The study of hermeneutics is defined as “the science or study of interpreting the Scriptures.” The Westminster Confession of Faith correctly states that, “The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture, is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly.”[1] J.I. Packer understands this to mean “that we must give ourselves in Bible study to following out the unities, cross-references and topical links which Scripture provides.”[2]
In mathematics and logic: If A bears some relation to B and B bears the same relation to C, then A bears it to C. Or the property of equality is transitive – for if A = B and B = C, then A = C. Therefore, things which are equal to the same thing are also equal to one another. If equals be added to equals, the wholes are equal.
A = (Matt. 24:27-31, 34)
B = (1 Thess. 4:15-17)
C = (1 Cor. 15)
THE CONTRADICTION & HOUSE DIVIDED OF FUTURISM:
Orthodox Partial Preterism tells us that:
A (Matt. 24:27-31) was fulfilled when Christ returned in AD 70 in Jesus’ “this generation” (Matt. 24:34). For the partial preterist Jesus’ statement of “this generation” (AD 30-70) connected with the NT’s imminent time texts “at hand,” “shortly,” “soon,” “quickly,” “in a very little while,” “about to,” also refer to AD 70 (cf. 1 Peter 4:5-7; James 5:7-9; Hebrews 8:13–10:37; Revelation 1:1, 3:11, 10:6-7, 22:6-7, 10-12, 20) and are the “speak more clearly” texts. We agree with them on this point. While ignoring the “clear” proposition of Biblical preterism and traditional amillennialism that A (Matt. 24:27-31) is equal to B (1 Thess. 4:15-17), they do affirm that both B (1 Thess. 4:15-17) and C (1 Cor. 15) are equal to each other and are the second coming and resurrection events.
Orthodox Amillennialism tells us that:
A (Matt. 24:27-31) = B (1 Thess. 4:15-17) and that both A (Matt. 24:27-31) and B (1 Thess. 4:15-17) = C (1 Cor. 15). While ignoring the “clear” proposition of Biblical and partial preterism on the imminent time texts, the traditional amilennialist sees that the analogy of Scripture and the fact that the NT only teaches ONE second coming (not a third) as the “speak more clearly” teaching of Scripture. We agree with them on this proposition.
THE BETTER HERMENEUITCS, LOGIC & SYNTHESIS OF BIBLICAL PRETERISM
Orthodox (“straight”) Biblical Preterism objects to the combined contradictory statements in that if
A (Matt. 24:27-31) was fulfilled in AD 70, and if A (Matt. 24:27-31) is equal to both B (1 Thess. 4:15-17) and C (1 Cor. 15), then both B (1 Thess. 4:15-17) and C (1 Cor. 15) were fulfilled at Christ’s parousia in AD 70. In other words, “Things which are equal to the same thing are also equal to one another. If equals be added to equals, the wholes are equal.”
