dantrotter
February 22nd 2003, 04:28 PM
After having Philip Mauro's SEVENTY WEEKS AND THE GREAT TRIBULATION, I am looking for some informed opinion, and some information as to where I might find (orthodox) preterist writings on OLD Testament prophecy.
I have three questions re Mauro:
1. Is his identification of the "king" in Dan 11:36 w/ Herod the Great reasonable? (the king will "do as he pleases," he will "exalt & magnify himself above every god," "speak monstrous things against God", show "no regard for the desire of women," will "honor a god of fortresses," etc.) I have rejected the futurist interpretation of these verses, am now seeking a reasonable alternative. Herod seems reasonable prima facie, but I'm not an expert on ancient history or the life of Herod. Seems to me Mauro makes a great case for Herod, but should I know about arguments for other non-futurist candidates?
2. On a preterist viewpoint, who is the "little horn" of Dan 7:8, who "wears down the saints for times, times, and half a time," "alters times and law" (v.25). (I have rejected a future Antichrist explanation) (Mauro says nothing in his book).
3. Assuming that a preterist interpretation of Dan 12:1 is correct, how does one explain Dan 12:2 ("Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt"). Mauro's spiritualized explanation that the folks mentioned in that verse awoke to "knowledge" is very lame to me. So far the best explanation I have heard has come from Dee Dee Warren, who states that the verse refers to the AD 30 co-resurrections in Jerusalem that happened when Jesus was resurrected (Matt 27:52) Dee Dee's view has the virtue that it keeps 12:2 in the preterist context, and yet avoids the lunacies associated with the heretical preterist view that the resurrection occurred in AD 70 in Jerusalem. Another point for her view is that Matt 27:52 uses the word "many" were resurrected (as does Dan 12:2), which precludes both a general end of time resurrection and an AD 70 resurrection (and Keil and Delitzsch state unequivocably that "many" can not mean "all"). Dee Dee's view has the weakness however, in that Dan 12:2 mentions a resurrection to damnation, which Mat 27:52 does not. Dee Dee says that it happened, just wasn't mentioned in Mat 27:52. But it seems a strange thing to me for God to proclaim the resurrection of Christ, and as an object lesson to raise people in order to send them to hell. The other options to Dee Dee's view is a general resurrection in AD 70 (ludicrous), or the traditional end-of-history futurist view, which is, of course, logical, but doesn't fit the first century context of Dan 12:1.
Last, if anyone knows of any preterist (preferably orthodox preterist) writing interpreting the typical OT prophecies (Daniel, Ezekiel, Zecheriah, Isaiah, etc.), I would certainly appreciate any suggestions. (I have no need for NEW Testament preterist materials, loaded w/ that).
Thanks kindly,
Dan Trotter
I have three questions re Mauro:
1. Is his identification of the "king" in Dan 11:36 w/ Herod the Great reasonable? (the king will "do as he pleases," he will "exalt & magnify himself above every god," "speak monstrous things against God", show "no regard for the desire of women," will "honor a god of fortresses," etc.) I have rejected the futurist interpretation of these verses, am now seeking a reasonable alternative. Herod seems reasonable prima facie, but I'm not an expert on ancient history or the life of Herod. Seems to me Mauro makes a great case for Herod, but should I know about arguments for other non-futurist candidates?
2. On a preterist viewpoint, who is the "little horn" of Dan 7:8, who "wears down the saints for times, times, and half a time," "alters times and law" (v.25). (I have rejected a future Antichrist explanation) (Mauro says nothing in his book).
3. Assuming that a preterist interpretation of Dan 12:1 is correct, how does one explain Dan 12:2 ("Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt"). Mauro's spiritualized explanation that the folks mentioned in that verse awoke to "knowledge" is very lame to me. So far the best explanation I have heard has come from Dee Dee Warren, who states that the verse refers to the AD 30 co-resurrections in Jerusalem that happened when Jesus was resurrected (Matt 27:52) Dee Dee's view has the virtue that it keeps 12:2 in the preterist context, and yet avoids the lunacies associated with the heretical preterist view that the resurrection occurred in AD 70 in Jerusalem. Another point for her view is that Matt 27:52 uses the word "many" were resurrected (as does Dan 12:2), which precludes both a general end of time resurrection and an AD 70 resurrection (and Keil and Delitzsch state unequivocably that "many" can not mean "all"). Dee Dee's view has the weakness however, in that Dan 12:2 mentions a resurrection to damnation, which Mat 27:52 does not. Dee Dee says that it happened, just wasn't mentioned in Mat 27:52. But it seems a strange thing to me for God to proclaim the resurrection of Christ, and as an object lesson to raise people in order to send them to hell. The other options to Dee Dee's view is a general resurrection in AD 70 (ludicrous), or the traditional end-of-history futurist view, which is, of course, logical, but doesn't fit the first century context of Dan 12:1.
Last, if anyone knows of any preterist (preferably orthodox preterist) writing interpreting the typical OT prophecies (Daniel, Ezekiel, Zecheriah, Isaiah, etc.), I would certainly appreciate any suggestions. (I have no need for NEW Testament preterist materials, loaded w/ that).
Thanks kindly,
Dan Trotter