Former Adventists Philippines Perspective on the Current Israel and Iran Conflict

Partial Preterism teaches that most biblical prophecies, especially those concerning Israel, judgment, and tribulation, were fulfilled in the first century, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The Former Adventists Philippines (FAP) adopt this framework in understanding biblical prophecy while affirming a future, final Second Coming and resurrection.

Position Summary:

FAP holds that modern geopolitical events involving Israel and Iran are not direct fulfillments of biblical prophecies but are part of general world history unfolding under God’s providence. The prophecies commonly cited about “Israel’s enemies” or an “end-time war” (often applied to Iran as ancient Persia) were historically fulfilled in the biblical context.

Key Bible Passages and Commentary

Matthew 24:34

"Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things take place."

Jesus was referring to the events He described in the Olivet Discourse—wars, famines, persecutions, and the destruction of the Temple—as occurring within the lifetime of His first-century audience. Partial preterists see the A.D. 70 fall of Jerusalem as the fulfillment of these prophecies, not awaiting a modern recurrence involving Iran or the modern state of Israel.

Daniel 8:20-21

"The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes represents the first king."

Some prophecy teachers try to link Iran (Persia) in modern times to end-time wars. However, Daniel explicitly interprets these visions as relating to ancient Persia and Greece. Partial preterism views these prophecies as fulfilled in history—Persia’s defeat by Alexander the Great—and not predictive of modern Iran.

Ezekiel 38–39

“Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog...”

Dispensationalists often associate Gog and Magog with modern nations like Russia and Iran against Israel. Partial preterism, however, interprets these chapters as apocalyptic imagery of Israel's historical enemies and the first-century judgment of apostate Israel, fulfilled in A.D. 70. The ‘latter days’ phrase is understood within Israel’s covenantal history, not a modern 21st-century timeline.

The Former Adventists Philippines maintain that God’s redemptive plan culminates in Christ and His Church (both Jew and Gentile), not in modern national Israel as a prophetic time clock. Modern conflicts, including those involving Israel and Iran, are significant historically and politically, but are not direct fulfillments of biblical end-time prophecy according to a partial preterist framework.

Hebrews 1:1-2 beautifully confirms this:

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son...”

The ‘last days’ began with Christ’s first advent, not in our contemporary political events.

How Should Christians Respond to the Current Israel-Iran Conflict?

1.) Recognize God’s Sovereign Rule Over History

Though wars and rumors of wars continue, Christians believe God remains sovereign over the nations.

"This word is by decree of the watchers, and the decision is by command from the holy ones. This is so that the living will know that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms." Daniel 4:17 (CSB)

We are not to be driven by fear or speculative prophecy charts but to trust that history unfolds under God’s providential hand. Every war and conflict happens within His permission and ultimate plan.

2.) Commit to Prayer for Peace, Justice, and the Spread of the Gospel

While we acknowledge these events are part of the ebb and flow of world history, we are still called to pray:

* For peace and the protection of innocent lives (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

* For wisdom for global leaders

* For the comfort of those who mourn

* For the spread of the gospel amid turmoil

"Pray constantly." 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (CSB)

3.) Offer Real Hope—Not Fearful Speculations

Many people get anxious when global conflicts arise. As Christians, we offer a secure hope not based on geopolitics but on Christ’s finished work.

Offer encouragement to others.

• Christ’s kingdom is unshakable (Hebrews 12:28)
• Our hope is not tied to earthly nations but to a coming new heavens and new earth (2 Peter 3:13)
• God’s promises are for His people in every generation, regardless of global events (Psalm 46:1-2)

4.) Focus on Evangelism and Compassion

Crisis moments often soften hearts. As Christians, this is a time to:

• Preach the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15)
• Extend compassion to the suffering
• Encourage people to fix their eyes on Christ, not on fearful headlines

5.) Strengthen the Church’s Witness and Unity

We should avoid divisive end-times speculations that harm our witness. Instead, proclaim:

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe." Hebrews 12:28 (CSB)

Christians must remain united in faith, love, and service, being a steady, hopeful presence in a fearful world.

Summary

As Christians and as part of the Former Adventists Philippines ministry:

• Recognize God’s control over history
• Pray faithfully for peace and gospel opportunities
• Encourage people with the hope of Christ’s unshakable kingdom
• Avoid speculative, fear-driven prophecy claims
• Use these moments to show compassion and preach the good news

Conclusion:

Modern Israel and Iran’s conflicts are not fulfillments of Bible prophecy in the Former Adventists Philippines' partial preterist view. The prophetic passages frequently cited for this were historically fulfilled in the Old Testament or in the first century, particularly at the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The focus of prophecy is on Christ’s completed work, the growth of His Church, and the promise of His final return.

Revelation 21-22: "The New Heavens and New Earth"

Many people believe the "new heaven and earth" mentioned in Revelation refers only to a future, eternal state that will follow the end of the world. But that's not the full picture. It's both about what's to come and what's true right now.

The Bible doesn't give us many details about heaven, just enough to assure us it's real. Its main focus is on our lives today. While the blessings described in the final chapters of Revelation certainly point to heaven, they also represent current realities for believers.

Think of heaven as a continuation and perfection of the good things God is doing through the Church in this life. We shouldn't just wait to experience these blessings in eternity; we should enjoy and rejoice in them right here, right now. John, when writing Revelation, was actually telling the early Church about present blessings that were already active and would grow as the gospel spread and transformed the world.

"Behold, I Am Making All Things New"

John's vision in Revelation 21:1: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." connects to a core idea about salvation: it's a re-creation.

This is why the Bible uses creation language and imagery whenever God talks about saving His people. Think of major events like the Flood, the Exodus, and even Jesus's first coming; they're all described as God bringing about a new world.

It's in this same way that God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, foretelling the blessings that would come with His Kingdom on Earth. He said:

“For I will create new heavens and a new earth; the past events will not be remembered or come to mind. Then be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people. The sound of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in her. In her, a nursing infant will no longer live only a few days, or an old man not live out his days. Indeed, the one who dies at a hundred years old will be mourned as a young man, and the one who misses a hundred years will be considered cursed. People will build houses and live in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They will not build and others live in them; they will not plant and others eat. For my people’s lives will be like the lifetime of a tree. My chosen ones will fully enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor without success or bear children destined for disaster, for they will be a people blessed by the LORD along with their descendants. Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle, but the serpent’s food will be dust! They will not do what is evil or destroy on my entire holy mountain,” says the LORD." Isaiah 65:17-25 (CSB)

"A New Heaven and Earth": It's Happening Now

When the Bible talks about a "new heaven and earth," especially in passages like Isaiah, it's not always referring to heaven or a time after the world ends. How do we know? Because in this "new heaven and earth," people are still dying (though at a very old age, "the lifetime of a tree"), building, planting, working, and having children.

While we could dive deep into all the implications of this Isaiah passage, the key takeaway is clear: it describes what we can expect in this current age, before the world ends. It shows how future generations will benefit as the gospel spreads, restoring the earth to a more ideal state and bringing God's Kingdom goals to fruition. Isaiah is portraying the amazing earthly fulfillment of the blessings mentioned in Deuteronomy 28.

