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pt.2 Did Jesus return in 70 AD as Preterists claim It is ABSOLUTELY necessary for the Millennium to be a literal fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. These promises relate to the Messiahs birth, history and the nation of Israel, it is impossible to have fulfillment of these Scriptures other than literal. The mention of 1,260 days, 42 months are all literal and not symbolic, they are literal years just as Genesis describes literal years and days. What is still in effect are his covenants - Genesis 12:3 “And I will bless them that bless you and curse him that curses you.’ And part of the covenant is the land given. He gave them the land of Canaan “from the river of Egypt unto...the river Euphrates” (Gen. 15:18). Has not been fulfilled yet. Where’s the Millennial temple? This temple has completely different measurements than Herod’s temple. Numerous things that are to be present in the Millennium are missing. Why? Because the Millennium never took place. God Himself is involved in the rebuilding of a fourth temple for the Millennium. The millennial temple river flows through the eastern gate south to the dead sea and gives life (Joel3:18; Ezek.47:1-2,8-10). As the river is divided in Jerusalem the western part flows to the Mediterranean sea.Throughout Israel’s history they have never possessed all of the promised land. In the millennium they will (Ezek. 47:15-20), as the Northern border encompasses Lebanon and part of Syria over to the Euphrates river. The Eastern border has the Golan heights and part of part of Syria near to Damascus. The southern border is from the Dead Sea encompassing part of the Negev and Sinai southward to the Mediterranean sea will be its western border. Ezek. 48 describes the land portioned to 12 tribes. The chambers of the outer court in 42:1-14, followed by the description of the outer wall in 42:15-20. Ezekiel speaks of the return of the Shechinah Glory 43:1-9 that promises to dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. 2 Chron. 6:6-7: “Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there the King will be in Jerusalem Psalm 2:6-8: Yet I have set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion. I will tell of the decree: Jehovah said unto me, You are my son; This day have I begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.” Jesus’ Throne is literally be established in Jerusalem, His reign will extend over the whole earth, the Gentile nations will be under His domain. Furthermore we are told “the LORD shall be king over all the earth; that day shall there be one LORD and his name one” (Zech. 14:9). Meaning there will be no more false gods worshipped, do we see this today? This has not taken place either. Zechariah points out that in that day, Jesus will be recognized as the Messiah by all he will be the authority of the world and will be considered as the One God. Micah 4:1-5: The first three verses of this passage are the same as those
found in Isaiah 2:2-4 that speak of the Mountain of Jehovah's House becoming the
center of attention to the world's Gentile population, the Kingdom being
characterized as a time of messianic teaching, and the absence of war as
universal peace permeates the entire Kingdom. Micah adds that the Kingdom will
be a time of personal peace and prosperity (v. 4), with Israel's total
allegiance being to God (v. 5). David is to become King and Prince of Israel. Jesus as the Messianic King will have authority over all Israel, David being resurrected is given the titles of king and prince (Jeremiah 30:9). As a king because he will rule over the nation of Israel, but as a prince in that he will be under the authority of the Messiah who is king over the earth. 1 Tim. 6:15 “only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.” In the Millennium all the Gentile nations will have kings, as will Israel. Rev 5:10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth." All the nations and rulers of the Earth will be under a theocracy, the Lord as their King, no more Gentile kingdoms. As Daniel describes the dominion given to the Messiah and those who share in his resurrection will be given places to co rule and reign under Him. Jesus made it clear of those who have part of the first resurrection avoid judgment. John 11:23-25 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” Was Lazarus raised spiritually or physically? Only those who have part in the first resurrection, “shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6). So when did this thousand years begin? (which they allegorize to a length of time unknown). Where are the resurrected saints? If the resurrection happened, where those who died that were raised? Should they not be with us today? 1 Corinthians 15 teaches a future, bodily resurrection from the dead along with the transformation of those still living (1 Thess. 4:16). If the Tribulation took place in 70 AD, Christ came back then the resurrection is past already. Where are the apostles or any ancient person raised up from the dead? The proof is on the men claiming this teaching. The apostle Paul warned Timothy about a few men, Hymenaeus and Philetus in 2 Timothy 2:18, who said that the resurrection is past already they overthrow the faith of some. The fact that even in the first centuries after 70 AD no one believed that Christ actually came back as the Bible depicts. But now we have many claiming this. Many Preterists say there is no difference in the Bible between the Second Coming and the Rapture take place at the end of the Millennium; they are simply different aspects of the Last Day. While many hold to this same interpretation they have a unique way to explain it. They interpret The First Resurrection of Revelation 20:5 as a "Spiritual resurrection: our regeneration in Christ." This is a flawed position because the Bible NEVER calls our regeneration from believing the gospel as the first resurrection but as being born again of the Spirit, regenerated. Does one have to wait for the end of the Millennium to be regenerated? Lets look at the next verse to keep this in context. Rev. 