Category Archives: Revelation

THE TALKING IDOL IN REV. 13:15

Revelation April 12, 2022 Leave a comment

Altar firePMW 2022-029 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In Rev 13:15 we come upon an idol with the power to speak. What is John prophesying here? And how can it fit into a preterist analysis of Revelation? In this article I will be considering the Land-beast’s image which deceives and speaks (Rev 13:12, 15). But before I begin this (too) brief study, we must remember our previous study.

Presuppositions

(1) I believe “the beast coming up out of the earth” (Rev 13:11) is the beast arising from “the Land,” of Israel. Specifically, it is the high-priestly aristocracy of Israel which has effectively become idolatrous in rejecting God’s Messiah and preferring idolatrous Caesar as their king (Jn 19:12, 15). Continue reading →

REVELATION’S 42 MONTH TREADING

AD 70, Preterism, Revelation April 5, 2022 Leave a comment

Roman soldiersPMW 2022-027 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Revelation must be understood preteristically. That is, we must recognize that John was primarily writing about the Jewish War which led to the September AD 70 destruction of the Jewish temple and the conclusion of biblical (Torah-based) Judaism.

In Rev 11:1–2 we read a much debated passage: “There was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, ‘Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months.’” Continue reading →

IS REVELATION PAST? (4)

Preterism, Revelation February 11, 2022 Leave a comment

Revelation past babyPMW 2022-013 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

I am now drawing to the conclusion of my four-part series on the reasoning behind a preteristic understanding of Revelation. Many deem the great judgments and upheaval of Revelation as undermining the glorious postmillennial hope. This is mistaken in that the bulk of Revelation was fulfilled in the first century. As we have been seeing.

I am now ready for my concluding article with the: Thematic Indicators Continue reading →

REVELATION AS PAST TENSE (2)

Preterism, Revelation February 10, 2022 1 Comment

Objects are nearerPMW 2022-011 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

(NOTE: Oops! This should have been published on 2/4/22. But I accidentally saved this as a draft! Sorry about that. They say there are three signs of old age: (1) Memory Loss. Unfortunately, I can’t remember the other two. But enough about my failing memory.)

In my first article in this series I introduced the first of four arguments for approaching Revelation from the preterist perspective. The first article focused on the temporal indicators that John places in Revelation. Lexically, it is clear that he expected the events to “soon” take place (Rev 1:1) because “the time is near” (Rev 1:3).

But after placing that argument as the foundation stone for the preterist house, we need to notice that there are other indications as well. In this installment I will consider Audience Indicators. Revelation did not fall down out of heaven as book of concepts. It was given in a real, historical context. It is what scholars call, “occasional literature.” That is, it was written regarding a certain occasion, which I believe to be the fall of Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70. Continue reading →

REVELATION AS PAST TENSE (3)

Preterism, Revelation February 8, 2022 Comments: 9

Look both waysPMW 2022-012 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

This is my third installment on the question of the evidence that Revelation was fulfilled in the first century. As surprising as this conclusion is for the modern evangelical, the proof is in Revelation itself. In this article I will consider the Historical Indicators for preterism.

I agree with the Puritan Talmudic scholar, John Lightfoot: Revelation appears to prophesy Christ’s judgment upon the Jews in A.D. 70. John’s opening statement of purpose (1:7), the seven letters (2:9; 3:9), and the body of Revelation (4-19; e.g., 7:1-8; 11:1-8) all reflect this truth. Continue reading →

REVELATION AS PAST TENSE (1)

Preterism, Revelation February 4, 2022 Comments: 2

Revelation past tensePMW 2022-010 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

Due to the widespread influence of dispensationalism, the preterist approach to Revelation shocks many Christians. So it is important to carefully introduce them to the exegetical rationale for this approach.

I believe we should present a four-fold exegetical justification for preterism in Revelation. These justifications are rooted in interpretive demands derived from the text itself, not from theological predispositions (e.g., anti-premillennialism) or from traditional predilections (e.g., Moses Stuart, Milton Terry).

So I will begin with in this first article with: Temporal Indicators. Continue reading →

“EVERY MOUNTAIN WAS MOVED”

Interpretation, Revelation December 31, 2021 Comments: 2

Mountains shakePMw 2021-095 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

In Rev 6 one of the more dramatic images involves the shaking of all the mountains as God’s wrath falls. This is sometimes used as evidence against preterism and a first-century fulfillment of Rev. But does it undermine preterism? I think not. And here is why.

“And the sky was split apart like a scroll when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains” (Rev. 6:14–15). Continue reading →