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"President Clinton will declare the martial law between September and October of the 2000... ”
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Preterism: Preterism: Believe It Or Not?
Posted on Friday, February 20 @ 12:19:56 PST by John |
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jcbart73 submitted: ""That’s the dilemma I’m facing. What should I do? I continue to pray about it, asking God to show me the truth. I continue to read the Word on my own, and listen to it in my car. I continue to ask God to reveal any false teaching I might hold to… I continue to avoid discussing it with other preterists… yet God only seems to assure me that my beliefs are fine"
Preterism: Believe It or Not?
By Joe Barton
Why Preterism Should Be Believed
- There are many verses that used to confuse me, that make perfect sense with a preterist eschatology
- So many timing verses indicate only a first-century fulfillment… at least in the gospels (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17/21)
- Peter was told by Jesus that John might live to see His coming…and he lived past 90AD…curious
- The facts surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish temple, as well as the time frame of the Roman/Jewish War fit perfectly with Daniel and Revelation prophecies (3 ˝ years and 7 year tribulation)
- Gives scriptural reasons to believe we are not in the last days, thus making the current day Jack Van Impe’s look like the fools they truly are, when they try to predict when the tribulation will begin
- Leads to a more positive world view, one in which Christ is in control and we need not fear a future ruled by Satan
- So many other timing verses make it sound imminent in the first century (Hebrews 10:37, Revelation 1:2)
- How can I believe something I’m not sure about either way? What would I believe if everybody else believed Preterism?
- Is it better to believe fervently in something that is 3% wrong, 97% right… than to force myself to believe something that I think is 97% wrong and maybe 3% right?
Why Preterism Should Not Be Believed
- It’s causing strife in my family (parents & some siblings think it’s close to, if not, heresy)
- 2 Peter alludes to timing and delay “a day is as a thousand years… with the Lord”
- Matthew 25 speaks of the bridegroom delaying His coming (but for 2,000+ years?)
- It is not for us to know the times or the seasons (Acts 1:7) – does that apply to us?
- There is a lost hope of a miraculous, world-ending visible return of Christ
- Majority of the modern day church does not believe it, some condemn it as heresy
- No early church father’s taught full preterism, many taught partial preterism relating to the temple and destruction of Jerusalem
- The dating of the book of Revelation is uncertain…
- Causes other scriptural problems, especially “heaven and earth will pass away”, the anti-Christ, and the resurrection. Yet there are other problems w/o the resurrection: Are any saints in Heaven today without the resurrection? Where are David, Abraham, etc. today?
- Would make life a whole lot easier… 99.9% of Christians hold to a future return of Christ…
- Would it be better believe preterism and be wrong, or believe futurism and be wrong?
- I can’t teach preterism to anyone else without being labeled a Hymenaean in the church (even though Hymenaeus taught this before 70AD)
That’s the dilemma I’m facing. What should I do? I continue to pray about it, asking God to show me the truth. I continue to read the Word on my own, and listen to it in my car. I continue to ask God to reveal any false teaching I might hold to… I continue to avoid discussing it with other preterists… yet God only seems to assure me that my beliefs are fine… and that God is bigger than my eschatological beliefs.
Sometimes my struggle to stay a preterist is more burdensome than being a Christian. What do I really want in life? Do I want to believe and live as if I have not been otherwise convicted of the truth?
Maybe there is a quasi-preterism or partial preterism that would fit my beliefs better...and ease these burdens!?
The final question should be, what belief system should I hold to that will help me best devote myself to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ? What will allow me the most opportunity to be a good steward in sharing the Word of God with others?
This has not been a fun journey… and I continue to seek God’s will for my life in all ways. He has continued to bless me with a sound mind, a great family, material blessings, a great job, a great church, musical gifts that are being used to benefit the church, etc. But until this issue of preterism is solved in my heart, there will always be strife.
Maybe that’s what God wants for me… to keep me on my toes...Which leaves me with one last verse to summarize my struggles:
Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!"
