Michael B
03-03-2005, 07:17 PM
Consider this: Christians often use the "Liar, Lunatic or Lord" argument with non-believers in regard to statements Jesus made about being the Son of God. We say that either Jesus is Lord as He claims, or He is a liar or lunatic, which would make following Him just as unwise. The same is true of His claims as to His Second Coming. Either He returned in that generation over 1900 years ago as He and His disciples promised He would, or He is a liar or a lunatic. He didn’t say He might return. He said He would return. Either He did return and fulfill everything He said He’d fulfill at His coming, or He lied. The very foundation of the Gospel rests upon His words.
Matthew 24 is is undoubtedly in regards to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. It can not be in regards to a rebuilt temple because Jesus was speaking to those disciples that were with him at the time in history. Therefore, any complete Futurist view of Matthew 24 is nonsense.
Matthew 24
1Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2“Do you see all these things?” <= The temple at that time, not future he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” <= Destruction of the temple 3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” <= The disciples wanted to know when this was to occur
Most bible scholars recognize that Matthew 24 is in regards to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Bible students know that Daniel 12 is a very important text in Jesus' teaching, especially in the Olivet Discourse. In Matthew 24:21 Jesus foretold the coming of a tribulation "such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be." This is a direct reference to Daniel 12:1. In Matthew 24:15 our Lord once again referred to Daniel 12, [and chapter 9], when he foretold the coming of the Abomination of Desolation. Jesus, in Matthew 24, quotes from Daniel 12 twice in response to his disciple's questions about his coming and the end of the age.
To help understand the parallel between Daniel 12 and Matthew 24 note the following chart.
Keep in mind that all Partial Preterists say that at least Matthew 24:1-34 are fulfilled.
Daniel 12 Matthew 24
time of the end, v. 4 end of the age, v. 3.
Great Tribulation, v. 1 Great Tribulation, v. 21
Abomination of Desolation, v. 11 Abomination of Desolation, v. 15
Resurrection, v. 2, 13 Gathering of elect, v. 31.
I would like to point out that the gathering of the elect took place prior to Matthew 24:34. Therefore we must conclude that the gathering took place before that generation had passed away. Therefore the resurrection in Daniel 12 had to have occurred already. Both Matthew 24 and Daniel 12 tell us exactly when the resurrection was to occur.
Daniel 12
7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. <= Jewish war lasted 42 months When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed." <= Resurrection to occur when Jewish war ended and Jerusalem was destroyed
Matthew 24
31And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. <= Elect gathered34I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. <= Elect gathered before the generation would pass away
Even though the gathering of the elect had to occur prior to the generation passing away, there are some Partial Preterists that try to deny that the gathering spoken of in verse 31 is in regards to the resurrection. Although some Partial Preterists say that Matthew 24 is entirely fulfilled, there are some that try to divide Matthew 24 into different comings of Christ.
I will now demonstrate the impossibility of dividing Matthew 24.
The chart below demonstrates that Matthew 24 is not in regards to two different comings of Christ. It demonstrates that in Luke 17, which speaks of the same event of Matthew 24, actually mixes the verses that some Partial Preterists try to say are past with some that they say are future.
A comparison between 1 Thessalonians 4-5 and Matthew 24 is fascinating. As we keep in mind that Jesus uses apocalyptic language in Matthew 24: 29-34 which all Partial Preterists say is past, we can't expect the same language to be literal in 1 Thessalonians 4-5.
Those who believe the coming in Matthew refers to the spiritual events surrounding Jerusalem's fall would insist that we not literalize the clouds, the angels or the trumpet blast. If they are not literal in Matthew why would they be in Thessalonians?
The chart below also demonstrates that it is impossible to divide Matthew 24 into two comings of Christ because 1 Thessalonians 4-5 (Which all scholars say is the 2nd coming of Christ in finality) covers the verses in the entire chapter of Matthew 24.
