We read in Luke 16:16 that the Law & the Prophets prophesied the times to come, namely the judgement & glory of God, untill John. As we enter the 1st century, after reading through Kings & Chronicles, discerning the prophets and then finding a famine of the Word among the people, it’s not hard to see that the people of God simply can’t get right (that point was recently made in a sermon by that title in our pulpit).
John the Baptist is the “Elijah to come”. (see, Matthew 11:14)
Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. (see, Romans 10:9-10)
The Church is the embodiment of and the vessel through the “wisdom of God” is to be made known. (see, Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:10)
The “Last Days” prophesied by the Law & the Prophets came in that generation, specifically the years 66-70.
It imperative that we “Remember Pella”.
However, perhaps, in my opinion atleast, the healhtiest time of the Church, was a time of immaturity, a time of development, a time where were divisions, distinctions, and differences, namely from the years 70 – 312. In 312-313, Constatine, the emperor of Rome, converted to Christianity and legalized the faith and the Church. He also sought to “act apostolic” and foster community, unity, and advancement. As was said in a recent sermon by Pastor Michael Miano, I”n my estimation, Constantine’s efforts in the 4th century were riddled with error, yet he ‘acted apostolic’;. In his generation, Constantine sought to bring order to the Church and ‘an effort to keep the main thing the main thing’, which was not forsaking the fellowship, and thus the authority and power of the Church. Might God raise up those who will ‘act apostolic’ in the Church today.”
Resources:
Acronymn – The A.R.T.S.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIQRlTL-oZ4
https://eschatology.com./enter.html#newbook
https://mianogonewild.wordpress.com/2025/08/11/from-a-d-70-to-a-d-312-act-apostolic/
Rememeber Pella article – https://lastdayspast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Remember-Pella-Nathan-DuBois.pdf
After AD 70
https://powerofpreterism.wordpress.com/2022/04/14/afterad70-church-history-study-outlines/
Books:
- Last Days Identidied by Don Preston
- Who Is This Babylon? by Don Preston
- Didache
- Early Christians In Their Own Words by Eberhardt Arnold