- Jul 21, 2018
- 1,111
- 141
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Married
The foundational premise of preterism is the inappropriate use of temporal indicators, specifically those concerning imminence. This foundation fails to recognize the hermeneutical principle established in “classic prophecy,” commonly known as prophetic telescoping (PT). Dr. David R. Reagan defines the principle in classic prophecy as,
Correctly applying telescoping to the temporal indicators in perterism leads to Protestant historicism. Telescoping confirms Daniel and the Revelation as a unique genre, prophesizing the continuous unfolding of history, specifically between the two advents of Christ in the case of the Revelation.
We witness this principle in Zephaniah, where he prophesies phenomena that were “imminent.”
Of course, Zephaniah is speaking of the imminent judgment that was at hand for the southern kingdom of Judah but then he precipitously prophecies, without any chronological account, of its restoration, a distant event.
The NT substantiates this restoration. “God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew… at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace…. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11).
The issue concerning telescoping is vigilance; conflating distant phenomena with the imminent engenders vigilance instead of lethargy or apathy.
Temporal indicators are often used to promote vigilance and discourage apathy. Grasping Christ used telescoping in the Olivet Discourse and in Revelation 1:1, precluding preterism and futurism’s eschatology. If the Revelation explicitly conveyed that its narration pertained to the two thousand years’ history between the two advents, it indeed would have incited apathy and lethargy. Preterists cannot grasp that the “things which must shortly come to pass” are the unfolding events of the next two thousand years, which lends meaning to every Christian in this age. No one is left out. Suppose the apocalypse focuses strictly on the circumstances in John’s time or the time immediately preceding Christ’s return as the futurists hold. In that case, there is nothing for anyone to keep in the interim, under Revelation 1:3. Tension ensues with the promise of blessings for keeping those things” in the book. There is nothing to keep if the book has nothing to say about the people during the interim. Protestant historicism ends that tension.
[1] Dr. David R. Reagan, “The Interpretation of Prophecy,” Lamb and Lion Miniseries, The Interpretation of Prophecy | Prophecy | Lamb and Lion Ministries
The Historicist
Another peculiar feature of prophetic literature is called “telescoping.” This occurs when a prophet compresses the time interval between two prophetic events. This phenomenon is very common.[1]
Correctly applying telescoping to the temporal indicators in perterism leads to Protestant historicism. Telescoping confirms Daniel and the Revelation as a unique genre, prophesizing the continuous unfolding of history, specifically between the two advents of Christ in the case of the Revelation.
We witness this principle in Zephaniah, where he prophesies phenomena that were “imminent.”
Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. (Zephaniah 1:7)
Of course, Zephaniah is speaking of the imminent judgment that was at hand for the southern kingdom of Judah but then he precipitously prophecies, without any chronological account, of its restoration, a distant event.
Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. (Zephaniah 3:14-15)
The NT substantiates this restoration. “God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew… at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace…. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11).
The issue concerning telescoping is vigilance; conflating distant phenomena with the imminent engenders vigilance instead of lethargy or apathy.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:42-44)
Temporal indicators are often used to promote vigilance and discourage apathy. Grasping Christ used telescoping in the Olivet Discourse and in Revelation 1:1, precluding preterism and futurism’s eschatology. If the Revelation explicitly conveyed that its narration pertained to the two thousand years’ history between the two advents, it indeed would have incited apathy and lethargy. Preterists cannot grasp that the “things which must shortly come to pass” are the unfolding events of the next two thousand years, which lends meaning to every Christian in this age. No one is left out. Suppose the apocalypse focuses strictly on the circumstances in John’s time or the time immediately preceding Christ’s return as the futurists hold. In that case, there is nothing for anyone to keep in the interim, under Revelation 1:3. Tension ensues with the promise of blessings for keeping those things” in the book. There is nothing to keep if the book has nothing to say about the people during the interim. Protestant historicism ends that tension.
[1] Dr. David R. Reagan, “The Interpretation of Prophecy,” Lamb and Lion Miniseries, The Interpretation of Prophecy | Prophecy | Lamb and Lion Ministries
The Historicist
Last edited:
