After nearly two thousand years and still no Second Coming, some Christians are asking, "Since Jesus said He'd come back soon (Rev. 22:12), then why hasn’t He come back to Rapture the Church and judge all the evil on Planet Earth by now?"

To discover the answer to that question, we must journey back to the first century when there was a transition being made from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. It was at this time that the temporary Physical Temple in Jerusalem was giving way to the everlasting Spiritual Temple (2 Corinthians 6:16).

When we understand that Jesus was warning the rebellious first century nation of Israel (Matthew 23:36) about his coming judgment, and we grasp the nature of that judgment, then the pieces of the Second Coming puzzle will all fall into place.

It's time for the Church to understand that Jesus came back and fulfilled all prophecy in His generation (Matthew 24:34). The everlasting Kingdom of God was consummated in 70 A.D. The Kingdom of God is now Spiritual, not Physical (John 4:21-24).

If you're part of the Christian Church then you're living in the New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). It's time for the Church to face this truth and grow to maturity.  

A Primer on Preterism from New Covenant Eyes Church on Vimeo.

The Verse We Never Saw

By Alan Bondar

September, 2011

 

Does the Old Testament teach about the second coming of Christ and the resurrection of the dead? How about the time of the end? It is likely that you will wholeheartedly say, "Yes." And I agree! How could anyone miss it? In fact, not only does the Old Testament teach about the second coming of Christ, the resurrection, and the time of the end, but Jesus and the apostles teach about these events as well by using the Old Testament Scriptures.

 

 One of the places that the Old Testament speaks about these events is in Daniel chapter 12. Take a look at some of the details that Daniel writes about: 1 "At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble; such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." 5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. 6 And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?" 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. 8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, "O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?" 9He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. 11And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 13 But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days."

 

In one chapter, Daniel is told about:

 

1. The resurrection (vv. 2-3)

 

2. The time of the end (vv. 4, 12)

 

3. The shattering of the power of The Holy people (v. 7)

 

4. The abomination of desolation (v. 11)

 

According to what Daniel recorded here, the time of the end is when the shattering of the power of the holy people is complete, and the abomination that makes desolate is set up. This would also be the time of the resurrection. All of this is written in the Old Testament – in one chapter!

 

Now let's consider a verse that many of us have never seen before: Luke 21:22. Let's start at verse 20:

 

20"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written."

 

"To fulfill ALL that is written!" When would Daniel 12 be fulfilled? According to Jesus, it is when the disciples to whom he was speaking saw Jerusalem surrounded by armies. And just a little bit later in this Olivet Discourse, Luke records Jesus saying, "Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place" (v. 32).

 

In verse 20, Jesus refers to the abomination of desolation spoken of in Daniel. Luke records the abomination that makes desolate as the Roman armies surrounding Jerusalem, which occurred before Jerusalem was destroyed. Matthew records this same event by specifically calling the Roman armies, the abomination of desolation, and referencing Daniel (cf. Matt. 24:15-16). Matthew even records the same statement about those who are in Judea being instructed to flee to the mountains.

 

So Jesus refers to Daniel regarding the abomination that makes desolate when He prophecies about the Roman armies surrounding Jerusalem in the first century. Then he says, "These are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written."

 

Well, if it is written in Daniel 12 that the time of the end, the shattering of the power of the holy people, and the resurrection would take place during the time that the abomination that makes desolate is set up, then who made a mistake in what they believed and taught? Was it Daniel, Jesus, Luke, or us?

 

Somebody made a mistake in believing and teaching when all things written would be fulfilled. My challenge to you is that if you are still clinging to a belief system that does not square with the teachings of Daniel, Jesus, and Luke, perhaps it’s time to consider reading the Bible through New Covenant Eyes.

 

Do you believe that all things written were fulfilled during the time of the end when Jerusalem was surrounded by the Roman armies?

 

We must be willing to line up our beliefs with what the Scriptures teach.

This news letter can be found at New Covenant Eyes Church.