Adherents: Most modern evangelicals Adherents: Most modern evangelicals Three types of Millennialism: Amillennialism: Belief there will be a continuous parallel of good and evil in the world between the 1st and 2nd Coming of Christ. The Kingdom of God is now present in the world through the Word, His Spirit and His Church. Adherents: Church of Christ, Church of God (Anderson, IN), many Reformed theologians, Roman Catholic Church Adherents: Church of Christ, Church of God (Anderson, IN), many Reformed theologians, Roman Catholic Church Postmillennialism: Belief the Kingdom of God is now extended through teaching, preaching and evangelism. The world is to be Christianized resulting in a long period of peace and prosperity, followed by Christ’s return. Postmillennialism: Belief the Kingdom of God is now extended through teaching, preaching and evangelism. The world is to be Christianized resulting in a long period of peace and prosperity, followed by Christ’s return. Adherents: Most modern Reformed theologians, “Christian Reconstructionists” Adherents: Most modern Reformed theologians, “Christian Reconstructionists” Premillennialism: Belief in the concept of two-stages in the Coming of Christ. He will come for His Church (Rapture) and then with His Church (Revelation). There is a consistent distinction between Israel and the Church throughout history. Premillennialism: Belief in the concept of two-stages in the Coming of Christ. He will come for His Church (Rapture) and then with His Church (Revelation). There is a consistent distinction between Israel and the Church throughout history. A free CD of this message will be available immediately following the service

“A Christian belief system in which some or all of the end-time events specified in the New Testament are believed to have already been fulfilled. They were accomplished in the past, particularly during the Roman-Jewish war of AD 66 to AD73” Preterism: From Latin word meaning past

Four possible ways to relate to time: Past:Present:Future:Timeless:PreterismHistoricismFuturismIdealism Reformed, Presbyterian Some Reform- ers, SDA, Lutheran Most Modern Evangelicals RCC, Some Reformed, Liber- al Theology

The Preterist believes that most, if not all prophecy has already been fulfilled. The Historicist believes that prophecy has been and will be fulfilled during the current church age. The Futurist believes that prophetic events will be fulfilled in the future. The Idealist does not believe that the Bible indicates the timing of events. Therefore, idealists see prophetic passages as teaching great truths about God to be applied to our present lives.

Three kinds of Preterism: “Soft” or “Mild” Preterism teaches the Book of Revelation was fulfilled in the first 3 centuries of the Church age (from the fall of Jerusalem to the Edict of Milan – AD 313) “Soft” or “Mild” Preterism teaches the Book of Revelation was fulfilled in the first 3 centuries of the Church age (from the fall of Jerusalem to the Edict of Milan – AD 313) “Partial” or “Moderate” Preterism teaches most prophecy was fulfilled by AD 70. All that is left is Jesus’ 2 nd Coming “Partial” or “Moderate” Preterism teaches most prophecy was fulfilled by AD 70. All that is left is Jesus’ 2 nd Coming “Full” or “Extreme” Preterism teaches that even Christ’s 2 nd Coming was fulfilled by AD 70 “Full” or “Extreme” Preterism teaches that even Christ’s 2 nd Coming was fulfilled by AD 70

Jesus’ prophecies in the Olivet Discourse: Wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes Wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes Persecutions, betrayals, tribulations Persecutions, betrayals, tribulations False messiahs, lawlessness, “abomination of desolation” False messiahs, lawlessness, “abomination of desolation” Matt. 24:34 ~ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. (also 10:23 and 16:28) Matt. 24:34 ~ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. (also 10:23 and 16:28)

Matt. 23: ~ 34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, 35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Rev. 1:1 ~ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place. Rev. 22:12 ~ “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”

Some of the conclusions held by most Preterists: The “Great Tribulation” = Fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 The “Great Tribulation” = Fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 The “Last Days” = “last days of Israel” The “Last Days” = “last days of Israel” The “Antichrist” = any apostate teacher The “Antichrist” = any apostate teacher The “Beast” = Nero The “Beast” = Nero The “False Prophet” = the Jewish leadership The “False Prophet” = the Jewish leadership The “Great Harlot” = Jerusalem The “Great Harlot” = Jerusalem “Israel” = Church “Israel” = Church

When was the Book of Revelation written? It is crucial to the Preterist position for it to have been written prior to AD 70 It is crucial to the Preterist position for it to have been written prior to AD 70 Irenaeus says it was at the end of Domitian’s reign (AD 81-96) Irenaeus says it was at the end of Domitian’s reign (AD 81-96) So do Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian So do Clement of Alexandria and Tertullian Laodicea was destroyed in AD 61 Laodicea was destroyed in AD 61 Polycarp states in his letter to the Philippians (chapter 11) that his city of Smyrna had not even heard the Gospel in Paul's day (d. AD 64)

2 Thess. 2:8 ~ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. How could Nero be the Antichrist when he committed suicide in AD 68 – two years before the Fall of Jerusalem? How could Nero be the Antichrist when he committed suicide in AD 68 – two years before the Fall of Jerusalem?

Matt. 24:34 ~ Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place “All these things” did not take place in AD 70 “All these things” did not take place in AD 70 No “abomination of desolation” (24:15) No “abomination of desolation” (24:15) Son of Man didn't appear (24:27) Son of Man didn't appear (24:27) Sun wasn't darkened (24:29) Sun wasn't darkened (24:29) The Jews were not rescued (24:31) The Jews were not rescued (24:31)

Matt. 24:32-33 ~ 32 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. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!

Problems stemming from Preterism: No warning of apostasy Tends to arbitrary allegorizing of other Scriptures Tends to arbitrary allegorizing of other Scriptures Blurs the “Blessed Hope” of Christ's appearing Blurs the “Blessed Hope” of Christ's appearing Obscures the exhortation to “watch therefore” Obscures the exhortation to “watch therefore” Can even affects our view of salvation Can even affects our view of salvation Affects our view of God's plan for Israel today Affects our view of God's plan for Israel today