New Testament Realized Eschatology

An Introduction to the Abundance of New Testament Passages Supporting the Fulfillment of All End-times events in the First Century

By Todd D. Dennis

Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life."

Introduction

     What differentiates the realized eschatology of Preterism from every other doctrinal perspective (including partial Preterism/partial Futurism) is the belief that all end-times prophecy was fulfilled in the first century (Luke 21:22,32). This position holds that the second coming of Christ, the judgment, and the resurrection of the dead (John 5:28-29) all found their fulfillment in the period of the destruction of all Judea, by the Romans, in the 70s of the post-Christ era.

     The initial reaction many have at hearing this is disbelief that anyone would actually believe such a thing. Once Scripture is allowed to speak for itself, however, one cannot honestly deny the justification for such a belief. This is because of the overwhelming amount of Scriptures which declare that these were all things "which must shortly come to pass" (Rev. 1:1). By listing a number of these verses, we can see that "Realized Eschatology" is not irrational or blasphemous to teach.

     To understand how this could be possible, there are four very important Biblical truths that must be established. First, that the years from the cross to the desolation of Jerusalem in the A.D. 70s (we can be more precise once having presented the four points) were the "last days"; Second, that the "Parousia" (appearing, coming, revealing) of Christ occurred before that contemporary generation passed away; Third, that the Old Covenant was still in place until the time of the "Parousia"; and Fourth, that redemption/salvation for all believers (alive or "asleep") was still promised (hoped for) in the New Testament, and had not yet been realized.

     By presenting Scripture in such a way, as to allow it to speak for itself, we will see that the New Testament is a collection of books written in the "last days" of the Old Covenant, all of which display the 'earnest expectation' of the believers that the return of Christ would be in their lifetimes. We will see also that this return of Christ was fulfilled in that generation, specifically to reward the expectation, by Christ fulfilling His promise to "bring them unto [Himself]" (John 14:3).

     It is through the establishment of the Biblical reality of these four points that the eschatology of the New Testament is plainly understood as being clearly "realized".

 

     It is stated time and again that the New Testament was written in the final years of the "world that then was," otherwise known as the Old Covenant system (Heb. 1:2). This period of the "last days", or "end of the age," saw its fulfillment at the Parousia of Christ (Matt. 13:39). It was then that the Old Covenant system, with all its accoutrements, passed away with fire (II Peter 3:10). Setting this standard for New Testament eschatological revelation, Christ declared in Mark 1:15, "The time is fulfilled; and the kingdom of God is at hand.."

     Peter specifies the range of this period, commonly called the "last days," in his sermon in Acts 2:16-21. He declares that, in fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel, they were in the "last days," which would see the various charismatic manifestations (tongues, visions, prophecy, signs), until the 'day of the lord' (v.20), when they would cease. We know from numerous other Scriptures, that the 'day of the Lord' was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem, in that same generation (Luke 21:20-22,32). In fact, the 40 years from the cross to the 'day of the Lord' were perfectly and precisely foreshown in the 40 years of wilderness wandering, in preparation for Israel's entrance in to the land of rest.

     Note that the principle distinction between Realized Eschatology and all other "systems" of doctrine, in regards to the "last days," is the position that Christ's return was to be at the end of the Old Covenant age, and not at the supposed end of the New Covenant age. That the churches of the apostolic period were living in the "last days" of the "age," with great expectation of near events, is evident in the following verses:

 

     The "Parousia" (Parousia) of Christ was also (besides the judgment, end of the aion (age), and establishing of the new heavens and earth) specifically prophesied as finding its fulfillment at the end of the 'last days' period of the first century. Christ, Himself, declared that His 'second coming' would occur in that generation, with particular emphasis, saying, "Verily, I say unto you, ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come" (Matt. 10:23).

     The coming of Christ was always directly related to "sudden destruction," which was to come upon the wicked nation (I Thessalonians 5:1-3), and then the great white throne judgment (Matt 16:27-28; 25:31-32), whereby all the people of the previous age (whether of faith or not), would be judged by the blood of Christ, and given their eternal reward (Matthew 16:27-28). Therefore, as we see the many verses, which place these events as being contemporary to that time frame, we must not overlook their support of realized eschatology.

