The Wrath of God Executed on Israel: A Preterist Perspective
The concept of the wrath of God holds a significant place in Christian theology, depicting His righteous judgment against sin and rebellion. In this article, we will delve into the preterist perspective on the execution of God’s wrath upon Israel, as supported by the authoritative King James Version (KJV) Bible verses.
1. The Historical Context:
To understand the execution of God’s wrath on Israel, we must consider the historical context. The nation of Israel, chosen by God, was given specific laws and instructions to follow. However, their continuous disobedience and rebellion against God’s commands led to the manifestation of His wrath.
2. The Prophecies of Destruction:
Throughout the Old Testament, prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel foretold the impending judgment upon Israel due to their unfaithfulness. One prominent example is the prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. In Matthew 24:1-2 (KJV), Jesus affirmed this prophecy, foretelling the temple’s destruction, which was fulfilled in 70 AD when the Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.
3. The Signs of the Times:
In Matthew 24:3-34 (KJV), Jesus elaborated on the signs that would precede the execution of God’s wrath upon Israel. He spoke of false messiahs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and tribulations. These events were fulfilled during the first century, culminating in the fall of Jerusalem. This aligns with the preterist interpretation that the fulfillment of these signs occurred in the past.
4. The Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem:
In Luke 21:20-24 (KJV), Jesus prophesied the siege of Jerusalem, during which the city would be surrounded by armies. He warned the inhabitants to flee when they saw this sign. The historian Josephus recorded the brutal events of the Roman-Jewish War, including the siege, famine, and destruction of Jerusalem. This aligns with Jesus’ warning and confirms the execution of God’s wrath on Israel.
5. God’s Covenantal Punishment:
The preterist perspective emphasizes that the events of the first century were not God’s abandonment of Israel, but rather a fulfillment of His covenantal punishment for their unfaithfulness. God’s wrath was executed as a consequence of their rejection of the Messiah and continued rebellion against His commands.
Conclusion:
The wrath of God executed on Israel, as seen through the lens of preterism, is a testament to His righteousness and justice. The historical fulfillment of prophecies, signs, and events in the first century points to the divine judgment carried out against a nation that turned away from God. The KJV Bible verses provide a firm foundation for understanding the execution of God’s wrath upon Israel and the significance of these events within the framework of preterist theology.
Here are the associated scriptures with their titles and full verses that support the preterist perspective on the execution of God’s wrath upon Israel:
1. **Historical Context:**
– Exodus 19:5-6 (KJV)
“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”
– Deuteronomy 28:15-68 (KJV)
“But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee…”
2. **Prophecies of Destruction:**
– Isaiah 5:1-7 (KJV)
“Now will I sing to my well-beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill…”
– Jeremiah 7:1-15 (KJV)
“The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Stand in the gate of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the Lord…”
– Ezekiel 9:1-11 (KJV)
“He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand…”
3. **Signs of the Times:**
– Matthew 24:1-2 (KJV)
“And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
– Matthew 24:3-34 (KJV)
“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?…”
– Luke 21:5-24 (KJV)
“And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down…”
4. **Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem:**
– Luke 19:41-44 (KJV)
“And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes…”
– Luke 21:20-24 (KJV)
“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out…”
– Josephus, “The Jewish War”
Historical account of the Roman-Jewish War and the fall of Jerusalem.
5. **God’s Covenantal Punishment:**
– Hosea 9:7-9 (KJV)
“The days of visitation are come, the days of recompence are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.”
– Matthew 23:37-39 (KJV)
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!…”
– Romans 11:7-10 (KJV)
“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day…”
These full verses provide a comprehensive understanding of the preterist perspective on the execution of God’s wrath upon Israel, showcasing the alignment between prophetic warnings, historical events, and the fulfillment of God’s covenantal punishment.