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power” What is the second death? Rev. 20:14 “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” It is the destruction from sin, what was introduced because of the fall. All sin will be judged, Rev. 21:8: "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." The Return of Jesus affects the countries in the Middle East When were the Arab/ Muslim nations destroyed? Tracing of the northern boundary shows that Israel will encompass all of modern-day Lebanon. Lebanon and parts of Syria will be at peace with Israel. In Ezekiel 47:13 - 48:29 we are given the boundaries of the nation of Israel in the Millennium. Southern Jordan will have total destruction. Some of those passages are, Ezekiel 35:6-9, Jeremiah 49:7-13 and 19-20, and Obadiah 5-9 and 17-21. Moab (modern central Jordan) will also suffer destruction, but it will not be total. A remnant of Moab will return (Jeremiah 48:47). Ammon (present-day northern Jordan), it will become a possession of Israel but its destruction will not be total (Jeremiah 49:1-6). Peace will come between Israel and Egypt primarily by destruction, later there is conversion (Isa. 19:1-22) Israel will be at peace with the Arab countries of Iraq and portions of modern Syria by their conversion (Isa. 19:23-25). Peace will come between Israel and Saudi Arabia by means of destruction (Jer.49:28-33). Saudi Arabia total receives devastation by war, the inhabitants are scattered and dispersed all over the world. Jeremiah 49:33 states: And Hazor shall be a dwelling place of jackals, a desolation for ever. no man shall dwell there, neither shall any son of man sojourn therein.” Peace comes between Israel and Iran (Elam) by means of destruction (Jeremiah 49:34-39.) Iran’s destruction is partial, and has a temporary dispersion; the inhabitants will return to Iran. Isaiah and Jeremiah prophesy of Babylon, that will become desolate for all time. Isaiah 13:20 Babylon "will never be inhabited nor will it be settled from generation to generation; nor will the Arabian pitch tents there" (Isa. 13:20). Jeremiah affirms Isaiah's words, comparing Babylon's destruction to that of Sodom and Gomorrah (Jer. 50:39-40). Southern Iraq is made desolate and stays this way throughout the Millennium (Isa. 13:20-22; Jer. 50:39-40). Revelation 19:3 says that it will also be a place of continual burning and smoke through the Millennium (For further detail I recommend Dr. Fruchtenbaum’s study on these countries in the Millennium). I ask you, why are these countries still at war with Israel if we are in the Millennium? The answer is obvious, because we are NOT in the Millennium, there is supposed to be peace with the nations under the Messiahs rule (which should not be considered the church ruling). The second coming changes EVERYTHING, not some things. Isaiah 11:6-9 describes universal peace that will affect even to the animal
kingdom. All animals will return to the Edenic state and become vegetarians (vv.
6-7). The oldest of enemies, man and the snake, will live in compatibility in
that day (v. 8), for the knowledge of God will permeate throughout the entire
world, affecting all men and animals (v. 9). Jesus is not present ruling over the nations, we still have sinful human governments. Dan.2 has not taken place. Dan 2:44-45 "And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. "Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold-- the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure." Are there still false gods worshipped when Jesus is king? Zech 14:9 “And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be--" The LORD is one," and His name one.” Mal 1:11 For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, my name shall be great among the Gentiles; in every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; for My name shall be great among the nations," says the LORD of hosts.” There are still false prophets and religions, why? Because we are NOT in the Millennium. A covenant is a promise that cannot be broken God did not ever say all of Israel would be destroyed and he would forsake them and replace them with the church. He said the opposite. God does not forget or change the promises he made in a covenant. Israel is in the land today after 1900 years proves God’s faithfulness his promise is literal. Rom. 11:1 “has God cast away His people? Certainly not!” Deut. 4:31: “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.” God’s covenant will not be broken Rom.11:26 All of Israel will be saved, just like it says in the word, not all the church would be saved – for one to be the church they must first be saved, both Jew and Gentile. In Jer. 31 right after God promises to forgive our sins in the new covenant he states vv.35-37 ‘Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, who disturbs the sea, and its waves roar (The LORD of hosts is His name): "If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the LORD, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever." Thus says the LORD: "If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, says the LORD.” If the sun the moon and stars are removed only then will God be prevented from fulfilling his promise to Israel. But only God could remove these! God is committed to his promises and his people or he is a liar like man. The “new covenant” (Jer 31:31) was actually made to the house of Israel and Judah without conditions and this is the covenant all gentiles are grafted into to be one in Christ (Rom.11). If it is no longer applicable to the Jews how can it for the gentiles? Our mediator is the covenant maker, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8). If anyone’s doctrine denies Israel’s covenant is still in place -- it is anti – Semitic. The book of Revelation If the book of Revelation was written in 70 ad (or prior) to warn about the tribulation to the Jews how could it be distributed to Israel who would be scattered – If the tribulation was over at 70 AD, and was written after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD then it is not prophecy at all, but historic (i.e., it was written during the 90s, as all the earliest external evidence indicates). If the book of Revelation is penned after 70 AD, the warning of that the Tribulation Period/70th week of Daniel, the coming of the Son of Man on the clouds, the Millennial Kingdom, which are things which are yet to “come to pass shortly” ... then the whole Preterist theory is moot. This is why they insist it was written before 70 AD. But as previously pointed out the actual events do not fit the history that has taken place. So there is no way to honestly say we have seen fulfillment. Why are there wars and rumors of wars when the millennium is to be a time period of peace and harmony ruled by Jesus’ government in place. Isa. 66:23-24 if Armageddon took place while is there not representatives visiting Israel each new moon or Sabbath (Zech. 14) or seeing the carcasses of men that have transgressed against the Lord as their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire. I can go on and on with numerous Bible descriptions that are not here today that should be. Why are the saints not kings and priests co reigning over the nations, teaching the people? Why is Christ and Christianity still mocked? Let me help those who are unable to move from the Preterist position of prophecy, we are NOT in the Millennium. Luke 19:11 “Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately.” The preterist's made the same mistake. Jesus told us to pray “thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” If the kingdom has already come on earth we do not need to pray this prayer. Preterist's continue to partake of the Lord’s Supper, however Paul said that we eat and drink to “proclaim the Lord's death UNTIL HE COMES” (1 Corinthians 11:26). If he came why continue to do this? If what Preterist's claim is true, then all who hope for and look to the personal bodily return of Jesus are deceived. We cannot expect our bodies to be raised to immortality when Jesus comes (1 Cor. 15:22-23, 51-54). If this doctrine is false, then those holding it are overthrowing the faith of others, as were Hymenaeus and Philetus in 2 Tim 2:18 “who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past” (Paul calls Hymenaeus a blasphemer in 1 Tim.1:20). However, the Bible speaks of those who said the resurrection was past as straying from the truth. You should not pick and paste by piecemeal Scripture to make something out of portions of books without trying to keep it in context. Bible prophecy is about literal events, historical events, that are specific, not vague. But Preterist's have a whole different system to interpret Scripture by - it is based on a wrong premise, a non literal interpretation of last day events. There is nearly no literal fulfillment, only symbolic fulfillment. We have an anomaly, Jesus said No man knows the day of His coming. There have been false prophets throughout history that have estimated the date. The Preterist’s say they know the date it happened in 70 AD. So one false prophets says it is in the future and they guess the date, the other says it is in the past and know the date. I fail to see much difference. If none of these events occurred in the way Scripture describes then Jesus did not return and this falls into the category Jesus’ warning of him being out in the desert or inner rooms. All three Gospels describe events with a visible return of the Lord Jesus in the Fathers glory, something which clearly did not happen in AD 70. His return involves the whole world seeing the same Jesus that ascended into heaven personally and physically (Lk. 24:39). The return of Christ cannot be made as the same event as the "dispersion of Jewish people and destruction of the temple." Israel is gathered from all corners of the earth back into the land in belief when Jesus returns, not scattered. The preterists have a revision of history that is just not connected with the Bible the way it was written. If Jesus came back we are now in the Millennium, how’s that working out for you? What kind of millennial rule is this? In fact, it should be coming to a close since the Book of Revelation mentions its length to be 1,000 years six times which does mean it is NOT eternal. Regardless; it does indicate it has an end just as it has a beginning which started in 70 AD. Even if it you do not interpret it as a literal 1,000 years, when does it end? Scripture says what it says and it means what it says. Preterism/Amillnialism claims for nearly 1950 years the church has been in the Millennium period, wow, I’m impressed at how everything is going… from bad to worse. Evil has increased not decreased; yet we are told we are in the Millennium. You have to completely ignore Scripture to think this is the Millennium, (or beyond it) with all the sin. Who keeps people from the truth today? Does not the Bible say Satan blinds people minds (2 Cor.4:4). Ask yourself “is Satan bound in the pit, is his evil removed, why do we see mankind sinning and evil pervasive and increasing?” Satan is not bound today, not according to how the Scripture describes it. He is loose doing his worst. If he were bound then he would have no power to blind the eyes of those who do not believe in the gospel – there would be less deception in the world since his representatives could not appear as ministers of light. He could not deceive believers. We would not have to resist him. Why is Satan still going about as a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. If Satan is NOT bound then Amillennialism/ Preterism is false. On this alone none of the prophecies of His second coming were fulfilled.
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