My Hope is Built on Nothing Less than . . . Jesus return, the resurrection and judgement during the lives of NT readers.
Students of scripture are often reminded that just as successful real estate dealings depend on location, location, location, a successful heremeneutic depends on context, context, context. Here is just one of many descriptions of what this means (emphesis mine – DS):

Historical-critical study involves the attempt to discern the date, authorship, and recipients of the biblical materials, which involves the examination of materials internal to the manuscripts as well as external, archaeological and historical study. Modern interpretation must begin from a baseline that understands the most likely literal meaning of the text for those persons to whom it was first written. It is necessary to establish whether the text is prose, poetry, allegory, parable, or some other form of writing, for considerations bear directly on methods of interpreataion. For example,m few scholars would interpret Mark 9:47 literally: "if your eye causes you to sin, plick it out." Nor do many modern ministers follow Jesus’ instruction to "take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic." (Mark 6:8,9). [David C Stancil]

Another important rule of proper exegesis is: a text can NEVER mean to later readers what it DIDN’T mean to the original recipients.

Students and theologians deal with this constantly as they exegete 1st century passages for application to 21st century discipleship. While each of the biblical writings have specific contexts, there is one common context that should be considered as we read, consider, and apply each NT document—the expectation of Jesus’ imminent return (parousia), the resurrection, and judgment (PRJ).

Here are just a few of the 100+ references to the imminent PRJ showing that every NT writer had this in mind when he wrote.

John the Baptist to Jews:
Matthew 3:2, "...Repent you: for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near."

Luke 3:7,9, "Then said he to the multitude... O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath about to come? And now also the axe is laid…every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

The Teachings of Jesus
Jesus to His twelve apostles (telling them to preach to Israel):

Matthew 10:7, "...preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven has drawn near. "

Matthew 10:23, "...In no wise will you have completed the cities of Israel, until the Son of man be come."

Notice Jesus told these 12 apostles that they would not have completed preaching to first-century Israel when the Son of man comes, which was during the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Jesus to Peter, James, John and Andrew…privately:

Matthew 24:30,34, " they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory…This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

Mark 13:24,25,30, " But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken...this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. "

Luke 21:22,26,32, "For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled... for the powers of heaven shall be shaken…This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. "

"This generation" refers to the generation then living at the time Jesus spoke these words.

Jesus to His disciples:

Mark 8:38, "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

What "generation" was Jesus referring to in this passage? Jesus said it was the adulterous and sinful generation that was then living while Jesus was alive! The above passage was spoken before this next passage (the following are all parallel verses):

Jesus to His twelve disciples (who were standing in front of Jesus):

Matthew 16:27-28, "For the Son of man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There are some of those standing here, who in no wise shall taste of death, until they have seen the Son of man coming in his kingdom."

Mark 8:38 - 9:1, "…when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels....there are some of those standing here, who in no wise shall taste of death, until they see the kingdom of God having come in power. "

Luke 9:26-27, "... when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels…there are some of those standing here, who in no wise shall taste of death, until they have seen the kingdom of God. "

Notice how Jesus said that some of his disciples, who were standing right there in front of him, would not physically die by the time He came with his angels to reward every man according to his works (Revelation 22:12). John was one of these men who lived to see it...as you can see by the following verse...

Jesus to Peter:

John 21:22-23, "...If I desire him John) to abide till I come, what is that to thee?" [John was one of the twelve apostles who was never martyred, and abided on earth well after 70AD. Therefore, John did abide until Christ came in 70AD, just like Jesus desired him to!]

John 14:3, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming, and will receive you unto myself;"

Jesus to the high priest:

Matthew 26:64, "...Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. "

Jesus to Nathanael:

John 1:51, "...you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. "

Jesus to Jews:

Matthew 4:17, "[you]...Repent: for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near. "

Matthew 23:36,38, "Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. Behold, your house is left unto you desolate."

Mark 1:15, "...The time has been fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has drawn near: "

Jesus to the daughters of Jerusalem:

Luke 23:28-29, "…weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming,"

Jesus to the Jews who sought to kill him:

Matthew 3:7, "...O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath about to come? "

John 5:25, "The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live."

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, communicated through John, to the seven literal churches which were in Asia in the first century:

Revelation 1:1, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must take place shortly."

Revelation 1:3, "...the time is near."

Revelation 1:7, "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him." (Those Jews who had crucified Jesus in the first century would see his coming!)

Revelation 2:16, "...I am coming to thee quickly, "

Revelation 2:25, "…hold fast till I shall come." (To the church in Thyatira, 1 of 7 real churches that existed in Asia Minor between 61 and 65A.D.)

Revelation 3:11, "Behold, I come quickly:"

Revelation 10:6, "And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever…that there should be no more delay:" (Jesus said he would not delay his coming to those living in the first century!)

(The remaining verses are from the very last chapter of Revelation, after all these prophesies have been revealed. Just when will all these things come to pass? This chapter tells us!)

Revelation 22:6, "…God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must come to pass soon."

Revelation 22:7, "Behold, I am coming quickly:"

Revelation 22:10, "...Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is near. "

Revelation 22:12, "And, behold, I come quickly;"

Revelation 22:20, "...Surely I am coming quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

The Teachings of the Apostles
Paul to all who were beloved of God in Rome:

Romans 13:11-12, " And that, knowing the time,...now is our salvation nearer than when we believed…the day has drawn near: "

Romans 16:20, "And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly." (See this prophesy in Genesis 3:15).