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Re: Preterism: Believe It Or Not?... There's Some Dissonance, At First (Score: 1)
 by chrisliv on Friday, February 20 @ 13:04:45 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Yeah,
There's a lot of cognitive dissonance. Even after being presented with new information that clearly shows that your old understanding is false, your new understanding will still "feel" wrong for some time. Even though you "know" it isn't, and that you are correct.
It is like driving a car in North America on the right side of the road. It feels right to you now. But go to England. Driving on the other side of the road would certainly feel wrong to you for some time. Same with a European coming here.
Now, it seems like Preterist would tend to reject Statism, i.e., the Lordship of Caesar, to a higher degree than a Futurist. But they seem to be the same in that area, even though the Preterists say they believe that the full-Lordship of Christ was established on Earth in 70 AD.
So, from what I've noticed, it doesn't really matter which escatological viewpoint you choose, generally speaking, because they both submit to the Lordship of Caesar, and the rule of Satan. However, it's obvious to me that a Preterist position is far-more correct and biblically sensible.
Which is worth something, I suppose.
Peace to you,
C. Livingstone |
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- by PreteristAD70 on Saturday, February 21 @ 20:42:31 PST
- by chrisliv on Sunday, February 22 @ 09:15:15 PST
- by davo on Sunday, February 22 @ 10:08:18 PST
- by Virgil on Sunday, February 22 @ 10:25:08 PST
- by chrisliv on Sunday, February 22 @ 11:47:19 PST
- by Roderick on Sunday, February 22 @ 12:35:34 PST
- by Virgil on Sunday, February 22 @ 13:33:07 PST
Re: Preterism: Believe It Or Not? (Score: 1)
 by pretgirlinca on Friday, February 20 @ 15:17:11 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Hi Joe,
The questions you struggle with will ultimately have to be answered by you. Of course you are not alone in your struggle, many of us have lost something in adherence to Preterism. Some, more than others. This gets compounded by the fact that it seems there is nothing in front of us and yet we can’t go back either.
This is where the rubber meets the road. Eschatology is great but without each other, without relationships, without love for one another, what is it really all about? And without faith, where do we find the strength and desire to love?
It may seem at times that we are a people without a plan, at least it does for me. But God has a plan and I believe he is unfolding it right before our eyes. We may not see it clearly right now.
The road we’re on may not be our first choice of travel venues, but how many times have you asked God to show you the way, to give you understanding and wisdom, to reveal more of Himself to you so you may know him more?
They’re common requests among us and now, here we are. Is this the answer to those prayers? It reminds me of the old adage, be careful what you ask for. :)
I appreciate your honesty and your reaching out to your brothers and sisters. Even if some of these men don’t respond (you know how men are) I know they understand.
I will keep you in prayer. I will pray for clarity for you, for peace of mind, and eyes to see the path the Lord has set before you. I invite the rest of you to join in. No matter what happens, you are not alone.
Julie
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Re: Preterism: Believe It Or Not? (Score: 1)
 by davo on Friday, February 20 @ 15:23:10 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) |
Joe Barton: The final question should be, what belief system should I hold to that will help me best devote myself to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ? What will allow me the most opportunity to be a good steward in sharing the Word of God with others?
Maybe Joe the final question could be the first question.
Either way, whatever side or amalgam of the preterist-futurist belief you choose to hold - if any, will cost you – any belief whatever it be will cost you. What you might need to decide is which cost you can best live with.
Joe Barton: Sometimes my struggle to stay a preterist is more burdensome than being a Christian.
Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
You don't sound like you're experiencing much "joy and peace in believing." Well sometimes Joe "we" came be our own worst enemy – God certainly isn't, and He is not about to leave you out to dry because of any preterist-futurist consternation on your part – He believes in you, period.
Truth is, most of us are like the rest of us and have done or felt or are doing and feeling as you seem to be - there's nothing quite like being stretched.
Keep holding on man.
davo |
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Re: Preterism: Believe It Or Not? (Score: 1)
by napapreterist on Friday, February 20 @ 15:54:19 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Joe,
I can empathize with you. I have just had to withdraw from fellowship in my church due to my preterist beliefs, and the fact that I will soon have a book published about it (Behind The Veil of Moses). Allow me to offer a few, brief comments to your reasons why preterism should not be believed:
• It’s causing strife in my family (parents & some siblings think it’s close to, if not, heresy)
"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; 36 and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matt 10:34-39 NKJV
We can’t deny the “cross to bear” aspect of following Christ.
