Preterism

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 3^rd century with the fall of Rome).

Main Arguments

1. A future view of this message makes it irrelevant to its contemporary readers.
2. Why have a "revived" Jerusalem, Roman Empire, and Temple to fulfill what already happened?
3. 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).
4. It recognizes the apocalyptic nature of the prophecies (Rev. 1:1 "the apocalypse of Jesus Christ).
5. 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

1. The Coming described in the Olivet Discourse did not occur in the 1^st Century (Matt 24:29-30).
2. There has been no rapture, resurrection, or final judgment (1 Thess. 4:14-17; 2 Thess. 1:7-2:8).
3. Every eye did not see Christ return if it was in the 1^st century (Rev. 1:7).
4. The Gospel has not yet been preached to the whole world. (Matthew 24:14).
5. It spiritualizes many specific prophecies (i.e. Rev. 8:1-13).
6. 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.)