Preterists pay special attention to the time texts throughout the Scriptures. For example, near the end of the Olivet Discourse, Jesus makes this statement:
“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place” (Mark 13:30).
In other words, everything that Jesus has been speaking of in verses 1-29 is going to happen within one generation. Jesus spoke this in AD 30, which means that by AD 70 (one generation), all of these things had to have been fulfilled. Look what this includes:
“For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.” (Mark 13:19).
Jesus says that the great tribulation will occur before that generation passes away.
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory” (Mark 13:26).
Jesus also says that the coming of the Son of Man will occur before that generation passes away.
“And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven” (Mark 13:27).
Jesus states that the gathering of the elect by the angels will occur by AD 70.
It might be hard to understand how the tribulation, the coming of the Son of Man, and the gathering of the elect could have happened in the first century, but Preterists insist upon taking the time texts seriously.
“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place” (Mark 13:30).
There are good and reasonable explanations for how the tribulation, the coming of the Son of Man, and the gathering of the elect took place within a generation. We will examine more of these in the future when we study the Olivet Discourse.
1 comment:
Really enjoying this kind of controversial but loving dialog! May I share with your readers what Elder Bob Reymond said to me while I had the blessed opportunity to “rightly handle the word of truth” at our last quarters Sunday school sessions. At the beginning of the teaching on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, entitled “Why I am the way I am, The Marvel and Mystery of the Magnificent Gifts Made Clear.” Bob commented, “Woody, you will find in Reformed circles, there are 2 subjects rarely tackled… The Gifts of the Spirit and the Second Coming!” At a boy Eric!
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