• 2 Peter alludes to timing and delay “a day is as a thousand years… with the Lord”
But that’s how God sees time. With us, a day is a day. And it is conveniently overlooked that this passage is a “two-way street.” There is just as much precedent to interpret timing passages in the opposite “direction”—e.g., when Jesus said that He would die and rise again on the third day, using this passage from Peter we could interpret Him as meaning that He would rise 3,000 years later. (p. 179, Behind The Veil of Moses)
• Matthew 25 speaks of the bridegroom delaying His coming (but for 2,000+ years?)
Some do counter the “imminency” passages with the following so-called “delay” passages . . . . That these passages speak of a delay we do not deny. But the delay is not one of millennia, or even centuries, but rather in each parable the expected arrival—though delayed—happens within the lifetime of those awaiting it:
. . . the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him . . .
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came . . .
After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
The point of the parables was to teach the listeners to expect the return of the Son of Man, not within a few months or even years, but certainly within the lifetime of some of those listening. . . . Rather than countering the imminency passages, we feel that these “delay” passages actually strengthen the case for “this generation.” (pp. 179-183, Behind The Veil of Moses)
• It is not for us to know the times or the seasons (Acts 1:7) – does that apply to us?
In ca. AD 30 Jesus told the disciples “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority” (Acts 1:7). But after approximately 20 years of instruction by the Holy Spirit Paul said, “concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night” 1 Thess 5:1-2. . . . The intimation is not that, because no man could know about the times and seasons, there was no point in Paul writing about them. Rather, the implication is that they already knew, and knew perfectly! Furthermore, Paul’s statement implies that had there been a need for instruction, he could have supplied it. We feel that the implication is that Paul knew about the times and the seasons. (p. 74, Behind The Veil of Moses)
• There is a lost hope of a miraculous, world-ending visible return of Christ
The first century Jews missed their Messiah because they held out for the hope of a miraculous, Roman domination-ending visible King of the Jews. In doing so, they missed the greater miracle of being born again of the Spirit, and being adopted as true children of God.
• Majority of the modern day church does not believe it, some condemn it as heresy
Th
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Re: Preterism: Believe It Or Not? (Score: 1)
by DarkKnight on Friday, February 20 @ 18:29:06 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Hi Joe,
Welcome to the party! The truth will cost you everything. It's like that treasure that is buried in the middle of a field. You will have to sell all you own in order to obtain it. The question you must ask yourself is: "Am I willing to follow the truth at any cost?". Following Christ means carring a cross daily. It's not much fun. As a matter of fact, it is extremely painful. But, the eternal rewards are awesome! Those who follow Christ are to store up their treasure in the things above.
I applaud your honesty. Most people respond to the Preterist view out of emotion or tradition. Remember though, the first century Jews missed their messiah because of pride and tradition. They also paid an incredible price. They lost everything.
I think that you already see the truth, it's the consequences that have you worried. Keep that Berean spirit and test all things not being afraid to learn. God bless you brother!
As for the II Peter passage, the point that Peter is making is that God is NOT slack in his promises. He did come within their generation just as he promised. I'm comfortable with that, and so should all of those who follow him.
Whatever it is that keeps you from trusting His Word, it isn't worth hanging onto. If you need answers, we are here to help point you back to His Word. His Word is good enough for me and I pray that it is for you as well. Again, may God bless you as you seek Him and His truth.
--Batman |
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The Ride of Your Life! (Score: 1)
by EWMI on Friday, February 20 @ 19:55:42 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Sometimes I think established Preterists can be toooooooo negative. Preterism for me has
cost me far less than it has returned. Once I developed a reasonable commumication
method of my beliefs I discoved that God has prepared hearts all over the world
for Covenant Eschatology.
For what it is worth Joe, Here is my advice to you. First, develop a close walk with Jesus
and don't let it fade. Second, relate to your close anti Preterist friends in an
interrogative rather than confrontational manner. Third seek out Preterist fellowship and
build relationships on personal rather than eschatological grounds. Fourth, if you are in
a church, try to stay there, wait and pray, you can bet your bottom dollar at least
ten percent of all the reasonably informed Christians in your church loathe and despise
futurism but have never heard the truth. Fifth, develop a sense of your future, your
destiny, why did God, after saving you and translating you from the Kingdom of Darkness
to the Kingdom of Light, then lead you into this?
Joe, welcome to the ride of your life! I will pray for you.
Al |
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Re: Preterism: Believe It Or Not? (Score: 1)
by Parker on Friday, February 20 @ 22:09:04 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Hiya Joe.
Hey, we've all been there (or are there presently). I can only say how I've dealt with this same dilemma...
(1) I found that Internet-based fellowship with preterists, while not perfect, can be very encouraging. I enjoy interacting with other prets, even ones with whom I don't see eye-to-eye on everything. (We are family, and that's the bottom line.) Most of my interaction concerning preterism has been on the Internet, either with prets or interested seekers. This has enabled me to be evangelistic, and it puts me in touch with people ready to discuss the issue in a methodical way. Without the right environment for discussion, it is easy to alienate friends, family and others. Discussions over theological issues (such as eschatology) require much rigor and study, and not all contexts are equally conducive. Books are good. Messageboards are good. Tapes are good. But one-on-one personal discussions are entirely unpredicable, and I am very careful on how I approach them.
(2) I decided I could no longer attend churches that were based in--or focused on--futurist end-time thinking. I found myself cringing through end-times sermons, and I felt sad listening to sincere futurists give their end-time-tainted views about life and our modern world. Futurist-driven thinking is sheer mythology, and it can be painful when loved ones are knee-deep in it. (Of course, I was once knee-deep in it.) I have one relative that just moved out of state to be part of an entrenched, futurist-driven movement--I just hope no one drinks the kool-aid or wears purple nike shoes when the end doesn't come. I have another loved one that has slowly tempered his former end-times madness--he knows I believe that "most of that stuff was fulfilled back then." He and I don't go into many details, but I know he respects my studies and opinions. If he wants more details, I'll probably give him a suitable book to read (instead of making it a personal discussion or point of dispute).
(3) I found I could happily fellowship with churches that were Kingdom-oriented, or partially preterist, or focused on what God has done and is doing in the here and now. There are many of these out there. As I have mentioned, the Catholic Church is strongly preterist in its teaching (see Scott Hahn, for example), and devout Catholics are some of my favorite Christians. So, I am very happy in the Catholic Church, and I also enjoy working ecumenically with Christians from all Christ-honoring denominations. Again, we are a family.
So, that's how I have dealt with matters during the recent years of my graduation to preterism. I know futurism to be impossible (as it is commonly presented). This reality, however, does not need to create even more separation among the household of faith. We must keep our family of faith united.
As preterism makes its way into literature and study bibles, churches will become more preterist-oriented, and more Kingdom oriented. I believe preterism will continue to infuse and permeate mainstream Christian beliefs, and this will take some time. (Time is on our side, of course.)
Hope that helps as you think through some of the relational and life issues that you face.
With you in Christ and among His people,
Parker |
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- by Ed on Saturday, February 21 @ 12:27:13 PST
- by Parker on Saturday, February 21 @ 15:13:39 PST
- by Ed on Saturday, February 21 @ 21:02:06 PST
Re: Preterism: Believe It Or Not? (Score: 1)
 by Virgil on Saturday, February 21 @ 04:47:22 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Becoming an independent thinker has always been painful, no matter what the subject at hand - theology should be even worse than sciences as far as I am concerned.
