Editor's Update

Brian L. Martin

This issue is getting out a bit later than I had hoped. You would think that having three months in between issues would be plenty of time, but somehow the deadlines always arrive sooner than expected. I’m beginning to suspect that there is some weird corollary of Einstein’s theory of General Relativity at work in which the closer the deadline gets, the faster the time goes.

If you looked closely at the “Table of Contents” on the cover you may have noticed some changes. Some of the columns have changed positions in the magazine. Several readers have mentioned that they wish they could read the magazine articles straight through, without having to flip back and forth through the pages. So, starting with this issue we are attempting to do just that—let the text flow from one article to the next. Now the challenge will be for our contributing authors—many of whom are former Pastors—to stay within their word limits. We all know how Pastors can get long-winded!

Our grateful thanks to all who have financially supported this magazine! Your support does more than just “pay the bills.” It also encourages us by letting us know that you consider Fulfilled! Magazine a valuable and worthwhile ministry. Indeed, some have given amounts which indicate that the donors are serious about seeing this ministry succeed.

Others have expressed an interest in supporting Fulfilled! on a regular basis. For those with a PayPal account we have designed a “donation email” which contains an FCG donation button in the body of the email. We send the email out at the beginning of each month to those who have signed up for it. This is simply offered as a reminder for those who request it and there is no obligation to respond. Recipients may respond as frequently or infrequently as they choose, and the button allows the user to pick their donation amount each use. If you would like your name added to the distribution list simply send an email to donation@fulfilledmagazine.com.

We have been further blessed by the folks at Theo-Shirts, who are donating a portion of the proceeds from all Preterist Tee-shirt orders to FCG. (See page 15 for ordering information.)

Another reader is making the incredible offer of a free post-paid copy of J. Stuart Russell’s book “The Parousia” to anyone who writes and requests it (see page 5).

It is obvious that there are many people who desire Christianity to take a serious look at Preterism, and are willing to give of their time and finances toward that end. Christianity in general, and the Preterist community specifically, is blessed by these members of the Body of Christ.

     Paul wrote that although there is one body, there are many members of that body, and that each member has a different function. Furthermore, “God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” Maybe God hasn’t “set” you to be able to give away free books, but for every member God has “set” who can give away hundreds of free books, He must have “set” hundreds of members who have the talent and connections to get others to read those books.

Perhaps you can’t support Fulfilled! financially, but you can support us with your prayers. Perhaps you can’t afford to send a check, but you can send an encouraging letter or email. None of these are unimportant or trivial; rather, the body only functions properly when every member is supplying that for which it was set in place.

Another way in which diversity is manifested in Fulfilled! is by the variety of views expressed in its pages. While there is a growing number of Preterist newsletters being produced, they predominantly reflect the perspective of their editors. To my knowledge, Fulfilled! is the only Preterist publication which  includes a variety of viewpoints. This is one of the features of the magazine for which we receive the most positive feedback. Readers are interested in the differing views and perspectives of other Preterist authors and speakers. Many of us, having embraced the basic concept of a past Second Coming, are still in the process of studying out all of its details and ramifications.

Furthermore, Preterism is being embraced by Christians of widely differing backgrounds, which means that we are all exploring Preterism from different “starting points,” if you will. Hence the variety of views expressed within the pages of Fulfilled!  I encourage you to be  a “Berean” as you read, examining the Scripture to see if these things are true.

For Christ’s Glory,