There are two main groups of Preterists: Full Preterists and Partial Preterists.
Full Preterists believe that Jesus returned in 70 AD, but not in a physical way. They say Jesus returned “in spirit.” For them, nothing is still future. They think we are already living in the New Heavens and New Earth and that Satan is already bound. They believe the “blessed hope” (the expectation of Jesus’ return) is no longer relevant The Jews Did Not Turn to the Messiah in 70 AD.
Partial Preterists, on the other hand, do not agree with Full Preterists. They think much of what Full Preterists believe is incorrect. However, Partial Preterists believe some things in the future, such as the Second Coming of Jesus, the resurrection of believers, and the Judgment Seat of Christ. They do not believe in the Rapture, the literal Millennium, the Battle of Armageddon, or the literal Antichrist. They also do not think that national Israel has a special role in prophecy.
Preterist Views on Revelation
Both Full and Partial Preterists believe that most of the events in the Bible are not literal. They think many parts of the Bible, especially the book of Revelation, are symbolic or allegorical.
For Preterists, the Olivet Discourse (Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 24) is not about the future coming of Jesus. They believe it is about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Additionally, both Full and Partial Preterists believe that Revelation was not written in 95 AD, but instead written earlier Ephesus Guides.
History of Preterism
Preterism was not widely accepted until the 17th century, though some Preterists may argue differently. They often claim that Dispensationalism (another view of prophecy) wasn’t taken seriously until 1817, but this claim is false.
Preterism became more widely known thanks to a Jesuit priest named Luis de Alcazar. He wanted to defend the Catholic Church against accusations from the Reformers during the Protestant Reformation. Alcazar’s goal was to defend the Catholic Church from claims that it was an apostasy (a fall from true faith).
The Preterism we know today, however, became popular in the late 20th century.
This article explains the two types of Preterists—Full Preterists and Partial Preterists—and how their views on prophecy differ. It also discusses the history of Preterism and how it became prominent.
