What do Preterists believe?

[cwb01]

I am new to this board and wanted to find out what Preterists believe.  Actually I think I might be a Preterist but am not sure of the definition.  Until recently I was a die-hard futurist who leaned pre-trib.  What I have come to believe now from my studies is that the "coming of the son of man" occurred in 70 AD and the next thing to occur in written prophecy is the Gog and Magog war after Satan is released.  I believe all of mankind will die it that war.  (This is a pretty short explanation of what I believe).  Anyways does this make me a "Preterist"?

Also someone told me that Preterists believe that the situation where there sin and death on earth never ends.  Is that is really what Preterists believe?  If so,  I could not define myself as a Preterist.  Anyways,  I would appreciate any help in understanding these definitions.

[MoodyMoose]

Interesting question that I sought the answer to myself when I read your thread.

I hope this helps you. (Link: What is Preterism?What is the Preterist interpretation of Revelation?)

Welcome to the community. 

[Wycliffes_Shillelagh]

Preterism is the overarching belief that all (or at least most) of the prophesies in the Bible have already been fulfilled.  Most preterists will agree that the prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the "day of the Lord" were fulfilled in 70AD, along with Jesus prophecies in the gospels (notably Matthew 24), and Paul's in his epistles (notably 1Thess 4, 1Cor 15).

Other than that, there are sub-groups within preterism that deal differently with the book of Revelation.

Full Preterists believe that Revelation was written prior to 70AD, and all the events described there happened during that event.  They are "full" because they believe ALL prophecy is already fulfilled.
Partial Preterists believe that the events in Revelation were only partly fulfilled.  Therefore, some of the prophecies are yet to occur.

Amillennials are a sub-group of Full Preterists who believe that the "1000 years" reign of Christ described in Revelation 20 is actually unending - that Christ rules from heaven already, and always will.  In this view, there are no future returns to the earth of the Lord, and upon dying, believers spirits ascend to heaven to be with the Lord forever.

Based on your own descriptions, you would appear to be a partial preterist of a sort.

Jarrod

[4WD]

Preterism is the overarching belief that all (or at least most) of the prophesies in the Bible have already been fulfilled.  Most preterists will agree that the prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the "day of the Lord" were fulfilled in 70AD, along with Jesus prophecies in the gospels (notably Matthew 24), and Paul's in his epistles (notably 1Thess 4, 1Cor 15).

Other than that, there are sub-groups within preterism that deal differently with the book of Revelation.

Full Preterists believe that Revelation was written prior to 70AD, and all the events described there happened during that event.  They are "full" because they believe ALL prophecy is already fulfilled.
Partial Preterists believe that the events in Revelation were only partly fulfilled.  Therefore, some of the prophecies are yet to occur.

Amillennials are a sub-group of Full Preterists who believe that the "1000 years" reign of Christ described in Revelation 20 is actually unending - that Christ rules from heaven already, and always will.  In this view, there are no future returns to the earth of the Lord, and upon dying, believers spirits ascend to heaven to be with the Lord forever.

Based on your own descriptions, you would appear to be a partial preterist of a sort.

Jarrod

I don't believe your description of amillennials is quite right.  I think most amillennials believe that Christ will return just as promised.  Most amillennials believe that we are living in the "millennium" now, i.e., the millennium is the period between the first and second comings of Christ.

[Wycliffes_Shillelagh]

Preterism is the overarching belief that all (or at least most) of the prophesies in the Bible have already been fulfilled.  Most preterists will agree that the prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the "day of the Lord" were fulfilled in 70AD, along with Jesus prophecies in the gospels (notably Matthew 24), and Paul's in his epistles (notably 1Thess 4, 1Cor 15).

Other than that, there are sub-groups within preterism that deal differently with the book of Revelation.

Full Preterists believe that Revelation was written prior to 70AD, and all the events described there happened during that event.  They are "full" because they believe ALL prophecy is already fulfilled.
Partial Preterists believe that the events in Revelation were only partly fulfilled.  Therefore, some of the prophecies are yet to occur.

Amillennials are a sub-group of Full Preterists who believe that the "1000 years" reign of Christ described in Revelation 20 is actually unending - that Christ rules from heaven already, and always will.  In this view, there are no future returns to the earth of the Lord, and upon dying, believers spirits ascend to heaven to be with the Lord forever.

Based on your own descriptions, you would appear to be a partial preterist of a sort.

Jarrod

I don't believe your description of amillennials is quite right.  I think most amillennials believe that Christ will return just as promised.  Most amillennials believe that we are living in the "millennium" now, i.e., the millennium is the period between the first and second comings of Christ.

That would be known as post-millennial. 