     The following verses are listed to show the constancy and consistency of this particular chronology throughout the testimony of all the New Testament "writers."

     The audience relevance and context of Scripture cannot be ignored. Many writers and pastors violate this most important rule of hermeneutics, by teaching that the entire Bible was written to us when, in fact, it was written to them.

     Verses of particular importance are shown with an asterisk (*), under the verse with which they are related.

Matthew 10:23	"Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come."
Matthew 24:30,34	"they (the tribes of the land) shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."
*Revelation 1:7	"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him."
Matthew 24:31,34	"And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect. Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."
* I Thessalonians 4:16-17	"For the Lord himself shall descend.. with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds."
* I Corinthians 15:51-52	"We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment.. at the last trump"
Matthew 25:31-32	"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations."
* Matthew 16:27-28	"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."
Philippians 4:5	"The Lord is at hand."
I Thessalonians 2:19	"For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord at His coming (Parousia)?"
James 5:8	"Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming (Parousia) of the Lord draweth nigh."
James 5:9	"Behold, the judge standeth before the door."
II Peter 3:12	"Looking for and hasting unto the coming (Parousia) of the day of God."
Declarations to Persons About Their Seeing Him Return
Matthew 10:23	"Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come."
Matthew 16:27-28	"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."
Matthew 26:64	"Hereafter shall ye (high priest) see the Son of man.. coming in the clouds of heaven."
John 14:3	"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
I Corinthians 1:7-8	"So that ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I Corinthians 15:51-52	"We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment.. at the last trump"
I Thessalonians 4:16-17	"For the Lord himself shall descend.. with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds."
I Thessalonians 3:13	"So that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming (Parousia) of our Lord with all His saints."
I Thessalonians 5:23	"And I pray the very God of peace.. your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
I Timothy 6:14	"That thou keep this commandment.. until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ"
James 5:7	"Be patient, therefore, brethren unto the coming (Parousia) of the Lord."
I Peter 1:13	"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
1 John 2:28	"Abide in him; that, when he shall appear (Parousia), we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."
Revelation 1:7	"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him."
Revelation 3:11	"Behold, I come quickly.."
Revelation 22:12	"Behold, I come quickly..."
Revelation 22:20	"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus."

 

     Besides these emphatic declarations regarding the coming of Christ at the end of the "last days" themselves, Scripture is also filled with the chronology of the related concepts, such as the judgment, the time of the end of the Old Covenant, and the establishing of the New Covenant 'heavens and earth' (See Scholars on the Nature of the 'Heavens and Earth'), which were then, likewise, soon to be revealed.

     The link between the 'last days,' and these related events, can be seen in the following passages.  These verses are given to illustrate the depth and breadth of passages, which are focused upon imminent events, directly related to the timing of the "last days," and the coming of Christ:

The Judgment

     The great judgment was an imminent event, directly related to the time of that living generation. The judgment declared was to be a physical, as well as spiritual judgment, to which most would agree:

Matthew 3:7	"O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath (mello - about) to come?
Matthew 16:27-28	"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."
Matthew 23:36,38	"Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate."
Acts 2:16,17,20	"But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days.. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come."
James 5:9	"Behold, the judge standeth before the door."
I Peter 4:5	"Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead."
I Peter 4:17	"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God."
Revelation 22:12	"Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

 

The Time of the End

     Scripture speaks of the 'the time of the end,' instead of the 'end of time.' In fact, nowhere does the Bible address cosmological eschatology. The passages that are typically considered such, actually refer to covenantal eschatology (the prime example of this is II Peter 3, which is written in regards to the elements of the Mosaic law). This is true of the references to the 'end of the world.' The word translated 'world' (aeon), means "age, or a period of time." Hence, the 'end of the (Old Covenant) age' is to what we see imminently expected:

Matthew 13:39	"The harvest is the end of the world."
Matthew 24:14	"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Luke 21:22,32	"For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.. this generation shall not pass, till all be fulfilled."
I Corinthians 1:8	"Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus."
1Corinthians 10:11	"Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come"
Galatians 4:4	"But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his son."
Hebrews 9:26	"For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."
I Peter 4:7	"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch.."
Hebrews 8:13	"In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."

