All things fulfilled, Luke 21:22
Luke 21 is a very convenient passage to turn to, seeing that both dispensationalists (as far as I know) and Preterists understand these events to be referring to the times of AD70. Just one proof of this out of many that could be cited is that of Thomas Ice:
"Preterists and Futurist, like myself, both agree that Luke 21:20-24 prophesied the a.d. 70 Roman destruction of Jerusalem."
(From Tyndale's Conservative Theological Society, "Preterism and Zechariah 12-14: Tom's Perspective")
But this causes many more problems for them than it solves. Notice these words of Christ:
20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
I realize that modern convention is to make a distinction between "days of vengeance" and "year of redemption", based on Jesus' omission of the former in Luke 4. But they
do not prove that the events themselves are separate - certainly not by thousands of years. But more on this later.
"All things will be fulfilled". The questions to answer now are: What are the "all things"? And, when will this happen?
The second question can be answered by the context. "These are the days of vengeance", the "these" being Jerusalem surrounded by Roman armies. Unless there is further need to prove the question of when I would like to move on to the real point of contention, at least on this board, and that is just how inclusive that "all" should be.
Don Preston has good insight on this very passage in his recent video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1LcLEAOOO4&feature=share
He shows that even if the "all things" refer to only the things of Jerusalem it would cause serious problems, seeing that there are several Old Testament passages that would then come into view, like Isa. 65:13-17 and Daniel 12. There are a number of futurists who concede that Luke 21 foretold the destruction of the Jewish Covenant. That being the case, according to that passage in Isa. 65, we are now in the New Creation. According to Isaiah 65:13-17 the destruction of the Old Covenant leads right into the New Creation.
The New Testament parallel is in Rev. 21, where Babylon (Jerusalem) is destroyed to make way for the new heavens and new Earth.
Take a look at Daniel 12. Here again we see the "all things" in verses 7-8. But read the whole chapter to get the context. You will see that the "all things" in Daniel 12 are "great tribulation", resurrection, "righteous shinning forth as the stars", and "the end of the age".
When will these "all things" of Daniel 12 be fulfilled? Look at verse 7. It is "when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered". Who are the holy people? Covenant Israel.
The shattering of their power was the final, irrevocable destruction of their Temple and whole system of worship. All of this is confirmed in Luke 21, Matt. 24, and by historical accounts like Josephus and Tacitus.
According to all of the above Scripture - not man's wisdom and perception - we conclude that we are now in the new Heavens and new Earth, new creatures in a new creation.
I have already gone through it once on another post but we can go through it again.
Luke 21:
1And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.
Of course He was watching and seeing how things were going in 1 through 4, I am sure you aren't talking about these verses.
5And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
6As 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.
No we all know that this prophecy came true in 70 A.D. and the short term prophecies of the Jewish system proved a prophet to be true or false.
Then He gives long term future signs of things to come,
7And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?
8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
9But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
10Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
11And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Matthew 24 adds this to qualify what he is saying, 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
These will be the signs prior to the Mark 13 says it like this 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.
The beginning of the coming time will be marked with these signs, we are seeing them today.
Then we see prophecy for the beginning of the church and this happened as prophesied.
12But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
13And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
James was beheaded for the cause of Christ, Peter and John were arrested and scourged.
This will be tribulation period,
16And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
17And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
18But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
19In your patience possess ye your souls.
20And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
23But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Then we see Christ at His second coming:
27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled
The tribulational generation will see this all happen. If you want to apply this to the disciples generation then they too saw it happen in vision especially John on Patmos.
Then at the end of the kingdom age we see, 33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Jesus warns us to be alert tothe times,
34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man