So, when John sees "a new heaven and earth," its main meaning is symbolic, pointing to the incredible blessings that come with salvation.

The New Jerusalem: The Church Here and Now

Next, John sees "I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband." Revelation 21:2 (CSB). This isn't some futuristic space station; it's something much more exciting: it's the Church! The Church isn't just in the City; the Church is the City (as seen in Revelation 21:9-10).

We are actually in the New Jerusalem right now. The Bible makes this clear: "Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven ..."

Hebrews 12:22-23 (CSB). Other verses like Galatians 4:26 and Revelation 3:12 also support this.

The New Jerusalem is a present reality. It's described as "coming down from heaven" because the Church's origin is heavenly. We've been "born from above" (John 3:3) and are now considered citizens of this Heavenly City (Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 3:20).

This idea is further explained by John's next statement. He heard a loud voice from the throne, saying:

"Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and will be their God." Revelation 21:3 (CSB). 

Like Paul, John connects these two concepts: we are citizens of heaven, and we are God's dwelling place, His holy Temple (Eph. 2:19-22). One of the Edenic blessings God promised in Leviticus was, "I will place my residence among you, and I will not reject you." Leviticus 26:11(CSB); this is fulfilled in the New Testament Church (2 Cor 6:16). The voice John heard continued:

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.

"Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life." Revelation 21:4-6 (CSB)

While these promises will ultimately be completely fulfilled in heaven, we need to understand that they are already true for us now.

Think about it: God has already wiped away our tears. You can see this difference when comparing Christian and non-Christian funerals. We still grieve, but we do so with hope, unlike those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). God has removed death's power to sting us (1 Corinthians 15:55-58).

Most strikingly, the phrase "The first things have passed away... Behold, I am making all things new" might sound familiar. That's because it echoes 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!" Is this true now? Absolutely! The only real difference between these two passages is that Paul is talking about individuals who are made new in Christ, while John is talking about the community of believers being made new. But both individuals and the community are brought back to a state of Paradise through salvation, and this restoration has already begun.

The "water of life" freely nourishes us now, giving life to individuals and flowing out to give life to the entire world (John 4:14; 7:37-39). God says, "The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son." Revelation 21:7 (CSB). Being a child of God means being characterized by victory over opposition (1 John 5:4). The phrase "I will be his God" is a foundational promise of God's covenant with His people, a promise of salvation (Genesis 17:7-8; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18).

So, while the ultimate and perfect fulfillment will happen in heaven for eternity, these truths are definitively and increasingly true for us right now. We are currently living in the "new heaven and the new earth"; we are citizens of the New Jerusalem. The old ways are gone, and everything has become new!

The Heavenly City: A Symbol of God's People

John is taken in a vision to a "great and high mountain" (Revelation 21:10) where he sees a beautiful, perfect paradise glowing with God's glory. This city has twelve gates, each inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and its twelve foundation stones bear the names of the twelve Apostles (Revelation 21:12-14). What does this mean? It clearly symbolizes that the City of God includes the entire Church, all of God's people, encompassing believers from both the Old and New Testaments. As Paul wrote, this city is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20).

Some people try to interpret the Bible very strictly, and their approach falls apart when they try to make sense of the measurements John gives for the City (Revelation 21:15-17). John says the City is a pyramid or cube, 12,000 "furlongs" (a unit of distance) on each side, with a wall 144 "cubits" (a unit of length) high. These numbers are clearly symbolic, with the multiples of twelve representing the Church's majesty, vastness, and perfection.

However, those who insist on a strictly literal interpretation feel they must convert these numbers into modern measurements. This leads to absurd results, like a wall 1,500 miles long and 216 feet high. This approach completely misses John's clear symbolism and leaves the reader with confusing, meaningless numbers. In their attempt to be literal, they actually erase the symbolic meaning of God's Word and replace it with something nonsensical.

John continues by describing the City in terms of precious jewels: its foundation stones are adorned with various gems, each gate is a "single pearl," the wall is made of jasper, and the City itself, including its street, is "pure gold, like transparent glass" (Revelation 21:18-21). Based on what we know about the Garden of Eden, this is another example of symbolic language. It speaks to the restoration and fulfillment of Paradise through salvation. Eight hundred years earlier, the prophet Isaiah also described the salvation to come as a City adorned with jewels, saying:

“Poor Jerusalem, storm-tossed, and not comforted, I will set your stones in black mortar, and lay your foundations in lapis lazuli. I will make your fortifications out of rubies, your gates out of sparkling stones, and all your walls out of precious stones." Isaiah 54:11-12 (CSB)

It's interesting that the Hebrew word used for "black mortar" in this passage actually means "eyeshadow". This might sound strange, right? Walls are usually for protection, but this one is described as purely decorative. Who would build a wall out of jewels, using what sounds like makeup as "black mortar"?

Imagine someone incredibly rich and so sure of their safety that they'd build a wall purely for beauty, perhaps even using cosmetics as mortar. That's the picture Isaiah paints for the future of the Church, the City of God. It will be prosperous and utterly secure from all its enemies, as the rest of this passage details.

"Then all your children will be taught by the LORD, their prosperity will be great, and you will be established on a foundation of righteousness. You will be far from oppression, you will certainly not be afraid; you will be far from terror, it will certainly not come near you. If anyone attacks you, it is not from me; whoever attacks you will fall before you. Look, I have created the craftsman who blows on the charcoal fire and produces a weapon suitable for its task, and I have created the destroyer to cause havoc. No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you in court. This is the heritage of the LORD’s servants, and their vindication is from me.” Isaiah 54:13-17 (CSB)

In this new, divine City, John observed a striking detail: there's no physical Temple (Revelation 21:22-23). This is because God the Almighty and Jesus, the Lamb, are its Temple – meaning God's presence is direct and all-encompassing.

Similarly, the City doesn't need the sun or moon for light, as "the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb." This imagery comes from Isaiah (Isaiah 60:1-3, 19-20) and highlights that the Church is filled with God's radiant glory, a dwelling place for His presence, shining with His pure, original light.

This is exactly what Jesus referred to as the "City on a Hill" (Matthew 5:14-16) – the Church, acting as the world's light, is meant to shine brightly for all to see, leading them to praise God the Father.

Expanding on this theme from Isaiah (Isaiah 60:4-18), John then describes how this City will impact and spread its influence among all the nations globally:

"The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never close during the day because it will never be night there. They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life." (Rev. 21:24-27; cf. Ps. 22:27; 66:4; 86:9; Isa. 27:6; 42:4; 45:22-23; 49:5-13; Hag. 2:7-8)

This passage describes a future where nations still exist, but they are all converted and drawn to the City of God, bringing their riches with them. It means that as the light of the gospel shines from the Church into the world, the world will be transformed, nations will become followers of Christ, and the wealth that once belonged to sinners will be inherited by the righteous.

This isn't just a hopeful idea; it's a fundamental teaching throughout the entire Bible. It's the way history is designed to unfold, the direction the world is headed. This is our future, a legacy for generations to come.

