Full Or Partial Preterism: Or the other "isms"

[Beck]

Your story is much like every other Preterist; we were all at one time raised as Futurists. As a child, I was told in my church (Southern Baptist Church) that the Jews (of today) are still God's chosen people, and that one day, and Anti-Christ wearing the number 666 would try to take over the entire world. But then comes the Mighty Jesus to save the day.

To me, there are only two eschatology's that are the most correct; either Full or Partial Preterism. There's no doubt in my mind that Revelation was entirely about the destruction of the former wife of God (Old Covenant Israel) to the eternal establishment of the New Wife of God (New Covenant Israel). The problem has to do with the Millennium and the New Heaven and New Earth. When is the new wife established? Past or future?

As I've been explaining, if the New Heaven and New Earth has not yet been established, then because of Christ who said not a single stroke of an iota or letter would be stricken from the law until all was fulfilled; this includes the works of the law, i.e. its annual requirements. We know that Jesus fulfilled the Spring Feasts at His initial coming. We also believe, although not certain, that Jesus fulfilled the Fall Feasts at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD. Thus, one would logically assume that the New Heaven and New Earth were established at that time. The problem is with the resurrection, and again, the Millennium. Not to mention if we are still in the old heaven and old earth, awaiting it to pass away, then we are bound by the works of the Law. We may have been set free from sins, but then this would seem to contradict Paul's teaching that the laws works are no longer applicable; fasting, new moons, Sabbaths, and at least the Fall Feasts of Israel; all of these are still in effect because they have not yet been fulfilled.

Now in considering the law, it is not who fulfills it, but Christ Jesus; that much is certain. So if the Fall Feasts are still unfulfilled, then textually from His comments are recorded in Matthew, this portion of the Law has not yet been accomplished; therefore, we are still bound by its requirements, yet no Church (probably except Roman Catholics and Greek Orthodox) continues to celebrate those requirements. Protestants certainly don't.

At any rate, if we are still in the Old Heaven and Earth, then are guilty of keeping the whole law. And since it is believed that Jesus has not yet fulfilled the whole law, then heaven and earth has not yet passed away, thereby binding us to continue observing either some or all of the law, until all is fulfilled, and this heaven and earth passes away.

See my point?

My "proposed" solution is that Revelation is being read incorrectly. The many thrones, and the Great White Throne judgment are all one event; which matches what Daniel is shown. For Daniel is not told that a long gap exists between the initial judgment, and the Great White Throne judgment. If we read Revelation consecutively, then the following must take place as it is written:

1. Harlot destroyed
2. Marriage supper of the lamb
3. Beast captured and sentenced to death
4. First resurrection (Martyrs)
5. Satan bound
6. Many thrones set up
7. Thousand years reign with Christ
8. Satan let loose
9. Final battle against the camp of God (Church)
10. Final resurrection
11. Great White Throne judgment
12. Bride dressed for her wedding
13. New Heaven and New Earth with New Jerusalem

Now take a look at something. Remember my proposal is that the many thrones John sees in point #6 is the same time-frame of the Great White Throne in point #10. If they are separated by thousands of years (reign of Saints with Christ), then doesn't it seem rather odd that the marriage supper of the lamb (a celebration of the marriage between Christ and His Church) is separated by thousands of years until the Bride is actually dressed for marriage? So are we talking about 2000+ years between the wedding feast, and the marriage?

This is what made me think on this, leading up to my proposal that the order of events are as follows:

1. Harlot destroyed
2. Marriage supper of the lamb
3. Beast captured and sentenced to death
4. First resurrection (Martyrs)
5. Many thrones set up
5. Great White Throne judgment
7. Bride dressed for her wedding
8. New Heaven and New Earth with New Jerusalem
9. Satan bound
10. Thousand years reign with Christ
11. Satan let loose
12. Final battle against the camp of God (Church)
13. Final resurrection of the unsaved (sinners only)

This is what I'm proposing, that the 1000 years being mentioned in the middle of the main idea of the thrones, judgments, and first resurrection, tends to detract us from the time-line; as in the detraction found in Daniel's 70 sevens as explained before.

I'm wondering what everyone else thinks. I know that this is far-fetched, but I merely wanted you all to ponder on this. This would eliminate the problem found with the passing of the Old Heaven and Old Earth, thereby setting us totally free from the Law and its works. The only other solution is that the works of the Law have been done away with, leaving only the 10 commandments. But if that's the case, then this contradicts the striking of one iota or title that Jesus mentioned. He specifically said that heaven and earth would not pass away until the law was completely fulfilled. Even so, I'm beginning to think that Partial Preterism may be the better choice.

Joe

Not so fast my friend What I was trying to point out is that if the new earth and heaven is consistant to the new covenant it would be at the time of redemption and or consummation the ending of that age [world]. According to the writtings from Luke it appears soon after the city was surrounded by armies. Given the parable of the fig tree with summer is nigh at hand, then look up your redemption. This of course is after the Judgment of God has been poured out.

When John writes that he saw the new heaven and earth he invisioned it having a new city which is called New Jerusalem. This of course is again after the Judgment of that Great city Mystery Babylon. I heard many interperations of this city, Rome, Russia, China and America, but really it's not that hard to understand that it's speaking of the flesh of Israel.

As to your proposal I think we should view the thousand years from when Christ ascended and begun sitting on the right hand of God casting satan [flesh] to the earth. In so they the flesh, woman, bondwoman begun to persectue the brethren. Again I refer to Acts chapter 8 this continues until the end of that age. Paul speaks about the Law which can't coexit with Grace in how he spoke of the bondwoman and the freewoman. So in this new earth and heaven there is no temple for God and Jesus are the temple.

Those thrones given to those martyrs where they reign with Christ in his throne. We see Jesus telling Peter that they held the keys of the kingdom to bind or loose. We also see them joining in Christ judgment upon those that killed them in the judgment of Jerusalem. There final act of judgment was upon the Whore Jerusalem where they through their faithful acts even in death where found clean and white not having been defiled by the flesh [bondwoman]. So needless to say the thousand years to me represent from Christ to the judgment of the Whore.