Upon realizing the fundamental error of “Full Preterism” in 2006 (which is ‘mistaking the shadows of prophecy for the substance of prophecy‘), I began a study into whether the view of totally fulfilled eschatology was simply mistaken, or if it was indeed a critical departure from acceptable Christian doctrine. I say “acceptable” because there comes a point where the doctrinal departure is large enough to create a message different from that originally received and delivered… and one that corrupts and/or distorts the “present gospel” of Jesus Christ. Certainly, the view of the resurrection of the living and the dead having happening in the calendar year AD70 is worthy of classification as “hyper” — which is a technical term meaning “going beyond the original foundations of” and has been used as such for hundreds of years.
By declaring that the New Covenant didn’t really come into maturity until AD70 (despite the fact that Christians had already been given access to the holiest of all 40 years prior — cf. Hebrews 10:19-22) Hyper Preterism clearly teaches a different gospel message than that originally received from the pen of Inspiration recording Jesus as saying “It is finished” (attended by the tearing of the veil of separation). To teach that this access into the holiest of all is based on something other than the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is an egregious error. There are many other examples of AD70 becoming a primary focal point, outshining the glory revealed in the Sacrifice of the Lamb. However, that is just an example of how the AD70 Storyline is Fundamentally Different from Historical Christianity’s clear and united focus on Calvary as the definitive statement of the faith. [Full Preterist Response: “I categorically state that the physical object of the cross, wood and fiber, is not worthy of the love and adoration of Christians.”] 2007 Carlsbad powerpoint videos and transcripts
WHY DOES THE HYPER-PRETERIST LINE DEMAND DETERMINATION ?
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- #1: Because Full Preterism is absolutely not orthodox Christianity. There is no fellowship between the two now, nor has there been historically.
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- Bryan Lewis (2010) “I am among those Preterist who realize that Preterism is absolutely not Orthodox Christianity. It is my opinion, there is no fellowship between the two now, nor has their ever been historically.”
- Because the doctrines of Universalists and the Church of Christ have played such an overwhelming role in the shaping of Full Preterism. Edward Robinson, (1843) “What can be more ‘ frigid and inept’ than to refer a description of the coming of Christ to blast his enemies and gather his elect, to an obscure Jewish war, and the consequent prevalence of the gospel ! This is the old theory of the Universalists in a new form.” // Ernest Hampden Cook “In relation to the judgment, we agree with the Universalists that the second coming of Christ took place in connection with the destruction of Jerusalem. But we differ from them in regard to the nature of that event; believing that Christ literally came in the spiritual world at the time predicted in Matt. 24, and sat in judgment on that part of mankind, both quick and dead, who previous to that time had been ripened for the harvest of destiny, by the influences of the Jewish dispensation and the gospel of Christ and the apostles.
- Because few really believe that every wind of preterist doctrine is just “another legitimate alternative.”
- Because denying hyper preterism exists (or belittling its determination) encourages the overspreading of error.
- Because denying hyper preterism exists (or belittling its investigation) discourages Futurists and other Partial Preterists from studying preterism.
- Because denying (or tolerating those who deny) the necessity for faith, hope and expectation (and the work of the Holy Spirit) in the Christian life today, might be working an overthrow of the faith of some and/or Christianity.
- Because denying the need for the fulfillment of the Lord’s Prayer “thy kingdom come” and “deliver us from evil” today is undeniably overthrowing the faith of some — and this doctrine (an unintended consequence of AD70 Dispensationalism) is taught or tolerated broadly.
- Because if it isn’t true that AD30 was insufficient, or that so much ceased in AD70, then an idolatrous error is being spread.
- Because a growing number of reasonable former full preterists are saying that the system is fundamentally flawed and dangerous.
- Because if eschatology and salvation are so closely linked, grievous errors in one would result in grievous errors in the other:
- Thomas Rattray, 1878 – “Having previously, by an inductive method, drawn from Scripture an Eschatology which placed its subjects at the end of the Mosaic age, and not as generally understood at the end of time; I was led, in this series of discourses, to present the evidences for a conclusion, so different from what has been, and is now, held in Christendom.”
- William S. Urmy, 1900 – “The system of eschatology which this work presents requires that certain changes be made not only in the current thought of the day concerning the second coming of Christ, but in creeds, articles of faith, rituals, and hymns, where they refer to this and kindred eschatological subjects.” (Many Examples Found in Regressive Preterism Study Archive )
WHAT IS “HYPER” PRETERISM? IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE TO TAKE PRETERISM TOO FAR? “Hyper” Preterism is defined here as that form of “fulfillment eschatology” which goes too far in declaring AD70 prophetic fulfillment and/or completion. In many cases, this threshold is reached by declaring that the shadows and types which were given to point to the Eschaton were actually the fulfillments themselves. One need not be a “Full Preterist” to embrace aspects of Hyper Preterism ; however, Full Preterist systems consistently apply Hyper Preterism to all areas of doctrine. Therefore, one could consider Full Preterism to be “Consistently Hyper Preterism”, “Fully Hyper Preterism” or “Systematic Hyper Preterism”. The point being that Full Preterism is actually systematized Hyper Preterism… and is ever so much dangerous than the more inconsistent forms of Preterism, or Historicist and Futurist systems which may advocate particular hyper preterist doctrines.
