Interesting preterist argument

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NotTheRock

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This guy lays out a good argument for Jesus's return in 70 AD. I'm curious for your thoughts IF you watch the 25-minute video.

 

grafted branch

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This guy lays out a good argument for Jesus's return in 70 AD. I'm curious for your thoughts IF you watch the 25-minute video.

I watched the video and thought it was interesting, I agree with him and absolutely agree with his method of determining what has been fulfilled, I just wish he would’ve included the verses that support this method of determining what’s been fulfilled.

In Matthew 11:3 John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the one that should come or if they should look for another. In vs 4 Jesus says to show John again the things you hear and see. Here is a very clear example of how to tell if something was fulfilled, hear and see what’s going on and presumably compare it to scripture.

The video is definitely using this method by comparing scripture to historical records of what was heard and seen. Maybe he does have a video that goes into detail about why this method should be used, I don’t know, I only watch the video you posted.
 
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Jay Ross

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I find that the many so-called theologians pick and choose both religious prophecies and historical events as their signposts with which to explain what the scriptures was saying.

However, just one wrong interpretation of scripture can send a person down the wrong rabbit hole of error.

The first error in peoples understanding is around Genesis 2:17 which is the first reference to people in the distant future, dying the second death, at the time of the final judgement at the end of the seventh age/generation. Many have argued about what the death was that was being spoken about by God because Adam surely did not die. When Adam sinned by eating the fruit of the forbidden tree, he literally became a candidate for the second death at the time of the final judgement.

Another wrong understanding of the scriptures is found in Exodus 20:4-6 where God foretold that the continual sinning of the fathers during the first and second ages of the existence of the Israelites, that these iniquities would be visited upon their children and the children's children during the third and the fourth age/generation of the existence of the nation of Israel. The end of the first two ages of the nation of Israel indulging in continual idolatrous worship ended with the birth of Christ at the beginning of the third age/generation of Isael's existence. In Daniel 9:24a, we read of God's grace towards the Nation of Israel where He gave the fathers of Israel and opportunity over 490 years to repent of their continual idolatrous worship of Idols. Israel did not take this opportunity to repent before the birth of Christ. So, in the Daniel 9:25b-26 we read of the foretold destruction of God's temple and the scattering of God's earthly hosts to the four corners of the earth over a period of two ages/generation when the war in Heaven between God's Angels and Satan's fallen Angels concludes and Satan is forced out of heaven to be gathered with the judged kings of the earth at Armageddon and imprisoned in the Bottomless Pit for 1,000 years before they are released for the little while period at the end of the Seventh Age. 2 Chronicles 7:12ff also speaks of the destruction of the temple and the scattering of the nation of Israel to the four corners of the earth and explains why God brought this disaster upon Israel.

Now I have used the same methodology as was suggested in the video justifying the Preterist's explanation of the events that took place around 70 AD.

Others, like Ellenor White, also used the same method to justify their reasoning and understanding of the scriptures.

I also above used the same methodology to justify my conclusions in explaining away the recorded historical events around 70 AD.

However, when the basis for my conclusions is flawed, then it becomes very easy for Satan to influence me to move further away from God's presented word so as to become an enemy of God.

Seeing God's big picture and being able to explain how God's Plan for the Salvation of all of the peoples of the world will unfold is becoming more difficult with the noise coming from all of the so-called soothsayers presenting their pet theories.

God has deliberately provided long periods of times between all of His Prophetic words so that it is difficult for people to comprehend or understand when the events will take place. It seems to me that there are many events that will occur in quick succession around a major event that happens that will often create uncertainty in our conclusions.

Preterist have difficulty in explaining God's Salvation Plan for all of the people of the earth.

Do they make any good points? Probably the point they make that our focus should always be on God regardless of How God's Plan pans out.
 

NotTheRock

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I find that the many so-called theologians pick and choose both religious prophecies and historical events as their signposts with which to explain what the scriptures was saying.

However, just one wrong interpretation of scripture can send a person down the wrong rabbit hole of error.

The first error in peoples understanding is around Genesis 2:17 which is the first reference to people in the distant future, dying the second death, at the time of the final judgement at the end of the seventh age/generation. Many have argued about what the death was that was being spoken about by God because Adam surely did not die. When Adam sinned by eating the fruit of the forbidden tree, he literally became a candidate for the second death at the time of the final judgement.

