All Doves:

Preterism has had a resurgence since the 1950's, while it is not new, its impact has had a major influence on the Low Information Christian world.  It appears to have "deep pockets" promoting it in the western world, and, in particular the USA and Canada.  Preterism boasts a stable of well-known theologians, such as Dr. Ken Gentry, Dr. R.C. Sproul, the late Dr. D.J. Kennedy, Gary DeMar, the late David Chilton, Hank Hanegraaff (radio Bible Answer Man), and others that carry the Preterist banner.

In Part 1 of this post, I shared the background history for the Preterist School of thought on the Bible's hermeneutics.

It began with a Roman Catholic Jesuit priest Luis Alcasar, some spell it Alcazar, who passed off his bogus distraction as a means to take the focus off of Rome.  Alcasar fabricated the teaching that the book of Revelation was "past" history of Pagan Rome and debauched Judaism. 

As a quick recap because this Jesuit Counter-Reformation is largely unknown in the world to this very day to most folks.  While the Jesuits are known for the Inquisition period throughout Europe, it a less known fact of its theological works to bring about a restoration of Rome's power and the Roman Catholic Church to its pinnacle position in the world.  The Jesuits came up with a dual approach to take the light of truth from Rome.  It did so with the efforts of two men that turned the Christian focus away from the idea that Rome was the Antichrist of Revelation 17.  The collaborative efforts within the Jesuits brought forth two divergent and counter-views of the book of Revelation. 

One school of thought was that of Futurism and the second was Preterism.  It was a brilliant move and it has for the past four hundred years divided Protestant thinking and hermeneutics.  Rome had succeeded in distracting the world to believe competing views of end times, and keep the distraction and feuding alive while in the mean time Rome was about advancing its agenda of restoring its spiritual authority as well as its long-term plan to restore its temporal authority as well.  Rome has spearheaded its goal of ecumenism, and new image, since the early 1960's through Vatican II. 

Pope Francis, himself a Jesuit, launched his evangelization program to evangelize the lost brethren, Protestant evangelicals and earlier this year it became obvious how he was going about this process to bring Evangelicals and Pentecostals back into the fold of Rome.  Predecessor Benedict XVI initiated the evangelization plan a year or so before he announced his plans to retire. 

Most of you would not know this but, the Jesuit "mystics" were responsible for introducing the Charismatic movement back in the early 1960's.  The Catholic Charismatic Renewal conference movement began at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA in 1967.  Interestingly, a number of religious movements in America began in Pittsburgh, PA because of the theme of "bridging" gaps.  Franklin Graham just completed a three or four day crusade in Pittsburgh.  He permitted the Diocese Bishop Zubik to offer the opening prayer at the Graham Crusade.  Pittsburgh is well known as the city of bridges, and thus became a backdrop to efforts to "bridge" differences between religious groups.  The Charismatic movement was introduced into Protestant denominations as a way of invigorating "worship" in the local church, drawing upon the "gifts" of the Spirit.  What the churches did not know was just who it was that was behind the Charismatic movement.

In reality, the Charismatic and Pentecostal proved to be divisionary among denominational leaders and pastors alike.  Rather than to invigorate traditional worship it resulted in a fragmented and divided community.  It was the Jesuit "mysticism" that set-off a movement that fractured the Protestant world.  It led to a world of church splits, new congregations, new ideas, belief systems.  It enhanced the ministries that gave us Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Benny HInn, Creflo Dollar, Joyce Meyers, James Robinson, Oral Roberts, Jr. & Sr., and many more that have jumped on the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel. 

The Jesuits are intricately involved in these Counter-Reformation movements.  Most people, even in the church today are oblivious to how this is all transpiring.  Here are just a small list of Jesuit-inspired and led efforts to undermine traditional Protestant beliefs that resulted from the Reformation.

        ++ Futurist School orchestrated by Jesuit Francisco Ribera
        ++ Preterist School orchestrated by Jesuit Luis Alcasar
        ++ Council of Trent (1545-1563)
        ++ First Vatican Council (1869-1870)
        ++ Creation of the School of Higher Criticism by Jesuit Alfonso Salemoran
        ++ Bishops Wescott & Hort effort to destroy the King James Bible with their new "Critical Greek Text"
        ++ Second Vatican Council (1962-1965)
        ++ Liberation Theology began in 1971 centered in S. America where Pope Francis was a key player
        ++ Roman Catholic Evangelism of the "lost brethren" (2012-present)

This list represents the major efforts of the Jesuit-led Counter-Reformation.  There are assorted efforts being waged through the past 400 years since the Reformation.  We can look for Rome to announce something major in 2017, on the anniversary of the 400th year of the Reformation that formally began on October 31, 1517.  While I might be going out on a limb here on this, it is my thoughts that Pope Francis, if he does not retire by then, will announce the end of the 400-year-old church split known as the Reformation.  I hedge only because a week ago, Pope Francis hinted at that he might only have two or three years to live and he might retire.  Pope Francis only has one lung and is experiences leg problems in walking. 

It should never be doubted, not for one moment, the chief purpose that Rome has presented a public appearance of being ecumenical, and Pope Francis publicly presents a friendly image, has been to deceive the world into believing that Rome has changed.  Rome never changes!  In private they even deny they have changed.  Rome is all about restoring that second key of temporal power to its official Crest of the Vatican.  Its all about a one-world-religion, a one-world-government, and a one-world-economy.

