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Particulars
of Christianity:
313
Preterism
Behold
I Come Quickly
Preterism
Part 1: The Basics and Partial Preterism
Preterism Part 2: Olivet and the
Transcendent "You"
Preterism Part 3: The Remaining
"Proof Texts"
Preterism Part 4: Appealing to Josephus
Preterism Part 5: Uninterrupted
Futurism into 2nd Century
Preterism Part 6: Nero, History,
and Biblical Details
Preterism Part 7: Scripture and
a Delayed Coming
Preterism Part 8: Brief Summary
of Conclusions
Behold I Come Quickly
Things Which Must Shortly Come to Pass
When Was Revelation Written?
A Throne of His Own
Addendum: "The Time Is At Hand"
In
Revelation 2 and 3 (as well as Revelation 22) Jesus himself
says he will return "quickly." Preterists have suggested this
as proof that Jesus had to return by 70 AD. But are they correct?
Let's start by looking a few of the passages in question.
Church of Ephesus
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou
art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else
I will come unto thee quickly [5035], and will remove
thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Church of Pergamos
Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto
thee quickly [5035], and will fight against them with
the sword of my mouth.
Church of Philadelphia
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly [5035]:
hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Revelation 2:5 and 2:16 could theoretically either mean "soon"
or "suddenly." However, since it is stated as a dependent
clause, we know that it must mean "suddenly." In other words,
Jesus gives this to them as a warning, saying, "or else I
will come quickly." To suggest that "quickly" here means "soon"
is to suggest that Jesus coming depended on their noncompliance
to his instructions. So, if they did not obey, Jesus would
come soon, but if they did obey then he would not.
So, nothing in these two passages would negate a "soon" coming
of Christ since his coming is only presented as a dependent
clause. These two verses do not necessitate his soon coming
because if the members of these two Churches complied with
his instruction, his soon coming would be averted. That is
once sense in which these passages do not necessitate a first
century coming of Christ.
However, given the likelihood that Jesus' return was NOT dependent
upon the compliance of these two Churches, the most probable
meaning of these verses is as follows. If they did not comply
with his instructions, his return would be sudden for them.
It would take them by surprise. This would be consistent with
Jesus warning in the parables as well.
Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman
of the house had known in what watch the thief would come,
he would have watched, and would not have suffered his
house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for
in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
...48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart,
My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite
his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he
looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion
with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing
of teeth.
Luke 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of
the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would
have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken
through. 40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of
man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
...45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord
delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants
and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The
lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not
for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will
cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with
the unbelievers.
First we should note that the definition of "quickly" in Revelation
2:5,16 and 3:11 is as follows.
5035 tachu {takh-oo'}
neuter singular of 5036 (as adverb);; adv
AV - quickly 12, lightly 1; 13
1) quickly, speedily (without delay)
This word is related to "en tachos" found in Revelation 1:1
and 22:6. It also occurs elsewhere in Revelation.
Revelation 20:6 And he said unto me, These sayings
are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets
sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which
must shortly be done. 7 Behold, I come quickly [5035]:
blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of
this book.
...12 And, behold, I come quickly [5035]; and my reward
is with me, to give every man according as his work shall
be.
...20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I
come quickly [5035]. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
We notice in the definition that this word indicates "speedily"
in the sense of "without delay." We also notice in both Matthew
24 and Luke 12, that the wicked servant says to himself, "My
lord delayeth his coming." Jesus statements in Revelation
2, 3, and 22 are a reference back to these parables. Jesus
is reminding his Church that he will indeed come and right
on time. And this is perfectly in line with what Peter wrote
in II Peter 3.
In II Peter 3, Peter writes that in the end times men begin
to doubt the coming of Christ for the simple reason that it
seems to be taking too long. God is being slack in his promises.
Peter writes their contention as follows: "Where is the
promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep,
all things continue as they were from the beginning of the
creation." In other words, so much time has elapsed since
the coming has been expected that these men begin to doubt
that Jesus' second coming is real at all.
