The Son of Man will come again with his Father's glory and with his angels. And he will reward everyone for what they have done. Believe me when I say that there are some people standing here who will see the Son of Man coming with his kingdom before they die.
Jesus speaking here. (Mat 16:28, ERV)When you are treated badly in one city, go to another city. I promise you that you - (referring to first century disciples not us today) will not finish going to all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes again.
Jesus speaking here. (Mat 10:23, ERV)Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
(Jhn 21:20-22, KJV) Not that John, wouldn't die, that he wouldn't die until at least after he witnessed the second coming.PRETERIST THOUGHTS
1. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Full preterists believe that all (except those referring to the continual growth of the Kingdom of God forever) biblical prophecies, including those concerning the end times and the return of Christ, were fulfilled by the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
2. Historical Context: They emphasize the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of biblical texts to interpret them accurately, arguing that many prophecies were fulfilled within the lifetimes of the biblical authors and their immediate audience.
3. Symbolic Interpretation: Full preterists often employ symbolic interpretation to understand apocalyptic texts, seeing them as representing spiritual truths rather than literal future events.
4. Resurrection and Judgment: They maintain that the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment occurred spiritually at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, rather than as physical events that are going to take place on earth or yet to come.
5. Kingdom of God: Full preterists believe that the establishment of the kingdom of God happened in the first century, with the spread of Christianity and the destruction of Jerusalem marking the victory of Christ over evil,death,and sin.
6. Continuity of the Church: They see the Church as continuing to grow and thrive after the events of 70 AD, with no need for a future return of Christ to establish His kingdom on earth.
7. Eschatological Fulfillment: According to full preterists, the hope of believers is not in a future earthly kingdom but in the present reality of Christ's reign in the hearts of believers and the eventual consummation of all things in Him.
Supportive Verses
1. Fulfillment of Prophecy:
- Matthew 24:34 - "Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."
- Luke 21:20-24 - Describing the destruction of Jerusalem and the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy.
- Revelation 1:1-3 - Introducing the book of Revelation as events that "must soon take place."
2. Historical Context:
- Galatians 4:4 - "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law."
- Daniel 9:24-27 - Prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah and the destruction of Jerusalem.
- 1 Peter 1:10-12 - Discussing the prophets' inquiries and revelations regarding the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
3. Symbolic Interpretation:
- Revelation 1:1 - "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John."
- Revelation 1:20 - The symbolic interpretation of the seven lampstands and the seven stars.
- Revelation 11:8 - Symbolic reference to Jerusalem as "the great city" where Jesus was crucified.
4. Resurrection and Judgment:
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 - Describing the mystery of the resurrection at the last trumpet.
- John 5:28-29 - Jesus speaking of the hour coming when the dead will hear His voice and rise.
- Matthew 25:31-46 - The judgment of the nations, separating the righteous from the wicked.
5. Kingdom of God:
- Luke 17:20-21 - Jesus explaining that the kingdom of God is within or among them.
- Matthew 13:31-33 - Parables describing the growth and spread of the kingdom of heaven.
- Revelation 11:15 - Proclaiming the kingdom of the world becoming the kingdom of our Lord.
6. Continuity of the Church:
- Matthew 16:18 - Jesus' declaration that the gates of Hades will not overcome His Church.
- Acts 2:42-47 - Description of the early Church's growth and vitality after Pentecost.
- Revelation 2-3 - Letters to the seven churches indicating their ongoing existence and challenges.
7. Eschatological Fulfillment:
- Colossians 1:19-20 - Speaking of God reconciling to himself all things through Christ.
- Ephesians 1:9-10 - God's plan to bring unity to all things under Christ.
- Revelation 21:1-5 - Describing the new heaven and new earth where God dwells with His people.