ONE WAY TO PUT THE DANGER WHICH NECESSITATES SUCH STRONG WARNINGS AT PRETERISTARCHIVE.COM: The valor and determination of Full Preterists to conquer error is reminiscent of the Romans who first came against Jerusalem. These adventurous soldiers, simplistically seeing an open path to the walls, overzealously charged up to her very gates, only to find themselves suddenly surrounded on all sides (with Providence alone saving the life of General Titus). Full Preterism, driven by its initial sincere and noble desire in the pulling down of Futurist error, charges too hard and far in the setting up of perceived truth, having incorrectly assessed the situation due to the speed of attack (and emboldened by the pride that always comes with initial victories). This imagery also applies to the Jewish defenders of Jerusalem who, flushed with pride at the victory at Beth-Horon, diligently pursued an ultimately Apocalyptic Catasrophe. There is no question that Jerusalem’s history is rich with theological wealth and meaning ; however, she was – and will always be – a deadly harlot who betrays those who succumb to her alluring charms. If you approach too closely to her she will strike you like the serpent she is — and her poison goes straight to the heart. Please consider my decade of leadership experience in forming and shaping the online movement — and my observation of countless people in this situation — by accepting at face value my warnings for what they are – sincere attempts to help . If you have gotten too close to the harlot, having lost your senses in wonderment (as did John prior to being rebuked), AWAKEN AT ONCE before the pride of puffed up knowledge blinds !! Set your eyes upon the spotless bride instead of the filthy whore, and you will be saved to carry on the battle with the Banner of Truth.
“Thus, like the reformation period, I believe that full preterism is in a very similar state as Luther in the first major reformation (no surprise to you of course that I might say that). Does it bother me that we don’t have hundreds of writers who agree with us? Nope…not one bit. My conscience refuses to simply accept the traditions of popular opinion, scholarly or otherwise, because they are in abundance, when no scholar has yet to convince me that they are correct…or that they can finally agree with one another for once! ” Joe Vincent 1/20/11 on Fb |
SOME DISTINCTIVE DOCTRINES OF SYSTEMATIZED HYPER PRETERISM It is important to keep in mind that many ideas and doctrines full preterism appeals to are by no means distinctive to that view. A primary example is in the early dating of Revelation — which is a belief shared by many non full preterist systems. Such is also the case with objections to the errors of Dispensationalism.. and with seeing the complete end of the Old Covenant world in AD70. Exponentially more non HyPs believe these things than HyPs ever have, so it is important to keep in mind that one need not embrace a Hyper Preterist system in order to endorse these (and like) ideas or doctrines. Following are exceptional doctrines which, so far as I’ve seen, are only taught by adherents of Hyper Preterism.: DISTINCTIVE DOCTRINES TAUGHT BY STANDARD FULL PRETERISM
DISTINCTIVE DOCTRINES TAUGHT BY VARIOUS FORMS
Key discoveries unearthed in PreteristArchive’s tenth anniversary year (2006) included the fact that the two earliest known full preterists — Robert Townley and P.S. Desprez — had also matured into a wiser view of prophecy’s telos and eschatos. These two, as well as the others, were as convinced of AD70 Dispensationalism as many contemporary preterists are today.
Habakkuk 2:17. For the iniquity of Libanus shall cover thee, and the ravaging of beasts shall terrify them because of the blood of men, and the iniquity of the land, and of the city, and of all that dwell therein. “The iniquity of Libanus. . .That is, the iniquity committed by the Chaldeans against the temple of God, signified here by the name of Libanus.” Douay Rheims Bible (1586) The blessings of a single mind and heart (heaven and earth) redirected towards the fall of His temple is worth 1,000 redirected to the fall of their temple, |
The Reality of Just How Different HyP Actually Is |
N.T. Wright “You may be allowed to eat meat offered to idols, but you cannot deny the future bodily resurrection and claim that denial as an allowable Christian option.” (The Resurrection of the Son of God, pg 331) |
WRITINGS IN SUPPORT OF HYPER PRETERISM |
“hyper-preterism” defined… and self applied by Full Preterist Book: “It may surprise students of Biblical theology: When we combine the eschatological teachings of the great theologians of the Reformed church throughout the centuries, we arrive at “hyper-preterism”: (A House Divided Back Book Cover) |
From the back cover – “hyper-preterism” is what is arrived at: |
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ONLINE BOOKS BY HYPER PRETERISTS |
Universalism in America, Volume II : Bibliography “And having satisfied our minds respecting the time of the coming of the Son of man to judge and reward men according to their works, and being assured that that event took place when Jerusalem was destroyed, and the Jews dispersed; it remains an easy task to settle the question respecting the meaning and fulfillment of all the passages in the New Testament which speak of that judgment, and the awful calamities which fell on the people. But we must always keep in mind the fact that all those scriptures were fulfilled in that generation in which Jesus and his disciples lived.” (Hosea Ballou, 1805 – Treatise on the Atonement) | Tentmaker Books | Online Bible Books: Ed Stevens’ “What Happened in AD70?” – List Preterist Universalists
PRE-FULL PRETERIST HYPER PRETERISM
- 1826 : Thomas Brown – A History of the Origin and Progress of the Doctrine of Universal Salvation “I shall now prove, and prove only from the scriptures, that this was the end of the world, the end of the age, the day of judgment, and “the days of vengeance, that all things which are written by Moses and the prophets might be fulfilled.” And the hell that people have so long been talking about was in Jerusalem.” “Now the whole just amounts to this, that the only way to prove a hell of endless punishment, must be to prove that what is said by the prophets.. means endless punishment. If that can be done, then we must, to our great grief and sorrow, and to the sorrow of all good men, give up Universal Salvation. .. I conclude that no man of sense and learning will ever undertake it, nor to find a law that ever threatened such punishment for sin, then we have gained the victory, the great and long controversy is decided.”
- 1832: Thomas Whittemore: Notes and Illustrations of the Parables of the New Testament “Some recent authors have expressed much surprise, that Universalists of the present day should apply so many passages of the New Testament to the destruction of Jerusalem. To name no other, Rev. Parsons Cooke speaks ‘of the credulity of those who embrace the system of Universalism,’ in believing ‘that so large a part of the Bible should relate to the destruction of Jerusalem.’ ‘If ever I succeeded,’ says he,’ in digesting the monstrous absurdity, I would be honest enough to call things by right names, and label the New Testament, “JERUSALEM’S DESTRUCTION FORETOLD.”