I haven't really experienced anything like that since almost everyone I interact with is a preterist, but you can look at it as a time of trial - you will either come out of it a stronger Christian, or you will realize that maybe preterism is an error. I do remember someone here on the site renouncing preterism publically when his job was put in jeopardy; I can't judge him, but that's also not the way to go about doing things. Someone like that loses credibility with both sides of the issue permanently... |
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Re: Preterism: Believe It Or Not? (Score: 1)
by Apollos on Saturday, February 21 @ 05:52:34 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Joe,
Your diligence is commendable and I pray you will continue to seek support from Christians who are diligent about their faith and their understanding of God's word. Paul spoke of his "pressing on" toward the prize and encouraged his Philippian readers by saying, "Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained." Php. 3:15-16
Living in good conscience before God with the light we have at the moment is the only way to live. By doing that, we put ourselves in the place where God can give us more light. Many Christians walk with penlights because they falter at acting upon what they understand to be true. They falter because their understanding differs from what is popular and they don't want to be seen as different. The saddest aspect of this failing is that it makes them unable to comprehend what others with Q-Beams are able to see, especially when it contradicts what they see with their penlight. It's a silly analogy I know, but I hope you get the point.
You've been searching the scripture and asking for answers. God is showing you things and how you respond is between you and Him.
Don't let "heresy" scare you. Study the word heresy. It doesn't have the meaning we normally attach to it. Biblically, it means to be factuous or sectarian; divisive. It is ironic most preterists are working to unite Christians and don't want to divide over the issue, while many futurists refuse fellowship to preterists. Who is really the heretic?!
A couple of points regarding your negatives. Revisit Peter's comments about the one day as a thousand years thing and look at the larger context. He is addressing scoffers who have been chiding believers that if Christ was going to come He would have already come (does this tell us something about what their expectations concerning His coming were? Absolutely - they thought he was late then - what would they think now if Christ hasn't come!). Peter is making the point that it doesn't matter if God promised to do something tomorrow or a thousand years from now, He would do it precisely when He promised because He never fails to keep His word. This verse is no magic formula for understanding time or for relegating it to something which can be understood.
Regarding the lost hope: What about the hope of those first century believers who were promised the coming would happen in their lifetime and bring them relief from their "present afffliction"? What they had only as a hope, we have as a reality. Should we be disappointed because we have the reality? Like the Jews, many Christians are disappointed at the thought(at least initially) because they have physical expectations of the kingdom which don't fit the promises. It takes awhile to grasp a spiritual reality, but it is worth the effort!
To address all you concerns here would take considerable space, but keep studying. There are answers! I've dealt with some of your concerns on my website under what I call the "Yeah, but what abouts." If you'd like to take a look you can go direcly to the articles at www.eschatology101.com/but_what_about.htm but be sure to return to www.eschtology101.com to visit the introductory pages as well.
God bless you on your journey. The view is glorious!
Jim Wade
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- by Apollos on Sunday, February 22 @ 05:11:20 PST
Re: Preterism: Believe It Or Not? (Score: 1)
 by Ed on Saturday, February 21 @ 07:16:32 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Joe and others,
I have spent many days, weeks, months, and even a few years arguing for preterism, comprehensive grace, old earth, etc., and usually, the only result is division. The other day, during a rare "quiet time" with God, I asked God to reveal to me the direction that He desired for me. I opened my bible and read the following:
"1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered: 2 "Should the wise answer with windy knowledge, and fill themselves with the east wind? 3 Should they argue in unprofitable talk, or in words with which they can do no good? 4 But you are doing away with the fear of God, and hindering meditation before God. 5 For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty. 6 Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; your own lips testify against you. 7 "Are you the firstborn of the human race? Were you brought forth before the hills? 8 Have you listened in the council of God? And do you limit wisdom to yourself? 9 What do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that is not clear to us? 10 The gray-haired and the aged are on our side, those older than your father. 11 Are the consolations of God too small for you, or the word that deals gently with you?" (Job 15:1-11 NRSV).
Many of these issues we argue are of less importance than what verse 11 presents to us: "the consolations (or grace) of God". Paul said it as well, "the grace of God is sufficient". Embrace God's grace in all your dealings (a very hard thing for me). Argumentation and divisiveness is not the way of the Cross. Blessings and love are the ways of the Lord.
blessings,
ed
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- by Daywalker on Saturday, February 21 @ 11:28:22 PST
- by Virgil on Saturday, February 21 @ 15:53:15 PST
- by Seeker on Monday, February 23 @ 05:37:52 PST
Victory!!! Freedom!!! Life!!! (Score: 1)
by Roderick on Saturday, February 21 @ 20:26:49 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Mr. Barton,
Many good men and women have replied to your words and my reply will hardly add to theirs but nonetheless please allow me to say a few things.
