Author: Rob Pike

D. Robert Pike (Rob) is a retired Engineer and husband of his beloved wife Ida. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, a Master of Arts Degree from Webster University, and Ph.D in Theology at Trinity College and Seminary. He is the author of three books: 1. God’s Promise of Redemption, a story of fulfilled prophecy, 2. God's Purpose for Hell, a compelling probe of God's love for the lost 3. Jehovah's Witnesses, Modern Day Arians or Not? and is a member of New Day Christian Church in Port Charlotte, Florida. He lives with his wife of 33 years in Southwest Florida in the winter, and Indiana in the summer. His life verse is Proverbs 3:5,6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Absolute Surrender – The Cost of Discipleship

In the year 55 AD Julius Caesar led the Roman armies into Britain. The soldiers were reluctant to get off their ships, There was fear in their hearts – fears of defeat and failure. Finally they left and forged ahead. After they departed, Caesar took a bold and decisive step. He told them to look down from the edge of the white cliffs of Dover, and there before their eyes they saw their ships ablaze, fully engulfed in flames. Caesar had cut off any possibility of retreat. No turning back! No turning back! This became their cry. I don’t know if this is where the expression came from about burning your bridges or not, but with this behind them, there was nothing left for them to do but march forward and conquer! And that is exactly what they did.

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The Olivet Discourse

The term “Olivet Discourse” is a reference to the discourse Jesus gave to his disciples in the three synoptic Gospels which include Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. This thesis will focus on Matthew 24:1-25:46 from the viewpoint known as preterism. With this thesis, I intend to show that the fulfillment of Jesus words spoken here were fulfilled. The term preterism means “past” or finished. This view of the Olivet discourse is that what Jesus was describing in these chapters, specifically here, Matt: 24:1-25:46 did not refer to some future event as promulgated by Premillenialists (both Historic and Dispensational), and Amillenialists, but in fact referred to events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70. The Partial Preterist view is that Jesus switches in Matthew 24:36 – 25:46 to a time yet to be determined in the future. Both of these positions will be analyzed in this thesis. Since this thesis is long, I have provided a link to a PDF at the end of this section.

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