- 1843 : Adin Ballou – The True Scriptural Doctrine of the Second Advent, an Effectual Antidote to Millerism “The “second coming,” “appearing,” or “revelation,” of Christ, in his regal and judicial glory, took place about the time of the final dispersion of the Jews, at the end of the Mosaic age. The general resurrection and day or age of judgment, then commenced in the invisible world, denoted to mortals only by the remarkable signs, terrors, and dreadful events, attendant on the destruction of Jerusalem. Then all departed souls in Hades came forth, clothed with immortality, before the judgment seat of Christ, they that had done good to the resurrection of life, and they that had done evil unto the resurrection of condemnation. The patriarchs, prophets, apostles and saints, who had previously finished their course on earth, and were resting in hope, then entered into their glory in the resurrection of the just.” (p.3)
- 1843 : Thomas B. Thayer – Universalist Miscellany The “Coming” “Appearing” “Revelation” &c. in Scriptural Usage – “These passages show that the revelation of Christ in judgment was, very near, on the eve of opening when the revelator wrote, which, as we have said, was immediately preceding the event, about A. D. 69; and the destruction of Jerusalem took place about two years after, A. D. 70, so fulfilling all the predictions of Christ and his apostles.”
- 1845 : Dr. David Thom – Three Grand Expositions of Man’s Enmity to God Thom’s Response to Robert Townley (earliest known Full Preterist), who converted to Universalism shortly thereafter. “Professor Bush is, I perceive, a favourite writer with him. He is also a favourite with the American Universalists, a body which boasts of numbering among its adherents above 600,000 individuals, and which happens to agree with my friend in his notion of Christ’s second coming being past.”
FIRST FULL PRETERIST BOOK WRITTEN IN RESPONSE TO THOM
FULL PRETERIST HYPER PRETERISM
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- 1845: Robert Townley – The Second Advent of Jesus Christ: A Past Event (1845) Earliest Known Full Preterist Book
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Converted to Universalism Shortly After Releasing Earliest Known Full Preterist Book in 1845
- 1854: P.S. Desprez – The Apocalypse Fulfilled in the Consummation of the Mosaic Economy “It remains to be tried whether the ideas of a finished salvation, a perfected Christianity, an open kingdom of heaven, a life-state in Christ, an eternal reign in an eternal kingdom already set up, might not have a more constraining influence upon mankind than the questionable theory of an uncertain coming.“
- 1878: Thomas Rattray – The Regal Advent and the Resurrection, of the Past “The subject of the regal advent as accomplished in A.D.70 is not a novelty. The learned Grotius of the seventeenth century, and some others of note in that and subsequent times advocated it.
- 1879: Hyper Preterist Assassin, Charles Guiteau – The Truth: A Companion to the Bible “Christendom must have a new theology — a theology to fit the fact that Christ came A. D. 70. The great practical effect of this doctrine will be to establish the faith of Christendom in the Bible. This doctrine throws a calcium light upon the New Testament. It illuminates its otherwise mysterious words, verses, and chapters. No one can understand the Bible without this view of the second coming. It is a living stream of water running through the New Testament. This doctrine is the missing link, uniting Primitive Christianity with modern Christianity, and, it is believed, Holy Ghost power will come to the church by a belief in this doctrine. Thousands have rejected the Bible, to their eternal death, on account of its apparent inconsistency, not knowing the truth concerning Christ’s second coming.. We epitomize the history of the race thus : Adam, Noah, Abraham, Christ’s birth, Christ’s death and resurrection, Christ’s second coming, A. D. 70. Christ’s second coming is the pivotal fact of history.” (pp. 53,55)
- 1890: Alexander Brown – The Great Day of the Lord: A Survey of New Testament Teaching on Christ’s Coming in His Kingdom, the Resurrection, and the Judgement of the Living and the Dead “To sum the whole into a sentence — with the fall of Jerusalem, the then existing age was ended, the dead were judged, the saints were raised to heaven, and a new dispensation of a world-wide order instituted, of which Christ is everlasting King, and ever present with His people, whether living here or dead beyond.”
- 1971: Max R. King – The Spirit of Prophecy
BEING EDITED AND CLASSIFIED WITH GREATER SCRUTINY PRIOR TO ADDITION ABOVE
Preston
- The Ashes of the Red Heifer – “If Christ has not completely fulfilled the prophetic aspect of the red heifer sacrifice the old law is still in effect. If he has fulfilled the prophetic element of that offering the old law has passed—and death has been abolished.”
- Every Eye Shall See Him – “It is strange indeed that such a literalistic interpretation has been imposed on Revelation 1:7 when this violates the inspired interpretation (Matthew 24:30-34) of the source of the verse (Zechariah 12:10.)”
- A Critical Text – “We conclude that Matthew 16:27-28 is a prediction by Jesus to return in judgment, in his kingdom glory, in the lifetime of his disciples.”
- With The Sound of the Trumpet – “The trumpet was to be blown for the gathering of God’s elect from the “death” of separation from God’s presence and fellowship.”
- How Heaven & Earth Passed Away! – “If you believe that the Old Covenant has passed away then you must believe that Heaven and Earth have passed away!”
- How Is This Possible? – “Since the Thessalonican concept of the day of the Lord was the Old Covenant concept, and their concept was CORRECT then it follows that the day of the Lord for which they were looking was not the end of time but was instead a time when God would judge his people.”
- A Local Judgment? – “We find untenable the contention that the fall of Jerusalem was a localized judgment. It was in fact the universal judgment of the living and the dead!”
