WHY STUDY BIBLE PROPHECY?
As we study Biblical Prophecy we should be
motivated to get up and out and evangelize
the Lost. If our dear Lord Jesus could come for
us, His Bride, at any moment we should be
using every moment as if it is our last!
Prophecy teaches us of our “Blessed Hope.”
Prophecy is a “comfort” to those who are in
Christ (Believers).
Prophecy is a stimulus to a Godly Lifestyle!
WHY NOT PRETERISM?
Dr. Jobe Martin
www.biblicaldiscipleship.org
www.evolutionofacreationist.com
www.creationproclaims.info
THREE BOOKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
The End Times Controversy: The Second Coming
Under Attack by Tim LaHaye and Thomas Ice
Breaking the Apocalypse Code: Mark Hitchcock
and Thomas Ice
The Tribulation: Past or Future: Kenneth Gentry
and Thomas Ice
“Many Bible-believing Christians find it
astounding that anyone would teach that our
Lord Jesus Christ has already returned to this
earth and that we are now living in the kingdom
age predicted throughout the Bible. Yet that is
what preterists believe and teach. And
surprisingly, their numbers are growing….”
Tim LaHaye and Thomas Ice, eds., The End Times
Controversy: The Second Coming Under Attack (Eugene, OR:
Harvest House, 2003), p. 7.
“[T]he preterist notion that Christ returned
physically in A.D. 70 would have come as a
surprise to the early church fathers, … for they
never mentioned that Christ’s second coming
was past. They invariably referred to it as a
future event.”
Tim LaHaye
• The vast majority of the early church fathers
wrote of a late date (A.D. 95) for the writing of
the book of Revelation. Therefore the vast
majority of early church fathers believed in a
future Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and not that the marching of the Roman
armies into Jerusalem in 70 A.D. was the 2nd
Coming.
Hitchcock, The End Times Conspiracy, p. 138
Late Date for Rev.[AD95]
Hegesuppus (A.D. 150)
Irenaeus (A.D. 180)
Clement of Alex. (155-220)
Victorinus (C. 300)
Eusebius (C. 300)
Jerome (C. 400)
Sulpicius Severus (400)
Primasius (C. 540)
Orosius (C. 600)
The Acts of John (C.650) etc..
Early date for Rev.[AD65]
Only 3
Syriac v. of N.T. (C.550)
Arethas (C. 900)
Theophylact (C. 1107)
Preterism: Definition
“The term ‘preterism’ is based on the Latin
preter, which means “past.” Preterism refers
to that understanding of certain eschatological
passages which holds that they have already
come to fulfillment….”
Kenneth Gentry, Jr. He Shall Have Dominion: A Postmillennial
Eschatology (Tyler, TX: Institute for Christian Economics,
1992), p.159. As quoted by Thomas Ice, The End Times
Controversy (Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2003), p.17.
Preterism: Definition
• “The preterist approach teaches, for instance,
that many of the prophecies of Revelation and
the first portion of the Olivet Discourse have
already been fulfilled. Matthew 24:1-34 (and
parallels) in the Olivet Discourse was fulfilled in
the events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem in
A.D. 70. In Revelation, most of the prophecies
before Revelation 20 find fulfillment in the fall of
Jerusalem (A.D. 70).”
Gentry via Ice, p. 18
Preterism: Definition
“The Olivet Discourse is not about the second
coming of Christ. It is a prophecy of the
destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.”
David Chilton, Paradise Restored: An Eschatology of Dominion
(Tyler, TX: Reconstruction Press, 1985), p. 224. As quoted by
Thomas Ice, The End Times Controversy (Eugene, OR: Harvest
House, 2003), p.17.
The Two Major Arguments of Preterism
• The book of Revelation was written by the
apostle John in 65 A.D.
• The word “Generation” in Matthew 24 means
the generation of people that Jesus was
talking to directly.
Did our Lord Jesus return to earth in A.D. 70?
Are the prophecies of the book of Revelation
past history?
Are we living in the promised Messianic
Kingdom?
Were all the prophecies of the Bible fulfilled at
the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 as the
“Full Preterist” contends?
• The Partial Preterists believe that most of the
prophecies of Matthew 24 and Revelation
have already been fulfilled.