1. Christ Himself Returns Matt. 24:30 I Thess. 4:16
2. From Heaven Matt. 24:30 I Thess. 4:16
3. With a Shout Matt. 24:30 (in power) I Thess. 4:16
4. Accompanied by Angels Matt. 24:31 I Thess. 4:16
5. With Trumpet of God Matt. 24:31 I Thess. 4:16
6. Believers Gathered Matt. 24:31 I Thess. 4:17
7. In Clouds Matt. 24:30 I Thess. 4:17
8. Time Unknown Matt. 24:36 I Thess. 5:1-2
9. Will Come as a Thief Matt. 24:43 I Thess. 5:2,4
10. Unbelievers Unaware of Impending Judgment Matt. 24:37-39 I Thess. 5:3
11. Judgment Comes as Travail upon Expectant Mother Matt. 24:8 I Thess. 5:3
12. Believers to Watch Matt. 24:42 I Thess. 5:4
13. Warning Against Drunkenness Matt. 24:49 I Thess. 5:7
Since Matthew 24 can not be divided into two comings, then we must conclude that heaven and earth passed away in Matthew 24.
Matthew 24
35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Since heaven and earth passed away, Revelation 20 (The Great White Throne Judgment / 2nd Coming / Resurrection) and Revelation 21-22 (new heaven and earth) must be fulfilled events.
Revelation 20
11Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away.
Revelation 21
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
Conclusion:
Matthew 24 is in regards to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple that was still there when Jesus said these words in Matthew 24.
Matthew 24 is telling us of the same event to take place in Daniel 12, the resurrection.
We are told this event would take place before the generation would pass away.
We are told that the resurrection would occur when the power of the holy people was shattered.
Matthew 24 can not be divided into two comings of Christ because Luke 17 mixes the verses.
Matthew 24 can not be broken into two comings of Christ because 1 Thessalonians 4-5 covers various verses mentioned throughout the entire chapter of Matthew 24.
Since Matthew 24 can not be divided it must be about the 2nd coming of Christ.
Since heaven and earth must have passed away, Revelation 20-22 must be fulfilled.
Therefore: The 2nd Coming of Christ must have occurred in AD 70 at the destruction of Jerusalem.
If Jesus returned within His generation, then the Futurist view is a lie.
If Jesus didn’t return within His generation, then Christianity is a lie.
Which are you more comfortable with?
Believe the Lord, become a Preterist.
Michael Bennett <><
Matthew 24 is is undoubtedly in regards to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. It can not be in regards to a rebuilt temple because Jesus was speaking to those disciples that were with him at the time in history. Therefore, any complete Futurist view of Matthew 24 is nonsense.
Matthew 24
1Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 2“Do you see all these things?” <= The temple at that time, not future he asked. “I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” <= Destruction of the temple 3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” <= The disciples wanted to know when this was to occur
Most bible scholars recognize that Matthew 24 is in regards to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Bible students know that Daniel 12 is a very important text in Jesus' teaching, especially in the Olivet Discourse. In Matthew 24:21 Jesus foretold the coming of a tribulation "such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be." This is a direct reference to Daniel 12:1. In Matthew 24:15 our Lord once again referred to Daniel 12, [and chapter 9], when he foretold the coming of the Abomination of Desolation. Jesus, in Matthew 24, quotes from Daniel 12 twice in response to his disciple's questions about his coming and the end of the age.
To help understand the parallel between Daniel 12 and Matthew 24 note the following chart.
Keep in mind that all Partial Preterists say that at least Matthew 24:1-34 are fulfilled.
Daniel 12 Matthew 24
time of the end, v. 4 end of the age, v. 3.
Great Tribulation, v. 1 Great Tribulation, v. 21
Abomination of Desolation, v. 11 Abomination of Desolation, v. 15
Resurrection, v. 2, 13 Gathering of elect, v. 31.
I would like to point out that the gathering of the elect took place prior to Matthew 24:34. Therefore we must conclude that the gathering took place before that generation had passed away. Therefore the resurrection in Daniel 12 had to have occurred already. Both Matthew 24 and Daniel 12 tell us exactly when the resurrection was to occur.