- More On No Death, No Sorrow, No Pain – “To literalize means that the Old Covenant prophecies have not yet been fulfilled and Jesus taught that all prophecy had to be fulfilled before the Old Covenant could pass.”
- World Without End – “The Bible does not speak of the end of time, but of the time of the end.”
- Can God Tell Time? – “If “at hand” time statements mean nothing at all, then God cannot tell time.”
- Babylon The Great of Revelation – “In Revelation the coming of Christ, the New Creation, judgment and resurrection are associated with the fall of Babylon. To mistakenly identify Babylon is to incorrectly interpret these issues.”
- When All Things Written… – “When we mistakenly believe the Bible is concerned about the “end of time” instead of the “time of the end” we cannot allow Jesus’ words in Luke 21:22 to speak for themselves.”
- Hebrews 9:28 – The Second Coming – “Since Christ’s coming in 70 was the coming for redemption, and since he was to return only once for salvation per Hebrews 9:28, then Christ’s return in 70 was the final coming of Christ.”
- Thessalonians & The Olivet Discourse – “Context and consistency demands the identical subject matter of the Olivet Discourse and II Thessalonians 2–the end of the Old World of Judaism at the coming of Jesus Christ in 70 AD.”
- The Time Has Come – “1 Peter 4:17 has revealed very powerful evidence that Peter was anticipating the consummative judgment coming of Jesus.”
- Nature of the Parousia – “In his discussion of the transition from the “outer man” to the inner, from the temporal to the eternal, Paul says “we do not look on the things that are seen, but on the things that are unseen” (2 Corinthians 4:16f). He patently cannot be saying that the resurrection change would be unperceived! It would be seen (perceptual) but unseen (not optical!).”
MS Cheo – Singapore Preterist
- The New Heaven and New Earth, Millennium, New Jerusalem – Explained! – “Making fragile human Christians living between A.D.30 to A.D. 70 to be reigning with Christ as Kings and Priests is stretching the words too much.”
- “They who pierced Him” and the Horrible Death of Jesus – MS Cheo “This association comes to me as my belief in preterism increases. I hope the above analysis will bring forth further harmony of the Bible, and (finally) identify the real “they who pierced Him” to be, or at least, the real reason behind. Though I am a preterist, it may not necessary reflect the view and belief of other preterists. Nevertheless, please share with me your thoughts, reasons and arguments if you think I am going onto a loony path.”
- Just who is the Elijah-to-come – Singapore “I believe the crux of the problem in identifying this prophesied Elijah is that we had been taught (or led) to associate the Messenger of Mal 3:1 and the Elijah-to-come of Mal 4:5 to be one and the same person! In the flash of a moment, it occurred to me that they could be two distinct persons. Further studies show me that these two distinct persons did come and faithfully complete their missions during the lifetime of Jesus! “
David B. Curtis – Reformed
- The Law is Fulfilled “The Mosaic Law is a unit. It exists as a unit or not at all. This notion that the Mosaic Law can be sliced and diced into ceremonial, civil, and moral is not one that you will find anywhere in the Bible. “
- Preterism and the Lord’s Supper – “Redemption is complete, we are now dwelling in the promise land of the New heaven and earth, in the very presence of God. As we observe the Lord’s Supper, we celebrate a completed redemption.”
- The Theme of Revelation – “Revelation was written before Nero’s death in 68AD. The book is largely fulfilled.”
- The Resurrection from the Dead – “The Scriptures testify that the time of the resurrection was to be at the end of the Old Covenant age. We know this to have happened in AD 70 with the destruction of the Jewish Temple. The disciples knew that the fall of the temple and the destruction of the city meant the end of the Old Covenant age and the inauguration of a new age.”
Kenneth Davies – Evangelical
- An Answer to the Article By Dr. Larry Spargimino – “The “blessed hope” of the New Testament is that Christ would return within the lifetime of at least SOME of those to whom Jesus spoke (Matt. 16:27-28; 24:34, etc.). Dr. Spargimino should deal with the verses cited in the article, “An Air of Expectancy,” by Terry Siverd. If that hope was delayed or never occurred (as critics of Christianity, such as the atheist Bertrand Russell allege), then Jesus and His apostles either lied or were mistaken, and Christians truly do have a “blasted hope”!
Dan Delagrave
- The Times of the Gentiles – “Jerusalem’s first century desolation represented the time when Christ put his enemies – read I Thessalonians 2:15-16 – under his feet. This was accomplished during a forty two month period which Jesus called “the times of the Gentiles”.
Gene Fadeley
- What Happened to the Rapture? – ” How little has the expectations of 21st century people changed from the expectations of first century Jews. People are still determined to have the physical king and kingdom that the first century Jews did not receive. However, the words of Jesus still ring true, “my kingdom is not of this world” and “the kingdom is within you. The root of the problem has been the failure of seeing the difference between the physical and the spiritual.”
- Who is the Antichrist? –“The word “antichrist” is only used four times in the scriptures, all by the apostle John. Surprisingly, the word “antichrist” never appears in the book of Revelation.”
Michael Fenemore
Ward Fenley
- A Letter To My Dad
- Ward Fenley : The Second Coming of Christ Already Happened! (1996)
- What About Hymenaeus and Philetus
- The Myth of ‘Already But Not Yet’ Theology
- A Response to Fred Zaspel And ‘Already But Not Yet’ Theology
- Ward Fenley: The Last Days
- To This End Was I Born
Bryan Forgy
- 2nd Affirmative by Bryan Forgy on Hermeneutics
- An Answer to Toussaint’s ‘Critique of the Preterist View of the Olivet Discourse’
Elton Foster – Comprehensive Grace
- The New Man – “the “Resurrection” and the “Spiritual body” cannot and should not be separated. The scriptures are clear, that the two co-inside with each other.”
