Kingdom of God Postponed, NO!
One of the intriguing debates within Christian theology revolves around the timing of certain biblical prophecies and their fulfillment. Preterism is a theological perspective that suggests many of these prophecies, particularly those found in the New Testament, were fulfilled in the past, specifically during the 1st century AD. One key aspect of preterism is the notion that the “fulness of the Gentiles” was realized during that time. In this article, we will explore the preterist viewpoint and its scriptural basis, arguing that the Kingdom was not postponed but rather fulfilled in the 1st century.
The “Fulness of the Gentiles”
The phrase “fulness of the Gentiles” is found in Romans 11:25 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, where the Apostle Paul writes, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”
In the preterist interpretation, this verse suggests that the gospel message would spread to the Gentile nations, and a significant number of Gentiles would come to faith in Christ. This expansion of the faith among the Gentiles is seen as the fulfillment of God’s plan to include them in His redemptive purposes.
Key Passages in Paul’s Epistles
Paul’s epistles contain several passages that support the preterist perspective, indicating that the gospel was preached to the Gentiles and the “fulness of the Gentiles” was fulfilled in the 1st century.
1. Romans 15:18-21 (KJV):
Paul speaks of preaching the gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum, fully proclaiming the gospel of Christ. He also mentions that he strived to preach the gospel where Christ was not previously known, emphasizing the expansion of the message to new regions.
2. Colossians 1:6 (KJV):
In this verse, Paul states that the gospel had come to the Colossians and was bearing fruit “as it is in all the world.” This suggests the widespread dissemination of the gospel message.
3. Colossians 1:23 (KJV):
Paul asserts that the gospel had been preached to “every creature which is under heaven.” This expression underscores the idea that the message had reached far and wide, extending to various nations.
4. Acts 28:28:
Though not from one of Paul’s epistles, this verse from the book of Acts proclaims that the salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles, and they would hear it.
Conclusion
In the preterist perspective, the “fulness of the Gentiles” was indeed fulfilled in the 1st century through the rapid spread of the gospel among the Gentile nations. This viewpoint finds support in key passages from Paul’s epistles that emphasize the global reach of the Christian message during that era.
While theological debates regarding the timing of biblical prophecies and the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom persist, it is clear that preterism presents a compelling case for the fulfillment of the “fulness of the Gentiles” in the 1st century, challenging the notion of a postponed Kingdom. Ultimately, the interpretation of these passages remains a matter of theological interpretation and belief within the diverse landscape of Christian thought.