What is Preterism, Preterist Theology and the Preterist View of Eschatology?

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Preterism, Preterist Theology and the Preterist View of Eschatology: Definition

Preterism, Preterist Theology and the Preterist View of Eschatology answers “Christianity’s Achilles heel.” In Matthew 24, Matthew 16:28, Matthew 10:23, Mark 8:38-9:1, Mark 14:61-62, and John 21:22 Jesus promises to return within His generation, specifically within the lifetime of the Apostle John and the High Priest Caiaphas.  Preterism, preterist theology or the preterist view of eschatology is the Christian belief that Jesus has already returned and that most, if not all, end time prophecies have been fulfilled primarily or exclusively in the first century.

Preterism, Preterist Theology and the Preterist View of Eschatology revelation 19

An artistic depiction of the second coming as it is described in Revelation 19.

Preterism, Preterist Interpretation, and the Preterist View of EschatologyAn Angelic Army in the Clouds was seen at the Start of the Jewish War in A.D. 66 EXACTLY as the Second Coming is Depicted in Revelation 19:11-15 and Many other Verses.

The second coming or Parousia is pictured in Revelation 19:11-15.  Here Jesus rides at the head of an angelic army of horsemen on the clouds of heaven.  Interestingly, a mass-vision of an angelic army on horseback was witnessed riding on the clouds at the very beginning of the Israel’s first-century war with Rome in A.D. 66.  This mass vision was recorded in several different historical accounts and religious documents.  One such historical account describes it as follows:

[O]n the twenty-first day of the month of Artemisius [Jyar], a certain prodigious and incredible phenomenon appeared; I suppose the account of it would seem to be a fable, were it not related by those that saw it, and were not the events that followed it of so considerable a nature as to deserve such signals; for, before sunsetting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities.[i]

What is preterism, preterist theology and the preterist view of eschatology: the war in the sky

An artistic depiction of the army in the clouds in A.D. 66. Notice the similarities between this historical event and Revelation 19’s description of the second coming.

For a detailed explanation of how this event LITERALLY fulfills Biblical descriptions of the initial or “coming” aspect of the Parousia, a Greek term meaning coming often with an extended presence, see Jesus, the Son of Man, was LITERALLY Seen in the Clouds in A.D. 66 and Historical Evidence that Jesus was LITERALLY SEEN in the Clouds in the First Century.

Preterism, Preterist Interpretation, and the Preterist View of Eschatology: Near-Death Experiences suggest that the New Jerusalem exists right now.

If Jesus already returned, then where is New Jerusalem?  The New Jerusalem is the church described in the likeness of the heavenly Jerusalem of Hebrews 12:22 and Galatians 4:26. Don Piper, an ordained minister, reported having a near-death experience after a car accident in which he describes seeing a city of immense splendor resembling Biblical descriptions of the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21 and Revelation 22?”  Many Preterists believe that the new Jerusalem is centered in heaven where Jesus rules in the flesh, so to speak.[iii]  Many people who have had near-death experiences describe seeing cities of light of inexplicable grandeur much like the new Jerusalem.  After being brought back to life after a near-fatal car accident, Don Piper recalls experiencing a city of immense beauty strongly resembling the new Jerusalem of Revelation 21 and Revelation 22:

One thing did surprise me: On earth, whenever I thought of heaven, I anticipated that one day I’d see a gate made of pearls, because the Bible refers to the gates of pearl.[iv]  The gate wasn’t made of pearls, but was pearlescent—perhaps iridescent may be more descriptive.  To me, it looked as if someone had spread pearl icing on a cake.  The gate glowed and shimmered.  I paused and stared at the glorious hues and shimmering shades.  The luminescence dazzled me, and I would have been content to stay at that spot.  Yet I stepped forward as if being escorted into God’s presence.  I paused just outside the gate, and I could see inside.  It was like a city with paved streets.  To my amazement, they had been constructed of literal gold.  If you could imagine a street paved with gold bricks, that’s as close as I can come to describing what lay inside the gate.  Everything I saw was bright—the brightest colors my eyes had ever beheld—so powerful that no earthly human could take in this brilliance.[v]

Preterism, Preterist Theology and the Preterist View of Eschatology: the new Jerusalem

NDE descriptions of heaven resemble the New Jerusalem.

Preterism, Preterist Interpretation, and the Preterist View of Eschatology: The Messianic Kingdom is called the Kingdom of Heaven because it is centered in Heaven.

