Those who have been following this series on the errors of preterism have learned that the heart of their false interpretative approach to Bible prophecy revolves around what they call "time texts." Preterists contend that the terms "quickly" and "near" form the basis for their theory that the Book of Revelation was primarily fulfilled in the a.d. 70 destruction of Jerusalem. In my previous installment, I noted that "quickly," is not a "time statement" at all, but is used in Revelation as a qualitative description of how these events will unfold when they begin to take place in the future. This article will attempt to demonstrate that "near," like "quickly," is used to speak of imminent events that could commence at any future time.

Preterists contend that the twice-used phrase "the time is near" (eggús) (Rev. 1:3; 22:10) demands a first century fulfillment. Kenneth Gentry explains:

In answer to Gentry, I believe that "near" or "at hand" (eggús) is used in Revelation to teach imminency and not a first century return. Philip E. Hughes rightly says, "the time is near, that is to say, the time of fulfillment is imminent. This interval between the comings of Christ is the time of the last days, and the last of these last days is always impending." William Newell calls it, "the nearness, the next-ness, the at-hand-ness, of its time is given by our Lord."

Gentry notes that eggús "is an adverb of time formed from two words: en (in, at) and guîon (limb, hand). Hence the meaning is literally ‘at hand’." The disagreement between the two views concerns the event which are said to be at hand. Preterists say it refers to the Lord coming in judgment through the Roman army in order to destroy Jerusalem and the Temple in a.d. 70. Futurists believe it refers to the "time of the end" that will culminate in Christ’s bodily return.

Preterists reason that eggús is a timing indicator. Preterists believe it must refer to some event near the time in which the document was written. It is true that eggús can and often is used to refer to something that takes place within a short span of time from when it is stated. Yet, there are other instances when eggús may refer to a thing as "at hand," or "within reach." This would not mean that a thing must come soon or even come at all. A thing may be said to be near, but it does not mean that the thing must actually arrive in a short period of time.

A sports illustration may help. A team may make it to the championship game and it could be said that the championship is "at hand" or "within grasp." This would not mean that the championship is certain to come within a short period of time, just because it is at hand. For the Buffalo Bills the NFL championship has been "near," "at hand" on four occasions, but thus far it has yet to arrive.

The same issues that are involved in the preterist vs. futurist discussion are also seen in the meaning of the phrase "The kingdom . . . has drawn near" (a form of eggús). We speak of the Davidic or Messianic kingdom, not God’s spiritual kingdom that has always been operative. Some think that "near" must always have the implied sense of "arrival." Others, including myself, see the sense as "close proximity." Scripture teaches that Israel could have obtained their Messianic kingdom by recognizing Jesus as their Messiah. Yet, they rejected Him. As a result, the kingdom is no longer near but postponed, awaiting Jewish belief. However, during the current intervening Church Age, there is the overhanging possibility that at any moment God will rapture the Church and resume Israel’s final week (seven years) of history leading up to their acceptance of Jesus as their Messiah and the resulting kingdom which will last 1,000 years.

Stanley Toussaint supports this interpretation in the following way:

Dr. Charles C. Ryrie has given the following definition of New Testament imminence:

The language of the "at hand" passages in Revelation teaches the above notion of imminence. This makes good sense, especially in light of Revelation 22:10 which says, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near (eggús)." To what is John referring? He has in mind a period of time from the Book of Daniel. The phrase "time of the end" occurs five times in Daniel (8:17; 11:35, 40; 12:4, 9). This phrase, "time of the end" refers to Israel’s final period of history, which Daniel was told to seal up the meaning until that time. John, however, is told not to seal it up. Since 22:10 occurs at the end of the book and must refer to the total message of Revelation, it is inconsistent to interpret part of the message as having already been fulfilled while another part is still future. If one is going to use eggús in 22:10 as an argument for preterism, as Gentry does, then it must refer to John’s entire vision. It is better to understand eggús teaching imminency of a period of time that could begin to happen without the warning of signs. F. C. Jennings speaks of imminence in the following:

A survey of the New Testament enables one to realize that there is an expectancy regarding the return of Christ and the consummation of His plan that is not found in the Old Testament. The passion of the Old Testament is for Israel to enter into her Kingdom blessing with Messiah. This is what Daniel was anticipating (Dan. 9) when he "observed in the books the number of years which was revealed as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years" (Dan. 9:2). The rest of Daniel 9 conveys his desire to see the culmination of the Lord’s plan in His Kingdom reign. Apparently, Daniel thought God would institute the Messianic Age upon Israel’s return from their 70-year captivity. However, God had other plans. As the rest of Daniel 9 reveals through an angel, God was stretching out Israel’s history. It would not be 70 more years, but 70 times 7, or 490 years until the culmination of Israel’s history in the Kingdom.

In the New Testament we see the rejection of Jesus as Messiah by Israel, and consequently, the postponement of the Kingdom. God is prolonging the time until Israel’s Kingdom appears. However, this time God promises that when the current age comes to an end, the next period will include the restoration of the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6, 11). The length of our current Church Age is a mystery, part of the secret, unrevealed plan of God. God has not revealed the length of time of this present age. Peter tells us that the duration of this age is based upon our Lord’s great patience (2 Pet. 3:9), which has thus far been almost 2,000 years long.

This current age focuses upon the imminency of our Lord’s Return, which will at last trigger Daniel’s final week of years. Events in the book of Revelation are said "to be at hand," that is, they are to be the next season of events that will occur. John Walvoord explains:

Preterists seek to support their view that Revelation has already been fulfilled by their interpretation of the phrase "at hand." They confuse the a.d. 70 event for our future hope by trying to argue that "at hand" must refer to a soon event, rather than the next event. This interpretation robs believers of a prominent New Testament motive for Christian service. Hughes notes that the "Lord is always coming soon (verses 7, 12, 20; 3:11), but at an unrevealed hour, and those who are wise will live their lives in the expectation of his coming. Hence this book with its promises and warnings and exhortations is to remain unsealed and open for all to read. Those who impenitently and obdurately refuse to heed its message will persist in their ungodly ways, but they do not thereby separate themselves from the sovereign rule of God."