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Beyond Religion, Beyond Christianity
& Beyond Full Preterism
Prior to (and even more so since) getting a computer and signing on to the Internet, those who claim to follow this Religion called Christianity, have continually castigated me as a damnable Heretic whose only goal was to discredit this faith, as I did not adhere to the (supposed) most basic & fundamental teachings within its 2,000 +/- year history.
I was not raised in Christianity, and was completely oblivious to its doctrinal divisions & deviations: I was aware of the different denominations, but had no clue as to why they exist. Well, I have since seen the light.
I remember being a young man who got himself into trouble with “The Law” and quickly found myself inside a County Jail, and having plenty of time to do not much of anything while seated in a jail cell with some of the most evil & violent people I had ever known.
A Chaplain (Preacher) happened by the Cell one day and asked me if I had ever read the Bible; and if I had ever heard the message of Jesus the Christ, and his promise of eternal life.
The Chaplain entered my cell with a Bible, and we talked for what seemed like hours. Upon leaving the jail cell, the Chaplain left me his personal Bible and told me to keep it as long as I wanted.
I opened the Bible and found myself in “The Book of Revelation” I was immediately intrigued by the wording, style of writing; and of course the overall story contained within its pages. I remember reading through from beginning to end, and then found myself back at Chapter 1; and reading it through again & again.
I knew that I was looking at being in this correctional facility for several months; this little story in the back of this book had taken me captive, and I read it numerous times a day, every day that I was locked up.
What I didn’t see in this book is exactly what the majority of Christian history has taught over its existence. I didn’t see messages of the end of mankind, time or the planet itself. I didn’t see a worldwide apocalypse that would engulf the majority of mankind, and eventually destroy the planet and every living thing on it; thus requiring a new planet whereby God would start all over again.
I was an avid fan of Literature & various writing techniques, but this book was amazing in the language that it used. I didn’t see what the majority of the world believes exists in this book primarily based upon the first 3 verses of Chapter 1:
Revelation 1:1-3
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand”
2 phrases stood out: “must shortly come to pass & for the time is at hand” these did not appear to me as speaking of something that hasn’t occurred yet; the plain sense of the grammar used said that these were things that should have happened already, and certainly within a short period of time from when they were written by John.
My search since has only served to further cement these beliefs as reality & actuality; so why does this Christian Religion & Faith purport that these 2,000 +/- year old statements have not yet occurred? Why indeed?
I have now been on the internet consistently for about 7 years, with other minor periods of time prior to that. I am no Bible Scholar or Theologian (unless self-study counts) nor have I ever attended a Bible College, University or Seminary. I hold no Religious Degrees, nor have I ever train under, or been tutored by Bible Scholars and/or Theologians.
I have spent many years of my Adult life in a drunken stupor and/or a stoned haze. Alcohol & street drugs have been some of the best friends I’ve ever known. I spent numerous years going in & out of various jails in several states for a myriad of crimes; and I even managed to graduate to the big leagues, and found myself incarcerated in an actual prison; albeit for a short period of time.
I was never a model citizen and living as I do now; I would have never trusted someone like the person I once was. I have since turned my life around and I am on the right path, as bumpy as it is; but I look back on all these rocky years as life lessons, and moments of opportunity that have collectively created who I am today.
I’m no Bible thumper & I am far from being a Jesus freak, but I see many things rotten in this institution, religion & faith called Christianity. This writing is here to address some of those flaws I see and is not designed to be an exhaustive study of everything I “see” as wrong within it.
As somewhat stated earlier, I have spent the majority of my adult life, being told by majority of Christendom that I am completely wrong in many of my findings; misguided in others, and an absolute damnable heretic in numerous areas.
Through my own studies, I had reached the point where I came to believe that the majority of the “last days” or “end time” events & prophecies of doom, gloom & outright destruction, have already come to pass. There have been (and still are) many areas where I have transitioned in numerous beliefs; accepted other thoughts, beliefs & concepts I had not previously held or believed, and also have come to discount previously held concepts.
Upon entering the vast world of the Internet, and as my interests have always included religion, faith & Christianity; I slowly found myself in circles where I was running into somewhat like-minded people, who seemed to be espousing many of the beliefs I held. I eventually discovered that there was a name for this particular school of thought; that being referred to as Preterism.
