March of the “Don’t” Believers

Within a short period of time there has arisen a host of “anti”-preterists whose stated purpose and mission is to “destroy”anything and everything related to the preterist viewpoint.  Thus websites, blogs and other viable means of communications has been launched with a view toward “tearing down”what they see as harmful and destructive within the preterist movement.

This defection from preterist teaching comes as no surprise since there have always been those “being blown and carried about by every wind of doctrine, in the sleight of men, in craftiness to the deceit of error” (Eph. 4:14), also described as, “always learning, but never being able to come to a full knowledge of the truth” (II Tim. 3:7).  These belong to the class who stood each day near the Areogapus, “living there, [and]  have leisure for nothing else than to say and to hear newer things” (Acts 17:21).  These newly “enlightened” don’t believers who stood on the firm foundation of truth have now stepped forward to recant and renounce their former involvement in this “sinful” movement of preterism.  Like roaches who scurry away to find shelter in the darkness these “un”preterists now seek some other more viable interpretive system that bends toward their personal feelings and less toward the inspired testimony of Scripture.

Thus far, what has been revealed has been “weighed in the balances and found lacking” (Dan. 5:27), long on rhetoric and short of evidence supported from the biblical text.  Some have chosen to hide behind the historical creeds and confessions to the exclusion of anything evidence to the contrary presented from Scriptures.  From Sola Scriptura to Sola Creedo is a leap from the light into the darkness.  Such attitudes smack of the same mentality that created the “Dark Ages” and certainly not that which was demonstrated by the Reformers by which millions marched out of the shadows of tyranny and into the light of freedom.

Therefore, we must wait and see whether or not there is any substance to their claims.  We must wait for some systematic theology that presents a more biblical model and consistent approach to eschatology than preterism.  Thus far all we have been hearing is what they don’t believe instead of Scriptural evidence of what they do believe.  It is not enough to renounce the past if there is no foundational truth with which to replace it.  One can say they renounce their belief that the world is round and yet offer no evidence to the contrary and expect everyone else to fall in line just because they “said so.”  The admonition of the apostle Paul stands, “Prove all things, hold fast that which is good”(I Thess. 5:21).  Anything less from them is just “whistling in the dark.”

The challenge is set before them.  Prove your case and all who are in error will lay down their swords and follow.  They must, to say it bluntly:  “Put up, or shut up.”  What will these same ones do six months from now when they still do not have a viable alternative?  What will they say when the realize the utter folly of accepting the necessity of a bodily reconstitution, in the form of a “physical” resurrection from the dead?  What will they do when they come to realize the implications of their stance, that one cannot “go back” into the nonsense of futurist eschatology without encountering unavoidable contradictions and inconsistencies than simply cannot be reconciled with what the Bible actually says.  Will they now join the “Left Behind” crowd march toward a Rapture?  Or, will they now take the Amillennial approach that cannot agree on when the book of Revelation was written, or how and when it was fulfilled.  In A.D. 70?  In A.D. 476?  Down through the historical pageantry of events that brings us down to the present day?  Or, perhaps the “Idealist” approach that strips the Bible from any connection to history whatsoever?  Apparently the Bible was just “dropped” from heaven with no reference to space and time, with a story to be taken and applied how ever the individual “idealist” wants to apply it.

When the dust settles, those who stand on the Scriptures will remain where we have always been–without the need to run from preterism toward anything else.  Respected men of faith such as Todd Dennis, Roderick Edwards, Brian Simmons and a host of others should simply pause and look into the innermost parts of their being and allow what they know to be rekindled.

Few of us who have believed in preterism for twenty or more years are happy with the present condition of the movement.  But, Christian maturity demands that we not lose sight of the truth simply because those around us have perverted certain concepts of faith to suit their own quest for power and recognition.  Those who have used the truth their own ends will certainly reap the consequences of the bad ”seed” that has been sown.  Those who have used their liberty for a license to live in the depths of debauchery and corruption will be held accountable for their actions.  God remains on the throne with genuine believers who look only into the face of Jesus as our King.  It is under His Lordship that we find our victory–never apart from it.

If these men have the sense of integrity that I am convinced they do, they will humble themselves under the mighty hand of God and admit that His word was true then and it is just as true now.  When that time comes none of us will cry “I told you so” but simply give them a hug in acceptance and say tenderly in the spirit of our Father ”welcome home, we missed you.”

“Ernestly tenderly Jesus is calling, Come home.”

WHAT FUTURISTS HATE ABOUT HEAVEN

Okay.  This is just something short and sweet to think about.

The most common objection to preterism is that it destroys all hope (nothing to look forward to).

When a futurist dies and gets to heaven, then what will he have to “look forward to”?

Preterism simply says that believers can and must begin to enjoy God’s very best for us right here and right now.  This does not imply that the adventure ends with physical death.  The Bible is about relationshipwith God–something that knows no physical boundaries.  Did Jesus have a relationship with the Father while He was manifest in the flesh?  He was the Son of God, you say.  True.  But the Bible teaches that because of what He accomplished for us, that in Him we become partakers of the Divine Nature and Children of God.  During the first century believers were told, As He is, so are we…  Why would anyone want to accept anything less than God’s very best.

As a Preterist I look forward to each day by looking backwardto the events of the past and being thankful for all that God has done.  Israel was often told to “remember” and today believers have much to “remember” as we look at the course of human events and see the visible hand-print of God working in us and through us.  We are the living expression of God in this realm of existence.  We are the only “God” and the only “Jesus” our friends, our families and our loved ones “see.”

I fear that futurists will be bored in heaven because they will “have it all” and what else could there possibly be to look forward to, then?