Preterism
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Tim,
In discussing with preterists, some passages often come up:[Mar 14:62 NKJV] – 62 Jesus said, “I am. And you [the high priest et al.] will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
[Mat 24:34 NKJV] – 34 “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
[Mar 9:1 NKJV] – 1 And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
The last one can ”easily” be explained by the Mount of Transfiguration ”after six days”, but what about the two first? They seem to indicate preterism. How would you explain them?
/Anders -
Anders,
Mark 14:62 refers to unbelieving Israel collectively, not necessarily to the individuals present. The Greek word translated “see” can mean to see with the eyes, but it also is used for perception or realization as in Acts 8:23. Jesus’ statement alluded to Dan. 7:13-14 & Zech. 12:10. Also, Rev. 1:7 links this to the second coming, as also does Rev. 6:12-17.
“This generation” in Jesus’ teaching refers to unbelieving Israel taken from Deut. 32:5,20, which He applied to His opponents (Matt. 12:39,41,42,45; Matt. 17:17; Matt. 23:36). “This generation” did not include Jesus’ disciples or any of those who believed on Him. This shows that the term is not descriptive of a time period but refers to a certain breed. The word “generation” literally means “that which is generated.” Context determines whether it refers to those living at a certain point in time, or whether it refers to a certain ‘breed.’ In Luke 11:47-51, “this generation” was guilty of the murder of the righteous, from Abel to the prophet Zechariah. The Bible distinguishes between the sons of the kingdom and the sons of the devil, (Matt. 13:38; John 8:39-44; 1 John 3:8-12). The sons of the devil are “this generation” in Jesus’ terminology in contrast to the children of the Kingdom. Consider how Luke 16:8 uses the term “generation.” Jesus’ statement in Matt. 24:34 means that those who persecute the righteous (“this generation”) will continue until Jesus returns.
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