To this Peter responds by telling them that God will come
right on time and that the confusion over this matter can
be alleviated by reminding ourselves that a short time for
God is different than a short time for us. For God, a thousand
years pass by as quickly as a day or a watch in the night
does for mankind. So, we should not think God is a liar when
he say he will come quickly but doesn't come in a timeframe
we think is quick. God is not slow Peter says. He only seems
slow as men count slowness. If we count according to our perception
of time, that is when we get confused and think God is slacking
off concerning his promises.
II Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come
in the last days scoffers, walking after their own
lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?
for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as
they were from the beginning of the creation.
...8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that
one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand
years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning
his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering
to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all
should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will
come as a thief in the night;
Peter concludes this passage by referring back to these very
parables from Matthew 24 and Luke 12. So, we know that when
he wrote these things, Peter had in mind the wicked servant
who, like the scoffers, thinks "My Lord delays his coming."
The idea is that Jesus is not going to return and so, like
the wicked servant, these scoffers follow after their own
lusts for the things of this life. It is a perfect parallel.
And what it tells us is that Jesus coming can be "without
delay" and yet it will not be quick from the perspective of
men.
And so these phrases repeated in Revelation 2:5,16; 3:11;
22:7,12,20 indicate that Jesus coming will not be delayed.
They are intended as a reminder for us not to think the same
way as the wicked servant, "My Lord delays his coming, I have
time to fool around."
And Paul comments on this as well. He tells us that for those
of us who are not looking for it, the day of the Lord comes
as an unexpected thief in the night. But for those who are
watchful and sober, that day will not overtake us unexpectedly.
I Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren,
ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves
know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a
thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and
safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail
upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But
ye, brethren, are not in darkness,that that day should
overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of
light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night,
nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others;
but let us watch and be sober.
And I Thessalonians is not the only place this notion is made
clear in the scripture. Revelation and Mark also clearly indicate
that those who are watchful will be ready and will not be
caught unprepared for the returning Christ.
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always,
that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things
that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of
man.
Notice how Luke 21 directly parallels the encouragement and
approval Jesus gives to the Church of Philadelphia. In both
passages those who watch and obey are counted worthy to escape
the coming trouble.
Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast
received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore
thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and
thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed
is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he
walk naked, and they see his shame.
Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when
the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or
at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
So, Jesus' return will be surprising to those who think he
has delayed his coming. Jesus' return will be a surprise for
those who think the promise has been postponed again and again
since the fathers fell asleep. But for those of us who keep
watch and don't fool around with the things of this world,
we will not be surprised and unprepared.
With all this in mind let's read again the passages in Revelation
2, 3, and 22 also keeping in mind that Jesus' return cannot
be dependent upon their obedience. They cannot avert his return
by compliance with his command. His second coming was not
triggered by their disobedience.
Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence
thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works;
or else I will come unto thee quickly [5035], and will
remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto
thee quickly [5035], and will fight against them with
the sword of my mouth.
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly [5035]: hold
that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Revelation 20:6 And he said unto me, These sayings
are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets
sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which
must shortly be done. 7 Behold, I come quickly [5035]:
blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of
this book.
...12 And, behold, I come quickly [5035]; and my reward
is with me, to give every man according as his work shall
be.
...20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I
come quickly [5035]. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
So, what is Jesus saying? He's saying, "Repent and obey because
my coming will not be delayed as the lazy servants and scoffers
believe. Repent and obey so that my return will not catch
you unaware and unprepared like it will for those wicked servants
and scoffers."
These passages cannot be interpreted to indicate Jesus would
come soon or else chapter 2:5,16 would indicate Jesus' return
was dependent upon their disobedience. Only if they failed
to repent would he return "quickly" or "soon."
Revelation 2:5,16 "Repent...or else I will come unto
thee [soon]."
By interpreting "quickly" to mean "without delay" solves this
problem because it refers back to I Thessalonians 5 and demonstrates
that these statements were a warning, not an indication of
when he would return. Jesus is simply warning these churches
that those who forget about Jesus' return will be caught unprepared
for it.
Revelation 2:5,16 "Repent...or else I will come unto
thee [unexpectedly without delay*]."
*"Without delay" is a reference to "unexpectedly" since those
servants who thought "My Lord has delayed his coming" would
not be expecting his return so would be caught off guard.
This is the purpose of the parable in Matthew 24 and Luke
12, in which such servants are unprepared for their master's
return and are therefore, assigned a place with unbelievers.