Paul to Timothy:

1 Timothy 6:14, "That you keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:"

2 Timothy 1:18, "The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day:"

Paul (?) to the Hebrews:

Hebrews 1:1-2, "God…Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son," (The scripture says the last days were in the first century, not 2,000 years later).

Hebrews 9:26, "For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the consumation of the ages hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

Hebrews 10:25, "...you see the day drawing near. "

Hebrews 10:37, "...he that shall come will come, and will not delay." [Paul said that Jesus would not delay his coming!]

Paul to the Philippian church:

Philippians 4:5, "...The Lord is near. "

Paul to the church of Corinth:

1 Corinthians 1:7-8, "So that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 Corinthians 7:29, "...the time is short: "

1 Corinthians 7:31, "...the fashion of this world passeth away."

1 Corinthians 10:11, "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are arrived."

Paul, Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians:

1 Thessalonians 3:13, "To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."

1 Thessalonians 4:17, "Then we the living who remain shall be caught away together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

1 Thessalonians 5:23, "...and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. "

2 Thessalonians 2:2:, "...the day of Christ is present. "

Paul to the Galatians:

Galatians 4:4, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,"

Galatians 5:5, "For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."

Paul to the Colossians:

Colossians 3:4, "When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in Glory."

James to the twelve tribes who were dispersed abroad:

James 5:7-9, "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. …the coming of the Lord has drawn near…behold, the judge stands before the door."

Peter to the elect scattered abroad:

1 Peter 1:7, "That the proving of your faith…might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"

1 Peter 1:9-10, "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:"

1 Peter 1:13,20, " Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the appearing of Jesus Christ; Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you," (Now Peter confirms that the last days were during the first century).

1 Peter 4:5, "Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead."

1 Peter 4:7, "But the end of all things has drawn near:"

1 Peter 4:17, "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:"

2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord does not delay concerning his promise" (What promise is this verse talking about? The very next verse reads, "But the day of the Lord will come..." Peter wrote the Lord would not delay his promise concerning the Day of the Lord!]

2 Peter 3:12, "Expecting and hastening the coming of the day of God,"

Peter to the Jewish men of the Empire visiting Judaea:

Acts 2:16-20, "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days…The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:" (This confirms that the "last days" the Old Testament prophesized about took place in the first century).

Acts 3:24, "Ye, and all the prophets…have likewise foretold of these days." (Peter said ALL the prophets foretold of which days? "These days" of the first century, which were "the last days" of the Old Testament era).

John to those who believed in the name of the Son of God:

1 John 2:17-18, "And the world passeth away…Little children, it is the last hour…we know that it is the last hour." (John wrote these epistles sometime after 60 AD. Notice how, as 70.AD was very nearly approaching, John wrote that it is the "last hour", instead of the "last days.")

1 John 2:28, "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming."

1 John 3:2, "...when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

Readers/teachers since the second century have had great difficulty in understanding then explaining these references. I’m no different. There are several of them that are beyond my understanding. Faulty exegesis abounds in sermons, commentary, essays, blog entries, etc. Vigorous linguistic gymnastics have been necessary to show that the PRJ did not nor could not have happened as the NT writers expected.

One would expect an enemy of God/scripture/church, such as Bertrand Russell, in his book, Why I Am Not A Christian, to state:

"I am concerned with Christ as he appears in the gospel narrative…. He certainly thought that his second coming would occur in clouds of glory before the death of all the people who were living at the time. There are a great many texts that prove that. That was the belief of his earlier followers, and it was the basis of a good deal of his moral teaching."

But who would expect one of the most beloved Christian writers of the 20th century to say:

"Say what you like, we shall be told, "the apocalyptic beliefs of the first Christians have been proved false." It is clear from the NT that they all expected the Second Coming in their own lifetime. And, worse still, they had a reason, and one which you will find very embarrassing. Their Master had told them so! He shared, and indeed created, their delusion. He said these words, "this generation shall not pass till all these things be done." And He was wrong! He clearly knew no more about the end of the world than anyone else." (emphesis mine – DS)

Those words were written by CS Lewis in his essay, The Lord’s Last Night (1960) found in The Essential C.S. Lewis, pg 385.

I gotta tell you, if I believed what Lewis wrote, I would be out of here—faith in God/Jesus/scripture—in a flash. Here’s my bottom line: if Jesus DID NOT return, if the resurrection and judgment DID NOT happen as promised, I have NO CONFIDENCE in anything written in the entire Bible. What good is a resurrected liar?

Whatever one’s eschatological position (pre-, post-, a-, or preterist) depends on how one views two aspects of eschatological language: the when and the what. One must be viewed literally and the other figuratively. The futurist sees the what as being literal while the when must, therefore, be figurative. The preterist sees the when literally and the what figuratively.

Please take notice of the pronouns in the above passages. The antecedent of any "you", either sing or plural, is always the hearer/reader; not subsequent hearers/readers (including anyone in the 21st century -- that's us, folks).

One may insist upon the figurtive understanding of the when while completely misunderstanding the who. When we perform all those linguistic gyrations needed to make the when mean something other than the original reader would have understood in order to literalize the what, one is still left with the need to figurtize the who. How would the writer/recipient (the we, us, you) set aside the when to some far distant what?

I, for one, cannot do that. I see it as two – when (soon, at hand) and who (original readers and "this generation") -- against one – what (PRJ). I’ll go with the two.

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