A-millennial = "no millennium," which is to say that yes, we are living in the millennium now... except that it's never going to end, because it's not literally a millennium.

Jarrod

[4WD]

Preterism is the overarching belief that all (or at least most) of the prophesies in the Bible have already been fulfilled.  Most preterists will agree that the prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the "day of the Lord" were fulfilled in 70AD, along with Jesus prophecies in the gospels (notably Matthew 24), and Paul's in his epistles (notably 1Thess 4, 1Cor 15).

Other than that, there are sub-groups within preterism that deal differently with the book of Revelation.

Full Preterists believe that Revelation was written prior to 70AD, and all the events described there happened during that event.  They are "full" because they believe ALL prophecy is already fulfilled.
Partial Preterists believe that the events in Revelation were only partly fulfilled.  Therefore, some of the prophecies are yet to occur.

Amillennials are a sub-group of Full Preterists who believe that the "1000 years" reign of Christ described in Revelation 20 is actually unending - that Christ rules from heaven already, and always will.  In this view, there are no future returns to the earth of the Lord, and upon dying, believers spirits ascend to heaven to be with the Lord forever.

Based on your own descriptions, you would appear to be a partial preterist of a sort.

Jarrod

I don't believe your description of amillennials is quite right.  I think most amillennials believe that Christ will return just as promised.  Most amillennials believe that we are living in the "millennium" now, i.e., the millennium is the period between the first and second comings of Christ.

That would be known as post-millennial. 

A-millennial = "no millennium," which is to say that yes, we are living in the millennium now... except that it's never going to end, because it's not literally a millennium.

Jarrod

Although there are different varieties of postmillennialism, postmillennialism posits that the millennium is a period of universal peace and righteousness yet to come.  That glorious age, has five essential characteristics (1) through the preaching of the gospel and outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Christianity will experience a tremendous expansion, not only in terms of numerical growth and missionary success but also in terms of spiritual vitality, (2) during this lengthy period of time known as the millennium, Christian influences will spawn increasing peace and economic well-being, (3) large numbers of ethnic Jews will come to faith in Jesus Christ, (4) at the end of this millennial age, a short period of apostasy will occur, (5) then Christ will return, followed by the resurrection and the final judgment.   The postmillennial looks for a fulfillment of the OT prophecies of a glorious age of the church upon the earth through the preaching of the gospel under the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Amillennialists  hold that the millennium is the period of time between the first and second coming of Jesus Christ with the thousand years of Revelation 20 being symbolic of the entire interadvental age.  At Jesus' first coming Satan was bound by Christ's victory of him at Calvary and the empty tomb.  The effects of this victory continued because of the presence of the kingdom of God through the preaching of the gospel and as evidenced by Jesus' miracles.  Through the spread of the gospel, Satan is no longer free to deceive the nations.  Christ is presently reigning in heaven during the entire period between Christ's first and second coming.  At the end of the age, Satan is released, a great apostasy breaks out, the general resurrection occurs, Jesus Christ returns in final judgment for all people and He establishes a new heaven and earth.

[notreligus]

Amillennial.   I am Amillennial in the sense that I don't believe in a temporary 1000 year kingdom.   I believe in a literal eternal physical kingdom over which Christ will reign.   Don't put me in the Preterist camp!    Christ fulfilled prophecy but the prophecy will not be consummated until the physical kingdom is in place.    Dispensationals are waiting for two future new kingdoms.   This is so the Church can be broken away from the Body of Christ and Israel can have the kingdom and the Christ that they turned down.   The New Covenant is for the nation of Israel.   A priesthood will be restored, a Temple re-built and animal sacrifices practiced again, but as a memorial.   (I don't agree with these Dispensational beliefs.) 

There are as many versions of eschatology are there are types of Baptists, and there are many types of Baptists.   

Preterists are Post-Millennial, although they don't like the word "millennium."   They want to be separate from anything that sounds like Dispensationalism.   Post-Millennials believe that the Church will win the majority of the world to Christ and then Church will have gained majority rule over the Earth.  Then Christ will return to reign over the kingdom the Church has prepared for Him.   

[notreligus]

Preterism is the overarching belief that all (or at least most) of the prophesies in the Bible have already been fulfilled.  Most preterists will agree that the prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the "day of the Lord" were fulfilled in 70AD, along with Jesus prophecies in the gospels (notably Matthew 24), and Paul's in his epistles (notably 1Thess 4, 1Cor 15).

Other than that, there are sub-groups within preterism that deal differently with the book of Revelation.