Preterism is a word that comes through a Latin word “praeter” which is loosely translated as something which is past. I also discovered that this field of study I was so enamored with, also had a name; Eschatology.
Eschatology is the academic study of things pertaining to the “last days/end times” as recorded in the Bible; which center on the coming/return of this Jesus the Christ.
Within this particular academic study of Eschatology, namely Preterism; I immediately learned that there were 2 primary schools of thought: Partial Preterism, which is the belief that many of the last days/end time events & prophecies have happened, but many more are believed to be as of yet, unfulfilled; and then there is what is commonly known as Full Preterism: the proposed belief that all of the last days/end time events & prophecies have been fulfilled.
Since sitting in those jail cells and eventually prison, I came to realize that I had spent the majority of that time studying only the Book of Revelation; and had not familiarized myself with all of the accompanying scriptures that are believed to be encompassing of this coming/return.
What I soon began to discover, was that since being released from the Department of Corrections and all of the subsequent years of wrangling & wrestling the last days/end times scriptures since, I had come to a point where I believed that all of the events surrounding this coming/return; had in fact already happened, and were directly related to events that transpired within the very first century of Christianity.
I cannot begin to express the joy, peace & comfort I felt upon finding these like-minded people; it was truly as if I had wandered most of my life as an adopted child, never knowing the family or the history of the family that abandoned me; and now there I was, face to face with my long lost relatives.
Immediately, they were loving & accepting; and seemed to share in my joy, peace & comfort; as if that long lost family, was now confronted with their long lost child, cousin, brother and/or sister. To begin with, I wasn’t the black sheep that family members avoid, and dare never speak of or to; that has since changed over the years, and I now find myself as the dreaded Uncle, cousin or red-headed stepchild not many want to be associated with.
I absolutely believe in Fulfilled Eschatology (all natural world last days/end time events & prophecies have been fulfilled) and while many use this as a label somewhat synonymous with Full Preterism, I find myself having to disassociate myself from this label, as much as I can.
With the given, that I do believe all of these natural world events & prophecies have been fulfilled; there are many out there that simply will not allow me to escape this box called “Full Preterism” but nevertheless, I must remove myself from this label as best as I can; due to the vast differences of opinion within Full Preterist circles; and the myriad of versions of Full Preterism that have been spawned just since I discovered this realm of thought had a title/label.
In the few short years since discovering this term (Full Preterism) I have since witnessed it spawn into at least 10 variations: everything from Full Preterism, to Extreme Preterism, Logical Preterism, Rational Preterism, Consistent Preterism, Hyper-Preterism, and on & on.
Just as with Christianity itself, and its numerous denominations: Puritans, Church of Christ, Assemblies of God, Church of God, Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Mormon, Jehovah’s Witness, Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist, Anabaptist, Anglican, Reformed. Freewill Baptist, Southern Baptist, African Methodist Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, etc… Preterism, both Full & Partial; have subsequently splintered & fractured themselves into obscurity.
Eschatology itself has spawned numerous schools of thought over the last 2,000 +/- years: Pre-Millennialism, A- Millennialism, Post- Millennialism, Pre-Trib Rapture, Mid-Trib Rapture, Post-Trib Rapture, No Rapture, Pre-Wrath, Post-Wrath, Mid Acts, Historicism, Dispensationalism, Zionism; and as time marches on, many more views will be introduced.
I have devoted a great number of the years of my life to studying Christianity, the Bible & accompanying histories; both prior & since its inception in the furst century. I have read multiple authors, hundreds of books, and thousands of articles. I have combed libraries & searched the Internet far & wide. I have found myself studying Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, German, Spanish & numerous other languages. I have looked through 2,000 +/- years of Church Liturgies, Church Fathers, countless Creeds & Confessions, myriads of Church Councils, Synods & Papal Bulls.
The bulk of this study of Eschatology lends itself to another lifelong passion I have always held; that being World History. I believe understanding the broader spectrum of World History allows the reader to look into prior, parallel & subsequent histories that can both clarify & muddy up what you have studied up to a certain point. A great tool I have picked up along the way is in finding as much contemporary history as you can to any given specific topics you choose to look into; thereby painting you a much broader & more complete picture.