• Some prophecies remain to be fulfilled such as
a literal 2nd coming of our Lord Jesus (not the
Rapture), the resurrection of the dead, the
judgment seat of Christ and heaven. These are
still future to some, but not to all, who hold to
the partial preterist position.
A few questions:
What is the main difference between a
partial preterist and a full preterist?
Full preterists teach that all prophecies
were fulfilled in A.D. 70.
[Revelation was written in A.D. 65]
Partial preterists teach that a few prophecies
remain to be fulfilled.
Literal 2nd Coming to a Christianized earth
Resurrection to Great White Throne
Eternal Heaven
[Revelation was written in A.D. 65]
• Partial preterists predict that Jesus will come
to and be welcomed to a Christianized earth.
• The welcoming to a Christianized earth is in
direct opposition to the words of Scripture:
Revelation 19:19 in the context of the events
surrounding the 2nd Coming says:
Revelation 19:19
• And I saw the beast, and the
kings of the earth, and their
armies, gathered together to
make war against him that sat
on the horse, and against his
army.
Both partial and full preterists believe that
John wrote Revelation around A.D. 65.
If Revelation was written around A.D. 95,
then Preterism falls apart.
Hitchcock, The End Times Conspiracy, p. 138
Late Date for Rev.[AD95]
Hegesuppus (A.D. 150)
Irenaeus (A.D. 180)
Clement of Alex. (155-220)
Victorinus (C. 300)
Eusebius (C. 300)
Jerome (C. 400)
Sulpicius Severus (400)
Primasius (C. 540)
Orosius (C. 600)
The Acts of John (C.650) etc..
Early date for Rev.[AD65]
Only 3
Syriac v. of N.T. (C.550)
Arethas (C. 900)
Theophylact (C. 1107)
Do there remain any biblical
prophecies that are as yet
unfulfilled?
There is a prophecy in
1 Corinthians 11:24-26
24
“And when he had given thanks, he brake it,
and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is
broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25After the same manner also he took the cup,
when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new
testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye
drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as
ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew
the Lord’s death till he come.”
1 Corinthians 11:24-26
• The Lord Jesus is coming again! And while we
wait we are to partake of the Lord’s Supper in
remembrance of His atoning death “until He
come.”
• If a preterist partakes of the cup and the bread
he witnesses against his belief that Lord Jesus
has already come in A.D. 70! A preterist is not
looking for the Lord to come, he believes that
the Lord has already come!
• A preterist believes that the 1000 year
kingdom age of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ is an indefinite period of time that
began in A.D. 70. The term “1000” (known to
us as the Millennium) is used 6 times in
Revelation 20:1-10.
2And
he laid hold on the dragon, that old
serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and
bound him a thousand years, 3And cast him
into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and
set a seal upon him, that he should deceive
the nations no more, till the thousand years
should be fulfilled: and after that he must be
loosed a little season.
Revelation 20:2-3
“1000” in Revelation 20:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, is the
Greek term “chilioi” which means one
thousand and should be taken literally as 1000
years, not as a long, indefinite period of time
as the Preterists teach.
Other Greek terms are more specifically used
to denote an indefinite, but very large
number, such as “murias” in Revelation 5:11,
9:16
Revelation 5:11-12 “murias”
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many
angels round about the throne and the beasts
and the elders: and the number of them was
ten thousand times ten thousand, and
thousands of thousands; 12Saying with a loud
voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to
receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and
strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Revelation 9:16
And the number of the army of the
horsemen were two hundred
thousand thousand: and I heard the
number of them.
“murias”
An example of chilioi in
Revelation 14:20
And the winepress was trodden without the
city, and blood came out of the winepress,
even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a
thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Another example of chilioi in
Revelation 11:3
And I will give power unto my two witnesses,
and they shall prophesy a thousand two
hundred and threescore days, clothed in
sackcloth.
Another example of chilioi in
Revelation 11:13
And the same hour was there a great
earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell,
and in the earthquake were slain of men
seven thousand: and the remnant were
affrighted, and gave glory to the God of
heaven
Another example of chilioi in
Revelation 12:6
And the woman fled into the wilderness,
where she hath a place prepared of God, that
they should feed her there a thousand two
hundred and threescore days.
Revelation 5:11-12
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many
angels round about the throne and the beasts
and the elders: and the number of them was
ten thousand times ten thousand, and
thousands of thousands; 12Saying with a loud
voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to
receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and
strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Preterists (partial and full) believe that we are
living in the Millennium (an indefinite, long
period of time—not a literal 1000 years).
