17 Apr

When Christ Comes Again

BEYOND THE BASICS | Keith Sharp | Mountain Home, Arkansas

Preterism
On the nights of July 20-21, 23-24, 2020, Bruce Reeves and Holger Neubauer debated the question, “Will Jesus Really Come Again?” Bruce Reeves affirmed, “The Scriptures teach that Jesus of Nazareth will come again in the future to raise both the wicked and righteous for eternal judgment.” Holger Neubauer affirmed, “The Scriptures teach that Jesus of Nazareth returned the second and final time in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.” Mr. Neubauer holds to a theory popularized in modern times by the late Max R. King in his book The Spirit of Prophecy. The position of King, Neubauer, and others, called “Preterism” or the A.D. 70 Theory, is that the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 is the final fulfillment of all biblical prophecy. Therefore, there will be no future, literal return of Christ or resurrection of the dead.

In First Corinthians chapter fifteen, the apostle Paul specifically refutes this error. He rebuked them:

“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen” (1 Corinthians 15:12-13).

The resurrection of which Paul speaks is the same kind Christ experienced – a literal, bodily resurrection from the dead (cf. verses 1-8). To deny our future literal bodily resurrection is to deny that of the Lord.

How serious is this error?

“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).

Our resurrection to which Paul refers is at “the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:24).

Preterism is damnable heresy.

Premillennialism
In contrast to the Preterists, Premillennialists affirm that Christ will establish a thousand-year, earthly material kingdom when he returns.

“… Christ will set up a literal kingdom in time which will last in history a thousand years and then go into an eternal form which will never be destroyed”…. God’s kingdom will be characterized by peace and equity, and by universal spirituality and knowledge of the Lord. Even the animals and the reptiles will lose their ferocity and no longer be carnivorous. All men will have plenty and be secure. There will be a chicken in every pot and no one will steal it!”(Hal Lindsey, The Late Great Planet Earth. 165, 6).

But, according to the inspired apostle Paul:

“For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power” (1 Corinthians 15:21-24).

Christ will indeed return, not to establish His kingdom, which presently exists (Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9) and is spiritual rather than material (John 18:36; Romans 14:17), but to deliver the kingdom to God the Father that “God may be all in all” (1 Corinthians 15:28).

If Christ has been raised from the dead, He now sits on the throne of David and reigns as King (Acts 2:29-32). To deny that Christ is now our King is to deny His resurrection. Premillennialism is damnable heresy.

The Truth
When Christ returns:

  • All the dead will be raised at the same hour (John 5:28-29).
  • The living will be instantly changed (1 Corinthians 15:50-54).
  • The material universe will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10-12).
  • All mankind will be judged (Matthew 25:31-33; John 5:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:12-13).
  • The righteous will inherit eternal life in heaven (Matthew 25:34; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
  • The wicked will receive eternal punishment in hell (Matthew 10:28; 25:41; Revelation 14:11; 20:14-15).

Conclusion
Then we will spend eternity either in heaven or hell (Matthew 25:46). Are you ready for the return of Christ? “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).

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April 2023 | GROW magazine

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