Another wrong understanding of the scriptures is found in Exodus 20:4-6 where God foretold that the continual sinning of the fathers during the first and second ages of the existence of the Israelites, that these iniquities would be visited upon their children and the children's children during the third and the fourth age/generation of the existence of the nation of Israel. The end of the first two ages of the nation of Israel indulging in continual idolatrous worship ended with the birth of Christ at the beginning of the third age/generation of Isael's existence. In Daniel 9:24a, we read of God's grace towards the Nation of Israel where He gave the fathers of Israel and opportunity over 490 years to repent of their continual idolatrous worship of Idols. Israel did not take this opportunity to repent before the birth of Christ. So, in the Daniel 9:25b-26 we read of the foretold destruction of God's temple and the scattering of God's earthly hosts to the four corners of the earth over a period of two ages/generation when the war in Heaven between God's Angels and Satan's fallen Angels concludes and Satan is forced out of heaven to be gathered with the judged kings of the earth at Armageddon and imprisoned in the Bottomless Pit for 1,000 years before they are released for the little while period at the end of the Seventh Age. 2 Chronicles 7:12ff also speaks of the destruction of the temple and the scattering of the nation of Israel to the four corners of the earth and explains why God brought this disaster upon Israel.

Now I have used the same methodology as was suggested in the video justifying the Preterist's explanation of the events that took place around 70 AD.

Others, like Ellenor White, also used the same method to justify their reasoning and understanding of the scriptures.

I also above used the same methodology to justify my conclusions in explaining away the recorded historical events around 70 AD.

However, when the basis for my conclusions is flawed, then it becomes very easy for Satan to influence me to move further away from God's presented word so as to become an enemy of God.

Seeing God's big picture and being able to explain how God's Plan for the Salvation of all of the peoples of the world will unfold is becoming more difficult with the noise coming from all of the so-called soothsayers presenting their pet theories.

God has deliberately provided long periods of times between all of His Prophetic words so that it is difficult for people to comprehend or understand when the events will take place. It seems to me that there are many events that will occur in quick succession around a major event that happens that will often create uncertainty in our conclusions.

Preterist have difficulty in explaining God's Salvation Plan for all of the people of the earth.

Do they make any good points? Probably the point they make that our focus should always be on God regardless of How God's Plan pans out.

Before I read your post, can you tell me if you watched the video?
 

Marty fox

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This guy lays out a good argument for Jesus's return in 70 AD. I'm curious for your thoughts IF you watch the 25-minute video.

Thanks it was pretty good thanks. I don’t agree with every detail but I do with the majority of it. Jesus did come in judgement in that generation like He said that he would which proved that He was God.

Do you know the rapture one that he mentioned?
 
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TribulationSigns

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Jesus returned in 70 AD??

robert-downey-jr-facepalm.gif



What is 'spiritualizing' except looking at Scripture after the same manner as the Author Himself.

1 Corinthians 2:13
  • Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
If you read that Satan was bound, "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years", do you suppose it is to be literally interpreted? Is Satan really shaped like a dragon? Was Satan really held in a bottomless pit? Is a literal key really required to open this pit? Was there really a seal affixed across the pit's door? If you say, "Yes", then you can likewise join the ranks with those who say the thousand years will be literally fulfilled some day. But in this you err, for God wrote spiritual truths for those with spiritual understanding -- that is wisdom.

Colossians 1:9
  • For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Spiritual understanding is gained when we rightly divide God's Word, when we correctly understand the types and figures that God uses to get across His spiritual truth. In the flesh we say, "a 1000 years must be a literal 1000 years", but through the spirit we see the Truth God intended, comparing spiritual with spiritual. Selah!

Ephesians 1:17
  • That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
There are those who look at some text of Scripture, muse over it, and conclude that it must be understood spiritually -- yet God has not validated such an interpretation. For instance, like the video above, a preterist would say Jesus returned metaphysically on 70AD and fulfilled Matthew 24:30 by coming in Judgment for the Jews. Man has spoken it to be so --- BUT HAS GOD? How is it that the preterist can wrest Scripture and squeeze it into their preterist box? Because they do so through the flesh, not the Spirit. Their reasoning opposes God's Spirit, the very Spirit that leads us (the elect) into Truth.

John 16:13
  • Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Did not the disciples ask "...what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" Do you suppose they could correctly connect the end of the world with Christ's return? Or are the preterists correct in forcing the question into two parts: "what shall be the sign of thy coming" to destroy the temple in 70AD, and also what is the sign of your coming "at the end of the world". Do we believe with the preterist that immediately after the tribulation of those days (70AD) this happened: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other

Well, when our conclusions violate Scripture, as the preterist case for Christ's return in 70AD, we are left with confusion and disharmony -- a clear indication of error. Knowing that Christ did not come on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, and His angels did not sound the last trumpet, and the elect were not gathered together in 70AD, a rational, teachable, and spiritually minded person would repent and humble themselves. But yet Preterism remains and continues to be taught as truth in and out of the churches.

