Re: Why I Am A Futurist
 

The truth is we can't prove what prophecy is and isn't fulfilled. Sure we are entitled to our opinions, but we'll understand it better by and by. I don't see the problem with a preterists that looks forward to the return of Jesus to receive His bride. I don't see a problem for a futurists that looks and awaits Jesus return every day and doesn't lock in predictions that postpones Jesus till a time that they think.

Re: Why I Am A Futurist
 

I agree for the most part. It is not an issue of fellowship. But we can know prophecy the correct way before it is over with, for the bible does give enough information about it. It's just the need to wade through traditions and paradigms that makes it hard. And there is still a kingdom understanding that makes a difference. If you keep on believing Jesus is presently on the throne of David, and we don't need a millennium for that to occur, whether you believe in a millennium or not, it will cause you to believe God for more right now than otherwise.

One thing that hit me hardest about this view I now hold is that I need to get with it, since I thought all my ruling and reigning would occur after the rapture in the millennium, but I saw we rule and reign spiritually now. And I have seen more power as a result.

Re: Why I Am A Futurist
 

I do agree that Satan and his angel have no authority over the child of God(the kingdom). I don't see where he is bound in any way aside from that. The thing is Satan never has been able to touch God's people without God's permission.(remember Job) The Kingdom of God has always been. The throne of David is really just terminology used for His people to comprehend. Do you really think that its David's throne literally in Heaven? I believe the church is spiritual Israel and David being king over natural Israel Jesus is king over spiritual Israel. Thus the throne of David terminology.

Re: Why I Am A Futurist
 

But who says Rev 20's binding is any more than that? Like I said, hand the average heathen the words of Heb 2:14 and he'd likely think it cannot be so since he obviously did not understand the point of Heb 2:14. Saying the devil is bound is far less brash than Heb 2:14 saying the cross destroyed the devil. But we all know the destruction of the devil obviously refers to his work hindered, perhaps as you have noted, over the people of God.

What's the difference between Heb 2:14 and Rev 20 being fulfilled?

The deception in rev 20 was to gather all nations against the church, and never have all nations been against the church. Bit I think it will come.

Well, the kingdom has not always been because the least in the kingdom is greater than John and John was greater than any previous man born of a woman. So John was not even in the kingdom. What Israel was really only a kingdom shadow.

But the fact remains, satan's influence was abated by the cross, since the world is not dark now as it was before the cross. We can go to the world instead of the world going to Israel.

Of course there is no literal throne of David in heaven. The fact is that David's throne speaks of the family dynasty. Not a wooden chair. And since Christ as Son of David now rules, He is on David's throne, no matter where He rules from.

The house of David was not his bungalow any more than the throne of David was his chair.

Re: Why I Am A Futurist
 

preterism futurism whatever is filled with tradition. So many time we think we come up with some new revelation when it is all been taught before. I don't think anyone will know all prophecy. In the end we will probably see where some where right here and others were right there, but the foundation we build on is what is important. I love to hear prophecy teachers, but I hate to see the division caused. If we both agree in Jesus reign now and forever and that He will return to judge the world; lets just amuse ourselves in the joy we have in living for Him presently and in the hope of that day we meet Him in eternity.

Re: Why I Am A Futurist
 

Well, you and I will just have to disagree on that. I think we can know. You see, I did not get my thoughts from books. I was a futurist who read through Matthew in a series of sermons I made one year, and stumbled across Matthew 21 that changed everything for me about prophecy. Little did I expect a study of the cross in Matthew's consecutive chapters would realign my thoughts on prophecy. I got this on my own, and later HEARD others believed it and called it partial preterism. I did not survey partial preterism and weigh it out against futurism. I was studying the cross and noticed the bible pushing me to believe all the doom and gloom of judgment in Matt 24 occurred in the first century.

So, it's a different story for me than many who believe partial preterism. Just saying. :D

Re: Why I Am A Futurist
 

Who can say it is or isn't. We only make our assumptions.

So John is not a part of the kingdom of God???? Now I am getting confused. I don't believe that the nation Israel ever was anymore than a spiritual kingdom. Abraham was called out and Abraham believed. He was a patriarch of the faith thus becoming part of the kingdom of God. Because of Abraham's faith God chose his bloodline to robe himself in humanity. The kingdom has always be comprised of people who walk in faith even prior to the cross. The church doesn't replace Israel instead it has become part of it. What about all the non-believing Jews in the OT? They may have been a part of the bloodline of the nation of Israel, but they would have no spiritual inheritance with there ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Re: Why I Am A Futurist
 

No disrespect intended, but most all get there eschatology from the Bible. I believe that most of those posting on this thread I hope have a prayer life, and have diligently searched the scriptures for what they have come to believe. The thing is that everyone has a revelation and I don't want to feel that mine is better than anyone else's. There are lots of things in scriptures that are revealed, but their are things that are in the shadows for a reason. I don't think that God wants us to know it all. Instead I think he wants us to trust in Him without all the answers.

Re: Why I Am A Futurist
 

Let's go at it step by step.

What's this mean to you?

Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Re: Why I Am A Futurist
 

Not sure totally, but it probably goes along with Jesus saying greater signs than these shall follow them that believe. To let people know of the work that he came to do and for them to take their place in it.