Re: Questions for the Preterists/Fullfilled Prophecy people here (Stormcrow, Hitch et
Part 4
As mentioned earlier, preterism also teaches that the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD represented Christ's second coming to earth and the "end of time" and the "end of the age". This claim is even more absurd than the previous claims of preterism. The prophet Daniel said that in the "time of the end" knowledge would be increased and people would be "running to and fro" or "rushing here and there". This, of course, is a perfect description of our contemporary times with high-speed travel, high-speed communication, high-speed knowledge and general fast-paced "rat race living". However, this does not apply at all to 70 AD, when the only means of travel was still by walking or riding an animal, and the only means of communication was by speaking face to face or by having a written message hand-delivered.
And, regarding the preterist claim that Christ returned in 70 AD, the Bible states that, immediately prior to Jesus' return, there will be spectacular, supernatural signs occurring in the heavens, such as the sun being darkened, the moon becoming like "blood" and not giving its light, and the stars falling from heaven, thus causing the seas and waves on earth to roar (Revelation 6:12-13; Matthew 24:29-30; Luke 21:25-28). There are no historical records of such colossal and catastrophic events taking place around 70 AD.
Scripture also states that when Christ comes the sky will be rolled up like a scroll, every eye will see Him, all of the unsaved people on earth will mourn, the wicked will hide in caves and rocks to try to not look at Him, there will be a shout, a trumpet blast, all of the dead bodies of the saints down through the ages will be resurrected immortal and incorruptible, and all of the saved saints will ascend together in the air to meet Jesus (Revelation 6:12-17; Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:30; 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17; 1st Corinthians 15:50-54). Once again, there are no historical records of any of these phenomenal events happening around 70 AD.
Preterists also teach that this sinful world is not destroyed when Christ comes, but that the continual cycle of sin and rebellion goes on forever on earth. This, of course, is also unbiblical. In the parable of the "tares of the field", Jesus said that the final harvest, when He separates the wicked from the just, constitutes being the "end of the age" or the "end of the world". He also said that all things that offend are removed and punished at this time, not just the Jews in Jerusalem, but "all of the wicked" (Matthew 13:24-30; Matthew 13:36-42). This contradicts preterism's teaching that only the Jews were punished in 70 A.D., which they say represented the "end of the age". Moreover, preterism's claim that Christ's return did not cause the world to come to an end, is another contradiction of Scripture. 1st Corinthians 15:23-28 states that the "end" comes when Christ returns, and it also says that the last enemy to be destroyed at this time is "death"; furthermore, it states that all things will have become "subject to Jesus" at this time. Of course, this text creates great problems for preterists, who say that Christ came in 70 AD. Why? Because the world did not end in 70 AD; death did not stop in 70 AD; and "all things" certainly did not become subject to Christ in 70 AD, for Jesus has continued to be cursed and blasphemed on a daily basis by millions on this wicked planet. When Jesus truly returns as foretold by Scripture, He will do a much better job of subjecting all things to Himself than what preterists give Him credit for.
Finally, preterism teaches that we are currently living on the "new earth", which Scripture says that God will create after the return of Christ and the end of this world. However, as usual, preterists run into all kinds of problems with their claim as soon as you examine the texts that describe this "new earth". Revelation 21:1-4 says that there is no death, pain, sorrow or crying in the new earth, and that there is no more sea/ocean. However, the last time that I checked, we still had the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as others, and we still are experiencing pain, sorrow, crying and death. Evidently, preterists must not get out much or read any newspapers.
Revelation 21:10-25 describes the "capital city" of the new earth, the New Jerusalem, and states that it is 1500 miles wide, 1500 miles long, and 1500 miles high; moreover, that its foundation stones are precious jewels, its doors are pearls, its walls are jasper, and its streets are gold. If there was such a city on this so-called "new earth", which preterists claim that we are now living on, I'm sure that someone would have spotted it. Also, Peter states that the coming new earth will be a place where righteousness dwells (2nd Peter 3:13). Is this earth that we're currently living on, filled with wars, murders, rapes, child abductions, abortions, adulteries, fornications, thefts, lies, blasphemies and abominations; is this earth a place where righteousness dwells? Such an assertion is ludicrous. In fact, all of the tenets of preterism are ludicrous and wildly unbiblical.
How do preterists respond to all of the specific and clear biblical facts and details that contradict their doctrine? They simply say that all of these things have a "spiritual" and "symbolic" meaning, and they don't actually mean what the literal language states in these scriptures. In other words, preterists have developed their own private type of "Bible Code" to justify their doctrine. That "Bible Code" is the theological paradigm or model called preterism, where things mean what preterists say that they mean, not what the specific language in the texts literally state. I, however, feel much safer sticking with the meaning that is conveyed by what is specifically stated within the exact wording of the divinely inspired scriptural texts themselves. God wrote the Bible so that common people can understand it without the assistance of theological paradigms or models created by mere human beings with religious agendas.
I must say that I'm amazed at the double standard employed by preterists in biblical interpretation. They can spiritualize, symbolize and "explain away" multitudes of specific, literal events foretold in Scripture, such as the sun being darkened, the stars falling, a great earthquake causing the mountains and islands to vanish, 100-pound hailstones, painful boils, a worldwide death decree, the seas and rivers being turned into blood, antichrist doing miracles, all the armies of the world joining antichrist to fight Jesus as He returns, every eye seeing Jesus at His coming, all of the unsaved people throughout the world mourning and trying to hide from Him as He returns, all of the dead saints being resurrected and ascending together with all of the saints who are alive when Jesus comes, the new earth's capital city having jasper walls and foundation stones made of jewels, the city also having streets of gold and pearl doors, and the new earth not having any pain, sorrow, crying or death etc.; preterists can spiritualize and symbolize all of these things away, with none of them meaning what they actually and literally say; yet, they insist that the words "soon" and "near" must literally mean exactly what preterists think they should mean, according to their own human perspective of time! Preterism's double standard is truly incredible.
One of the main themes of the New Testament is the hope and joy of the eagerly anticipated return of Jesus. Preterism removes this hope from 99% of all the people who have lived during the New Testament era, because there were probably only several million people alive on this entire planet in 70 AD. And, at least 99% of earth's total population since the creation of Adam and Eve, was born after 70 AD. I ask you, who would want to remove the importance, relevance, beauty, hope and joy of this central and prominent New Testament doctrine from 99% of all people who have lived in the New Testament era? There is only one logical answer, and that is the enemy himself, Satan. I must speak bluntly and boldly at the close of this article. Preterism is a deceptive and dangerous doctrine that blatantly distorts and manipulates Scripture. I pray that those who have been deceived by this doctrine will come to their senses and determine to read and understand the Scriptures the way they were written. Simply put, God says what He means, and He means what He says. And, preterism repeatedly and blatantly contradicts the clear and authoritative statements that God has made in the Bible.
Preterism: Is It Biblical? Free Reprint Article