded truth.

Admitting the Scoffers Are Liars About the Delay of Fulfilled Prophecy

Once we are in agreement according to prophecy (Isa. 28:14-19) mentioned above that the scoffers are lying, then how could it be said that what was predicted did not come to pass? The very promise of Isaiah 28:14-19 is that the scoffers’ words would be overturned. “Behold I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily. Also I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. Your covenant with death will be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol will not sand; when the overflowing scourge passes through, Then you will be trampled down by it. As often as it goes out it will take you; for morning by morning it will pass over, and by day and by night; It will be a terror just to understand the report.”

In our next study, we will pick up here to offer further comment on this futurist dilemma with fulfilled prophecy and the words of lying scoffers. Be sure to check out the next post. A Day is As A Thousand Years – Is God Late On Fulfilled Prophecy?

Christian Prophecy

Christian prophecy is a misnomer of sorts, a name used to describe prophecies of the Old Testament reiterated in the New. Yes, there are many claiming to have a prophetic gift today

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complete with the ability to foretell the future. Yet, the future or prophecy in the  New Testament was not far-sighted but near-sighted. In other words, all prophecy looked forward to that which was soon-to-come-to-pass. (Phi. 4:5; James 5:7-8, 1 Pet. 4:7, 17, Rev. 1:1-3). Shortly thereafter, (A.D. 70) the role of divinely inspired prophets ceased. There was no more forth-telling to do. What once was legitimate forth-telling became pseudo prophecy styled Christian prophecy with an altered focus from the consummation of the Old Covenant world, to the consummation of the universe involved in the destruction of the planet.

It must be apparent to the wise that something is terribly wrong with a paradigm or view point that sees the world as temporal, limited, running down as a faintly glowing wick on a burning candle.  Christian prophecy advocates are the undoing of their own desire for success and salvation. It has fostered so much pessimism, doom and gloom in the world through its dispensational, and amillennial worldviews that most people want nothing to do with Christianity and many others with religion in general.  There are some premises we must examine in this closed-in eschatological system.

Political Implications of Christian Prophecy

Those who have adopted the dispensational mindset of prophecy wreak havoc in the political world. We have nations including many politicians and their supporters in the United States who believe that eschatology is related to physical territory and land boundaries, even if it is not on their own soil. This belief fosters an attitude and mentality of scarcity and lack. Thus, the idea is an insatiable grasp for power and control over the smaller and weaker nations. Help for other countries viewed as weak, poor and undeveloped amounts to little more than exploitation and neo-colonization. This is inevitable with the present worldview of so-called Christian prophecy and it prophets.

It is not uncommon to see widely publicized televangelists calling for pre-emptive strikes on nations. How is that the message of God and Christ? How does that expand the borders of the kingdom of God? Have they not read that Jesus said “If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, but my kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36). An enlightened world cannot long bear with these war-mongers who profit in death and destruction. Fresh new leadership with ingenuity and vision shaped by a paradigm of an eternal and abundant world that lasts forever must of necessity arise and meet the challenges with new innovative thinking and political world views.

The old guard has served its place, but as feudal lords of the past, they must pass from the scene giving way to men and women of a greater consciousness. Christian prophecy as it is known must die. We do not need more dismal, gloomy, dangerous, destructive, defeatism prophets, but evangelists of glory, power, peace abundance and cooperative spirits based on equality.

Financial Implications of Christian Prophecy

There is no doubt that dispensationalism and its influences deliberately sought to teach limitation and lack, even prohibition of wealth accumulation. This is such a grossly erroneous view of the Christian world in Scripture. Pictures of the kingdom are always painted with the brush of prosperity, abundance and expansion. God is without limits. Many people ask, “If Christ has come, what now?” They are so used to being told that the world will end with a fiery zapping of God’s wand that they never considered what to do with themselves in the event that this world would not end. So, learning they’re not going to be raptured off into the air to leave a world doomed to destruction is rather challenging.

An eternally existing world of endless wealth and unlimited opportunity begs of its inhabitants to master acquiring of wealth not for the sake of self-indulgence only but also for the betterment of the world. A man can only drive so many cars, live in so many houses, etc. Wealth must reach out and serve the kingdom. Consider these post second coming passages. “And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.” “And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. (Rev. 21:24, 26).