Eric Fugett, Author of A Personal Revelation
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- The Second Coming of Jesus Was Not in A.D.70 (2004) “Josephus believed it was an act of God that Gallus did not end the war at that time (Josephus, The Wars, Book II, Chapter 19, Sections 4-6). “
- The Birth of Jesus (2004) “Is it just a coincidence that when the one true High Priest comes into the world, that for the first and only time, a temporary High Priest is appointed to perform the important duties for the Day of Atonement? Not if you believe, as I do, that the exact date for Jesus’ birthday is the Day of Atonement or September 11, 5 BCE. “
- Matthew 24: Before the Second Coming of Jesus (2004) “In this article, “A Personal Revelation” author, Eric Fugett explains the signs of Matthew 24 that describe the events that were to occur before Jesus returned.
- The Seven Heads and Ten Horns (2004) “David Chilton makes a case for the number “eight” being the number that represents resurrection in his book, Days of Vengeance (pp. 434-437). He sites the eight survivors of the flood, and Jesus’ resurrection on the eighth day (since it was a Sunday) as his reasoning. Therefore, since Rome had struggled through the reigns of Galba, Otho, and Vitellus, Vespasian’s reign represented a resurrection of the Roman Empire’s power. Vespasian defeated most of Judea and sent his son Titus to destroy Jerusalem. Titus is the prince (NKJV) who was prophesied to come and destroy the city and the sanctuary in Daniel 9:26.”
- A Personal Revelation (2003) Chapter 1: The Quest Begins “In the first three verses John uses the words “soon take place” and “time is near” to describe the events that he will be writing about. We are told in verse seven that Jesus is coming. If we combine that with the time frame that has already been discussed, then the 1st Century Church must have been relieved, excited, and alarmed as well.”
- The Resurrection of the Dead – “1 Corinthians 15:52 tells us that the last trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised. Seven Feasts of Trumpets passed from the time that John was given The Revelation (September 11 63 CE (AD)), to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE (AD). Remember that eight is the number that represents resurrection. The eighth Feast of Trumpets occurred on September 24, 70 CE (AD) shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem. This was the day that the dead were resurrected.”
Joseph E. Gautier, Jr.
- Preterist ApoLOGICetic (1998) – “All over the world, on a daily basis, traditional-thinking Christians are being converted to partial preterism. Likewise, all over the world, partial preterists are studying themselves right into full preterism, shedding futurism along the way. The direction is towards the truth.”
- David Chilton – “How is it that David Chilton went towards heresy? Is that what we do? We just wake up one morning, and decide to embrace what we know is heresy? Could it be that David Chilton got it ?”
- The Domino Effect of Matthew 16:27 – “Everything that the Old Testament Prophets had prophesied were fulfilled in that first-century generation of Christians. Just as Jesus said they would.”
Gabor Gombor – Reformed
- More on the Man of Sin (2003) “If the iniquity refers to the Jewish priesthood and the Man of Lawlessness was probably a leader of a rebellious Jewish party how the two are connected? According to Josephus, neither John Gischala, nor Simon of Gioras were not priests, but simply plunderers, wicked men. How the biblical ignorance of Law can be applied to criminals?“
- Response to Regarding “Annihilationism” (2003)
- Word Games on the Rapture (2002) “The critic who stands against the physical rapture fights against a picture of saints flying into the space. It is the next word game with the “air”. Why did not use the author the world “ouranos” here? Let us realize that a rapture does not require flying into sky. The spiritual-physical rapture does not require for a body to fly up. The body can simply disappear and the invisible new uncorrupted body emanates to the Lord. “
- Habitats of the New Jerusalem (2002)
Danny Green
- Answering Hank, the ‘Bible Answer Man’ (1996) “we’re having a problem here.. because now we’re not talking about acceptable differences among Christians with regard to the timing of the end, but we’re now discussing something that has to do with the Gospel itself”
Jim Gunter
- Prophetic Apocalyptic Language (2006) “when we read this type of prophecy in the “new testament,” whether by Jesus, or by one of the inspired writers, I personally believe that it is imperative that we go to the original source of such language if we are to arrive at its true meaning! This is important, because, as we just learned, Jesus’ use of that awesome, colorful, celestial imagery in Mt. 24:29 was not the first time that those words were uttered in prophecy. As we have seen, it had its roots in the old covenant Scriptures – the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”
- The New Heavens and Earth (2006) “I just can’t see but one way to interpret those words of the Lord, and that is: If “heaven and earth” have not yet “passed away,” then that old covenant, the law of Moses, is still in effect today! I just don’t see any other possible way to understand that passage. Therefore, if we take the position that the law of Moses has indeed been fulfilled and removed, which we all do, then it would naturally follow that “heaven and earth,” whatever they were, have also “passed away.” Beloved, if this is not the case, then Jesus’ words here have no meaning at all, but are contradictory in themselves!”
- The Hope of Israel (2006)
- Little Verse — Big Controversy! (2006) “There is one particular verse in the New Covenant Scriptures which, although relatively short in content, is of enormous significance as it relates to our eschatological thinking in the 21st century Christian community . This is because of the fact that it has much to do with how we think regarding the “Parousia” (coming, presence, arrival), which is most often spoken of as the “Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This little verse is from a statement made by our Master in Mat.24:36 in His “Olivet Discourse,” and reads: “But of that DAY and HOUR no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”
- “Heaven and Earth Must First Pass Away” (2004) Matthew 5:17,18 “I am fully persuaded by these words of Jesus, that if “heaven and earth” have indeed NOT “passed away,” then we today would of necessity still be held sway under the Old Covenant or Law of Moses. If in fact “heaven and earth” have not “passed away,” then it would mean that not ONE “stroke or the smallest letter” found in the Law has passed away!”