I have devoted thousands upon thousands of hours in this endeavor: provided I had invested this time in College, University and/or Seminary, I would easily hold numerous diplomas, degrees and/or Doctorates by now. Family & friends would easily testify to the amount of time, reading, research, contemplation, speaking, debates, arguments, sleepless nights & 2 trips to the Hospital for Heart related issues, which I have endured in searching out this material, and reaching the conclusions I have.
Religion seems to be one of the areas in life where you are condemned for even admitting as much; without having the diplomas, degrees and/or Doctorates to show for it; and even in those instances, I have seen numerous people who have gone to that extent, ripped to shreds by those who haven’t; so it remains a damned if you do, and damned if you don’t situation. I’m expected to demonstrate some kind of false humility and not even mention; or be proud of, the effort that I have placed into attaining the knowledge I have. (Notice I didn’t say truth)
I’m accused of being prideful, arrogant or egotistical, and man oh man, do Christians love to hurl scriptures at you about being such; when each of them are proud of their own efforts or achievements in gaining the knowledge they have; and they don’t have a problem bragging of their own rite to do so.
Well? The time has come for me to fully break out of this politically correct capsule the world has closed me in to. I am done trying to tip-toe around the easily offended, overly sensitive, compromising, namby pamby, weak willed, gutless, spineless & yellow bellied babies; who demand political correctness, or feel the need to remind me with “you catch more bees with honey than you do vinegar” rhetoric. This takes me into one of my biggest problems within the vast world of Full Preterism.
Trapped within this vast world of Full Preterism, are many people who have fooled themselves into believing that they are 180° degrees in the opposite direction (on Eschatological matters) compared to their Futuristic Christian Brethren; nothing could be further from the truth.
The reasons for there being both Partial, and Full Preterists; are numerous and problem filled in many areas. For just as many reasons, people come & go into and out of religion, or differing denominations; and the majority of this flip-flopping comes primarily through doctrinal differences, or simply the attitudes one experiences or demonstrates as they fluctuate in their studies.
Wolves in Sheep’s clothing:
I believe there exists within this world of Full Preterism, those that have infiltrated its ranks; simply & solely for the purpose of destroying it from within. World Governments, Secret or Covert (under-cover) Societies, Religions, Cults & other organizations have experienced this; and are even guilty of doing the same. I believe any Full Preterist who would simply dismiss this off as a Conspiracy Theory, is greatly naïve & highly narcissistic: what makes Full Preterism so superior, supreme & secure as to make one believe this is not possible?
Paradigm Shifts:
A paradigm shift happens when we move from one long held belief, to its alternative or opposite. The world of Christianity holds many of its pet doctrines as sacrosanct (untouchable-sacred-revered) that require a radical shift in thought/belief to release: Trinity, the Deity of Christ, Water Baptism & Communion to name a few. Entering or leaving the various denominations within Christianity, is much the same.
Moving in the field of Eschatology; from the position of being a Futurist (all last days/end time events & prophecies are all future) to that of a Partial Preterist (some have happened, some are yet to occur) or even to that of a Historicist (some have happened, others are being fulfilled in modern times, while even more are yet to occur) to that of accepting Full Preterism (all have occurred) is littered with minefields & traps; that cause some to move from one position to another, and then retreat to their originally held positions.
It’s very difficult to move from the position of believing the second coming of Christ, resurrection, the Wedding Supper, Judgment, etc… have not yet happened; to the point of believing they have happened. It is quite natural & expected that as people examine and digest certain information, they will on occasion bounce back & forth through these differing schools of thought. My contention here is not so much with those who do, it’s in how many Full Preterists, handle & approach those who experience these paradigm shifts.
I take no issue with those who shift back & forth, and are civil and respectful in the process; my contention with those who do though; is with those who jump from Full Preterism, back to Partial Preterism; and in the process, return to their rude & disrespectful mannerisms that they portrayed as an opponent of Full Preterism; but again, this group is not the focus of this writing: it is in the manner of how certain Full Preterists wish to molly-coddle, pacify and/or compromise these defectors/apostates, using similarities to the afore mentioned phrase “you catch more bees with honey than you do vinegar” and while this approach is admirable and does work on occasion (and greatly demonstrates the character of a good Christian) it is when these defectors/apostates return to their divisive mannerisms, where I draw the line.
Let’s look at how Christ, John the Baptist & Paul handled those who were leading people astray through personal understanding & private interpretation.