Preterism believes that major prophecies of Scripture, such as the Olivet Discourse and the book of Revelation, were fulfilled by 70 AD with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman legions.  Preterists as such takes a view because of Matthew 24:34 and its parallel passages that says, "This generation will not pass away until all those things take place."  They interpret this to mean that the prophecies had to be fulfilled in the First Century AD.  Confusion over that passage is largely due to the nuancing of the Greek text.

Most Preterists believe that we are currently living in a new heaven and a new earth because they interpret the entire book of Revelation to have a First Century fulfillment.  In their way of thinking we are living in the Millennium.  All one has to do to doubt that point is to watch the nightly "police blotter" on your local television news to know that we are not in the new Millennium by a long shot.  

Preterism takes three forms: mild, moderate and full, (sounds like Goldilocks and the three bears), and it isn't necessary to go into each for, as the differences are not significantly different.  Basically, Preterists dismiss a Second Coming of the Lord Christ Jesus.  In their warped way of thinking, the Second Coming took place in 70 AD, yet there is no historical record, writings, documents, government, or religious that such an event occurred in 70 AD or anywhere near it.  Their main point is everything has been fulfilled in 70 AD.  If Jesus returned in 70 AD, as Preterists say, then, on what day did He return?  Since this is a past event, we should be able to know the exact day our Lord supposedly returned and fulfilled this passage.  I have never read in any Preterist material, any of them that can answer that question or the manner of His return.  In fact, this was such a non-event in terms of church history, that it was not until the 17th century that we have any record of anyone even suggesting anything like a Preterist view that refers to Matthew 24:27 and 30 to 70 AD.

Had Christ Jesus returned as described in that passage, surely the Jewish historian Josephus would have observed it.  But even the verbose Josephus does not record such an event, because it did not occur.  When the Second Coming of Christ Jesus occurs, we will all be able to note the day and the hour.  The description of this event will be such a public event that will be observed by multitudes of people.  I have no doubt the exact day and hour of this event will not be lost to human history.  If you ever encounter a Preterist, ask him when and where is it recorded that Jesus returned in 70 AD. 

Preterists stand on three major passages in the Gospel of Matthew:  10:23; 16:27-28; and 24:34.  That's it.  The fourth leg of this chair is the book of Revelation.  The Preterists argue for an early dating of the writing of the book of Revelation.  They put it at around 65 AD.  The evidence of that supposition simply isn't there to sustain such a position.  I'm going to address this topic of whether an early date or late date is supported by the evidence.  Preterist's place the entire book of Revelation prior to 70 AD.

Preterists actually do admit if the book of Revelation were written 25 years later after the fall of Jerusalem, their entire position would go up in smoke.  Thus, if Revelation was given after the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, it could not have been a prophecy about that event as the Preterists contend.  In reality, the book of Revelation was written around 96 AD.  In my post "Early or Late", I will present the evidence that confirms the later date.

Pre-Tribulationists are accused of having little Scriptural basis for the view of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture; however, Preterist's have no room to boast because so much of their doctrine is built upon such a small portion of Matthew. If the Preterist's view is correct, and I do not see it their way, most or all of prophecy is over with and done.  The current Church Age will then become increasingly successful, concluding with conversion of the world to Christ. As we can obviously see, even the low information folks can see, the world is not getting better.

Surprisingly, with as weak as the Preterist position is, it has a well-financed backing with some deep pockets.  In Pittsburgh, PA not far from my home are two Presbyterian seminaries, within 3-miles of each other:  Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, (PCUSA), and the smaller Reformed Presbyterian Seminary, which is a Preterist school.  It averages 100-105 students yearly and has a faculty of 5 full-time professors, along with a couple dozen adjunct part-time faculty. 

Those who believe that Christ came in 70 AD are not looking for our Lord's any-moment return when He raptures the Church without warning.  They are certainly not obeying the Lord's command to keep watching.

The Spanish Jesuit Luis De Alcasar in his commentary 'Investigation of the Hidden Sense of the Apocalypse', he insisted that the ENTIRE book of Revelation pertained to Pagan Rome and approximately the first six centuries of the Christian era.

This is a brief highlight of his teachings in relation to the identity of Antichrist:

        ++ Revelation, chapters 1-11 relates to the rejection of the Jewish people and the Roman's destruction of Jerusalem.

        ++ Roman Paganism was supposedly "the Harlot" and was overthrown in Revelation, chapters 12-19.  Also, the true church in these accounts is supposedly the Roman Catholic Church.

        ++ Revelation 20 would hold the account that Caesar Nero (54-68 AD) would be the Antichrist and that he was judged.

        ++ Revelation 21 & 22 shows the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church, that God establishes them as his church on Earth.

The Papacy loves the Preterist position even more than they do the Futurist view, because it gives them even more glory and takes even more focus off them as the Antichrist of Revelation 17.

The Preterist and Futurist views have, in fact, permitted the REAL Antichrist to dominate and overcome modern Christianity.   The world is thus looking to the past or to the future, when the Antichrist has been here all along.

The Jesuits use of the "Problem - Reaction - Solution" to accomplish whatever they desire.  They use the Left vs. Right Hegelian Dialectic philosophy to control both sides of political debate.  Historically, third parties are merely a "spoiler" in the orchestrated outcome of "Synthesis".  Third party efforts prove futile, and have no chance of winning, if that is the goal.  They create a mirage for the people of any country by giving them a two-party choice as to appear they could impact the outcome.  The truth of the matter is that both political parties are controlled by an elite, with the deep pockets to affect the outcome.

God be with you in the coming days,

Pastor Bob