- “The Last Days” (2004) “Beloved is there any wonder why Peter on Pentecost pleaded with them to “Be saved from THIS PERVERSE GENERATION?” (Ax.2:40). Yes, folks, as an inspired apostle, Peter knew what was about to befall THAT GENERATION.”
- The Apostle That Remained: John 21:23 (2004) “From a careful study of the Word, one would also have to conclude that if His “coming or presence” has already occurred, then it would have been accompanied by “The Resurrection and The Judgment,” seeing that all of these events all are inextricably linked together. The following are just a very few of the passages that, when all considered, are so persuasive to me that John did indeed “remain till the coming or Parousia of Jesus”
- “And Thus, All Israel Will Be Saved” Romans 11:26 (2004) “In its simplest terms, this verse is saying, “And in this manner (in this way), all Israel will be saved.”
Walt Hibbard – Reformed
- Hibbard Replies to Sam Frost’s Analysis and Critique of Taken to Heaven in AD70: Blessings Expected a the Parousia By Ian D. Harding (2006) “At this point I think it is only fair, open and honest to urge the “heaven now” preterists to return to sanity in their eschatological studies. If they choose not to do so, they are laying themselves wide open for ridicule and laughter from the entire futurist community and many preterists as well – and even worse will do insurmountable damage to the preterist cause, and to the credibility and honor of the Lord Jesus Christ, the very One whom preterists strive to honor in virtue of their adopting the preterist viewpoint! “
- A Response to Ken Gentry’s “A Brief Theological Analysis of Hyper-Preterism” (2004) “Having been a covenant theologian for many years now, it must seem odd to Ken to now find himself in a debate opposing a viewpoint which, more than any other, deserves the name of covenant eschatology, the full preterist position! “
- An Open Letter to Harold Camping of Family Radio (2003)”As a Bible teacher heard on Family Radio around the world, you carry an enormous responsibility before our Sovereign God to proclaim the Word of God faithfully in His sight. Millions of people around the world are looking to you as a reliable Bible teacher. Because it is a very serious matter to be a teacher of God’s Word, James records under inspiration in the first verse of his third chapter that “teachers…will receive greater judgment.” It behooves those who teach, therefore, to be absolutely certain that they accurately and honorably reflect God’s message to their hearers.”
- Our Presuppositions Are What Makes A Difference – “Only Jesus Christ was resurrected in His sinless earthly body. Only to Jesus was it promised that His body would not suffer decay (Acts 2:31; 13:37). He was sinless and born of the Virgin Mary. He did not inherit Adam’s sin unto Himself, but was sinless and undefiled. “
- The Context Trap “Puzzling prophetic passages, regardless of whether certain “key words” are found in the immediate context of a passage or not, can not be postponed or re-assigned to an “end of history” because there is no Biblical proof that there is such a thing at all! The scholar who insists on creating a future-to-us fulfillment focal point enters into a “no man’s land” of prophetic speculation, which is pure fantasy! “
- The Resurrected Body of Jesus Christ (2004) “I am not denying that Christ has a body. I am affirming that it is a “body of glory” that He did not possess before His crucifixion and ascension. Neither am I affirming that our resurrection will be bodiless! I believe that the resurrection does indeed involve the saints receiving new bodies (1 Cor. 15:37-38) – new, immortal, imperishable, spiritual bodies (vs. 42-49) – changed in nature from the bodies we now have.”
- The Bridge from Futurism to Preterism (2004) “Perhaps the logic of it all ought to be turned back upon the opponents of preterism. How can they dare to suggest that Jesus really did not fulfill His promises that He said He would and in the way that He said He would? If it is scary to 21st century ears that the second coming has already happened, how much more scary should it be to suggest that the second coming has not yet taken place?”
- Five Views of the AD70 Rapture “..Mr. Ian Harding of Australia. I see his refinement of “The Literal Rapture Expectation” view, which I have called simply “The Perfect Is Heaven” view, as the only preterist view of the rapture and related events that meets the full requirements of scripture.”
- A Brief Study of Two Amazing Imminency Verses in Acts 24
- You Have Made the Commandment of God of No Effect by Your Tradition
- A Courteous Response to Dr. Gary North’s Vitriolic Essay: “‘Full Preterism’: Manichean or Perfectionist-Pelagian? – “No early ecumenical creed, or confession that emanated from the Protestant Reformation has ever interpreted Christ’s Olivet Discourse, or any part of it, from even a pseudo-preterist perspective.”
- Hibbard Responds to Sandlin’s Response – “While being careful to distance Ken Gentry from the more consistent “full preterists,” Sandlin seems to defend the “partial preterist” view as thoroughly orthodox. Yet in spite of this, Sandlin pounces on Sproul’s statement that “the preterist is a sentinel standing against frivolous and superficial attempts to downplay or explain away the force of these [eschatological time] references”.
- Introduction of Sandlin and Hibbard | David Chilton, Leading RpP, Turned Preterist
Matthew Hocker
- 70 Questions for Pre-Tribulational, Pre-Millennial Dispensationalists (2005) “Why was Daniel told to seal the words of his prophecy for the time of the end (Daniel 12:4,9) , but John was told to NOT seal his prophecy, because the time was at hand (Revelation 22:10) ?”
Tom Huber
- Letter to Some Brethren on 2 Peter 3 Regarding the Destruction of the Heavens and the Earth (2004) “Due to the recent discussion on 2 Peter 3, I felt I should present my understandings in a verse by verse format. I believe this will present my opinions in a clearer manner. I hope that what I have presented below is received as a reasonable understanding of these texts. I just want to show that there is a credible basis for what I believe to be true, and that nothing in what follows is against sound doctrine. Thank you for your time, and patience.”
Timothy James
- A Rejection of the Non-Occurrance Theory – “The fact that they believed the Lord had come before A.D. 70 shows that they interpreted His return as a spiritual coming in the early church. Even though they were premature, it only supports our early research that they expected His return just as He said, in that generation.”