Matthew 23:13-30
“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: for you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for you neither go in yourselves, neither do you allow them that are entering to go in.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for pretence make long prayer: therefore you shall receive the greater damnation.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, you make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
Woe unto you, you blind guides, which say, whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
You fools and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And, whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever swears by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.
You fools and blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, swears by it, and by all things thereon.
And whoso shall swear by the temple, swears by it, and by him that dwells therein. And he that shall swear by heaven swears by the throne of God, and by him that sits thereon.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought you to have done, and not to leave the other undone. You blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. You blind Pharisees, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, so that the outside of them may be clean also.
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: for you are like unto whitened sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
Woe unto you,scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous, and say, if we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets”
Does this sound like Jesus was trying peacefully to get them to understand? Does it look like Christ is instructing his disciples on how to win these people over with sweet words & a kindly disposition? Does Jesus exhaust himself saying “pretty please” and “oh, come on guys”?
Galatians 2:11-14
“But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, live after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”
How did Paul handle this situation? Did he take Peter aside and calmly talk to him about what he was doing wrong? Did Paul mince words when confronting Peter just because there were Jews present?
Matthew 3:7-10
“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire”
How did John the Baptist handle those he knew had been misleading people? Did he speak with kind words, and welcome them with an enticing tone?
1 Tim 1:19-20
“Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, so that they may learn not to blaspheme”
2 Tim 2:16-18
“But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some”
How did Paul speak of those who were shipwrecking & overthrowing the faith? How did Paul say he handled those who were doing this? Did he take them aside privately or send them to someone who would treat them nicely?
I also seem to remember Paul in other instances saying:
“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself” Titus 3:9-11
And:
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple”
Taking all of these examples into consideration, why is it that that anyone would go out of their way to continually coddle these people in the hopes that they will eventually win them over? Were Jesus, John or Paul wrong or demonstrating the wrong spirit, or bad examples; or were they demonstrating a right spirit and doing the will of the father?
I wish that my discrepancies with Full Preterism or those within this Eschatological belief were so superficial, but they go much deeper.
As I mentioned earlier, digesting the various doctrinal beliefs within any school of thought, and transitioning from one view to another; our paradigm shifts are hard to accept, while leaving our previous positions behind.
As my own journey in Full Preterist circles has evolved, I’ve discovered multiple discrepancies within Full Preterism that simply make it untenable, to the point that I’m not comfortable associating my name within this school of thought any longer. I foolishly believed that once I discovered this title/label, I had discovered a group of believers who actually had a cohesive school of thought on Eschatology; that was my fault all the way.
Full Preterists disagree over many minor points, such as whether or not there was a first century rapture of living humans: they disagree on the continuation of the gifts of the spirit, and which ones remain, if any; and there is also disagreement over when the resurrection from the dead took place, or if that continues; and if judgment continues or if that too ceased at some point in the first century, with some saying in 30-33 AD, andothers point to 70 AD.
They disagree over having a spiritual body now, or receiving one at physical death; and another point of contention is whether salvation was available, and entrance into Heaven/New Jerusalem? Came into existence at the time of the resurrection, the day of Pentecost or when the physical temple was destroyed in 70 AD.
While this only begins to scratch the surface of the doctrinal differences within Full Preterism (as this is not meant to be an exhaustive examination) I have also recently discovered that there is also disagreement over the efficacy of water baptism, and whether or not it is paramount to salvation: this seems to be a major bone of contention, especially for those that retain water baptism being essential to salvation.
This particular group of Full Preterists is where some major contentions rest: since Full Preterism posits that death & hell have already been cast into the Lake of Fire: those that are of the persuasion that water baptism remains a necessity to salvation, must provide an answer as to what happens to those who are not water baptized before they physically die; and an answer they have, annihilationism. The spirit/soul of those who are not water baptized is apparently destroyed from existence.
Where I take particular issue with this belief, is in the salvation proclaimed or denied by those who hold to this school of thought. Long before discovering this title/label of Full Preterism, I had taken issue with many on the topic. Water Baptism remains a major issue within Christianity itself, with or without the entrance of Preterism. I have engaged countless people on this issue; and I am very confident in saying that there is not a verse argued on this issue, that I have not faced on numerous occasions.