“If A (Matt. 24:27-43) bears some relation to B (1 Thess. 4:15 – 1 Thess. 5)” or “A=B”:
Christ returns from heaven Matt. 24:30 = 1 Thess. 4:16
With archangelic voice Matt. 24:31 = 1 Thess. 4:16
With God’s trumpet Matt. 24:31 = 1 Thess. 4:16
Believers gathered/caught up with Christ Matt. 24:31 = 1 Thess. 4:17
Believers “meet” Christ in “clouds” Matt. 24:30, 25:6 = 1 Thess. 4:17
Exact time unknown Matt. 24:36 = 1 Thess. 5:1-2
Christ comes like a thief Matt. 24:43 = 1 Thess. 5:2
Unbelievers caught unaware Matt. 24:37-39 = 1 Thess. 5:3
Birth pains Matt. 24:8 = 1 Thess. 5:3
Believers are not deceived Matt. 24:43 = 1 Thess. 5:4-5
Believers told to be watchful Matt. 24:42 = 1 Thess. 5:6
Exhortation against drunkenness Matt. 24:49 = 1 Thess. 5:7
The Day, sons of light, sons of the day[3] Matt. 24:27, 36-38 = 1 Thess. 5:4-8
The same 1st. Cent. audience “you” “we” Matt. 24:2…, 34 = 1 Thess. 4:15-17
AND “…B bears the same relation to C…” or “B=C”:
All agree that B (1 Thess. 4:15-17) bears the same relation to C (1 Cor. 15) or “B=C” and is referring to the second coming and resurrection events:
Those asleep will be raised 1 Thess. 4:13-14 = 1 Cor. 15:12-18
The living will be “caught up” “changed” 1 Thess. 4:15-17 = 1 Cor. 15:51-52
At the sound of a “trumpet” 1 Thess. 4:16 = 1 Cor. 15:52
At Christ’s coming (Greek parousia) 1 Thess. 4:15 = 1 Cor. 15:23
“Encourage” “Stand firm” 1 Thess. 4:18 = 1 Cor. 15:58
Same contemporary audience “we” 1 Thess. 4:15-17 = 1 Cor. 15:51-52
THEREFORE, “…then A (Matt. 24:27-31) bears it to C (1 Cor. 15)” or “A=C”:
Christ comes (Greek parousia) Matt. 24:27 = 1 Cor. 15:23
To “gather” or “change” His people Matt. 24:31 = 1 Cor. 15:52
With a “trumpet” Matt. 24:31 = 1 Cor. 15:52
To bring “the end” (Greek telos) Matt. 24:3, 14 = 1 Cor. 15:24
Deliver up & fulfill “kingdom” promises Luke 21:30-32 = 1 Cor. 15:24
The fulfillment of all OT prophecy Luke 21:22 = 1 Cor. 15:54-55
Stones of temple & “the Law” destroyed Matt. 24:1, 15 = 1 Cor. 15:55-56
Same contemporary audience “you” “we” Matt. 24:2…, 34 = 1 Cor. 15:51-52
PREMISE #1: The parousia/coming of Christ in Matthew 24 took place in AD 70 (according to partial preterists and Biblical preterists)
PREMISE #2: The parousia/coming of Christ in Matthew 24 is the same coming of Christ in 1 Thessalonians 4-5 and 1 Corinthians 15 (according to traditional amillennialists and Biblical preterists)
CONCLUSION: The parousia/coming of Christ in 1 Thessalonians 4-5 and 1 Corinthians 15 took place in AD 70.
Preterists unite the two clear premises (1. the imminent time texts = AD 70 & 2. the analogy of Scripture supports only one second coming) of futurists and thus we “…speak more clearly” and consistently in our debate with futurists. The divided corporate Reformed “House” contains the two premises (which we assume are true) and we are simply uniting the two valid premises into one new House. We’re validating the Reformed and Sovereign Grace House by accepting both of it’s competing premises, and then uniting them, further honoring the Reformed and Sovereign Grace House. This has and will continue to appeal to Reformed and Sovereign Grace believers as Biblical preterism spreads throughout their churches. We are making a motion to revise the creeds to make them more “orthodox” (straight) with the “more clear” teaching of Scripture–”Sola Scriptura” and “Semper Reformanda”–selah.
If A = B and B = C, then A = C. Things which are equal to the same thing are equal to each other.
A (Matt. 24:27-31, 34 fulfilled in AD 70) = B (1 Thess. 4:15-17 fulfilled in AD 70) = C (1 Cor. 15 fulfilled in AD 70).
It is exciting to see (through emails and phone calls) that students of Reformed eschatology are properly learning their ABC’s of biblical prophecy through exegetical, full or consistent preterism–selah.
[1] Westminster Confession, I. ix.
[2] J.I. Packer, The Interpretation of Scripture, from ‘Fundamentalism’ and the Word of God (Inter-Varsity Press, 1958), pp. 101-114. http://www.bible-researcher.com/packer1.html
[3] If we translate astrape in Matthew 24:27 as the sun, (instead of lightning) coming from the east and shining to the west, then these parallels are also possible.
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