The New Heavens and Earth

     The passing of the heavens and earth of old, to the 'new heavens and earth,' is related to the passing of the Old Covenant to the New. This is what 'world' was ending. To this the most eminent men, such as Spurgeon, Owen, Locke, and Edwards, agree. This, according to Hebrews 9:1-10, was to take place when the Second Jewish temple was destroyed. The following passages show the nearness of the shaking of the powers of the heavens:

Matthew 24:34-35	"Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Luke 21:26,32	"Men's heart failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of the heaven shall be shaken. This generation shall not pass, till all be fulfilled."
Hebrews 9:1,8-10	"Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present.. which stood only.. until the time of reformation."
Hebrews 12:26-29	"Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things, which cannot be shaken, may remain. Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved.."

Old Covenant Still In Place After the Cross and Pentecost

    Then next point is that the Old Covenant had not yet been abolished, at the time of the writing of the New Testament. So long as the temple still stood, and the sacrifices were continually offered, the plan of redemption was incomplete. Christ Himself declared that His victory at the cross was not complete, and would only find its fulfillment in judgment (Matthew 12:20; Romans 2:5-8; 9:22-23; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; I Corinthians 15:54-57); Therefore, the plan of redemption's fulfillment must occur after the cross, and Pentecost.

     Besides this, Christ declared that not one jot or tittle would pass from the law, till heaven and earth passed (Matt. 5:17-18). This is indicative of the continuance of the Old Covenantal structure, until the establishment of the New Covenant at the time of Christ's return.

     The Bible clearly teaches that the plan of redemption was to be fulfilled in the "Parousia" of Christ (I Corinthians 15:22-23). As Scripture testifies, "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel (the "last trump" of I Corinthians 15:52; I Thessalonians 4:16; Isaiah 27:13), when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."

     The key phrase used in Scripture, in reference to the fulfillment of the "mystery of God" (redemption for man, and reconciliation to God, which was lost in the garden), is the establishing of the "new heavens and earth." This phrase does not refer to the material structure of the universe (as is clear from Isaiah 51:15-16 - See John Owen on the Heavens and Earth), as many suppose, but, rather, is in reference to the everlasting establishment of the New Covenant.

     As we will now see, Christ's second coming was at the end of the Old Covenant age (Matt 13:39), for the purpose of ushering in the "new heavens and earth" of the New Covenant (Luke 21:26- 28; Heb 12:25-28), by the operation of "gathering the wheat (the saved) into the barn" (Matt. 13:30), yet also by His "thoroughly purging his floor" (Matt. 3:12) and "burning the chaff (the wicked) with unquenchable fire" (Matt 3:12; 13:30). Until that time, however, the Old Covenant was still in place. The following verses will illustrate this, through the time frame of Scriptural statements, as well as in the practices of the New Testament church (in continually observing Old Covenant practices).

     An important point to contemplate, at this juncture, is that, if the "heavens and earth" of the Old Covenant has not yet "vanished away" (Heb. 8:13), then we are debtors to keep every jot and tittle of the law:

Matthew 5:17-18	"Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
* Matthew 24:34-35	"Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth (covenantal structure) shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
* Hebrews 12:25-29	"And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved.."
Matthew 22:6-8	"the remnant took his servants.., and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, the wedding is ready."
Matthew 23:36,38	"Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate."
Acts 3:19-21	"Repent.. that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.. Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."
* Revalation 10:7	"in the days of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound (the "last trump" in the middle of the book of Revelation!), the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."
Acts 21:26	"Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them."
Hebrews 8:13	"In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away."
Hebrews 9:1,8-10	"Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary..The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present.. which stood only.. until the time of reformation."