Full Preterists believe that Revelation was written prior to 70AD, and all the events described there happened during that event.  They are "full" because they believe ALL prophecy is already fulfilled.
Partial Preterists believe that the events in Revelation were only partly fulfilled.  Therefore, some of the prophecies are yet to occur.

Amillennials are a sub-group of Full Preterists who believe that the "1000 years" reign of Christ described in Revelation 20 is actually unending - that Christ rules from heaven already, and always will.  In this view, there are no future returns to the earth of the Lord, and upon dying, believers spirits ascend to heaven to be with the Lord forever.

Based on your own descriptions, you would appear to be a partial preterist of a sort.

Jarrod

I don't believe your description of amillennials is quite right.  I think most amillennials believe that Christ will return just as promised.  Most amillennials believe that we are living in the "millennium" now, i.e., the millennium is the period between the first and second comings of Christ.

That would be known as post-millennial. 

A-millennial = "no millennium," which is to say that yes, we are living in the millennium now... except that it's never going to end, because it's not literally a millennium.

Jarrod

Your statement about Amillennialism is not a hard and fast rule and I hope that others will recognize this.   There are many like me who don't believe in a future temporary kingdom for the benefit of Israel, but we know that there is in fact going to be a future eternal kingdom over which Christ will reign.   Kim Riddlebarger is such a one.  He is Amillennial but also futurist as he explains in his book called, A Case For Amillennialism.

[notreligus]

These various eschatological positions are tied in some way to personal beliefs about Israel.   

[4WD]

Preterism is the overarching belief that all (or at least most) of the prophesies in the Bible have already been fulfilled.  Most preterists will agree that the prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the "day of the Lord" were fulfilled in 70AD, along with Jesus prophecies in the gospels (notably Matthew 24), and Paul's in his epistles (notably 1Thess 4, 1Cor 15).

Other than that, there are sub-groups within preterism that deal differently with the book of Revelation.

Full Preterists believe that Revelation was written prior to 70AD, and all the events described there happened during that event.  They are "full" because they believe ALL prophecy is already fulfilled.
Partial Preterists believe that the events in Revelation were only partly fulfilled.  Therefore, some of the prophecies are yet to occur.

Amillennials are a sub-group of Full Preterists who believe that the "1000 years" reign of Christ described in Revelation 20 is actually unending - that Christ rules from heaven already, and always will.  In this view, there are no future returns to the earth of the Lord, and upon dying, believers spirits ascend to heaven to be with the Lord forever.

Based on your own descriptions, you would appear to be a partial preterist of a sort.

Jarrod

I don't believe your description of amillennials is quite right.  I think most amillennials believe that Christ will return just as promised.  Most amillennials believe that we are living in the "millennium" now, i.e., the millennium is the period between the first and second comings of Christ.

That would be known as post-millennial. 

A-millennial = "no millennium," which is to say that yes, we are living in the millennium now... except that it's never going to end, because it's not literally a millennium.

Jarrod

Your statement about Amillennialism is not a hard and fast rule and I hope that others will recognize this.   There are many like me who don't believe in a future temporary kingdom for the benefit of Israel, but we know that there is in fact going to be a future eternal kingdom over which Christ will reign.   Kim Riddlebarger is such a one.  He is Amillennial but also futurist as he explains in his book called, A Case For Amillennialism.

Riddlebarger's book is very good.  Another one that you might enjoy is The Bible and the Future by Anthony A. Hoekema.  Interestly, while I reject Hoekema's view on Soteriology, I do like what he has to say about eschatology.

[Red Baker]

Amillennials are a sub-group of Full Preterists who believe that the "1000 years" reign of Christ described in Revelation 20 is actually unending - that Christ rules from heaven already, and always will.  In this view, there are no future returns to the earth of the Lord, and upon dying, believers spirits ascend to heaven to be with the Lord forever.

This is incorrect.

Amillennialists  hold that the millennium is the period of time between the first and second coming of Jesus Christ with the thousand years of Revelation 20 being symbolic of the entire interadvental age.  At Jesus' first coming Satan was bound by Christ's victory of him at Calvary and the empty tomb.  The effects of this victory continued because of the presence of the kingdom of God through the preaching of the gospel and as evidenced by Jesus' miracles.  Through the spread of the gospel, Satan is no longer free to deceive the nations.  Christ is presently reigning in heaven during the entire period between Christ's first and second coming.  At the end of the age, Satan is released, a great apostasy breaks out, the general resurrection occurs, Jesus Christ returns in final judgment for all people and He establishes a new heaven and earth.

Correct~This view is the Idealist Amillennialists which I am. I might slightly re-word the above description a little (Through the spread of the gospel, Satan is no longer free to deceive the nations.) but, not enough to matter.  Well said.