(Galatians 4:29-30) But as at that time he who was BORN ACCORDING TO THE FLESH persecuted him who was BORN ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT, so it is now also. But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, For the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.”
In Gal. 4., Paul is using the “present Jerusalem” as a allegory to those who are born according to the flesh. Which means Jerusalem was a pattern, a image of something that shadowed something much more important that the city itself. It was a symbol of those who were children of the bondwoman. Those born after the flesh persecuted those who were born after the Spirit. Hyper-Preterist’s completely miss the allegory in Gal. 4 and define the “present Jerusalem” "or children of the bondwoman" as 1st century Israel. A symbol can not symbolize itself meaning the present Jerusalem can not symbolize the physical city of Jerusalem. This is exactly what hyper-preterism is guilty of. According to many Hyper-Pretertists Paul’s allegory of the “present Jerusalem” was simply about natural Israel and the destruction of Jerusalem. This is expressed by many well known Hyper-Preterists as shown below.
Don Preston “Only one people had ever dwelt in the presence of the Lord, i.e. Old Covenant Israel. Isaiah 2-4 foretold the casting out of Israel "from the presence of the Lord" for shedding innocent blood (Isaiah 2:9, 19f; 4:1-4). 2 Thessalonians 1 foretold the casting out of the Jewish persecutors of the saints, "from the presence of the Lord." Jesus said Israel would be judged for killing the saints, at his A.D. 70 parousia. Therefore, Israel was cast out "from the presence of the Lord" at the ultimate coming of the Lord in A.D. 70.
Jesus says “(John 3:6) “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” The question is, does being born of the flesh mean the physical nation of Israel or more specifically 1st century Israel. NO WAY!! Hyper-Preterists claim that the Jerusalem which is above is defined as the church. Would not the contrast of being inside "the church" be contrasted with those outside of “the church,” or more specifically those who are not of Christ? This presents a huge hole in Hyper-Preterist doctrine. If the casting out is only about 1st century Israel, what about the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, . . . 21st centuries? Applying fulfillment to 70AD, simply means that of the flesh is no longer being outcast, the flesh no longer persecutes the things of the flesh. It was a outcast then, but certainly not now, not after 70AD. They have misapplied Paul’s definition of the “present Jerusalem” which should be defined as all men who are born of the flesh. Those in bondage being cast out, is not a continuous process lasting for centuries. This by far represents how narrow of a view hyper-preterism really is. Hyper-preterism is like a boa constrictor which squeezes its prey "Christians" and "Christianity" until it suffocates and dies. Wake up people!!!! Likewise, their doctrine of making eternal symbols into temporal somethings diminishes the ultimate meaning.
If all Paul meant in Gal. 4. was the casting out of natural Israel in 70AD, as Don Preston contends occurred at the FINAL and ULTIMATE coming of the Lord, then this must there is no longer those who are born of flesh, and all are now born of the Spirit. How long does this casting out of the bondwoman really last anyway?
If you are struggling with Preterism, look beyond the mere shadows and patterns which are embodied in Israel's history. If you stare at her for too long you might begin idolizing what you see. Rather "WRITE" the things you see and open your ears as if you are seeing a vision from heaven. Be like John who is constantly asking, what is this, and what does that mean as seen throughout the book of Revelation. And finally pray to God for those answers which can only come from him.
There are many wars going on. Not only in your own struggles against the flesh, but also against the powers of this world. The things of the flesh ALWAYS persecutes the things of the spirit, not only in us, but also shown in way the the world persecutes those who are of Christ. This principle is presented throughout the Bible. The fact is, those who are of Him, are not of those born from below. Those who are born of flesh, will NOT enter the presence of the Lord, nor will they ever.
(Matthew 23:37) How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.
