Originally posted by verizon1
In short, we have gone over the apocalyptic literature in Scripture and can see a close comparison and parallels between of the Middle Eastern apocalyptic literature.
Understanding that Jesus was a Jew we can see how he would used this same Middle Eastern apocalyptic literature from the Old Testament. We are not says that Jesus is God, at this time mind you.
Our next question to you preterist would be this then. If the Christians church, indeed believes that Jesus is the same God, in the Old Testament who rides the clouds of heaven in judgement by other nations. And we do agree that the Old Testament languages was not to be taken literally.
Why do they turn right around and make Jesus into a false prophet when he told the high priest that he would see his return as the people did in the Old Testament? (Matt. 26:62-64) Something just does not sit right here.
Why would they make Jesus a false prophet according
to his own words Deu. 18:21-22 . Also where were the preterist Christians all this time?
Thank you
There were a number of early writers who made significant preterist statements (i.e. Eusebius, Athanasius, Origen, Melito, and Odes of Solomon). One doesnt have to look too closely to find some real gems. They have been there all along. We just didnt recognize them as preterist statements. We just know they werent what we have "traditionally been taught. Here are a few examples of preterist statements found in their writings.
Think deeply on these things. Eusebius records the statement that James (brother of Jesus, writer of the book of James) made just before (c. 63 A.D.) he was pushed off the temple to the pavement below when he was being martyred for his faith in Jerusalem: "Why do ye ask me respecting Jesus the Son of Man? He is now sitting in the heavens, on the right hand of great Power, and "is about to come on the clouds of heaven."( Eusebius Esslesiastical History, Book 2, Ch.23; cf James 5:8,9)
Eusebius says that the abomination of desolation (i.e the antichrist, man of sin and beast of Revelation) occurred at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D."... these facts, as well as the whole tenor of the war, and each particular of its progress, when finally "the abomination of desolation, according to the prophetic declaration, stood in the very temple of God, so celebrated of old, but which now was approaching its total downfall and final destruction by fire; all this, I say, any one that wishes may see accurately stated in the history written by Josephus." (Eusebius; Esslesiastical History, Book 3, Ch.5). After quoting sections of Matt. 24:19-21; Lk. 19:41ff and Lk. 21:20, 23, 24,
Eusebius says this about the destruction of Jerusalem: "All this occurred" in this manner, in the second year of the reign of Vespasian (70 A.D.), according to the predictions of our Christ...On comparing the declarations of our Saviour which the other parts of Josephus work, where he describes the whole war, "how can one fail to acknowledge" and wonder at the truth divine and extraordinary foreknowledge and prediction of our Saviour?" (Eusebius Esslesiastical History, Book 3. Ch.7)
Eusebius declares that the Great Commission had been accomplished by the time Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70 (cf. Matt. 24:14): "Of who (Christ), indeed "at this very time, "the sound of the holy apostles went throughout all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. " (Eusebius Esslesiastical History, Book 3, Ch. 8; cf. Rom. 10:18; Col. 1:6,23)
Athanasius declares "For now that "He has come" to our realm, and taken up his abode in one body among His peers, henceforth the whole conspiracy of the enemy against mankind in checked, and "the corruption of death which before was prevailing against them is done away." For the race of men had gone to ruin had not the Lord and Saviour of all, the Son of God, come among us to meet "the end of death." (Athanasius On the Incarnation of the Word, Section 9 Verse 4; cf. 1 Cor. 15:21-26)
In reference to the Jews rejection of Jesus as the Massiah and their interpertation of the seventy weeks of Daniel 9, Athanasius has this to say: "Perhaps with regard to the other "prophecies" they may be able even to find excuses and to put off what is written to a future time. But what can they say to this, or can they face it at all? Where not only is the Christ refrred to, but He that is to be anointed is declared to be not man simply, but Holy of Holies; and "Jerusalem is to stand till His coming, and thenceforth, prophet and vision cease in Israel." (Athanasius; On the Incarnation of the Word, Section 39 Verse 3; cf. Dan. 9:24ff).
I hope this helps as you can see there were preterist.