 

     The climax of these points (and the most explicitly declared in Scripture) is that the Christians were still waiting for eternal salvation after the Cross and Pentecost. The earnest expectation of the believers in the "last days" of the Old Covenant "age" had not yet been realized. They had not yet been "clothed upon" with the redemption for which they were waiting (II Corinthians 5:2-4). This earnest expectation was, as Paul wrote, that "not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies." (Rom. 8:23). Many try to teach that this is in reference to a purely physical redemption (i.e. redemption of their bodies), but Scripture clearly disputes that:

"That your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ.. whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things (cf. Luke 21:22,32), which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began (cf. Rev. 10:7). - Acts 3:19

     In other words, the believers (whether alive or "asleep") were waiting to be redeemed from spiritual death (cf. Gen 2:17) and the grave, which victory was not yet given at the cross, or at Pentecost (cf. I Corinthians 15:54-57). This point is evident throughout the New Testament. Numerous verses relative to the believers "enduring to the end to be saved", and the like (Matt. 10:22; Heb 6:4-6; Heb 10:26-31, II Peter 2:20- 22, etc.), punctuate the fact that no man prior to the Parousia was ever redeemed from death or the grave- they were waiting for the great judgment day, when the "dead in Christ would rise," and Christ would declare, "Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

     The "creature" referred to, as earnestly expecting redemption, is simply that to which Paul referred, in Romans 6, as being the "old man," or the "man of sin". Conversely, in Galatians 6:15, Paul declares that those who are redeemed are "a new creature." This conversion, however, would not find its completion or fullness until the return of Christ. I Corinthians 15:22,23 directly says as much:

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming."

What is clear, using the example of Hebrews 11:39,40 is that the Old Testament saints were not given the promised inheritance of everlasting life, at the time of the Cross:

"And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."

     This is consistent with the number of verses (which we are about to see), which declare that the inheritance was still earnestly expected AFTER the cross, and Pentecost. This is consistent with the Old Testament shadow of the high priest entering the holy of holies, and then coming out again, for to declare the sufficiency of the offering, and the atoning of the people. Our high priest presented himself before the Father, and returned to bring salvation with. For those who say this was accomplished at the resurrection, they are contradicting the clear statement of Scripture, in the book of Hebrews:

"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens..

"For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us..

So as Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." - Hebrews 8:1; 9:24,28

 

     One immediate ramification of this position is the effect that it has in establishing the long-debated doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. The number of verses that seem to teach that one can lose their salvation must be considered in light of the time frame in which they were written (i.e. pre A.D. 70). Nobody had yet been redeemed; therefore, one did not lose their salvation in that day, they just never received it, when redemption was brought with Christ from heaven at His second coming. This is a very important point, as this leaves today's Christians with only two possible considerations: 1) That the same endurance is necessary for maintaining salvation today, or 2) That the redemption, for which they were earnestly waiting, has occurred!

     Included in this list will be the verses, which also clearly show that the elect of the Old Testamentary times were also awaiting of reception of the promises. This is of the utmost significance, as it is assumed that they, of all people, received the entrance into the kingdom at the time of the cross.

 

Imminent Reception of Promises of Redemption

Matthew 19:29	"And every one that hath forsaken houses.. or lands for my name's sake.., shall inherit everlasting life."
Luke 21:19	"In your patience, posses ye your souls."
Luke 21:28	"When these things begin to come to pass, lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh."
Acts 2:38	"Repent, and be baptized every one of you.. for the remission of sins" (The point being that the baptism served to remit sins, not redeem souls, which will be shown in other verses relative to the state of the believer prior to redemption)
Acts 3:19	"That your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ.. whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things (cf. Luke 21:22,32), which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began (cf. Rev. 10:7).
Romans 5:9	"Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
Romans 8:17-18	"And if children, then.. joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be (mello - about to be) revealed in us."
Romans 8:23	"ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit the redemption of our body (from the dominion of the body of sin - cf. 6:6-9)."
I Corinthians 15:53-54	"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory (See next verse)."
II Corinthians 5:2-5	"For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
* I Corinthians 15:56	"The strength of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law."
Galatians 5:5	"For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."
Ephesians 1:14	"ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession"
Philippians 1:19	"For I (Paul) know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ."
Philippians 2:12	"work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
I Thessalonians 5:8-10	"But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."
Titus 1:2	"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."
Hebrews 9:28	"unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation
Hebrews 11:16	"But now they (the fathers) desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." (cf. vv. 39-40)
I Peter 1:4,5	"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith (just as in the OT) unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (cf. I John 2:18)
I Peter 1:9-10	"receiving the end of you faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you."
I Peter 1:13	"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