Christian Prophecy and the Glory of Nations

What is the honor and glory of kings and of nations? Is it not their wealth and resources? What does they do with it according to the verses? They bring that honor and glory to the kingdom in creative ways that expand life, create opportunities and foster honorable expressions to the world.

This is why more and more individuals must become wealthy to either stop altogether or nullify the impact of a few wealthy lords or governments who use their financial power to destroy and to exploit others. Doom and gloom eschatology cannot hold out such a worldview for it is rooted in lack and scarcity. Only an eschatological paradigm which acknowledges a kingdom that is present but eternal can begin to grasp what such a concept means for the world. This is not to say that only those who are versed in covenant eschatology can understand that, for others naturally reach such conclusions. The point here is that we must demonstrate to the world that such views are not anti-christian and hopefully gain back some of the respect lost by the fanatics of “Christian prophecy.”

Who wants the prospect of a business or political environment which is subject to catastrophic annihilation at any moment? Yet, that’s what the world gets from Dispensationalism,  Amillennialism and kindred doom and gloom world views. People are tired of hearing it. They shout, “The end! The end! The end! We must shout Liar! Liar! Liar! Your pants are not on fire!

Three Assumptions of Premillennialism

Three Assumptions of Premillennialism

To accept the doctrine of Premillennialism involves the acceptance of certain views. We refer to these as the Three Assumptions of Premillenialism. That in no way means that these assumptions are limited to three for we believe many more can be cited. However, these are selected solely for the purpose of this brief writing.

Premillennialism Assumption No. 1: All Prophecy Must Be Literally Interpreted

This assumption, advanced with evangelistic fervor ignores the genre of literature of the Old Testament prophets. They often spoke in metaphor and hyperbole, using many different figures of speech to get their messages across. Such language is evident in Isaiah 19:1 which speaks of the Lord riding upon a swift cloud and coming in judgment upon the Egyptians. This language is a pattern of the apocalyptic literature which discusses the overthrow of nations.

Other examples are found in Isaiah 24 which speaks of the destruction of “heaven and earth” or Jerusalem and Isaiah 34 which speaks of Edom. The prophecy of the fall of Babylon in Isaiah 13 is widely accepted as figurative language. Those who would make such prophecies literal are forced to a conclusion which is unnatural for it would mean that the world had literally been destroyed several times in the past.

Premillennialism Assumption No 2: Christ Returns Before the Establishment of the Millennial Kingdom

The millennium comes from the Latin word, Mille and means a thousand. It is found in the book of Revelation, chapter 20, occurring some seven times in the first few verses. The assumption of literal interpretation creates the idea of a literal millenium.In other words, Premillenialism is the belief that Christ will return before the 1000 years millennium begins to set up His Kingdom.

However, the parable of the Nobleman’s son (based on a true occurrence in Ancient history), states that a certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. He left his servants to occupy his estate carrying out its business until he returned.  While away, receiving the kingdom he is rejected by His citizens. They say, “We will not have this man to reign over us.”

Premillenialism

Now the Bible says, that when he returned, “having received the kingdom.” In other words, the nobleman did not come to establish a kingdom upon his return, he came having already received a kingdom.  In other words, the kingdom was received while he was absent, before he returned, not after he returned. Upon his return, he rewards His servants and judges those who refused to have Him reign over them.

Premillennialism: Assumption No. 3.  The Coming of the Lord is Yet Future

The parable of the nobleman sets forth the kingdom as arriving within the lifetime of the servants who were left to occupy and carry out the king’s business. There is no possibility of their living for a literal thousand years between his going away and his return. Nor, does it separate a time between the rewarding of the servants and the judgment of the wicked. Thus Premillennialism has an arbitrary chronology for the coming of the kingdom.

According to the words of Christ, he would establish and come in his kingdom before some then living died, (Matthew. 16:28. That can only be properly interpreted to mean that He would come within their generation that is, before they all died. Such a fact renders impossible the conclusion that Christ’s return is yet awaiting fulfillment.

