A preterist is one who believes that, by and large, all prophetic
fulfillment came to a close during the time of the apostles.
Although a future final return of Christ, judgment, and resurrection
are still expected by some (often called partial preterists),
the fulfillment of all eschatological (end-time) expectations
was said to occur by the end of the first century (although some
would say the 3rd century with the fall of Rome).
Main Arguments
A future view of this message makes it irrelevant to its contemporary
readers. Why have a "revived" Jerusalem, Roman Empire,
and Temple to fulfill what already happened? Scripture indicates
that fulfillment of these eschatological prophecies was clearly
to take place soon (Matthew 16:27-28, 10:22-23, 24:34, 26:63-64;
Revelation 1:1-3 & 10-12, 22:6-10). It recognizes the apocalyptic
nature of the prophecies (Rev. 1:1 "the apocalypse of Jesus
Christ). It recognizes that the language used in Revelation is
that of very common Old Testament imagery for judgment (especially
of a nation i.e. Israel) (Rev. 6:12-17 cf. Isa 34:4). "The
world" can refer only to Israel or to the Roman Empire (Col.
1:6).
Objections
The Coming described in the Olivet Discourse did not occur
in the 1st Century (Matt 24:29-30). There has been no rapture,
resurrection, or final judgment (1 Thess. 4:14-17; 2 Thess. 1:7-2:8).
Every eye did not see Christ return if it was in the 1st century
(Rev. 1:7). The Gospel has not yet been preached to the whole
world. (Matthew 24:14). It spiritualizes many specific prophecies
(i.e. Rev. 8:1-13). Preterists ignore preterism's origin…that
of Roman Catholicism. (In the 1500's, in an attempt to divert
attention from the Roman Catholic Church's identification as
the Beast of Revelation 13, a Jesuit priest suggested preterism
as an alternate system of interpretation.)
[ Source: http://www.souldevice.org/preterism.htm ] |