1 Thess 4:15, Preterism, and Paul's Expectation

[t.rob]

Actually, I had a few questions that are related. I've been reading through DeMar's "Last Days Madness" and really think he's right on. I'm a committed orthodox preterist, leaning toward postmillennialism (with remaining questions), especially w/r the Olivet Discourse and Revelation 1-19. But I still struggle with the epistles, and particularly, Paul's work. Just when I think I've harmonized 1&2 Thessalonians (what part = AD 70, what part = Resurrection), I stumble. So the starter question would be:

It seems as if Paul at least allowed for the possibility of the final resurrection/Coming of Christ to happen to "us" (1 Th. 4:15; cf. 1 Cor 15:51-52)...at least the possibility. Many commentators argue such. If so, then how would Paul's notion of "imminency" square with a historical optimism for all the nations (ala postmillennialism)? Did the 1st C. church/apostles have such a vast globe filled with nations outside the Roman Empire in mind as they embarked on the Great Commission? Any thoughts would be welcome.

todd robinson
silao, guanajuato, mexico
iglesia biblica de silao

[LastDayRapturist]

I doubt you're a full preterist. A full preterist would believe that AD 70 was the Coming of Christ. Obviously since we are still in these old raggedy bodies, the Coming of Christ has not yet occurred.

Gary is good, but not perfect. I agree with him in part but not completely.

Here is something to consider. Read II Peter 3:10 regarding the manner of the Lord's coming, then compare it to Revelation 20:8. You will see that they describe the same thing. A massive paroxysm of fire which burns up the elements of both heaven and earth, destroying the known world and all of its works. This is NOT the destruction of the planet itself, for as it is written, 'the earth remains forever.' (Talk about your global warming, LOL.) The planet is then RENEWED (see Acts 3:20, Revelation 21 and other relevant passages.)

The Coming of Christ is at the Last Day. Not before, not after. NO ONE knows when the Last Day will be except the Father. It will however occur after:

The spreading of the Gospel to the known world (already occurred and still occurring)
The release of Satan from his prison in the bottomless pit (most likely having occurred given the rise of militant Sodomites, per Jesus' in Matthew)
The War of Gog and Magog (occurring before our eyes, the final ideological battle of good and evil)