Most Preterists take that idea one step farther
and teach that we are already living in the
New Heavens and New Earth.
In fact, even partial preterist Kenneth Gentry says
of Revelation 21-22 that “the new creation begins
in the first century,” and that “my understanding
of this antithesis is that the New Jerusalem is
replacing the old Jerusalem. The coming of the
New Jerusalem down from heaven (chapters 2122) logically should follow soon upon the
destruction of the old Jerusalem on the earth
(Revelation 6-11, 14-19), rather than waiting
thousands of years.”
Kenneth L. Gentry, “A Preterist View of
Revelation” in C. Marvin Pate, gen. ed., Four Views on the Book of Revelation
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998), p. 87.
Thomas Ice (The End Times Controversy, p. 420),
states:
“…Gentry actually believes we are in some way in
the new heavens and new earth of Revelation 2122. If this is true, then we all must be living in the
ghetto side of the New Jerusalem. But there is no
ghetto in the New Jerusalem….The logic of the
preterist position leads one to delusional views of
present reality.”
Ice goes on to say (p.421), “Not only does
Gentry believe that the Tribulation is a past
event, he actually believes that current history
is identified as the new heavens and new
earth of Revelation 21-22 and 2 Peter 3:1013….
If we are currently living in any way in the new
heavens and new earth, then this means the
following:
The 1000 years and the new heavens and
earth must be equated (cf. Rev. 20:1-9 with 21-22)
• Satan has been removed from any more influence
in history (20:10)
• There is no longer any sea (21:1)
• There is no longer any death, crying, or pain (21:4)
• All things have been made new (21:1)
• There is no longer any need for the sun or the moon
(21:23)
• There is no longer any night (21:25)
• There is no longer anything unclean, nor anyone
practicing abomination and lying (21:27)
• There is no longer any curse (22:3)
• Believers are now able to see the Father’s face (22:4
Let us take another look at
Revelation 20:2:
2And
he laid hold on the dragon, that old
serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and
bound him a thousand years, 3And cast him
into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and
set a seal upon him, that he should deceive
the nations no more, till the thousand years
should be fulfilled: and after that he must be
loosed a little season.
Revelation 20:2-3
Satan is to be bound for the
1000 year Millennium and
shut up and sealed in the Pit!
If we are living in the Millennium
as all of the Preterists teach, is
Satan bound and sealed in the
Bottomless Pit?
• If Satan is “bound”, “shut up”, and “sealed” for
the millennium (the literal 1000 years of our Lord
Jesus’ rule on planet earth of Revelation 20),
then why does our Bible say in 1:Peter 5:8-11:
8Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary
the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist
stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same
afflictions are accomplished in your brethren
that are in the world.
10But the God of all grace, who hath called us
unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after
that ye have suffered a while, make you
perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11To
him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen.
1 Peter 5:8-11
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord,
and in the power of his might. 11Put on the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour
of God, that ye may be able to withstand in
the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13
• How do preterists get around this fact that
Satan schemes against us and prowls about
like a roaring lion?
• Preterists claim that Satan is bound with a
“long chain.”
• Since preterists do not take the Revelation 20
verses literally they are forced to impose a
creative, but very wrong interpretation of
other Scriptures!
• How does the A.D. 70 siege of
Jerusalem fulfill the biblical
description of the details of the
Great Tribulation?
To Sum up:
• The Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is a
future event (Matthew 24:29-31, Rev. 19:11-21).
• After Jesus returns He will be physically present
to rule this earth as King of kings and Lord of
lords for 1000 literal years (Rev. 19:16).
• Al Gore is wrong—this earth will be here and be
populated for at least 1007 more years if the
Rapture would happen today; [1000 year
Millennium plus 7 year Tribulation].
During King Jesus 1000 year reign on earth “…He
will enforce a cultural standard of righteousness.
No kingdom of righteousness will permit crime,
pornography in print or on the internet, teach
godless socialism in our public schools, or
denigrate God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, or
the Holy Spirit.
You can be sure of this: Jesus Christ will come to
this earth in power and great glory to set up His
kingdom as the Bible predicts, and His coming will
be personal and physical!” Tim LaHaye, p. 10.