When we understand these passages in the context of the New
Testament language concerning Jesus' return, we understand
that these verses in Revelation 2, 3, and 22 are intended
as a warning and a reminder not to become scoffers or lazy
servants. These verses do not indicate that Jesus would come
soon. They simply indicate that he will come without delay.
Jesus will return and it will be right on time. So we should
not become disillusioned or disobedient because of the amount
of time that expires before he returns.
And there is one more proof text that Preterists might suggest.
Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of
my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation,
which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell
upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that
fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Preterists will argue that the return of Christ had to be
soon otherwise, how would Christ keep the Church of Philadelphia
from the "hour of temptation" which would not occur for hundreds
of years?
Well, first of all, Christ's words here echo I Thessalonians
5 wherein believers are told to stay sober and watchful so
that the day of his return won't overtake them unprepared.
I Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons,
brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For
yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh
as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace
and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them,
as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that
day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children
of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night,
nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others;
but let us watch and be sober.
...9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain
salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Just like the Church at Philadelphia, Paul tells the Thessalonians
that if they keep God's word, they will not be caught unprepared
and so they will not have to endure wrath. The "wrath" mentioned
in I Thessalonians 5 is a reference to the "hour of temptation,
which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell
upon the earth" found in Revelation 3:11.
This does not necessitate a Pre-tribulation rapture, however,
only a "pre-Armageddon" rapture before the day (i.e. literal
24 hour day) of the Lord's return.
In this sense, Jesus' promise to "keep" the Church at Philadelphia
from "the hour of temptation" is intended as the converse
of his statements to the Churches at Ephesus and Pergamos.
Those 2 churches were in need of repentance. As such, they
were currently unprepared for Christ's return and would be
counted among the unbelievers according to Matthew 24 and
Luke 12. On the other hand, Philadelphia had kept God's word
and as such was counted as prepared and therefore, worthy
to escape the coming tribulation. Jesus is doing nothing more
than applying a general rule to Philadelphia just as he is
to Ephesus and Pergamos. Jesus is not indicating a "soon"
return by these remarks. He is merely commending the Church
of Philadelphia for their preparedness and obedience and reminding
them of the promised reward to encourage them to remain in
obedience.
We would not assume that Jesus was ignorant of the long duration
of time before his return. Jesus knew full well that his return
would not be for thousands of years. Peter's teaching in 2
Peter 3 confirms this even though neither Jesus nor Peter
knew the exact day or hour of his coming (Mark 13:32). (For
more about Jesus' knowledge of his "delayed" return, please
visit our article "Preterism Part
7: Scripture and a Delayed Coming.")
Jesus makes this promise to the Church at Philadelphia because
their obedience made them worthy of his deliverance just as
the Churches at Ephesus' and Pergamos' disobedience made them
unready for his un-delayed return. Jesus is simply reminding
Ephesus and Pergamos of the danger of disobedience and conversely,
he is reminding Philadelphia of the reward for obedience so
that they will continue in it. It was not relevant that his
return wouldn't be for hundreds of years for two reasons.
First, whenever the return would be, the point for Ephesus
and Pergamos was that they were not ready. That was the danger
for them. Jesus' statement to these Churches, "You are not
ready for my return" does not necessitate that his return
be within their lifetimes. And the converse for Philadelphia
is also true. After commending them in verse 10, Jesus tells
them in verse 11, "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no
man take thy crown." The point for Philadelphia was "You are
ready for my return, do not loose that. Hold fast to it."
Just like the statement to Ephesus and Pergamos, Jesus' statement
to Philadelphia is irrelevant to "when" he would return. As
such it cannot be interpreted to require a "soon" return.
Second, given the principle of the Transcendent "You," we
know that Jesus was aware that more generations of believers
would read these letters than just the immediate audience.
So, these statements to Ephesus and Pergamos as well as to
Philadelphia use those three Churches as stand-ins for the
rest of Christians throughout the coming generations. Thus,
Jesus speaks this general warning and encouragement to them
because these words are equally applicable to every coming
generation of the Church. (For our study establishing the
existence of the Transcendent "You" principle in scripture
please visit our article "Preterism
Part 2: Olivet and the Transcendent 'You'.")