The River of Life: A Blessing for All

We eagerly anticipate the reversal of the Curse in every aspect of life, both now and in the future, as the gospel spreads throughout the entire world.

We've previously explored how the image of the Eden River is consistently used in the Bible to symbolize the blessings of Paradise returning to Earth through the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Church (think of Ezekiel 47:1-12 and Zechariah 14:8). John appropriately concludes his vision of the New Creation with this powerful image, drawn from Ezekiel's vision of the Church:

"Then he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will be no longer any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever." Revelation 22:1-5 (CSB)

The River of Life is already flowing (John 4:14; 7:37-39). It will continue to grow, bringing increasing blessings to the earth, healing nations, and ending lawlessness and conflict as biblical principles are applied (Micah 4:1-3).

This vision of the Church's amazing future, both on Earth and in heaven, repairs what was broken in Genesis. In Revelation, we see humanity redeemed, brought back to God's presence, sustained by the River and the Tree of Life, and regaining the lost authority to rule as priest-kings over the earth.

This is our privilege and inheritance now, definitively and progressively, in this current age. And it will be ours completely in the age to come. Paradise is being restored.

Reference:

Source: Chilton, David. Paradise Restored. Dominion Press, 1985.

Matthew 24: "Coming on the Clouds!"

In the Gospels of Matthew (Chapter 24), Mark (Chapter 13), and Luke (Chapter 21), Jesus talks about "the end." He's not talking about the end of the world, but specifically about the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. This discussion focuses on the final period of the Old Covenant, the Jewish religious system preceding Jesus' sacrifice.

Jesus was evident that the people listening to Him at that time – "this generation" – would live to see these events unfold. The "Great Tribulation" refers to the awful period of suffering, war, starvation, and widespread killing that happened just before the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D.

The tricky part, or what seems to contradict this idea, is what Jesus says immediately after this.

“Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the peoples of the earth will mourn; and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Matthew 24:29-30 (CSB)

When reading Jesus' words, it sounds like he's saying his Second Coming would happen right after the "Great Tribulation." This brings up a couple of big questions: Did the Second Coming already happen in 70 A.D. when Jerusalem was destroyed? And if so, did we miss it?

Let's be clear: the word "immediately" in Jesus' statements can't be ignored. It means right away. If we accept that the Tribulation happened during the generation alive back then, we also have to accept that whatever Jesus describes next happened immediately after it. These verses, then, seem to describe the culmination of the Tribulation.

To grasp what Jesus meant, we need a much deeper understanding of the Old Testament than most people have today. Jesus' audience knew the Old Testament inside and out. They had heard it read and explained countless times, and had even memorized large sections. Biblical imagery and expressions were ingrained in their culture and vocabulary from childhood, a tradition that spanned generations.

The key is that when Jesus spoke about Jerusalem's fall, he used prophetic language. There was a specific "language" of prophecy that anyone familiar with the Old Testament would have instantly recognized. As Jesus predicted the complete end of the Old Covenant system, which, in a way, was like the end of an entire world, he spoke about it just as the Old Testament prophets would have: in the powerful language of covenantal judgment.

We'll examine each part of this prophecy, looking at how its use by earlier Old Testament prophets helps us understand its meaning in Jesus' discussion about Jerusalem's destruction. Remember, the Bible alone is our ultimate source of truth.

Does this interpretation of "immediately" and its implications for the Second Coming make more sense now?

THE SUN, MOON, AND STARS

Jesus taught that right after the "Great Tribulation," the world as they knew it would dramatically change. He spoke of the sun and moon going dark, stars falling, and the fundamental "powers of the heavens" being shaken.

This dramatic language comes from how the Old Testament describes the heavens. In Genesis 1:14-16, the sun, moon, and stars are created as "signs" that "govern" the world. But beyond their literal function, these heavenly bodies were also used in the Bible to represent earthly rulers and authorities. So, when God threatened to judge these earthly powers, the prophets used the imagery of the cosmos collapsing to describe it.

For example, when Isaiah prophesied about the fall of Babylon to the Medes in 539 B.C., he used this very type of imagery to depict the devastating judgment coming upon that powerful empire.

"Look, the day of the LORD is coming —cruel, with fury and burning anger —to make the earth a desolation and to destroy its sinners. Indeed, the stars of the sky and its constellations will not give their light. The sun will be dark when it rises, and the moon will not shine." Isaiah 13:9-10 (CSB)

It's important to note that Isaiah also later predicted the downfall of Edom using similar imagery of a "de-creation." This means he described the destruction of Edom in terms that echoed the unmaking of the original creation, painting a picture of utter devastation and reversal of order.

"All the stars in the sky will dissolve. The sky will roll up like a scroll, and its stars will all wither as leaves wither on the vine, and foliage on the fig tree." Isaiah 34:4 (CSB)

Around the same time as Isaiah, the prophet Amos also foretold the destruction of Samaria (which happened in 722 B.C.) using very similar language. He described its downfall as if the natural order of the universe itself was unraveling, echoing the idea of a "de-creation."

"And in that day, this is the declaration of the Lord GOD — I will make the sun go down at noon; I will darken the land in the daytime." Amos 8:9 (CSB)

Just like Isaiah and Amos before him, the prophet Ezekiel also used powerful, world-ending imagery to describe God's judgment, specifically against Egypt. God, speaking through Ezekiel, basically said:

“When I snuff you out, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light. I will darken all the shining lights in the heavens over you, and will bring darkness on your land. This is the declaration of the Lord GOD." Ezekiel 32:7-8 (CSB)

It's important to understand that none of these events described—like the sun and moon going dark or stars falling—actually happened in a literal sense. God didn't intend for people to interpret these statements word-for-word.

However, in a poetic sense, these things absolutely did occur: for those wicked nations, it was as if "the lights went out." This is simply figurative language, which wouldn't be surprising if we were more familiar with the Bible's literary style.

So, in Matthew 24, Jesus is using prophetic language that his disciples would have immediately understood. He's essentially saying that the light of Israel is going to be put out; the nation with whom God had a covenant will cease to exist. When the Tribulation ends, the old Israel will be no more.

THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN

Many modern Bibles translate Matthew 24:30 as something like: "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky..." However, this isn't quite right. This translation often comes from the idea that this passage is about Jesus's Second Coming, but that's a misunderstanding.

If we translate directly from the original Greek, it actually says:

"And then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven."

Notice two important differences in this more accurate translation:

1.  Location: It's not just "the sky," but "heaven." This points to a deeper, spiritual reality, not just something visible in the atmosphere.

2.  What's in heaven: It's not the "sign" that's in heaven; it's the "Son of Man" (Jesus himself) who is in heaven.

So, the real point of this verse is that the terrible judgment that came upon Israel, with the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 70 A.D., was actually a clear sign. It showed that Jesus Christ was ruling from heaven, sitting at God's right hand, exercising His authority and bringing justice upon His enemies.

This divinely planned catastrophe in 70 A.D. revealed that Christ had taken the Kingdom away from old Israel and given it to the Church. The destruction of the old Temple was the ultimate proof that God had abandoned it and was now residing in a new "Temple," which is the Church, made up of believers.

