First Things
You have a right to know a little about the person responsible for this content. Although age doesn’t necessarily mean wisdom, my 70+ years have by God’s grace been blessed with countless opportunities to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.
I grew up in a very traditional Christian family which was involved with a traditional denomination. My heart was captured for the kingdom of Yahweh at an early age, and have always had a deep yearning to share what I know (this is to say, what I think I know).
I received an Associate of Arts degree in Bible in 1969, and subsequently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and sociology; a few courses short of a minor in Bible. After graduation, my wife and I returned to our home congregation. We both began teaching: she the little ones, and me the college and high school class. While my denominational beliefs had been challenged in college, teach this class led to events I would have never imagined. It has been a challenging journey at times, but the blessings have always outweighed the difficulties.
Though we were raised to believe we had “the truth”, I was forced to faced reality as I began to interact with those who had a different understanding of the text. However, I had been well taught to study for myself, and not to simply trust what others said. It was always uncomfortable, but when new understanding demanded changes, I had to yield to the text.
My desire is to know and teach the truth of the scripture to the best of my understanding. I remain willing to change my views, and appreciate all who help me further refine or correct my understanding.
This is especially true when it comes to the subject of the last days. I puzzled over the various views of eschatology for decades, and ultimately adopted the ever popular pan-millennial view (.i.e. it will all pan out as God wills). That was a cop-out and I knew it, but every view I knew about left me with nagging questions.
This began to change in 1998 when I first heard of the consistent preterist view. It was a jaw dropping moment when I learned some Christians believe Jesus actually meant when He told His disciples He would return in their generation, before all of them had died.
It took me about five years, but I gradually came to the conclusion the fulfilled view, or covenant eschatology, made more sense of the scripture than I had ever thought possible. The world change from black and white to Technicolor!
Though this site will address life after the time of the end, I believe it necessary to spend a little space addressing the fulfilled view, because many who will visit here need to know enough to understand why this effort is so important.
Rest assured, I’m not hung up on end times themes; I want us to settle the matter so we can move on to the serious task of kingdom living!
I hope you’ll join me as we explore the grandeur of the kingdom of God from the fulfilled vantage point.
As you engage this study, share what you see with three or four diligent Christian friends and ask them to keep you accountable. Regardless of the conclusions you reach, they will know you were diligent in your investigation.
In closing, I would be remiss if I failed to express my appreciation to all who have had a part in my biblical training: beginning with my dear Mother, and continuing throughout decades of study with dear friends and others who have been diligent in their pursuit of truth. Included in that list are those who yet disagree on things, but have shown the intellectual honesty and character to actually give serious consideration to the observations and conclusions you’ll find in these pages.
My prayer is that we will continue to engage in Christian dialogue so that, together, we may all come to a better understanding of the truth.
Christians from all denominations are beginning to realize Jesus’ Parousia occurred in the first century. Sooner or later, you are likely going to be faced with having to decided not only what you believe, but why you believe it. There is no time like the present to be preparing for that day.
As you begin this journey, I urge you to enlist the watchful eyes of several of your Christian friends, whom you know to be diligent students of God’s Word. Share what you read with them, and seek their honest feedback. Seriously consider their input, and let us know if we can help.
Regardless of your conclusions, those individuals will be able to testify your conclusions were based on diligent study.
How Shall We Then Live?
Francis Schaeffer posed this question in his book by the same title. It’s a good question. Is the gospel of the kingdom about getting as many people into the lifeboat as possible, or is about proclaiming the eternal reign of the KING of kings and LORD of lords?
To be sure, the good news of the kingdom includes our reconciliation with our Creator, but the reduction of our message to one of “personal salvation” has left many blind to Yahweh’s purpose in having redeemed His creation in Jesus Christ. Blind allegiance to human creeds may provide some level of comfort for the many who have little desire, and make little effort to know, what the scripture really says. Creeds can be helpful in communicating basis beliefs, but they are wholly unsuited as the foundation for one’s faith.
Creeds are subject to the interpretation of the confessor and the hearer, and different interpretations quickly lead to misunderstandings and the problems that result. I could readily agree with the creeds that Jesus was to come again, but that would likely cause others to believe His coming was yet future, when in fact it happened in the first century.
We seek to avoid the difficulties inherent in human creeds by affirming that Jesus is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, whose sacrifice is the only atonement for sin and, therefore, the only Way to reconciliation with the Father.