The Rapture: The Last Days According to Jesus with R.C. Sproul

Ligonier Ministries・2 minutes read

New Testament prophecies, particularly the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, were fulfilled in the first century according to preterists, who believe in two main groups - full preterists and partial preterists. The distinction is crucial in understanding future prophecies like the resurrection and rapture, with full preterists spiritualizing these events, leading to accusations of gnosticism, while partial preterists believe in a more literal interpretation.

Insights

  • New Testament prophecies, specifically regarding the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, were believed by preterists to have been fulfilled in the first century, with full and partial preterists differing on the extent of these fulfillments.
  • The distinction between full and partial preterism is pivotal in interpreting future prophecies like the resurrection and rapture, with full preterists spiritualizing these events and facing criticism for potentially aligning with gnostic beliefs.

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Recent questions

  • What is preterism?

    Preterism is the belief that New Testament prophecies, particularly those concerning the end times, were fulfilled in the past, specifically around the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in the first century.

  • What are full and partial preterism?

    Full preterism asserts that all future events in the New Testament regarding the end times occurred in the first century, while partial preterism believes that some prophecies were fulfilled in the past, like Jesus' judgment over Israel in AD 70, but not all events of the end times.

  • What is the significance of full and partial preterism?

    Understanding the distinction between full and partial preterism is crucial in interpreting future prophecies like the resurrection and rapture, as it shapes beliefs about the timing and nature of these events in relation to the past fulfillment of prophecies.

  • What does 1 Corinthians 15 focus on?

    1 Corinthians 15 focuses on the resurrection of the saints and the glorified body of Christ, emphasizing the importance of the resurrection in Christian belief and the future hope of believers.

  • How do full preterists interpret the resurrection and rapture?

    Full preterists spiritualize the resurrection and rapture, leading to accusations of gnosticism, as they believe these events have already occurred in a spiritual sense rather than as future physical events. This interpretation contrasts with the more literal views of other theological perspectives.

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Summary

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"New Testament Prophecies Fulfilled in First Century"

  • New Testament prophecies were fulfilled in the first century, particularly around the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.
  • Preterists believe these prophecies were fulfilled in the past, with two main groups: full preterists and partial preterists.
  • Full preterism asserts that all future events in the New Testament regarding the end times occurred in the first century.
  • Partial preterism differs by believing that while Jesus returned in AD 70 in judgment over Israel, it wasn't the final coming at the end of history.
  • The distinction between full and partial preterism is crucial in understanding future prophecies like the resurrection and rapture.
  • Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 15 focuses on the resurrection of the saints and the glorified body of Christ.
  • The Apostles' Creed affirms faith in the resurrection of the body, not just Christ's.
  • Full preterists argue that Paul's use of "we" in 1 Corinthians 15 implies the fulfillment of prophecies in his lifetime.
  • Full preterists spiritualize the resurrection and rapture, leading to accusations of gnosticism.
  • The treatment of the rapture in 1 Thessalonians involves a literal interpretation that clashes with full preterists' spiritual view.

19:26

Pre-trib rapture: believers meet Jesus before tribulation.

  • Dispensational premillennialism expects the rapture to occur before the tribulation, known as the pre-trib rapture, where believers will be caught up to meet Jesus before a great tribulation at the end of history.
  • The Apostle Paul's imagery of the rapture reflects the Roman armies' triumphal return to Rome, where citizens would join the victorious army in a parade through the city.
  • Paul's writings suggest that when Jesus returns, He will descend to earth with His entire church, with believers participating in His victorious return, depending on individual views of the millennium.
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