What is Preterism? What is the Preterist interpretation of Revelation?

what does the bible say?

The Preterist view of the end times is based on a symbolic view of the Book of Revelation. It posits that most of Revelation’s prophecies have already been fulfilled. Preterism disagrees with the future, literal fulfillment of most of Revelation, focusing instead on allegory and symbolism. Of particular importance is the argument that the end time prophecies of Revelation were fulfilled in AD 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. A close look at the facts concerning the Book of Revelation and other end times passages make Preterism a difficult view to hold.

from the old testament

In Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel sees “one like a son of man” coming with the clouds of heaven to receive an everlasting dominion over all nations. This universal reign of Christ has not yet been established.The prophecy of the seventy weeks includes a final “week” (seven-year period) marked by a covenant, the stopping of sacrifices, and great desolation (Daniel 9:24-27). While some aspects may have foreshadowed A.D. 70, the complete fulfillment, including the end of transgression and bringing in everlasting righteousness (Daniel 9:24), has not happened.Daniel 12:1-2 describes a future “time of trouble such as never has been” and the resurrection of the dead. Since a global tribulation and bodily resurrection have not yet occurred, this remains unfulfilled.Zechariah 12:10 prophesies that Israel will “look on me, on him whom they have pierced” and mourn for Him. This implies a future national repentance of Israel, which did not occur in A.D. 70.Zechariah 14:1-9 describes the Lord fighting against the nations, His feet standing on the Mount of Olives, a unique day with no night, and the Lord reigning as King over all the earth. This global reign of Christ has not yet taken place.Ezekiel 37:21-28 speaks of Israel being permanently regathered, cleansed, and ruled by “David my servant” (Messiah), with a new everlasting covenant and God dwelling with them forever. This has not yet been fully realized.Isaiah 2:2-4 prophesies a time when the nations will come to the Lord’s temple, swords will be beaten into plowshares, and war will cease. This has clearly not yet happened.

from the new testament

In Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus describes His return as occurring “immediately after the tribulation” with cosmic disturbances, the gathering of His elect, and His coming “on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” These events did not occur in A.D. 70 in a literal, global sense.The angels tell the disciples in Acts 1:9-11 that Jesus “will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” This suggests a visible, bodily return, which preterism struggles to place in history.Paul speaks of “all Israel” being saved after the “fullness of the Gentiles” comes in, which suggests a future national restoration of Israel, not something fulfilled in A.D. 70 (Romans 11:25-27).In 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, Paul speaks of the resurrection of believers at Christ’s return when “the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable.” The resurrection of all believers has clearly not yet occurred.Paul warns that the man of lawlessness (Antichrist) must appear before the Day of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:3–8). There is no clear historical fulfillment of a world-ruling Antichrist before or during A.D. 70.The global visibility of Christ’s return as mentioned in Revelation 1:7 contradicts the preterist view that His “coming” was symbolic in A.D. 70.Revelation chapters 6—22 were most likely written about events that have yet to occur. If taken as written, these chapters speak of a future seven-year period during which there will be a world ruler (Revelation 13:1-7), a new Jewish temple that will be built and then desecrated (Revelation 11:1-2), a time of great tribulation (Revelation 7:14), and a final battle at Armageddon between the people of God and His enemies at which Christ returns in victory (Revelation 16:16; 19:11-21). This will be followed by the millennial reign of Jesus (Revelation 20:1-6) and, ultimately, a new heavenly city, new heavens, and a new earth where God's people will dwell with Him forever (Revelation 21:1-4). Much must be changed in order to make these sweeping predictions fit events that took place by the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.

implications for today

A more specific argument against the Preterist View is that the Book of Revelation was almost certainly written after the year A.D. 70, the date Preterists believe most of the end times prophecies were fulfilled. The external evidence supports the traditional date of approximately 95—96 at the end of the apostle John's life. Mark Hitchcock's "A Defense of the Domitianic Date of the Book of Revelation" offers a comprehensive look at the lines of evidence that support this date. Those who hold to the Preterist view must be able to prove that the Book of Revelation was written prior to 70 to demonstrate that its view is even possible.

Another concern with the Preterist view is the interpretive inconsistency of the symbolism in Revelation. If taken allegorically, then many aspects must relate to other events, yet Preterists seem unable to agree on even the basic allegories required to support the their view.

The historical evidence to support the Preterist view of the Book of Revelation is inadequate, the allegorical interpretations are too inconsistent, and the changes in interpretation are too forced to consistently fit the writings found in the Book of Revelation. While many Bible-believing Christians have held and still hold to this view, the evidence to support the view is much weaker than taking Revelation as written: A book concerning what will happen in the last days prior to Christ's return to earth at the end of the Tribulation period.