All these events were essential parts of Jesus's First Coming—crucial elements of what He achieved through His death, resurrection, and ascension to His throne. This is why the Bible links the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and the destruction of Israel as fundamentally the same event; they were deeply connected from a theological perspective. The prophet Joel, for instance, spoke of both the Day of Pentecost (when the Holy Spirit came) and the destruction of Jerusalem almost in the same breath.

"After this I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions. I will even pour out my Spirit on the male and female slaves in those days. I will display wonders in the heavens and on the earth: blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes." Joel 2:28-31 (CSB)

Peter's inspired explanation of this passage in Acts 2 confirms that Joel is talking about the time period from the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit (at Pentecost) up to the destruction of Jerusalem (the Holocaust of A.D. 70). For now, it's enough to simply note that this passage uses the same kind of strong judgment language we've discussed before.

The common, simplistic idea that "pillars of smoke" in this text refer to mushroom clouds from nuclear explosions is a significant misinterpretation. It completely misunderstands how the Bible uses prophetic language. You might as well claim that the pillar of fire and smoke that guided the Israelites during the Exodus was caused by an atomic blast—it makes just as little sense.

THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN

This brings us to the next part of Jesus's prediction about Jerusalem's destruction: "then all the peoples of the earth will mourn; and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" Matthew 24:30, CSB).

The word "peoples" or "tribes"(ESV) here mainly refers to the tribes of Israel. Their "mourning" likely has a double meaning. First, they would mourn due to their suffering and the loss of their land. Second, they would eventually mourn in repentance for their sins, converting from their rebellion.

"Coming on the Clouds"

So, how could people "see Christ coming on the clouds"? 

Throughout the Old Testament, God often "came on clouds" to rescue His people or to bring judgment on His enemies. For example, Psalm 104:3 describes God as making "the clouds his chariot, walking on the wings of the wind" Psalms 104:3, CSB)

When the prophet Isaiah predicted God's judgment on Egypt, he wrote, A pronouncement concerning Egypt:

"Look, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. Egypt’s worthless idols will tremble before him, and Egypt will lose heart." Isaiah 19:1(CSB). 

Similarly, the prophet Nahum spoke of God destroying Nineveh by saying, "In the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath his feet" Nahum 1:3, CSB). Therefore, God's "coming on the clouds of heaven" is a very common symbol in the Bible for His presence, His judgment, and His deliverance.

Even more importantly, Jesus is talking about a specific event connected to the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the Old Covenant. He brought this up again during His trial when the High Priest asked if He was the Christ, and Jesus responded by saying:

“I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:62; cf. Matt. 26:64)

Clearly, Jesus wasn't talking about something that would happen thousands of years later. He was referring to an event His own generation—those alive at the time—would witness in their lifetime. The Bible tells us exactly when Jesus came with the clouds of heaven:

"After he had said this, he was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight."Acts 1:9 (CSB)

"So the Lord Jesus, after speaking to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God." Mark 16:19 (CSB)

This event, where Jesus went up to sit at God's right hand, was exactly what Daniel had predicted:

"I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed." Daniel 7:13-14 (CSB) 

The destruction of Jerusalem served as a powerful sign that the Son of Man—Jesus, the "Second Adam"—was now in heaven. This event showed that He was ruling over the world, guiding it according to His own plans.

At His ascension, Jesus had "come on the clouds of heaven" to receive His Kingdom from God the Father. The destruction of Jerusalem was the dramatic revelation of this reality.

So, in Matthew 24, Jesus wasn't predicting a literal, physical return on the clouds in 70 A.D. (though figuratively, it was true that His judgment arrived). His actual, literal "coming on the clouds," fulfilling Daniel 7, had already happened about 40 years earlier, at His ascension. However, in 70 A.D., the tribes of Israel would clearly see their nation's destruction as a direct consequence of Jesus having ascended to heaven's throne and received His Kingdom.

THE GATHERING OF THE ELECT

Finally, after Jerusalem's destruction, Jesus said He would send out His "angels" to gather His chosen people. Is this talking about the Rapture, where believers are suddenly taken up to heaven? No, it's not.

The word "angels" simply means messengers (as seen in James 2:25). These messengers can be from heaven or from earth; the specific meaning depends on the situation. This word often refers to people who preach the good news of the gospel (like in Matthew 11:10, Luke 7:24, Luke 9:52, and Revelation chapters 1-3). Given the context, it's very likely Jesus is talking about the spread of Christianity around the world and the conversion of many nations that would happen after Israel's destruction.

Jesus's use of the word "gather" is also important here. The original Greek word literally means "to synagogue." This implies that with the destruction of the Temple and the old Jewish system, the Lord would send out His messengers to bring His chosen people into His New Synagogue, which is the Church. Jesus is actually quoting from Moses, who promised: 

"If your outcasts are at the ends of heaven, from there the LORD your God will synagogue you, and from there he will take you" (Deuteronomy 30:4, as found in the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament).

Neither of these passages has anything to do with the Rapture. Both are focused on the restoration and establishment of God's House, which is the organized community of His covenant people (the Church). This point becomes even clearer when we remember what Jesus said just before this entire discussion:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate." Matthew 23:37-38 (CSB)

Because Jerusalem turned away from God and refused to be a true "synagogue" (gathering) under Christ, its Temple would be destroyed. In its place, a New Synagogue and Temple—the Church—would be created. This new Temple actually began on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came to live within the Church. However, the existence of this new Temple wouldn't become fully clear until the old Temple and the entire Old Covenant system were removed.

Right away, Christian communities started referring to themselves as "synagogues" (as seen in James 2:2), while they called Jewish gatherings "synagogues of Satan" (Revelation 2:9; 3:9). Still, they eagerly awaited the Day of Judgment on Jerusalem and the old Temple, knowing that this event would reveal the Church as the true Temple and Synagogue of God.

Since the Old Covenant system was considered "obsolete" and "ready to disappear" (Hebrews 8:13), the author of Hebrews encouraged believers to remain hopeful. He urged them, "not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25; compare 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).

One important change occurred in the New Testament regarding the Old Testament promise that God would "synagogue" (gather) His people. Instead of the simple form of the word, Jesus used a Greek term with the prefix "epi" added to it. This is a common New Covenant expression that strengthens the original word. Therefore, Jesus was saying that the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. would show that He had come with clouds to receive His Kingdom. It would also reveal His Church to the world as the complete, true, and "super-Synagogue."

Revelation 13: The Beast and the False Prophet: Why Seventh-day Adventists are Deceived?

The Book of Revelation is like a special agreement from God. It's a prophecy, similar to the old prophecies in the Bible. This means it's not trying to "predict" amazing future events. Instead, its main goal is about saving people and living rightly. It's all about God's special agreement with us.

The people who wrote the Bible definitely weren't trying to predict things that would happen more than 2000 years from their time, like the rise of the Papacy and its activities. They also weren't interested in telling the future of countries like the United States, the Soviet Union, or Luxembourg. It's not that these things aren't important, or that religious people shouldn't care about everyday life—we should. But the main point is that the Bible shows us God's covenant with His people. It wasn't written to answer our questions about things like world markets or interest rates. It was written to show how God saved His people and made Himself look great through them.

