What did Jesus mean when He spoke about His coming in Matthew 24? And should the dramatic events described in the Book of Revelation be understood as prophecies still awaiting fulfillment—or as events that largely occurred nearly two thousand years ago? Preterism (from a Latin word meaning “past”) is the view that many or all of the Bible’s end-times prophecies were fulfilled in the events leading up to and surrounding the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Depending on the form of preterism, this can include prophecies concerning the Tribulation, the Antichrist, the Abomination of Desolation, and even passages describing the coming of Jesus Christ.
But does this interpretation fit the biblical text? Did Jesus really “come” in A.D. 70? Was Nero the Antichrist or “Beast” of Revelation? Was the Book of Revelation written before Jerusalem’s destruction? And did Christians living in the first centuries of the church understand these prophecies as events that had already been fulfilled?
These are important questions, and sincere Christians have reached different conclusions concerning some aspects of Bible prophecy. We believe, however, that there are compelling biblical, historical, and chronological reasons to reject the preterist interpretation and understand the Second Coming of Christ and the major events associated with it as still future. The resources below examine the key passages and arguments for preterism and explain why we believe the futurist understanding provides a better interpretation of Bible prophecy.
FEATURED ARTICLE:
“PRETERISM: EXAMINED AND REFUTED” by Charlie Campbell
CONTENT: SIX REASONS TO REJECT PRETERISM
– 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:
You’ve got questions. The Bible has answers. In One-Minute Answers About the End Times, Charlie Campbell tackles 50 of the most common questions about Bible prophecy in a fast-paced, easy-to-understand Q&A format. With clear explanations, Scripture-rich insights, and a heart for truth, you’ll discover:
• What the Bible really says about the future
• How to be prepared for what’s coming
• Confidence to talk about prophecy with others
• The hope God offers in the midst of uncertainty
THE END TIMES & BEYOND: A Concise, Chronological Overview of End-Time Bible Prophecies
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 upcoming events in Bible prophecy. Pastor, author, and teacher Charlie Campbell discusses prophecies surrounding:
• Societal Degeneration
• the Rapture
• the Tribulation + Antichrist
• the Invasion of Israel
• the Battle of Armageddon
• Jesus’s Second Coming + Reign
• the Great White Throne Judgment
• the New Earth + 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)
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)
Preterism is the view that the events described 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.