What about the Messianic Kingdom?  As stated above Hebrews 12:22 and Galatians 4:26 reveals that there is a Jerusalem that is in heaven.  It is there in the heavenly Jerusalem that Jesus, the Messiah, rules at the right hand of the Father.  See The Miraculous Fulfillment of Jeremiah 33:20-21 explains why Christ Rules from a Heavenly, Not Earthly, Throne.

Preterism, Preterist Interpretation, and the Preterist View of EschatologyWhat About the Resurrection?

If Jesus rules in heaven, then what about the resurrection?  See The Notion that the Resurrection is an Earthly Phenomenon whereby the Dead are raised as Perfected, Eternal Earthly Bodies is dispelled by 1 Corinthians 15:35-50 and Isaiah 65:20, 1 Corinthians 15:50-54 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: Preterism, the Rapture and the Resurrection and How the Resurrection Bodies of the Saints Perfectly Mirror Jesus’ Resurrection Body after His Ascension Into Heaven Fulfilling Philippians 3:20-21 and ALL Other Bible Verses on the Resurrection!!!.

Preterism, Preterist Interpretation, and the Preterist View of Eschatology: Don’t believe the Critics.

This website will show how critics of preterism, preterist theology and the preterist view of eschatology reveal their ignorance of Biblical exegesis and Roman history by their arguments.  This website will highlight and explain the fulfillment of seemingly ALL end time Bible prophecies with historical events recorded by Roman historians often down to the tiniest details.

 

**NOTE** This is a NEW website.  If you liked this article share it, like us on Facebook and follow on Twitter.  Thank You!

 

Interested in PRETERISM, PRETERIST THEOLOGY or THE PRETERIST VIEW OF ESCHATOLOGY, or are you a PRETERIST struggling with a prophecy or verse?  It DID happen just like the Bible says!  If you liked this essay, see PRETERIST BIBLE COMMENTARY for a detailed explanation of the FULFILLMENT OF ALL MAJOR END TIME PROPHECIES IN THE BIBLE. The more unbelievable the prophecy, the more amazing and miraculous the fulfillment!

For an explanation of how the end of the age and its fulfillment during the Jewish War mirror Genesis 1-3; how the Bible teaches that the resurrection of the dead is a resurrection of heavenly bodies to heaven, not a resurrection of perfected earthly bodies; and how the resurrection is a mirror opposite of the fall see How the Jewish War and Resurrection to Heaven Mirror Genesis and the Fall; and How Preterism fixes the Age of the Earth Problem and unravels the Mysteries in Genesis.


[i] Josephus The Wars of the Jews 6.5.3.

[iii] In Revelation 21:2, the new Jerusalem is seen coming down from heaven.  What could this mean?  See Revelation 21: A Preterist Commentary and The Biblical Solution to the Predestination Paradox.

[v] Don Piper and Cecil Murphey, 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life (Grand Rapids: Revell, 2004), 34-35.

Preterism, Preterist Theology and the Preterist View of Eschatology Defined and Explained: Conclusion

Preterism, preterist theology, the preterist interpretation of the Bible and the preterist view of eschatology is the Christian belief that Jesus has already returned and that most, if not all, end time prophecies have been fulfilled.

Preterism, Preterist Theology, Preterist Interpretation of the Bible and the Preterist View of Eschatology Defined and Explained

 

0 thoughts on “What is Preterism, Preterist Theology and the Preterist View of Eschatology?

  1. Kenneth Patrick

    I do not BELIEVE that the scene portrayed in the clouds in 66 Ad is that of the SECOND COMING of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. I do BELIEVE, however, that it depicts GOD’S JUDGEMENT …METAPHORICALLY. I do believe that the CHURCH is waiting patiently for this remarkable event, which will SHORTLY COME TO PASS… ie, THE CATCHING UP AND TAKING AWAY OF BELIEVERS. THIS IS WHEN I BELIEVE THE SECOND COMING WILL OCCUR. BELIEVERS who make up the CHURCH which is THE BODY OF CHRIST including myself are all waiting patiently. GOD BLESS. SINCERELY… KENNETH.

    Reply
  2. Christ-Inme Davead

    i strongly believe in this points as this is the real one and never contradict itself as the DISPENSATIONAL AND FUTURIST RAPTURE ARE IN THE BIBLE

    Reply

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