- Preterist Eschatology in the Sixteenth Through Eighteenth Centuries
- Timothy James’ Compilation of “Return of Christ in Religions” (2004)
David Johnson
Max R. King – Transmillennial (TM)
Michael Krall – Pristine Grace
- The Law Fulfilled – When? (2006) “Now here is the dilemma. If these fall feasts are still waiting to be fulfilled then according to our Lord’s words in Matt 5 we are still obligated to keep the whole of the law. There is no getting around that. They are either all fulfilled or are all still binding.”
- The Sting of Death (2006) “Most people apply the verses in Charles Wesley’s “Easter” hymn, as referring to Christ’s resurrection. After all is that not what the whole song is about? Yes it is, but are those verses quoted in 1Cor 15:54ff, which are taken from two Old Testament passages, fulfilled at the resurrection of Christ or at some time future to that resurrection? Paul is quite clear when he says “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written…”
- The Receiving of the Kingdom (2006) “When was the kingdom of God received by Christ and the saints of the Most High? There are several passages that show us exactly when and how the kingdom was received.”
- A Look at Who Babylon is in the Book of Revelation (2005) “Note that in both these sections of Scripture the city is burned and then comes the marriage feast. Is there any doubt now as to the reality of whom the great city is? The comparison of Matthew 22 with Revelation 18-19 is very striking.”
- The PALTALK Adversaries of Preterism: What Are They Afraid Of? (2004) “It is obvious that the reason they are afraid to debate on neutral ground — and some even hide behind the false statement that they don’t debate heresy — is because they cannot respond to the timing texts and the issue of audience relevance. They think the nature of the resurrection is the big issue but none of them have as of yet taken the time to respond to any articles or answer questions that deal with the nature of the resurrection from a Preterist perspective. “
- The Shoehorn Theology of Manata’s TAAHP Argument (2004) “when asked point blank in a discussion group if there are any liars or unclean people in the internal (to use his term) New Covenant he said “deal with progressive sanctification.” Implying by that statement that truthfulness and cleanness come progressively in the life of Christian and before the believer dies he MUST be fully delivered from what is unclean and lying (false doctrine) through this progressive sanctification, or else how can he enter that city described in Rev 21:27?”
- The Nature of the Resurrection (2004) “the kingdom comes without observation when Jesus comes in power and great glory in the glory of the Father whose comings in the Old Testament were also not with observation.”
- More Refutation of Paul Manata’s TAAHP Argument Regarding Liars in the New Heavens and Earth (2004)
- The Promise of a New Heavens and New Earth – When? (2003) “claiming a double fulfillment does not solve this problem as to who this is that preceded the coming in of the new heavens and new earth. Timing has been established and claiming double fulfillment is mere speculation resulting from a preconceived notion that there must be a literal destroying and recreating of the cosmos.”
- Refuting the Transcendental Argument Against Preterism (2003) “So what are we left with if this is a description of heaven? We are left with either some intermediate state of the dead in Christ or soul sleep neither of which would be a place where these blessings can and will be realized.”
- The Manifestations of the Sons of God (2003) “The New Covenant is a fulfilled hope where the believer is living in the light of the full and complete redemption of our blessed Redeemer.”
- What if Fulfilled Eschatology is Proved False? (2003) “Those holding to fulfilled eschatology take the time factors in the New Testament such as “there are some standing here that will not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom” in Matthew 16:28 to be literal.”
- Israel’s Hope (2003) Compiled by Mike Krall “the hope of Israel was indeed the resurrection of the dead.”
- A Better Resurrection – “So if he is yet to return at the end of the age of everlasting covenant instead of the end of the old covenant then these hopes are not fulfilled and we are not in possession of eternal life, do not have righteousness by faith nor do we have salvation. That is what we are left with if Christ has not returned and he is then an absent king and the New Covenant is still a time of unfulfillment.”
Brian L. Martin
- Behind the Veil of Moses (2004)
- All These Things… (2002) “This is God speaking to Moses at the burning bush. He is going to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt, and bring them into Canaan. More importantly, here we have presented in face value scripture that the Lord came down. It wasn’t physical, although much happened in the physical realm as evidence of His coming down. This is exactly what Preterists believe happened in 70 AD. Christ returned, delivered His saints, and judged His enemies. How can we believe the scriptures when they tell us that the Lord came down in deliverance/judgment in the first generation, and yet not believe them when they tell us that He would do the very same to the last (His) generation – especially when we see virtually identical events taking place?”
Vern Mason
- How to See Him Now – “He was then with them physically, but was to soon be in them. “The world seeth me no more, but…” They were to soon see Him in a infinitely greater dimension, one which had no end. And they did. “
- Idolatry in the Doctrine of the Second Coming? – “We have no need for a physical presence, for the Spiritual is infinitely superior to the physical. It was the spiritual aspect of the Kingdom that was central to Christ’s teachings.”
Richard McPherson
- What Kind of “God” Do We Know? (2003) “Thomas Ice states that Daniel 9:24-27 supports a gap and that Daniel knew there was a gap between the 69th and 70th week. He also believes that Jesus did not know about the gap when He quoted Daniel. Daniel knew about and not Jesus. God the Father must have forgotten to tell Jesus about this little gap. Not only that, Jesus lied to His disciples and to the people when He taught to about the “Kingdom of God” being “near” or “at hand”. If Jesus lied about this, what other things did He lie about?”
- The Lord’s Supper: Is it for Today?
- If Christ Has Not Come “The Futurist needs to rethink everything, because under their belief we should be living under the Law of Moses still, to be consistent with scripture.”