Therefore, spiritualizing is the process of seeing the Scriptures with 'spiritual eyes' that God has given, as they were intended to be understood by their very Author. Apart from God's Spirit leading us into Truth men will continue to design their own man-centered, earth-centered, nation of Israel centered, kingdom on earth centered doctrine of eschatology, and the spiritualizing that is done will continue to be borne out of the heart of lawlessness and in rebellion and opposition to all truth.

Romans 16:17
  • Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
How sad in our day, that with such a great increase in knowledge, there is a correspondingly greater lack of wisdom. Listen if you have ears to hear and eyes to see.

Matthew 13:43
  • Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
 

ewq1938

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When Christ returns, all the saved dead will resurrect as immortals and come with him. There are no immortal, resurrected people here so Jesus did not return in the first century.
 

Scott Downey

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Rev 19 happened in 70 AD?
What this guy is saying is the marriage supper of the Lamb happened in 70 AD
And the beast and false prophet are in the Lake of Fire and there is no mark of the beast anymore, it came and went.
He sounds like a full preterist, meaning all of Revelation is over and done.

The bride makes her appearance in the new earth where there is no more crying, pain, suffering, death or evil.
Does that have any believability to you?
What do you see on the earth today?
I see war, suffering, poverty, pain and death, so the former things have not passed away.

The marriage supper of the Lamb has not occurred in 70 AD

Rev 19
6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the[d] Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Christ on a White Horse​

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He [e]had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in [f]fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a [g]sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

The Beast and His Armies Defeated​

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the [h]supper of the great God, 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, [i]free and slave, both small and great.”

19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Rev 21
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. 2 Then I, [a]John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said [b]to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It[c] is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes [d]shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, [e]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.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nope, I don't believe it one bit
 

Scott Downey

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Matthew 24 is the same as Mark 13, this is the same story as taught by Christ
And he says all of this happened in 70 AD
Were the people of God gathered off the earth in 70 AD?


The Great Tribulation​

14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ [f]spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 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. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the [g]elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.

The Coming of the Son of Man​

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His [h]elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

The Parable of the Fig Tree​

28 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that [i]it is near—at the doors! 30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

No One Knows the Day or Hour​

32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
 

Scott Downey

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And if Christ already returned in 70AD, where was the sudden destruction of the wicked over the entire earth?
70 AD destruction was a local event to Jerusalem only, everything else world over continued on as it was down to today.

Luke 21 is the same story as Matthew 24

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with [h]carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may [i]be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The Coming of the Son of Man​

25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

The Parable of the Fig Tree​

29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

The Importance of Watching​

34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with [h]carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may [i]be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
 

Scott Downey

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Also this guy has Christ remaining in heaven for the 'return' and not descending out of heaven.
Did anyone notice that?

Acts 1, Christ ascended into Heaven, the angels tell the disciples Christ will return in the same manner, meaning He will descend out of Heaven into the air.

Acts 1
Jesus Ascends to Heaven
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

As does Paul at the return say the same, that Christ returns in the clouds of heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17​

New King James Version​

15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [a]asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That is what scripture means coming on the clouds of Heaven, not that Christ remains entirely in heaven.
Christ really does descend from heaven when He comes again.
And we meet up with Christ in the air.

Matthew 24:30
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have heard preterists say before that this is all taking place in heaven.
 

Scott Downey

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These are the same event

Matthew 24
30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His [d]elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Mark 13
26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His [h]elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

Lest anyone think Christ is only gathering His people in Heaven at His 'second coming'
The 4 winds in Matt 24 are of the earth

See, I have heard preterists tell me there is no earthy rapture, but as you can read here, they are wrong again.

These clouds of heaven are spiritual in nature, they are the host of heaven, angels, and living saints in heaven whom God brings with Him at the return of Christ as he DESCENDS from heaven.
 

Scott Downey

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I don't deny that some of those manifestations as recorded by Josephus occurred prior to 70 AD.
But the guy is using those as part of his justifying to you that the other things he is saying about the return of Christ are true.
He is creating in your mind a story line to lead you down his way of thinking.
 

NotTheRock

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Do you know the rapture one that he mentioned?
I haven't watched it.

I am inclined to believe that a lot of the stuff that we were taught would happen in the future actually applied to ancient Jerusalem and Israel.

His channel is a fascinating listen.
 

NotTheRock

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I don't deny that some of those manifestations as recorded by Josephus occurred prior to 70 AD.
But the guy is using those as part of his justifying to you that the other things he is saying about the return of Christ are true.
He is creating in your mind a story line to lead you down his way of thinking.

Some of what he says seems to ring true while some of it is, well, I'm not sure. It's interesting, as is all eschatology, but in the end none of it affects our salvation - in my opinion.