Lift Him Up!

Brian L. Martin

    One of the lectures that Todd Dennis presented at the 1^st Annual Eschatology Conference in Carlsbad, New Mexico, was “The Progress of Preterism.” Todd has discovered on Google Books a number of older books which present, in varying degrees, a past Second Coming (now also available at www.PreteristArchive.com). He not only gave the titles of these works, but also gave a brief synopsis of many of them (how he finds the time for all that reading is beyond me).

I was particularly struck by one comment that he made. While describing the contents of a certain book, he noted that, while the first half contained material which dealt with eschatology, the second half contained a wonderful treatise on the person and work of Christ. He then stated, “Forget the first half—just read the second half of the book.”

I cannot tell you how those words spoke to me, and how refreshing it was to hear a Preterist say essentially, “Forget the eschatology—focus on Christ.” Please don’t misunderstand me here; I realize that Preterists are being called heretics, and are being called to answer for our beliefs. I’m not saying that those who are answering that call have “left Christ” in favor of eschatology. But I do get concerned at times that, amidst the exegesis, explanations and refutations, there seems to be a paucity of Preterist material which simply exalts the person of Christ and exhorts us toward more holy lives.

I enjoy interacting with others regarding the various views on the rapture, the resurrection, the millennium, etc. But why do I never receive emails stating, “I feel led to discontinue my study on resurrection for now, and instead read the Bible to see what God might speak to me about my walk with Him?” Or, “God has been dealing with me about spending less time debating with others, and more time praying for them.” Or, “I’ve been convicted recently about poking fun at (your favorite Futurist personality here), and instead seeing them as a brother in the Lord who needs my prayer.” Or how about this one, “Instead of studying to be better equipped to win Christians to Preterism, I feel compelled to study to be better equipped to win the lost to Christ”?

Yes, I enjoy reading another great exegesis from Scripture which further supports Preterism. Yes, I want to see the rapture, the resurrection and millennium brought into sharper focus. But don’t neglect to tell me the old, old story of Jesus and His love. Don’t allow me to just let it be my theme in glory (the afterlife)—remind me to make it my theme here and now. Exhort me to turn my eyes upon Jesus, for then the things of this earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

Regardless of how much heaven you believe we have now in the New Covenant, it is one thing to have something available; it’s quite another to truly realize it in our day-to-day lives. I know that I fall woefully short. Is that because, in part, that in my studies of the nature and timing of the Second Coming, I have neglected the Person who came, and who now resides in me? Remind me that the process of sanctification is not becoming a better Preterist—it is becoming more Christ-like.