So, even when God talks about the Roman Empire in the Book of Revelation, He's not trying to give us exciting stories about life in Nero's palace. He only talks about Rome because it relates to His covenant and the story of saving people. The Roman Empire isn't shown for its own sake, but only in connection with:

1.  "The Land" (Israel)

2.  The Church

The Beast from the Sea

In the Book of Revelation, the Roman Empire is shown as a wild, fierce animal that can't be controlled and is under a curse. John says it looked like a "leopard, a bear, and a lion"  (Revelation 13:2). These are the same animals used in the Old Testament book of Daniel (Daniel 7:1-6) to describe three powerful world empires before Rome: Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece.

The Roman Empire, called the "Fourth Beast," shared the bad, animal-like traits of those earlier empires, but it was much worse. As Daniel 7:7 describes it, it was "dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong," with big iron teeth that "devoured and crushed." It was different from all the other beasts and had "ten horns." So, the "Beast" in Revelation clearly represents the Roman Empire.

However, this "Beast" isn't just a government or a system; it also refers to a specific person: Emperor Nero. How can one symbol mean both the empire and the emperor? Because, in a way, they were seen as one. Rome was defined by its leader; Nero was the living symbol of the Empire.

This means the Bible can talk about Nero and the Roman Empire as if they are the same thing. And both Nero and the Empire were involved in terrible, corrupt, and animal-like actions. Nero murdered many of his own family, including his pregnant wife (he kicked her to death). He was also a homosexual and enjoyed watching people suffer horrifying tortures. He even dressed up as a wild animal to attack and rape prisoners. He used burning Christians as "Roman candles" to light his parties. He also started the first official persecution of Christians to destroy the Church, influenced by the Jews. This cruel, animal-like ruler led the most powerful empire on Earth, and his actions set the example for his people. Rome became the most morally corrupt place in the world.

Now, let's look at what the Book of Revelation tells us about Nero/Rome, the Beast.

First, John saw him "coming up out of the sea" (Rev. 13:1)

In the Bible, the "sea" often represents life itself. But after humanity turned away from God, the wild, stormy sea became a symbol of the world's mess. It shows how people and nations rebel against God. Isaiah 57:20 says, "The wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up refuse and mud." Later in Revelation (17:15), John is told that the "waters" he saw are "peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues."

From this confused and rebellious mass of humanity, the Roman Empire appeared. It was an entire empire built on the idea of going against God.

Second, John saw that the Beast had "ten horns and seven heads" (Rev. 13:1) 

The "Dragon" (which we see in Revelation 12:3) gives the "Beast" its strength, power, and high position (Revelation 13:2). The Beast has "ten horns," which Revelation 17:12 tells us represent the governors of the ten Roman provinces. The "seven heads" of the Beast, explained in Revelation 17:9-11, refer to the line of Roman Emperors, known as the Caesars. Nero is one of these "heads" (we'll talk more about him later).

Third, "on his heads were blasphemous names" (13:1). 

As we've learned, the Roman Emperors were seen as gods. Each emperor was called Augustus or Sebastos, meaning "one to be worshiped." They also took on names like "Divus" (god), and even "Deus" and "Theos" (God). Many temples were built for them across the Empire, especially in Asia Minor.

The Roman Caesars received honor that should only go to the one true God. Nero, for example, demanded complete obedience and even had a huge statue of himself, 120 feet tall. This is why Paul called Caesar "the man of sin." Paul said he was "the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

John in Revelation highlights this part of the Beast: "And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies. . . . And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His Name and His tabernacle, those who tabernacle in heaven" (Revelation 13:5-6). Christians were persecuted precisely because they refused to participate in this worship of the Emperor.

Fourth, John saw "one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed" (13:3)

 Some people have suggested that when Revelation talks about the Beast's "death wound," it's referring to the rumor that Nero would come back to life after he died. However, this explanation isn't very satisfying. John mentions the Beast's "death wound" three times in this part of Revelation (verses 12 and 14), so it's clearly an important symbol that needs a deeper, Bible-based explanation.

The Beast in Revelation looks like the Dragon. So, when the Beast gets a head wound, it reminds us of the promise God made in the Garden of Eden: that Christ would come and crush the head of the Dragon (Genesis 3:15). The prophet Daniel had also said that during the time of the Roman rulers, Christ's Kingdom would defeat and replace these evil empires, spreading across the whole earth.

Because of this, the early apostles announced that Christ's Kingdom had arrived, that the devil had been defeated, disarmed, and put in chains, and that all nations would start turning toward God. In the first generation of Christians, the good news spread quickly around the world. Churches popped up everywhere, and even members of Caesar's own household became believers (Philippians 4:22). In fact, Emperor Tiberius Caesar even formally asked the Roman Senate to officially recognize that Christ was divine. For a while, it seemed like a major shift was happening: Christianity was growing stronger and looked like it would soon take control. It was as if Satan's head had been crushed, and with it, the Roman Empire had been dealt a deadly blow by the "sword" of the gospel (Revelation 13:14).

But then things changed. Even though the gospel had spread everywhere, false teachings and people abandoning their faith also spread. Under persecution from the Jews and the Roman government, many Christians started to give up their faith. It seemed like most churches fell apart, and under Nero's harsh persecution, the Church appeared to be completely wiped out. The Beast had received a deadly head wound, but it was still alive. Of course, the truth was that Christ had already defeated the Dragon and the Beast. But the full impact of His victory still needed to happen; the believers still had to overcome and take their rightful place (Daniel 7:21-22; Revelation 12:11).

Fifth, "the whole Land" wondered after the Beast

And the people "worshiped the Dragon" because he gave his power to the Beast. They also "worshiped the Beast", saying, "Who is like the Beast, and who can fight against him?" (Revelation 13:3-4).

John isn't talking about the whole world following the Beast here. The word he uses should actually be translated as "Land", referring to "Israel". We know this because the passage describes these worshipers as those who live on the Land (Revelation 13:8, 12, 14). This phrase is used multiple times in Revelation to specifically mean Israel that has turned away from God.

In the Greek Old Testament (the version used by the early Church), this was a common way to describe rebellious, idol-worshiping Israel that was about to be destroyed and forced out of their land (like in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea). This idea came from earlier parts of the Bible where it was used for rebellious, idol-worshiping non-Israelites who were about to be destroyed and driven from their land.

Israel had become a nation of non-believers and was about to be destroyed, sent into exile, and replaced by a new nation. Nero was indeed well-liked throughout the Empire because he provided welfare and entertainment. However, it is Israel in particular that is criticized for worshiping the Emperor. When they had to choose between Christ and Caesar, they declared, "We have no king but Caesar!" (John 19:15). Their reaction to Caesar's seemingly successful war against the Church (Revelation 11:7) was one of awe and worship.

Basically, Israel sided with Caesar and the Roman Empire against Christ and the Church. Because of this, they were ultimately worshiping the Dragon. That's why Jesus Himself called their worship gatherings "synagogues of Satan" (Revelation 2:9; 3:9).

