Preterism is the view that says the events spoken about in Matthew 24 and the Book of Revelation have been largely or completely fulfilled in the events leading up to and surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70. Preterism (from the Latin word for past) is growing in popularity amongst Christians. But is this view Biblical? What did the early church fathers think about these passages (Matthew 24 and the Book of Revelation)? In the resources below, Charlie Campbell, Norman Geisler, and others examine the preterist position, comment on the verses often cited to support their view, and gives numerous reasons why preterism should be rejected as an incorrect understanding of Bible prophecy.
FEATURED ARTICLE:
“PRETERISM: EXAMINED AND REFUTED” by Charlie Campbell
CONTENT:
– Introduction
– 1. Preterists’ proof texts fail to support their own view.
– 2. None of the church fathers mentioned Christ’s Second Coming as having already occurred.
– 3. The Christians alive during A.D. 70, as well as the church fathers, believed the Second Coming was a future event.
– 4. A strong case can be made that the Book of Revelation was written in approximately A.D. 95, long after the events of A.D. 70.
– 5. The Roman emperor Nero could not possibly have been the Antichrist or “the Beast” as preterists suggest.
– 6. The Tribulation events in the Book of Revelation are too global and cataclysmic to be attributed to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
– Conclusion
“Have We Missed It? – Critiquing the controversial claims of Preterism” by Richard Mayhue
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES:
A Refutation of Hank Hanegraaff’s Book The Apocalypse Code by Norman Geisler
A Refutation of Hank Hanegraaff’s Book The Last Disciple by Norman Geisler
“Has Prophecy Already Been Fulfilled?” by Thomas Ice
“Was Nero the Antichrist of Revelation 13?” by Mark Hitchcock (Scroll to p. 136)
“One Thousand Years: Literal or Figurative?” by Thomas Ice
“A Case for the Futurist Interpretation of the Book of Revelation” by Andy Woods
“Gary DeMar’s End Times Fiction” by Thomas Ice
“Preterism and Zechariah 12-14” by Thomas Ice
“A Review of Hank Hanegraaff’s The Apocalypse Code“ by Thomas Ice
More articles and audio on prophecy here on our website.
The Date of the Book of Revelation by Mark Hitchcock (his PhD Dissertation)
DEBATE VIDEO:
WHEN WAS THE BOOK OF REVELATION WRITTEN?
If the Book of Revelation was written anytime after AD 70, its prophecies can’t be about the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 (as Preterists believe). In the debate below Mark Hitchcock lays out a very strong case that the Book of Revelation was written several years after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. Hank Hanegraaff argues, unpersuasively, for a pre AD 70 date.
PART ONE:
Please note that Hanegraaff’s statement (at 1:07:17) that Norman Geisler is a preterist is completely untrue. Geisler is a futurist and has written many articles against preterism, including critiques of Hanegraaff’s books (see some of his articles above).
PART TWO:
PART THREE:
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES IN OUR ONLINE STORE:
THE END TIMES & BEYOND: Ten Upcoming Events in Bible Prophecy
(DVD or mp4 video download)
What does the Bible say about the future? Will wars and famines ever cease? Will there ever be peace in the Middle East? Will Jesus return to the Earth? Learn where the world is headed in this clear overview of ten upcoming events in Bible prophecy. Pastor, author, and teacher Charlie Campbell, discusses prophecies surrounding:
• Jesus’ Second Coming
• The Tribulation
• The Ezekiel 38-39 Invasion of Israel
• The Battle of Armageddon
• The 1000 Year Reign of Christ
• Eternity in the New Jerusalem
• And more!
Charlie holds to a Pretribulational Rapture and Premillennial Second Coming (the same view shared by Norman Geisler, John Walvoord, John MacArthur, Warren Wiersbe, Chuck Smith, etc.).
THE CASE FOR A PRETRIBULATIONAL RAPTURE: Answers to the Toughest Questions About the Pretribulational View
(DVD or mp4 video download)
What is the Rapture? Is it Biblical? Was it a late invention by the church? Is it true that it wasn't taught until the early 1800s? What about the verses that seem to point to a posttribulational Rapture? In a 75 minute presentation recorded before a live congregation in southern California, Charlie Campbell answers these questions and others as he builds a strong Biblical case for a pretribulational Rapture. If you’ve had questions or doubts about this doctrine, this video will be of great help to you. Length: 75 minutes.
THE SECOND COMING, PRETERISM, AND THE BOOK OF REVELATION
(DVD or mp4 video download)
Preterism is the view that the events spoken about in Matthew 24 and the Book of Revelation have been largely or completely fulfilled in the events leading up to and surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70. Preterism (from the Latin word for past) is growing in popularity. Could this view be valid? What did the early church think about these passages (Matt. 24 and the Book of Revelation)? In this hour long teaching, Charlie Campbell examines the preterist position, the verses often cited to support their view, and gives numerous reasons why preterism should be rejected as an incorrect understanding of Bible prophecy. Length: 60 minutes.
EXCELLENT OUT-OF-PRINT BOOK:
"THE END TIMES CONTROVERSY: The Second Coming Under Attack"
This book offers an in-depth analysis of Preterism by Thomas Ice, John MacArthur, Tim LaHaye, Mark Hitchcock, Randall Price and others. Very good. Available used on Amazon.
