RCM
Active member
It is quite obvious that Preterist Theology is inconsistent, contradictory, and just plain unbiblical, for example....
Preterists want to use Acts 15:13-18 as a proof text that Gentiles becoming Believers is fulfillment of David's Tabernacle being restored from the OT Book of Amos 9:11-12
Amos 9:11-12
11 "In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old;
12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom And all the nations who are called by My name," Declares the LORD who does this.
Amos is saying that in the Day of the Lord (that day), the Lord, Himself, personally, and literally, will rebuild the fallen house of David, in fulfillment of His covenant with David, which implies that a descendant of David will sit on David's throne and reign over Israel, (which will be Jesus, Himself)
Now, lets look at what James says in Acts 15:13-18
Acts 15:13-14
13 After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, "Brethren, listen to me.
14 "Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.
James and Peter are referencing Isaiah 9:2, 42:6-7, and 49:6
Isaiah 9:2, "The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them."
Isaiah 42:6-7, "I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison."
Isaiah 49:6, "He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
Back to Acts 15,
Acts 15:15-16
15 "With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 'AFTER these things I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD the TABERNACLE of DAVID which has fallen, AND I WILL REBUILD its ruins, AND I WILL RESTORE it,
Here is a very key part of Acts 15:13-18 that the Preterists completely ignore or overlook
After these things refers to the times of the Gentiles, Luke 21:24
Luke 21:24, "and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."
Then you have the words, "I will return," which is the return or second coming of Jesus Christ, and it is then that Jesus will rebuild the Tabernacle of David which has fallen (This is consistent Biblical theology so that Amos 9:11-15 correlates with Hosea 3, Daniel 9, Ezekiel 40-48)
So, Preterists are in complete error in their interpretation of Acts 15:13-18, by thinking that by Gentiles becoming Believers by Faith in Jesus fulfills Amos 9:11-12 (Preterists grossly distort and misinterpret James' words)
Back to Acts 15,
Acts 15:17-18
17 SO that the rest of MANKIND may seek the LORD, AND ALL the GENTILES WHO are called by MY NAME,'
18 SAYS the LORD, WHO MAKES these things known from long ago.
Verse 17 is a reference of Isaiah 11:10, which is also referenced in Luke 2:30-32 and Romans 15:12
Isaiah 11:10, "Then in that day The nations will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious."
Luke 2:30-32
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 A LIGHT OF REVELATION to the GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel."
Romans 15:12, "Again Isaiah says, "THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT of JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES to rule over the GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES hope."
In the closing verse of Acts 13:18, James says the Lord has made these things known from long ago, which implies a literal fulfillment is going to take place, to which Jesus also implies in Mark 13:23
Mark 13:23, "But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance."
The theology of Preterism is neither consistent nor Biblical
RCM
Preterists want to use Acts 15:13-18 as a proof text that Gentiles becoming Believers is fulfillment of David's Tabernacle being restored from the OT Book of Amos 9:11-12
Amos 9:11-12
11 "In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old;
12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom And all the nations who are called by My name," Declares the LORD who does this.
Amos is saying that in the Day of the Lord (that day), the Lord, Himself, personally, and literally, will rebuild the fallen house of David, in fulfillment of His covenant with David, which implies that a descendant of David will sit on David's throne and reign over Israel, (which will be Jesus, Himself)
Now, lets look at what James says in Acts 15:13-18
Acts 15:13-14
13 After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, "Brethren, listen to me.
14 "Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.
James and Peter are referencing Isaiah 9:2, 42:6-7, and 49:6
Isaiah 9:2, "The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them."
Isaiah 42:6-7, "I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon And those who dwell in darkness from the prison."
Isaiah 49:6, "He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
Back to Acts 15,
Acts 15:15-16
15 "With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 'AFTER these things I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD the TABERNACLE of DAVID which has fallen, AND I WILL REBUILD its ruins, AND I WILL RESTORE it,
Here is a very key part of Acts 15:13-18 that the Preterists completely ignore or overlook
After these things refers to the times of the Gentiles, Luke 21:24
Luke 21:24, "and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."
Then you have the words, "I will return," which is the return or second coming of Jesus Christ, and it is then that Jesus will rebuild the Tabernacle of David which has fallen (This is consistent Biblical theology so that Amos 9:11-15 correlates with Hosea 3, Daniel 9, Ezekiel 40-48)
So, Preterists are in complete error in their interpretation of Acts 15:13-18, by thinking that by Gentiles becoming Believers by Faith in Jesus fulfills Amos 9:11-12 (Preterists grossly distort and misinterpret James' words)
Back to Acts 15,
Acts 15:17-18
17 SO that the rest of MANKIND may seek the LORD, AND ALL the GENTILES WHO are called by MY NAME,'
18 SAYS the LORD, WHO MAKES these things known from long ago.
Verse 17 is a reference of Isaiah 11:10, which is also referenced in Luke 2:30-32 and Romans 15:12
Isaiah 11:10, "Then in that day The nations will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious."
Luke 2:30-32
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 A LIGHT OF REVELATION to the GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel."
Romans 15:12, "Again Isaiah says, "THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT of JESSE, AND HE WHO ARISES to rule over the GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES hope."
In the closing verse of Acts 13:18, James says the Lord has made these things known from long ago, which implies a literal fulfillment is going to take place, to which Jesus also implies in Mark 13:23
Mark 13:23, "But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance."
The theology of Preterism is neither consistent nor Biblical
RCM