The Gospel
While most of our work is centered on the message of realized eschatology (preterism), it is our prayer that we never lose sight of the fact that the foundational message of the Bible—and therefore our priority—is the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that all are in need of this salvation, and it is only found in Christ:
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . . . Rom 3:23
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name [than Christ’s] under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
Because of this foundational message, even though much of our material is directed towards those who have found salvation in Christ, we will endeavor to always have the gospel message present in our materials.
Removing The Veil
For those who are ready to press on toward perfection, having already laid the foundation of repentance (Heb 6:1), we are dedicated to promoting the Biblical principle that the Old Covenant was a “veiled” representation of the New Covenant. The types and shadows of the Old Covenant are referred to as “the veil of Moses” by Paul:
Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 2 Cor 3:12-16
This “veiled” nature of the Old Covenant was misinterpreted by the Jews to the point that they missed their Messiah. The veil is removed in Christ; therefore it was to His New Testament apostles and prophets that the true interpretation was given. Because they had received the Holy Spirit they now understood what had previously been a mystery:
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13
how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets . . . . Eph 3:3-5
Because the nature of God’s Kingdom, and the ministry of the Messiah, was not what the Jews were expecting, most denied that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies that they were looking for. Converts to Christianity were persecuted by the Jews because they were viewed as trying to change the Law and traditions of Moses. Even the apostle Paul persecuted the Church prior to his conversion. After his conversion, he was persecuted by his fellow Jews.
Many in the Church today can look back upon the New Testament times and see how a “veil” still blinded the minds of the Jews. However, it is often overlooked that the veiled perception which the Jews had for the Messiah (Christ’s first coming) bears a remarkable resemblance to what many in the Church are expecting for Christ’s Second Coming. We believe that the Full-Preterist view is the most accurate representation of the New Testament’s “unveiled” interpretation of the Kingdom of God and the Second Coming of Christ. Therefore our materials are centered on this view.
While there are many ministries and individuals involved in forwarding the Preterist view, we see many of these as being more “apologetic” in nature—defending and debating the theology of Preterism. We see our materials as more “evangelistic” in nature, geared not toward the theologian, but towards the layperson. If our materials are successful, then the layperson will be intrigued enough to pursue those deeper theological works.
Building Bridges
Associated with the many “apologetic” and doctrine-centered Preterist ministries are numerous message boards, forums, archived articles, etc., where the doctrine is defined, defended and debated. Not wishing to merely replicate what is already available, it is our desire to also address the issues of Preterism where the “rubber meets the road”—in our daily walks. One of the unfortunate side-effects of the internet message boards and forums is that everything is “public.” Thus the debated differences on various points can polarize individuals and groups of individuals, which, if we are not careful, can lead to division. How many individuals and small groups of Preterists on the fringe have been avoiding reaching out to contact others, in order to avoid getting “caught in the fray,” or for fear that they will be judged by associating with another particular group?
While there is certainly a place (and need) for discussing and debating the finer points of doctrine, we feel called to appeal to those general points upon which we agree, and to emphasize our unity. Many who have embraced the Preterist view have either felt compelled, or have been asked, to leave their churches. Because there are very few Preterist churches, by and large most Preterists are “on their own.” To further divide over sub points in Preterism only brings more isolation. Therefore, without denying that there are different views, it is our desire to network Preterists based upon our general agreement of realized eschatology, and to provide a sense of belonging to many who have lost the Christian fellowship they formerly enjoyed.
This may simply involve sending out postcards and letters to individuals, home churches, etc., to give encouragement, share prayer requests, and so on. A registry could be developed, enabling Preterists to locate others within particular geographic locations, thus facilitating combined meetings of Preterists in a given area. Individuals and home churches could become “pen pals” and prayer partners. Preterists, just like all Christians, have to face the daily issues of life. Having a like-minded brother or sister in Christ can help us face those issues. A three-stranded cord, the Bible tells us, is not easily broken. It is our prayer that we can build bridges across the geography that separates us, and bring the strands together. Your prayers in these matters are greatly appreciated.
About Our Logo
The tablets represent the Old Covenant, which was a ministry of death written on stone (2 Cor 3). The New Covenant, on the other hand, is the gospel of grace which brings life, and is written on our hearts (Heb 8).
Just as the New Covenant was veiled and hidden in the types and shadows of the Old Covenant, so the shape of the heart can be found “hidden” in the shape of the tablets. It can be seen etched and partially chiseled out to the tablets—indicating that when the veil of Moses (that shadowy portion of the Old Covenant) is removed, the heart (New Covenant) is revealed.
The hammer and chisel used in this revealing process form a cross, because it is in Christ that the veil is removed. That the chiseling process is incomplete shows that it is still an ongoing project—hence “The Veil of Moses Project.” We can also see—in that one tablet has been chiseled and one hasn’t—that the Church has accurately removed the veil from Christ’s first coming, but hasn’t removed it from His Second Coming. The “veiled” expectations that the Jews had for Christ’s first coming are very much like the Church’s expectations for His Second Coming—thus the still uncut tablet.
Logo design by Judy Miller
www.forgetreality.com