 

Conclusion:

 Scripture demands that the redemption was ready to be revealed with Jesus Christ in the "time of the end" of the first century "last days" of the Old Covenant. It was then that the faithful believers who had not turned away from Christ (who believed not that He had delayed His coming) were ushered into the kingdom that Christ went to prepare for them. He came again, and received them unto Himself, so that where He was, they could be also. Teaching that this has not happened yet creates some very severe doctrinal consequences. Among these are the following:

•    If Christ has not come, then we are still waiting to be where he is. (John 14:3,18,28)
•    If Christ has not come, then we are still waiting for the plan of redemption to be fulfilled (Revelation 10:7, Ephesians 4:30)
•    If Christ has not come, then we are still waiting to be individually redeemed from our sins. (Luke 21:28, Colossians 1:14)
•    If Christ has not come, then we are still in the "last days," 1900 years later. (Hebrews 1:2, Acts 2)
•    If Christ has not come, not one jot or tittle has passed from the Law. (Matthew 5:17-18)

·          If Christ has not come, then some Christians are being quite aged. (Matthew 16:28, I Thessalonians 5:23; I Corinthians 15:51)

•    If Christ has not come, then the charismata (tongues, prophecy, etc.) are still in effect. (I Corinthians 13:10)

·       If Christ has not come, then we still wait the day when Christ will finally accomplish that which He said he would do over 1900 years ago, when it was declared He "would not tarry." (yet we hear many preachers today say, "We will meet again next week, if the Lord tarries," as if it is a given that the Lord has tarried all this time). (Hebrews 10:37, Revelation 10:6, 22:20

·       If Christ has not come, then the dead are still waiting to enter into heaven, and, to this day, "sleep" in their graves, waiting to enter into his rest. (I Corinthians 15:20-23)

•    If Christ has not come, then the Old Covenant is still waiting to vanish away. (Hebrews 8:13. 10:8-9)

·       If Christ has not come, then we can still miss salvation after having been partakers of the Holy Ghost. (Hebrews 6:4-6, 2 Corinthians 5:5)

·       If Christ has not come, we are still waiting to be adopted as sons. (Romans 8:23) 

·       If Christ has not come, we are still waiting for salvation. (Hebrews 9:28, Galatians 5:5)

·       If Christ has not come, we are still dead in our sins. If Jesus is still in the Most Holy Place (Heaven) and our sins will not be forgiven until he leaves. (Hebrews 9:23-28)

•    If Christ has not come, we make Christ a liar. (Matthew 16:27-28; Revelation 21:20)  

 Comment RKM:  Read article "If Christ Has Not Come".

Various Historians on the Witnessing of a Literal "Coming in the Clouds of Heaven"

Josephus (A.D.75), a Jewish general present at the destruction of Jerusalem, wrote of the coming in the clouds as such:

Besides these [signs], a few days after that feast, on the one- and-twentieth day of the month Artemisius, [Jyar,] a certain prodigious and incredible phenomenon appeared; I suppose the account of it would seem to be a fable, were it not related by those that saw it, and were not the events that followed it of so considerable a nature as to deserve such signals; for, before sun-setting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armour were seen running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities. Moreover, at that feast which we call Pentecost, as the priests were going by night into the inner [court of the] temple, as their custom was, to perform their sacred ministrations, they said that, in the first place, they felt a quaking, and heard a great noise, and after that they heard a sound as of a great multitude, saying, "Let us remove hence" (Wars, VI-V-3).

Tacitus (1st Century), the Roman historian, relating the same events, wrote:

"In the sky appeared a vision of armies in conflict, of glittering armor. A sudden lightening flash from the clouds lit up the Temple. The doors of the holy place abruptly opened, a superhuman voice was heard to declare that the gods were leaving it, and in the same instant came the rushing tumult of their departure" (Histories, v. 13).

Eusebius (A.D. 325), quoting from the Latin Josephus, in the fourth century:

"For before the setting of the sun chariots and armed troops were seen throughout the whole region in mid-air, wheeling through the clouds and encircling the cities" (Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History, Book 3, Ch. 8).