Sixth, the Beast was given "authority to act for forty-two months" (13:5)

The Beast was given power "to make war with the saints and to overcome them" (Revelation 13:7). The mention of "42 months" (which is three and a half years, a "broken" seven) is a symbolic number in prophecy. It represents a tough time when God's enemies are in control or when judgment is happening. This idea comes from the period of drought between Elijah's first appearance and the defeat of Baal.

While this number isn't usually meant to be taken literally, it's interesting to note that Nero's persecution of the Church actually did last for a full 42 months, from mid-November 64 AD to early June 68 AD.

Seventh, John provided his readers with a positive identification of the Beast

Here's the simpler explanation of the "number of the Beast," 666, from Revelation 13:18:

"This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666."  (Rev 13:18 ESV)

This strange number has a few important meanings. Let's look at two.

First, the Old Testament already talks about the number 666. You can find it in the books of Kings and Chronicles, which are often overlooked. Interestingly, John gets many of his symbolic numbers from these books. For example, King Solomon, who in the Bible can represent both Christ and the Beast, received 666 talents of gold in one year when he was at the peak of his power (1 Kings 10:14; 2 Chronicles 9:13). This number marked both the high point of his rule and the start of his decline. From that point on, things went downhill as he turned away from God. Solomon broke the three rules for good kings found in Deuteronomy 17:16-17: he collected too much gold, too many horses, and too many wives. For the Hebrew people, 666 was a scary sign of turning away from God, marking a king and a nation that resembled the Dragon.

The second important thing about 666 is this: In both Greek and Hebrew, every letter of the alphabet also has a numerical value. So, you could find the "number" of someone's name by adding up the numbers for each letter. John clearly expected his readers at the time to be able to use this method to figure out the Beast's name. This shows that the message of Revelation was meant for his contemporary audience, not for someone trying to figure out a 20th-century official's name in a foreign country.

However, John also says it won't be easy; it would require someone "who has understanding." That's because John didn't give a number that could be calculated using Greek, which a Roman official looking for rebellious messages would expect. The unexpected trick was that it had to be figured out using Hebrew, a language that at least some members of the early churches would know. By this point, his readers would have probably guessed he was talking about Nero, and those who understood Hebrew would have likely figured it out instantly. The numbers for the Hebrew letters in "Neron Kesar"

(Nero Caesar) Add up to 666)

It's important that all early Christian writers, even those who didn't understand Hebrew and were confused by the number 666, still connected the Roman Empire, especially Nero, with the Beast. There should be no real doubt about this.

John was writing to Christians living in the first century, warning them about things that were going to happen "shortly." They were in the middle of the most important fight in history, against the Dragon (Satan) and the evil Empire that he controlled. The goal of the Book of Revelation was to comfort the Church, assuring them that God was in charge. This meant that even the terrifying power of the Dragon and the Beast would not stand against the armies of Jesus Christ.

The number for humanity is six (from Genesis 1:27, 31). Christ was "wounded in His heel" (a reference to being crucified) on the sixth day (Friday), but that's also the day He defeated the Dragon. John is saying that even at his most powerful, Nero is just a "six," or a series of "sixes"—he's never a perfect "seven" (which represents completeness in the Bible). Nero's plans to rule the world will never come true, and the Church will win.

The Beast from the Land

Just as the Beast from the sea was like the Dragon, Revelation 13 also shows another creature that's like the Beast. John saw this second creature "coming up out of the Land" (Revelation 13:11), meaning it came from within Israel itself. In Revelation 19:20, we learn that this Land Beast is the False Prophet.

This False Prophet represents what Jesus warned would happen in Israel's final days: "Many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many.... Many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many" (Matthew 24:5, 11). The rise of these false prophets happened alongside the antichrists. However, while the antichrists were people who had left the Christian faith for Judaism, the false prophets were Jewish religious leaders who tried to trick Christians from outside the Church.

It's important to remember that Judaism isn't the same as the Old Testament religion. Instead, it was a rejection of the true biblical faith in favor of man-made traditions from the Pharisees and the Talmud. Like other groups that claim to follow the Bible but rely on human traditions, Judaism denies Christ because it denies Moses. Only Orthodox Christianity is the true continuation and fulfillment of the Old Testament religion (see Matthew 5:17-20; 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-13; Luke 16:29-31; John 5:45-47; 8:42-47).

These Jewish false prophets looked like a lamb (Revelation 13:11), just as Jesus had warned (Matthew 7:15), but they "spoke like a Dragon" (Revelation 13:11). How does the Dragon speak? He uses deceptive, subtle, and tempting words to lure God's people away from faith and into a trap (Genesis 3:1-6, 13; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9). He's also a liar, a slanderer, and a blasphemer (John 8:44; Revelation 12:10). The Book of Acts has many examples of the Jews making false accusations against Christians, which was a big problem for the early Church (Acts 6:9-15; 13:10; 14:2-5; 17:5-8; 18:6, 12-13; 19:9; 21:27-36; 24:1-9; 25:2-3, 7).

The Jewish leaders, symbolized by this Beast from the Land, teamed up with the Beast of Rome to try and destroy the Church (Acts 4:24-28; 12:1-3; 13:8; 14:5; 17:5-8; 18:12-13; 21:11; 24:1-9; 25:2-3, 9, 24). They led Israel in worshiping the Emperor (Revelation 13:12), and in their turn away from God, these false prophets even performed miracles (Revelation 13:13-15). Jesus had warned that "false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, the very elect" (Matthew 24:24). Again, the Book of Acts records instances of Jewish false prophets performing miracles, including some who, as Jesus foretold (Matthew 7:22-23), even used His name in their magic (Acts 13:6-11; 19:13-16).

The Jewish leaders forced people to submit to the Emperor. In fact, their charge against Christ Himself was that He was a rival to Caesar's all-powerful authority (John 19:12-15). Similarly, they organized economic boycotts against those who refused to accept Caesar as Lord, even putting some to death (Revelation 13:15-17). The Book of Acts is full of examples of organized Jewish persecution against the Church (Acts 4:1-3, 15-18; 5:17-18, 27-33, 40; 7:51-60; 9:23, 29; 13:45-50; 14:2-5; 17:5-8, 13; 18:17; 20:3; 22:22-23; 23:12, 20-21; 24:27; 26:21; 28:17-29; compare 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16).

The New Testament clearly shows that the Jewish leaders were deeply involved in a massive, organized effort to destroy the Church through both trickery and persecution. To achieve this evil goal, they conspired with the Roman government against Christianity. Some of them even performed miracles for Satan. And this is exactly what Revelation tells us about the Beast from the Land. The False Prophet of Revelation was none other than the leaders of Israel who had turned away from God, rejected Christ, and worshiped the Beast.

There's an interesting switch in the imagery. The Book of Job also talks about a Land Beast (Behemoth, Job 40:15-24) and a Sea Beast (Leviathan, Job 41:1-34). But John's visions expand on Job's descriptions, and the order they appear is reversed. First, we see Satan as the Dragon, the true Leviathan (Revelation 12). Then comes the Sea Beast, which looks like the Dragon (Revelation 13:1). Finally, following them and serving them, comes the Land Beast, which looks like the Sea Beast. By showing the Beasts in this reverse order, John emphasizes his point: Israel, which was supposed to be a kingdom of priests to the world, gave up its important position to Leviathan. Instead of positively influencing every culture and society, Israel was reshaped to look like the pagan, anti-Christian Roman State. Abraham's descendants became the "seed of the Dragon" (John 8:37-44).