Let us forget about preterism for the moment and just frame this in light of Christianity. Suppose we apply your negative points simply to your Christian walk.
Why Christ should not be believed
1. Christianity causes strife with relationships.
2. The Bible has verses that seem to contradict each other.
3. Being Christian is too restrictive (takes away hope of a fun life)
4. Most scientists aren't Christians so it must be unscientific.
5. Not being a Christian would make life a whole lot easier... 99.9% of people aren't Christians.
6. Would it be better to live for today than waste it all away with that religious stuff that we can't really know for certain?
7. I can't espouse my Christian faith without being called a fanatic.
Now, I didn't mean to be so dramatic but have any of the points above kept you from being a Christian? Do any of the points make your Christian life a somber experience?
Imagine an early Jewish Christian thinking the same thoughts you are expressing (as honest as they are) "Why did I give up my Judaism for this? I can no longer go to the Temple or the synagouge in the same way. It has cost me friends and family. I am constantly called names".
Ahhhh -- but how blessed it is to know victory, freedom and life!
It is sorta like your mother used to say, "Joe, if those other kids don't want to play with you when you won't play their games, then they aren't really your friends."
Don't sweat it. You'll have plenty of opportunities to share with others. And as someone said here, don't withdraw from your current church or friends. It is sort of like the advice Paul gave to those new Christians who found themselves married to non-Christians. Should the new Christian leave their spouse because they are non-Christians? Should we also leave our spiritual families as we go through various stages in our Christian walks?
No wonder so many churches are full of milk drinkers, the meat eaters leave too quickly. Remain and try to be a blessing to those around you. Model the victorious, the free, the life-giving faith you know to be the biblical and so-called preterist understanding.
May God bless and keep you
Roderick
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Re: Preterism: Believe It Or Not? (Score: 1)
by CelticCircle1961 on Sunday, February 22 @ 09:21:06 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Everyone above has posted great responses and I won't go and state all the same things. It was all said well.
So, with that, I would like to add just a few things. If we are to take all apochalyptic language as literal language instead we have a problem. The part about "a thousand years as a day and a day as a thousand years". If we are to take that literally, then what do we do with "God owns the cattle on a thousand hills"? If we take that literally, what happens when we reach the 1001st hill? Does God not own the cattle on that hill? It is an expression stating that God owns it all. Same thing with the "thousand years as a day". It is stating that God doesn't view time as we do, as He isn't limited by time as we are.
About following the "herd" mentality. If your entire church said one day after the morning service, "We are all going to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge today after the service." (Replace with whatever high suspension bridge you would like) Would you jump because everyone else did? If we were to do that, we would be no different than the people that followed Jim Jones.
Do not follow the herd mentality, but follow Christ. He will not steer you wrong and as others have said here, it is quite a ride. I have been a Christian since 1979, but the last 3 1/2 years of my walk since I came to the Preterist view have been the best years of my life. It really does make a difference.
Joe, continue with your studies and may the Holy Spirit be your teacher in all matters. May God's riches blessings be upon you and your family.
God bless,
CelticCircle1961 |
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Re: Preterism: Believe It Or Not? (Score: 1)
by vinster on Monday, February 23 @ 05:16:10 PST
(User Info | Send a Message) | Hey Joe, I won't add anything fancy, cuz all the great folks on this site have already lifted you up with the foundation of God Himself. I know what your going through. My family and I were systematically driven from a church cuz of our belief in Preterism, called heretics, and were even told that satan himself opened our eyes to preterism. 15 years of preaching, teaching, and close friendships lost in a matter of months. But when I look at it now, I praise God that He took me through all of that to help me grow in His grace and to understand Him and His Word in a deeper manner.
He's with you all the way, my friend. Trust Him.
He knows what He's doing!!
In His Grace, Vinster |
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