- Does Satan Exist Today? – “The Bible says NOTHING on the origin of the Devil. Personally, I really do not wonder about his origin. The big thing is that he is defeated, destroyed and is no more. Where did the devil start? Who really cares, because he is no more.”
Jack C. Scott Jr. – Church of Christ
- A Troublesome Thorn, But For Whom? – “No one should ever be intimidated by someone who has “assumed” a particular theological view to be correct, who then sets up some tidy little questions, that if not answered correctly (according to his view), would theoretically prove one’s own view incorrect. Starting with an “assumption” or a “this is the way we have always believed it” mentality has no place in the realm of valid exegesis and hermeneutical science.”
- But What Will They Do Will Luke 17? – “A warning to the intrepid! Daring to rise up and question some of the issues of eschatology that have been so readily believed and taught, or more accurately, the “way” they have been believed and taught, can result in vilification and one being treated as a pariah. This is not an area of study for the easily frightened. “
- Sticking To The Issues?
Larry Siegle – Church of Christ
- On the Resurrection (2004) “The IBD view steps backwards and seeks to find a physical application to that which God intended to be spiritual in nature.”
- Salvation Surgery – “From a physical standpoint, Adam and Eve did not experience death “in the day” of their transgression. Therefore, the “death” Adam and Eve would face “in the day” of their transgression must have had reference to something other than biological cessation.”
Daniel T. Silvestri
- All Jewish Festivals Are Fulfilled – “I agree that Jesus’ “appearing a second time” is wrapped up in the Judaic law, but to think we continue to wait for atonement of sin and to be in the presence and tabernacle with God is simply not Biblical.”
- Questions for Dispensationalists, Premillennialists, and other Futurists – “a brief exposition challenging the Biblical legitimacy of the currently popular “end times” prophetic scenarios surrounding the “second coming” of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Perspectives in New Testament Eschatology – “A brief exposition of the general presuppositions which guide Biblical interpretation. Special emphasis is placed on the Spiritual nature of the Biblical scriptures and how intellectual understanding guides eschatological perception.”
- Futurist Eschatology Unconvinving
Terry Siverd – Church of Christ
- The End of All Things – “When Peter said “all things” he was referring to the fulfillment of ALL Biblical prophecy.”
- An Air of Expectancy – “If it is true, that the early (pre-70 A.D.) Christians behaved like an expectant church, eagerly anticipating the consummation of all things in their life time, one must ask why did not the apostles correct such a distorted vision?”
- Identifying Babylon in the New Testament, Part 1 – “His letters declare the imminent destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem. Peter’s “Babylon” was none other than Jerusalem! “
- Identifying Babylon in the New Testament, Part 2 – “The hermeneutical key that will open up new perspectives and insights is the realization that the book of Revelation follows in the tradition of Christ, the prophets and the apostles by speaking out against `Jerusalem’ and covenant apostasy.”
Edward Stevens – Reformed
- Regarding “Annihilationism” (2003) “Now I wish there was some hermeneutical or exegetical way to physicalize or spiritualize this text out of existence, but the stark reality of a real eternal torment in a spiritual place called the Lake of Fire is too clear in this text. Hell exists forever and ever, and the wicked and demons who go there will consciously experience the torment day and night forever and ever. Scary, isn’t it? It should be.”
- Silence Demands a Rapture (2000) “A rapture easily explains why no Christian after AD 70 mentioned the occurrence of the parousia (they weren’t around to document it). So when a non-rapture preterist asserts that the rapture preterist has a “documentation problem,” it leaves three fingers pointing back at him. The non-rapture preterist has three other events to find documentation for (parousia, resurrection and judgment). “
- A Servant’s View (1997) “we are not theological liberals or theistic evolutionists! And, in regard to our similarity to the Reconstructionist position? I see nothing wrong with their desire to reconstruct our nation and world around a Biblical-Christian world view. I do not agree with their Post-mil futurist eschatology, but I do appreciate their very conservative and timely approach to malting our world a more Godly place for future generations to live in.”
- A Response to “The A.D.70 Doctrine” (1997) “I have heard many people assert that there is an “abundance’ of evidence to support the 96 AD date of Revelation. All of it I have seen is based on a poorly-translated statement by Irenaeus. This is the guy who said Christ lived until the age of fifty.”
Bruce Terry
Daniel Thompson
- Romans 11:11-32 – A Commentary – 56 pp. Booklet by “we have no hint of such a blindness followed by an “apocalyptic” doctrine of national conversion in the whole of Paul’s argument to this point in Romans 11. Even Paul’s “how much more their (Jews) fullness” in verse 12 is stated to secure the truth that assuredly if Gentiles who turn in faith are saved through Jewish unbelief “how much more” sure is Jewish acceptance guaranteed if they turn in faith.”
- A Commentary – Romans 7:13-25 – “Romans chapter seven has been the subject of unending debate since St. Augustine saw a different man portrayed in Romans 7:14-25 than the previous three centuries. For three hundred years, the Christian expositors had seen this section of Scripture as depicting an unconverted man and his struggles with sin and the law – apart from the life of God.”
Tracy D. VanWynGaarden
- Dualistic Eschatology: An Extensive Refutation of Partial Preterism “I find it interesting that Gentry criticizes Dispensationalism for their eschatological dualism saying, “In multiplying eschatological coming, resurrections, and judgments, premillennialism suffers from what Jay Adams calls eschatological ‘diplopia’ (Three Views on The Millennium and Beyond p. 243). How is this any different than Gentry’s eschatological dualism? His system multiplies the one end time, one second coming, one passing of heaven and earth, one new creation, one resurrection, one judgment and one hope. Doesn’t this qualify as “eschatological diplopia? Gentry’s views apparently have much in common with dispensationalism.”
- Problems with Premillennial Preterism
- Response to Marc Gibson’s “The AD 70 Doctrine Examined”