During his three years of ministry in Ephesus, the Apostle Paul constantly suffered persecution because of "the plots of the Jews" (Acts 20:19). When describing his conflicts with them, he called them "wild beasts" (1 Corinthians 15:32). "The Jewish Beast" was the early Church's most deceptive and dangerous enemy, and Paul strongly warned the Church about these Jewish deceivers: "For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers, and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid gain. One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.' This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them severely that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good deed" (Titus 1:10-16).

Conclusion:

The core of the argument is that Revelation was written to first-century Christians about events that were "shortly" going to happen in their time. If the Beasts represented the Papacy or America, that would mean the prophecy was mostly about events far in the future, thousands of years later, and wouldn't have been directly relevant or understandable to the original readers.

Here's why, according to this perspective, focusing on the Papacy or America as the Beasts is seen as a "deception":

Diverting Attention from the Real Message: If the Beasts are about Rome and the Jewish leadership in the first century, then the Book of Revelation was primarily a message of comfort and warning to those Christians facing their specific challenges—persecution from the Roman Empire and opposition from apostate Judaism. If modern groups like Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) focus on the Papacy and America, this view suggests they are missing the original, immediate, and powerful message intended for the early Church.

Historical Context is Key: The interpretation presented here emphasizes the historical context of the first century. The Roman Empire was the dominant power, and emperor worship was a very real threat. The conflict between early Christians and certain Jewish leaders was also a significant issue. This interpretation believes that understanding these historical realities unlocks the meaning of Revelation.

Avoiding "Futurism" (looking only to the far future): This view generally falls into a category called "Preterism" or "Partial Preterism," which believes that most (or all) of Revelation's prophecies were fulfilled in the first century AD. Groups that identify the Beasts with the Papacy or America usually follow a "Futurist" interpretation, meaning they believe these prophecies are still largely unfulfilled and refer to events at the end of time. The argument here is that the Futurist approach misses the immediate relevance of the book.

The "Dragon's Deception": It means that, from this perspective, focusing on later entities like the Papacy or America as the Beast is seen as a trick by Satan (the Dragon) to make Christians misunderstand what Revelation is truly teaching. The true teaching, it argues, is about God's triumph over the powers that directly oppressed His people in the first century, offering comfort and strength then, and timeless principles for believers now.

In essence, the argument is that Revelation is not a detailed roadmap of distant future world powers, but a powerful message of hope and victory for Christians enduring severe trials in their own historical context, providing timeless lessons about faithfulness and God's ultimate control.

Reference:

The information presented in this article is based on David Chilton's Paradise Restored: A Biblical Theology of Dominion. While there are various printings and publication dates (some sources show 1987 or 2007 for later editions), the original publication year from Dominion Press is generally cited as 1985. This helps to understand the specific interpretational framework from which these ideas about Revelation are coming.

WHAT ABOUT THE LAND OF ISRAEL?

Prior to 1948, the Jews had almost no governmental authority in the land of Israel since Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70. The city was destroyed, and the Jews were scattered, exactly as Jesus had prophesied:

“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.” (Luke 21:24)

For almost 2,000 years Jerusalem has been trampled underfoot by Gentiles. The whole land of Israel has experienced many wars and has been controlled by various people groups. It was not until 1948 that Israel became a sovereign nation under the control of Jewish leaders.

Some Christians believe that 1948 was the historical fulfillment of God’s timetable when Jerusalem no longer would be trampled underfoot and “the times of the Gentiles” had been fulfilled. Perhaps that date is upon us, but there is reason to doubt it because Jerusalem, to some extent, is still being trampled underfoot by non-Jewish people. Though Jews hold political control, other people groups—in particular, Arabs in that region—battle for control of the area. In addition, the Muslim temple known as the Dome of the Rock stands where the Jewish Temple stood 2,000 years ago. This Dome of the Rock is the third most holy site for Muslims, but it is an abomination in the sight of Jews.

There is also reason to doubt that the times of the Gentiles have been fulfilled because God is continuing to work powerfully among the Gentiles. In fact, there are more Gentiles becoming born-again Christians today than at any time in history (approximately 200,000 per day). The facts do not support the idea that God has shifted His attention from Gentiles to Jews, who for the most part remain hardened to the gospel, with only a small percentage believing Jesus is the Messiah.

When the times of the Gentiles are truly fulfilled, what will happen to the land of Israel? Those who hold to the futurist view believe that God will fulfill His promise to give the land back to the natural descendants of Abraham. They cite the promise that God made to Abraham many years ago:

On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.” (Gen. 15:18)

 

Adherents of the futurist view believe that God will cause the Jews who have been scattered around the world to migrate back to Israel (a migration called Aliyah), and then establish them as a nation that will be a light to the world. The Jews will experience God’s blessings, and they will be elevated as a nation to a position of great authority on the earth.

Adherents of the partial preterist view see a very different future for the Jews and Israel. The Jews will experience a future awakening, but the land will not be brought back under the exclusive control of the Jews. Please allow us to explain.

Futurist teachers often state or imply that Jews are presently migrating from all over the world back to Israel, and so God must be fulfilling His promise to Abraham. It is true that approximately 800,000 Jews have emigrated from Russia to Israel in recent years; however, a large percentage of them have used Israel as a transfer station to gain entrance into the USA. Jews have been migrating in from other locations, as well, but the Israeli daily, Yediot Ahronot, reported on April 4, 2007, that there is actually a net exodus of people from the country. The truth is that there are more Jews in the USA today than in Israel, and the largest population gathered in any one location is in New York City. The idea that Jews are now returning en masse to Israel is simply a myth.

To understand what God intends for the Middle East it is important to point out that God’s promise to Abraham was not only for the land that today is known as Israel. God promised all the land, “From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates” (Gen. 15:18). The Euphrates River runs through present-day Syria, Iraq, and Kuwait. The land God promised to Abraham also includes Jordan and Lebanon, along with parts of Egypt and Saudi Arabia. If God is going to give the land promised to Abraham to the modern Jews, as futurist teachers say, then the Jews will have to possess all of the land between the two great rivers.

Yet the Bible clearly tells us of the most significant future transformation that will happen in that region. Isaiah prophesied, saying:

Thus the Lord will make Himself known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day. . . . On that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. On that day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance." (Isa. 19:21-25)

This passage reveals to us how a day will come when the people of Egypt, Assyria, and Israel will worship the true God together. When these words were written, Egypt and Assyria were large empires, with Assyria encompassing most of the land promised to Abraham. Isaiah prophesied that a day would come when the people of these three lands would be traveling from one region to another for the purpose of worshipping together.

Isaiah’s prophecy sounds almost too good to be true. The people groups he mentioned have battled with each other for generations. Egypt and Assyria lie at the very foundations of the Arab world, and a large percentage of Arabs are Muslims. Isaiah said that even Arabs and Jews will be worshipping together. 