Some Questions for Preterists:
• Can you prove that Lord Jesus came back in A.D.70?
• What evidence can you provide to prove that Jesus
has been ruling the world from Jerusalem since 70?
• Can you prove that Satan has been bound for 1000
years while drugs, murder, rape, lying, etc. remain?
• If Christ has ruled for the last 1900 years how do
you explain the millions of Christians who have
been martyred for their faith?
• How do you prove that of the cataclysmic events
of the last days have already happened? There is
no historical record in any culture on earth
detailing these events in A.D. 70 (Matt. 24:15-31)
• Isaiah 65:17-20 records that in the future a
person 100 years old will be as a child. Is this true
today?
Isaiah 65:25
“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and
the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust
shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt
nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the
LORD.”
If we are presently living in the Millennium
(indefinite long period of time) as the preterists
believe, are the wolf and the lamb feeding
together? Lions eating straw?
Isaiah 11:6-7
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and
the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and
the calf and the young lion and the fatling
together; and a little child shall lead them.
7And the cow and the bear shall feed; their
young ones shall lie down together: and the
lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Isaiah 11:8-9
8And
the sucking child shall play on the hole of
the asp, and the weaned child shall put his
hand on the cockatrice’ den. 9They shall not
hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for
the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the
LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
• If Nero was the Antichrist, as most of you
preterists believe, what is your evidence? Did
Nero ever go to Jerusalem, desecrate the
temple in Jerusalem by setting up an image of
himself and demanding that people worship
his image in the Jerusalem temple?
• Did King Jesus destroy Nero with the breath of
His mouth (2 Thessalonians 2:8)?
• Did Nero make a 7 year covenant with Israel
and break it 3.5 years later (Daniel 9:26-27)?
Can you (preterists) prove with historical facts
that the 21 Tribulation judgments were
completed in the 7 years prior to the A.D. 70
destruction of Jerusalem: water turns to
blood, the largest earthquake in world history,
world war destroying 25% of the world’s
people (Rev. 6:8), global plagues killing
another 33% of the people (Rev. 9:18), global
mark to buy and sell or be guillotined,
required global worship of an image of a man
in a temple in Jerusalem, etc…..
• When the King Jesus returns all the nations of
the will be gathered together to make war
against Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:3). In A.D.70
only Rome came against Jerusalem.
• Jerusalem was destroyed, not delivered (Zech.
12:8) at the 2nd Coming (preterest position)
when Rome invaded in A.D.70. How do you
reconcile that with preterist doctrine?
• At the return of King Jesus all the nations that
came against Jerusalem will be destroyed
(Zech. 12:9) but Rome alone won the war!
• Zechariah 12:10 prophesys that the Jewish
people as a nation will believe that Jesus is
their Messiah. Did this happen in A.D.70?
• Is there any evidence that 2/3 of the Jews
were killed and 1/3 were saved in A.D.70 as
Zechariah 13:8 foretells?
• Did the Mount of Olives split in two as the
Roman armies (2nd Coming) marched into
Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-4)?
• If the second coming of Christ was in A.D.70
when were the “sheep” taken into the
kingdom and the “goats” cast into everlasting
fire (Matthew 25)?
• When did the rapture of the church occur?
• When Jesus returns He said that He would
take the believers with Him back to our
Heavenly Father’s house to be with Him.
Where is the evidence that this has
happened?
• When was Babylon destroyed in one day?
• When did the kings of the earth mourn over
the destruction of Babylon?
• If Christ returned in 70 A.D. what day did He
return?
Tim LaHaye says:
“When all the facts are considered, we are
forced to conclude that the evidence for a
fulfillment of the prophetic Scriptures in
A.D.70 is untenable and that too many
unanswered questions still exist to make the
rapture of the church, the Tribulation period,
the second coming of Christ, and the
establishing of His kingdom on this earth and
other significant events to be anything but
future, just as the Bible teaches.”
• John did indeed write the book of Revelation
in A.D. 95 while on the Isle of Patmos for the
testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:2). A
literal and the most sensible reading of the
Scriptures renders the events of Revelation as
being yet future, a perspective the evangelical
church almost universally agrees upon.
• Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus.!
Why are Christians turning to pretersim?
• In my opinion it is academic, intellectual and
spiritual pride—they love the praises of men
more than the praises of God.
• John 5:44 and John 12:43