As with any particular doctrinal issue, there is an endless supply of volunteers who believe they have scriptures, or methods of approach that their opposition has not encountered; this leads one into believing that they have the magic bullet that will convince their opponent, and thus save another spirit/soul from eternal torture in the fires of hell, or annihilation from existence.
I take issue here of course, on how I see scriptures relating to the particular topic; in this case, water baptism being required for salvation. I have a specific section of scripture that I believe handles this issue quite nicely (don’t we all?)
Hebrews 10:10-14
“By which we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified”
3 times in 5 short verses, the writer of Hebrews says we (the children of God) are sanctified & perfected. Just 8 verses later (verse 22) we find this: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” what is pure water but the living water; which now begs a question, what bodies are washed with this pure, living water?
Would this not pertain to our spiritual bodies; and how could the writer of Hebrews dare say this about living people, if they had not yet possessed these spiritual bodies? It even appears that Ezekiel was told something about this by God himself:
Ezekiel 36:25-27
“Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them”
As stated, this issue is not specific to this particular group within Full Preterism; but is also one of the key doctrines I take issue with in Traditional Christianity as well. Requiring water baptism or any other carnal/physical ordinance as necessary for salvation is stating that what Jesus the Christ endured for mankind, was not enough to save us; and that God being the one who performs this salvation, is nothing more than a printed lie.
Traditional Christianity is established on the absolute rejection, dismissal or misinterpretation of numerous scriptures: does not Christianity espouse multiple verses that call for spiritual, non-physical realities?
Ecclesiastes 12:7
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it”
Ephesians 2:6
“And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”
Colossians 1:13
“Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son”
2nd Corinthians 5:18
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new”
John 5:24 This is Christ speaking!
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life”
While these verses seem to scream these were truth & reality, and believed by many who lived in the first century, including Christ himself; traditional Christianity shuffles these off into merely being allegorical or positional truths, but not literal/actual realities: will they no longer be positional truths once we have passed from this physical world into the eternals?
2 of my favorites are these:
2 Corinthians 4:18
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal”
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we walk by faith, not by sight”
Traditional/Institutional Christianity must by necessity; categorically & fundamentally, reduce scriptures such as these to mere allegory, in relation to matters of Eschatology; as they absolutely have their Eschatological hopes in what they can experience with human senses, such as eyesight.
All while having verses like these:
Colossians 1:27
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” Christ in you is the hope of glory; it’s not Jesus outside of you!
Luke 17:20
“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation”
While the Futurist must reduce these scripture to mere allegory, the Full Preterist understands these are spiritual realities that are not only literal; they currently exist and are 100% true. This is why I get so frustrated with Full Preterists, as well as Futurists, who put their eternal hope & trust on things that they can be seen, believe & trust in; through physical senses, primarily their eyesight!
I mentioned early on in this examination that in many ways, Full Preterists believe they represent a 180° degree departure (in eschatological matters) from their Futurist brethren; and while this is true in many respects, they retain a major tenet in unity. Christian Eschatology maintains the belief that something physical: water baptism, communion, good works, the death, resurrection, return of Jesus, etc… is required in order that salvation may be assured.
Christianity in general; and even many within Full Preterism, so greatly neglect a specific area of scripture that is designed to tell us where we should be, instead of beating dead horses; and continuously wasting our efforts. The message of Christ could be the greatest unifier man has ever witnessed, if only he could live this simple truth:
Hebrews 6:1-2
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment”
This says nothing of leaving the doctrine of Christ; it specifically says to move on from the principles, and for us to cease from trying to lay again, the same foundation. Sadly, this is the complete opposite of what most Christians and many Full Preterists continue to do with their daily efforts.
This brings me to my close of this short article: I bring much of this out with a heavy heart as I know there are many who will take my words here; and not only cease fellowship, but that they will turn and use these words to further discredit me within both Full Preterism, and Christianity itself.
I have worked tirelessly to avoid naming names, ministries, websites or Churches. I bring no challenge, doubt or question as to the salvation of anyone; and I believe I have exhausted my efforts as to not threaten, curse, bring harm, or cause any ill will to my Christian brethren.
Christianity is the most divided religion on the face of the earth; and the primary reason for this is that Christians cannot even agree on what “The Gospel of Christ” is, but of utmost importance is the catalyst upon which this reason exists: Christians are un-evenly pacifist; and as such, have become the proverbial doormat upon which the rest of the world wipes its feet.