Summary: Three Assumptions of Premillennialism

To build a doctrine for a future return of Christ ignores the metaphorical language of scripture. It over exaggerates the messages of the prophets, turning their language into that which is beyond belief. The 1000  years reign of Christ is that which must fall within or during the lifetime of those on earth.  Jesus illustrates this in the parable of the nobleman in that his servants are the same one to whom he delivered his goods. His enemies are the same ones who rejected His reign.

The Lord came before all in His generation died. He returned having received the kingdom, not to await a millennium or the end before the end, but at the end spoken of by the prophets in the first century.

Revelation 1:7

Revelation Bible Study

One of the messages gleaned from Revelation Bible Study is that the end is not the end and by that we mean the end of time and or life on the planet. The Apocalypse sheds more light on the passages in the prophets and in the gospels which speak of the life and the message of God continuing after Jesus’ return or parousia. The word parousia means presence. It affirms that Christ is here with believers today.

Obviously, this refers to His spiritual presence. Erroneously, many believers expect a physical bodily return of Christ of the same nature  in which He came the first time. They fail to understand that Jesus’ physical body was for the purpose of His temporary sojourn on earth and primarily for his atoning sacrifice and death on the cross. “But we see, Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for every one.” (Heb. 2:10).

This text is quite revealing. It says that Jesus became a man so that He could suffer death. After His resurrection death has no more dominion over Him. Further, there is more involved in Christ’s suffering of death for every man than His physical suffering on the cross. This is the essence of the Revelation Bible study.

He died a vicarious death for the benefit of man so that man would not experience that death. The death Jesus died was “death to sin” (Rom. 6:9-11). It involved His being separated from the Father. It is through that death which believers are privileged to “live” with Him. In other words, believers do not have to suffer the death of separation from God. Christ did that for us.

Evangelism Continues Forever

It is this message that God requires us to take to the world, the message of salvation from death, i.e. from separation. Isaiah prophesied that God’s kingdom would never end but continually increase. “Of the increase of His government and peace  there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isa. 9:7)

Revelation Bible study is a message of the coming of the kingdom of God, (Rev. 11:15). Again note Isaiah says the government of the kingdom would not end. That means the law of the kingdom, also called the law of faith or the gospel has no end. But observe that the kingdom is established in judgment. In other words, the judgment is the time the kingdom is fully established, but judgment does not end the kingdom. Rather, it is when God’s reign truly begins on earth in its fullness.

Revelation Bible Study: My Words Shall Not Pass Away

Jesus affirmed the same saying that heaven and earth would pass away but His words would never pass away, (Matt. 24:35). Now think about to whom he was affirming this. Not to angels but to men dwelling on earth. How could Jesus affirm His words would never pass away if the universe gets jettisoned? This verse affirms the continuation of mankind, the gospel and life on the planet. The heaven and earth which passes is the old covenant world, (Heb. 8:13).

Peter contrasts the fading glory of man’s brief human life on earth comparing it with the grass and flowers that fade away. (1 Pet. 1:24-25) Yet he says the word of the Lord endures forever, which is preached by the gospel.  Therefore, no Revelation Bible Study which speaks of the end of earthly life is true to the message of the Apocalypse.

Revelation Bible Study

The nations of those who are being saved walk in the light of the Holy City, i.e the new Jerusalem, or temple, (Rev. 21:24). These are synonyms for the church and kingdom. The nations bring their glory and honor into the kingdom, (21:26). How do these nations journey to heaven if this is a post earthly existence of man? How would they even exist in world which suffered destruction?

The leaves of the tree of life are for the “healing of the nations.” (Rev. 22:2) Healing implies some form of sickness, either spiritual or physical. We must rule out physical sickness, for there would be no physical bodies, sickness or death in heaven, thus no need of healing. But if these nations remain on earth, they certainly would need the continual healing powers of the gospel to assist them to walk in righteousness.

Revelation Bible Study Conclusion

Finally, John sees those who have the right to enter through the “gates” into the city, but he also sees those who are “outside” describing them as dogs, sexually immoral, murderers, etc who practice a lie. (Rev. 22:14) In other words, they are yet practicing sin outside the city. Such description does not fit destruction of life on the planet. Therefore, Revelation bible study is a message of encouragement and victorious living in Christ on earth with an assurance that the afterlife is equally blessed even more so. Click here for additional audios on Revelation Bible Study.