An Air of Expectancy | Preterist Archive

An Air of Expectancy

By Terry Siverd
We do not see how anyone could objectively read the New Testament documents without sensing it. It seems so pervasive, so prevalent - it truly permeates the entire New Testament canon. There is about it a kind of unbiquitous quality - it is everywhere: in the Gospels...in the book of Acts...in Paul's epistles...in the writings of Peter...in the letters of John, James and Jude...and in the letter to the Hebrews (should you think someone besides Paul might be the author). 

What we're alluding to is an air of expectancy that hovers over the whole of our New Testament. Whether we call it an "expectation of nearness", "the imminency factor" or give it some other descriptive title, there can be no doubt as to its preponderance. It is there. The New Testament is filled to overflowing with references that depict a first-century church eager with anticipation of end-time events.

Now, before you tune us out and turn us off bear with us for just a bit longer. We are certain that the combination of the sheer volume of time-pregnated references along with the explicitness of these New Testament words and phrases must capture the average student's attention. Surely, at the very least, these Scriptures have raised some questions and promoted some serious thinking.

Just so that you will know that we have not fabricated this "air of expectancy", let us listen to the voice of Scripture. It most definitely is not our desire to encourage a prejudicial reading of God's Word. Quite the contrary, we are eager to let the emphasis of the Bible stand on its own power. The following is only a sampling of what one finds scattered throughout the New Testament, from Matthew to Revelation. We have chosen to delete quite a few parallel citations from the synoptic gospels and Paul's epistles. 

These Scripture quotes are taken from the New American Standard Version, however, any major translation will suffice for your personal research. We would encourage you to read the collective quotes in one sitting and then return to scrutinize the context of each individual quotation.

"Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Mt.3:2)..the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand (Mk.1:15)..who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?...the axe is already laid at the root of the trees...His winnowing fork is in his hand (Mt.3:7,10,12)..you shall not finish going through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man comes (Mt.10:23)..for the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels and will then recompense every man according to His deeds. 

Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom (Mt.16:27-28)..All these things shall come upon this generation (Mt.23:36)..when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age? (Mt.24:3)..when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly, I say to you this generation will not pass away until all these things take place (Mt.24:33-34)..Shall not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night and will he delay long over them?...He will bring about justice for them speedily (Lk.18:7-8)..These are the days of vengeance in order that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

(Lk.21:22)..Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when you see these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (Lk.21:27-28)..When you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near (Lk.21:31)...An hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live (Jn.5:25)..An hour is coming in which all who are in the tomb shall hear His voice (Jn.5:28)..I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (Jn.14:18)..A little while, and you will see Me (Jn.16:16)...If I want him to remain until I come what is that to you?

 (Jn.21:23)..Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of the restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time (Acts 3:19-21)...The anxious longing of creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the Sons of God.

(Ro.8:19)..Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoptions as sons, the redemption of our body (Rom.8:23)..And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, the day is at hand (Ro.13:11,12)..And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet

 (Ro.16:20)..You are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of Jesus Christ, who shall also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (1Cor.1:7-8)...Do not go on passing judgment before the time but wait until the Lord comes (1Cor.4:5)..The time has been shortened, the form of this world is passing away (1Cor.7:29,31)..They were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come (1Cor.10:11)..you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.  

 (1Cor.11:26)..When the perfect comes, the partial will be done away (1Cor.13:10)..For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive...thanks be to God, who gives the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1Cor.15:22,57)..Maranatha (1Cor.16:22)..That He might deliver us out of this present evil age (Gal.1:6)..Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary (Gal.6:9)..Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption (Eph.4:30)..The Lord is near (Phil.4:5)..To wait for His Son from heaven, who He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come 

(1Thess.1:10)...So that He may establish your hearts, unblameable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints (1Thess.3:13)..Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1Thess.4:17)..You, brethren, are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief (1Thess.5:4)..May the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. An Air of Expectancy    |  Preterist Archive

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