Daniel 12
7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. <= Jewish war lasted 42 months When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed." <= Resurrection to occur when Jewish war ended and Jerusalem was destroyed
Matthew 24
31And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. <= Elect gathered34I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. <= Elect gathered before the generation would pass away
Even though the gathering of the elect had to occur prior to the generation passing away, there are some Partial Preterists that try to deny that the gathering spoken of in verse 31 is in regards to the resurrection. Although some Partial Preterists say that Matthew 24 is entirely fulfilled, there are some that try to divide Matthew 24 into different comings of Christ.
I will now demonstrate the impossibility of dividing Matthew 24.
The chart below demonstrates that Matthew 24 is not in regards to two different comings of Christ. It demonstrates that in Luke 17, which speaks of the same event of Matthew 24, actually mixes the verses that some Partial Preterists try to say are past with some that they say are future.
A comparison between 1 Thessalonians 4-5 and Matthew 24 is fascinating. As we keep in mind that Jesus uses apocalyptic language in Matthew 24: 29-34 which all Partial Preterists say is past, we can't expect the same language to be literal in 1 Thessalonians 4-5.
Those who believe the coming in Matthew refers to the spiritual events surrounding Jerusalem's fall would insist that we not literalize the clouds, the angels or the trumpet blast. If they are not literal in Matthew why would they be in Thessalonians?
The chart below also demonstrates that it is impossible to divide Matthew 24 into two comings of Christ because 1 Thessalonians 4-5 (Which all scholars say is the 2nd coming of Christ in finality) covers the verses in the entire chapter of Matthew 24.
1. Christ Himself Returns Matt. 24:30 I Thess. 4:16
2. From Heaven Matt. 24:30 I Thess. 4:16
3. With a Shout Matt. 24:30 (in power) I Thess. 4:16
4. Accompanied by Angels Matt. 24:31 I Thess. 4:16
5. With Trumpet of God Matt. 24:31 I Thess. 4:16
6. Believers Gathered Matt. 24:31 I Thess. 4:17
7. In Clouds Matt. 24:30 I Thess. 4:17
8. Time Unknown Matt. 24:36 I Thess. 5:1-2
9. Will Come as a Thief Matt. 24:43 I Thess. 5:2,4
10. Unbelievers Unaware of Impending Judgment Matt. 24:37-39 I Thess. 5:3
11. Judgment Comes as Travail upon Expectant Mother Matt. 24:8 I Thess. 5:3
12. Believers to Watch Matt. 24:42 I Thess. 5:4
13. Warning Against Drunkenness Matt. 24:49 I Thess. 5:7
Since Matthew 24 can not be divided into two comings, then we must conclude that heaven and earth passed away in Matthew 24.
Matthew 24
35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Since heaven and earth passed away, Revelation 20 (The Great White Throne Judgment / 2nd Coming / Resurrection) and Revelation 21-22 (new heaven and earth) must be fulfilled events.
Revelation 20
11Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away.
Revelation 21
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
Conclusion:
Matthew 24 is in regards to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple that was still there when Jesus said these words in Matthew 24.
Matthew 24 is telling us of the same event to take place in Daniel 12, the resurrection.
We are told this event would take place before the generation would pass away.
We are told that the resurrection would occur when the power of the holy people was shattered.
Matthew 24 can not be divided into two comings of Christ because Luke 17 mixes the verses.
Matthew 24 can not be broken into two comings of Christ because 1 Thessalonians 4-5 covers various verses mentioned throughout the entire chapter of Matthew 24.
Since Matthew 24 can not be divided it must be about the 2nd coming of Christ.
Since heaven and earth must have passed away, Revelation 20-22 must be fulfilled.
Therefore: The 2nd Coming of Christ must have occurred in AD 70 at the destruction of Jerusalem.
If Jesus returned within His generation, then the Futurist view is a lie.
If Jesus didn’t return within His generation, then Christianity is a lie.
Which are you more comfortable with?
Believe the Lord, become a Preterist.
Michael Bennett <><