But let's be absolutely frank about the Futurist interpretation
of these verses. If Futurists are correct then Jesus is indicating
to these Churches that his coming might be in their lifetimes
when, in fact, he knows it will not be. Isn't that misleading?
Are we saying that God would imply his immediate return when
in reality he knows he's not coming?
Absolutely, unequivocally, yes. God has consistently demonstrated
his practice of both being ambiguous about when Jesus' will
return and at the same time implying that Jesus' could return
very soon. And God even goes so far as to explain why he does
this. On this point, scripture could not be clearer.
Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what
hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if
the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief
would come, he would have watched, and would not have
suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye
also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of
man cometh.
...50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when
he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware
of,
Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither
the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth
no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither
the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and
pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son
of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house,
and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work,
and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore:
for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even,
or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Luke 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch,
or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed
are those servants. 39 And this know, that if the goodman
of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he
would have watched, and not have suffered his house to
be broken through. 40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the
Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at
any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day
come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come
on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye
may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall
come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
God does give signs of his return, but he is constantly implying
that these signs and the return could begin to unfold at any
moment. Scripture is very clear about four things regarding
the return of Christ. 1. God won't tell us exactly
when it is. 2. God desires for us to be ready for Jesus'
return at all times including the vast majority of moments
when he will not be returning. 3. God deliberately
communicates to us in such a way as to make us think these
events could unfold at any moment including those moments
when he knows Jesus' will not return. 4. God does this
so that we'll be ready at any moment and will not slack off
in our obedience.
So, why should we be surprised that Jesus would indicate to
Ephesus, Pergamos, and Philadelphia that he might return very
soon when God knows that he would not be returning for centuries.
Some might debate whether this is misleading on God's part,
but one thing is not up for debate. God definitely engages
in this practice. And since we know that God is not a liar,
we would indicate that this is not misleading on God's part.
He has given us indications that we might know when his return
is near.
And, assuming a Preterists' view of Jesus' return in 70 AD
doesn't get around this scenario either. Even if Jesus' return
and the antichrist occurred in 70 AD, the Great White Throne
Judgment is still ahead of us at which point all of us will
be judged and sent to either heaven or hell. If the Preterists
are correct, then there are no signs indicating when this
Final Judgment will happen. As such, it could happen at any
moment, in any generation and so we have to be ready at every
moment. That would leave centuries of generations of believers
who would not know if that judgment would come in their lives
or not. So, ignorant of that fact, they would be forced to
be always ready, even when not necessary.
And, even for Preterists, there would be 40 years after his
ascension, when the apostles would believe the events surrounding
Christ's return could unfold at any moment. Whether 40 years
or 2000 years, God deliberately gives the impression of the
"nearness" of these events in order to keep us in a state
of readiness. It doesn't make God any more misleading whether
its 40 or 2000 years. If God indicates it could happen "now"
when he knows it won't happen for 40 years, that's just as
misleading as if he indicated "now" when he knew it won't
happened for another 2000 years. What's theoretically misleading
is the indication of "now" when God knows full well that it
is not now.
What's most likely is that Jesus himself was not fully aware
of how long it would be but he was aware that it could likely
be as much as 2000 years or so. This understanding he passed
on to his disciples. And this may be exactly why Jesus chose
to remain ignorant of this fact despite his omniscience. In
other words, by choosing to remain ignorant in this area,
it became possible for Jesus to function as a motivator indicating
his return could be at any moment. In this way, he could speak
as if his return could unfold "right now" without being misleading,
because he did not know for sure.
In short, Jesus admits his own lack of knowledge of when he
would return. He probably knew from the scriptures that it
could be as long as thousands of years by drawing on the same
hints in scripture that are available to us, hints such as
Psalm 90. This possibility he passed on to the apostles including
Peter. That way, Jesus could indicate a soon return without
being misleading. So, men would stay motivated whether it
was 40 years or 2000 years before God knew he would actually
return.
So, having examined Jesus words to the Churches in Ephesus,
Pergamos, and Philadelphia, we find that they do not necessitate
a Preterist interpretations. The words in such passages as
Revelation 2:5,16; 3:11; 22:7,12, and 20 can be equally and
easily accommodated by Futurist doctrine.
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