Isaiah’s prophecy also reveals God’s heart for Egypt and Assyria, for God called Egypt “My people” and Assyria “the work of My hands.” To hear God speak this way can be difficult for Christians (and Jews) who think of the Jews as God’s only chosen ones. Of course, God did choose the Jewish people, but it never was His intention to make them the only humans to receive His favor. Rather, they were chosen as a light to the nations. With the same love that God dealt with the Jews, He has always desired to deal with every people group. He loves the world. The Jews were not the only ones chosen, but they were the first fruits of the earth to reveal God’s heart to all people.

Jesus told us of a day when He will gather people from outside of the Jews to Himself.

“I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.” (John 10:16)

 

This is the promise that we are waiting to see fulfilled— one flock consisting of many different people groups. 

Where will this happen? All over the world, but most prominently in the Promised Land. God is going to take the most tumultuous region of the world and make it His showcase where different people groups will become one flock with Jesus Christ as their Shepherd.

God is not giving the land that He promised to Abraham exclusively to the Jews. He is going to give it to all of His children. Paul made this clear when he wrote:

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed,” that is, Christ. (Gal. 3:16)

Paul explained how the promises were not for Abraham and his descendants (plural). They were given by God to Abraham and his descendant (singular)—Jesus Christ. Paul further explained how all who put their faith in Jesus will inherit the blessings promised to Abraham.

Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. . . . There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. (Gal. 3:7-29)

 

Paul is giving us the proper way to understand the promises of God to Abraham. To whom does the Promised Land belong? Who are “the heirs of the land between the river of Egypt and the river Euphrates? All who put their faith in Jesus Christ.

What then should we expect for the Promised Land? We know that the Jews must have a significant presence there because Isaiah prophesied that the Jews would worship God together with the neighboring countries. However, it is also true that God is giving the land to His children who have been born of the Seed—Jesus. Therefore, we should expect many people groups to settle in that region. As all of those people bow to the lordship of Jesus Christ, they will be a light to the nations, for that region shall be the most visible place in the earth where various people groups will come together under one Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

FAFP - COMPLETE IN JESUS CHURCH'S STATEMENT OF BELIEF ON THE END TIME EVENTS: A SUMMARY

1. The first action item is to embrace the biblical teaching of hope, anticipating success in spreading the gospel message rather than defeat and despair. 

2. Understanding biblical prophecy requires a Biblical interpretation, including both literal and symbolic language, rather than a speculative one.

3. Redemption involves the re-creation of humanity in the image of God through Jesus Christ.

4. The Bible portrays salvation and its blessings as final, progressive, and permanent.

5. Salvation seeks to restore the world, represented by the expansion of the Kingdom of God to encompass the entire earth, rather than just individuals.

6. The unrighteous will be "raptured" first, meaning they will be driven out of the earth and left with nothing, while the righteous will gradually inherit everything.

7. Jesus Christ, also referred to as the Son of Man, came to Earth to set up God's Kingdom as the Second Adam.

8. The Bible's prophecies about Christ's reign as King were fulfilled during His Ascension when He was enthroned. 

9.  The Ascension of Christ fulfilled Daniel's prophecy of the Son of Man "coming in the clouds." 

10. We believe that Jesus Christ's Atonement, Resurrection, and Ascension restricted and conquered Satan and the demons.

11. The Kingdom was established during the First Advent of Christ, which included the Judgment of A.D. 70. It is currently a continuous process and will keep growing until the end of the world. 

12. Ethnic Israel has been expelled and will not be considered God's Kingdom anymore because they have abandoned their faith.

13. The Kingdom comprises all individuals (Jew and Gentile) who have been saved by Jesus Christ.

14. The Church has become the Temple of God after being filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and being fully established when the old Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70.

15. The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21) prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, and not about the Second Coming of Christ. 

16. The Great Tribulation happened in the past during the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and will not happen again in the future. Although Christians have faced persecution throughout history, the Great Tribulation is not a future event.

17. Prophecies about the Temple refer to Christ and His Church instead of a physical Temple or sacrificial system in Jerusalem in the future.

18. The Bible suggests Israel will be reinstated in the true faith, but does not indicate any future plans for Israel as a distinct nation.

19. The apocalyptic language about the collapsing universe is a metaphor for God's judgment, and it is related to the accounts of the Flood and the plagues of Egypt during the Exodus.

20. In the Bible, the term "Antichrist" referred to the widespread apostasy of the Christian Church before the Fall of Jerusalem, and could be applied to any apostate system or teacher, but not necessarily a "future Dictator."

23. The "Great Apostasy" happened in the first century, leading to the belief that there is no Biblical basis for expecting an increase in apostasy over time. Instead, we should expect the world to become more Christianized.

24. In the Bible, "The Last Days" refers to the time between Christ's Advent and the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, which marks the end of Israel.25. Before the Second Coming of Christ, the vast majority of Jews and Gentiles will be converted to the Christian faith.

25. Christ's dominion from heaven is gradually defeating all of His adversaries, and He will remain there until every enemy is conquered, including death, which will be eradicated upon His return.

26. Jesus Christ will return on the Last Day, which will also be the time of the Resurrection and the Last Judgment. 

27. The Second Coming and the Rapture will happen simultaneously.

28. All people will experience one Resurrection event, with the righteous receiving eternal life and the wicked facing damnation.

29. The Old Covenant came to an end in A.D. 70, which resulted in the close of the Canon of Scripture.

30. The Book of Revelation was intended for the first-century readers, and its fulfillment was expected to be imminent. It should not be interpreted through a futuristic lens. 

31. The "Beast" mentioned in Revelation 13 represented Nero specifically, as well as the Roman Empire in general.

32. The Jewish religious leadership was represented by the "False Prophet" symbol in Rev. 13:11. 

33. The term "Harlot" was used to symbolize the apostate Jerusalem that had lost its status as the City of God.

34. The "Millennium" refers to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, which He founded during His first coming.

35. The term "First Resurrection" (Rev. 20:5-6) refers to a spiritual rebirth that occurs through justification and regeneration in Christ.

36. Revelation 20's reference to "a thousand years" is most likely a symbolic representation of an extensive period, potentially spanning thousands of years. 

37. All Christians are deemed priests in the present era, and they are seated in the heavenly realm through their association with Christ.

38. Our salvation in Christ has already initiated the New Creation, which encompasses a new heaven and earth in both the present and the future.

39. The Church is the "New Jerusalem," the eternal City of God.

40. In summary, Partial Preterism suggests that some biblical prophecies were fulfilled in the past, while others remain to be fulfilled in the future. Most of them hold to "Postmillennialism" which is an eschatological view that envisions a future era of global peace and Christian influence before Christ's return. This view is sometimes called "Optimistic eschatology", which in a broader sense, encompasses views like Postmillennialism and emphasizes the belief that God's plan for the world will lead to an improved and more positive future. Former Adventist Fellowship Philippines ministry and Complete in Jesus church are more inclined to Partial Preterism which propagates an optimistic and victorious view on eschatology.