Life itself: Love, Faith, Grace, Mercy, Peace, Joy, Gentleness, Meekness, Kindness, Goodness; these all require balance, not heavy-handedness. Christians often speak of the love of Christ, and how these attributes of the spirit are spoken of throughout the writings of those who walked with, and were called by him. My experience has all too often shown me that these are only prevalent when it is convenient.
What of the opposing messages of Christ, John the Baptist, Paul & others in the New Testament? Did they not exhibit this balance by calling darkness, evil, blindness, contentions, strife, willful ignorance, purposeful deception, and/or malice when & where they saw it?
We all too often extend our hand in continuous fellowship where it simply is not wanted or appreciated. I was recently confronted by someone who felt the need to remind me that Paul also wrote the “love” chapter:
1 Corinthians 13
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long, and is kind; love envy’s not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Bears all things, believes all things, hopes in all things, endures all things.Love never fails: but whether there are prophecies, they shall fail; whether there are tongues, they shall cease; whether there is knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child; I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love”
Just reading this chapter gives me goose-bumps; but even as Paul did write this message of love; and how important it really is, he also wrote of and told us where all opposition to love exists:
Romans 8:6-7
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be”
This is precisely who, or what; Christ, John the Baptist, Paul & others were writing and/or speaking to, when using an accusatory tone & condemning attitude. It is this very carnal mind that is, the unbeliever. Since this Carnal Mind cannot be in subjection to God, how far should we be willing to extend this hand of fellowship; this Love, Faith, Grace, Mercy, Peace, Joy, Gentleness, Meekness, Kindness and Goodness?
Balance is called for; nay, demanded of us. We ought to walk circumspectly (perfect) but rather than exhausting ourselves when confronting those who are exercising and/or exhibiting this carnal mindset, let us endeavor to remember:
2nd Corinthians 6:14-18
“Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?
And what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he that believes with an infidel?
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?
For you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty”
When and only when, Christians unite on what “The Gospel (message) of Christ” is, then and only then; will we move forward, unite, and create a better world.
If Christians could simply unite around this message, and stop placing rules on it? We'd change the world!
The biggest thing that dumbfounds me about Christianity is that its’ proclaimed & professed adherents can't even agree on what the Gospel of Christ & the Kingdom is. Gospel simply, solely & only means GOOD NEWS/GLAD TIDINGS! That's it.
So what is the Gospel/Good News of Christ & his Kingdom? ETERNAL LIFE!
Eternal means no beginning & no end. Eternal Life speaks to, of & about the Inner Man; not the fleshly, physical or carnal man & mind. It’s about the mind of Christ in you; it’s about Christ in you; which again, is the hope of glory.
This is, what is; incorruptible, immortal & eternal.
You don't BECOME Immortal - You realize you are!
You don't BECOME Incorruptible - You realize you are!
You don't BECOME Eternal - You realize that you are!
Paul said to awaken to righteousness (1 Cor 15:34) it really is, just that simple. This is Resurrection: awakening from sleep & rising from the dead (Ephesians 5:14) Realizing who you are in God, in Christ.
I absolutely believe in The Last Days/End Times A.R.T.S. of F.E.A.R. which is the Audience Relevance & Time Statements of Fulfilled Eschatology & Accomplished Redemption; and if this mandates that others must insist I retain the title/label of Full Preterist, then so be it. I distance myself from the title/label itself, as I do most titles/labels; as I believe we all reserve the right to define ourselves, but I believe it is time for many within the Body of Christ, The Church, The Elect; and/or The Children of God, to once & for all, move beyond physical expectation of eternal realities & truths; to move beyond the petty bickering of & within religion & Christianity, and Full Preterism.
It is absolutely time for us to Move Beyond Religion, and realize it’s about a Relationship: It’s time for us to Move Beyond Christianity and to realize it is all about Christ & the Christ within you, which the Hope of Glory, and it is certainly even the time to Move Beyond the separations, distinctions and divisions of Futurist, Historicist, Partial or even Full Preterist and it is specifically the time to Move Beyond Full Preterism.
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Do you know of other doctrinal divisions within Full Preterism that are not mentioned in this article?
Please Email them to me @ jerry@1-revelation.com
Fulfilled Eschatology & Accomplished Redemption should be the message, as this is the truth of the TRUE Gospel of Jesus the Christ!
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