As a former Full Preterist, I believe it is necessary to explain the reasons why I must now repent of this system of interpreting bible prophecy. For over 8 years, my deep conviction of this system blinded me from seeing beyond the Preterist realm, outside the confines of 70ad. All men must determine what truth is, and it is because of truth that we search and labor to gain understanding. Our understandings are what drive our convictions to do and to say what we believe is right. Within this process of maturing, which we all go through, it is always necessary that we allow God to make our paths straight by to continue challenging our own understanding. When we are wrong, we must repent and tare down the bad doctrines that are not grounded on a solid foundation. It is my opinion and purpose of this article to not only define why I believe a consistent Full Preterism system leads to Universalism, but also to define why I believe that complete fulfillment takes place in Christ and not externally within the realms of the physical destruction of Jerusalem in 70ad.
Heavens and Earth
The term heavens and earth is commonly used through out the bible. We see it displayed not only through the creation story but the bible is filled with this same imagery to describe that newly formed and established. When looking at the “new heavens and “new earth” in 2 Peter 3, we see an amazing picture that is quite remarkable. It is a major passage that is commonly used to define one’s vision of eschatology. In this passage there are three different “heavens and earth” that are visible within this chapter. First there is a description of the “old heavens and earth” that was destroyed by water (3:4-6). Second, there is a “present heavens and earth” which would be destroyed by fire (3:7). And third, we see a “new heavens and earth” in which righteousness dwells (3:13).
Most Christian writers believe that the “present heavens and earth” will one day “melt with fervent heat” at the destruction of the physical planet. In contrast, Preterists believe 2 Pet. 3 as referring to the end of the Jewish system or the law. Once the elements of that system are removed by the fall of the Mosaic system, the “new heavens and earth” then begins. This particular system focuses on the beginning of the “new heavens and earth” in occurring in 70ad at the time of the destruction of
Two key verses that most Preterist use for making such a deduction include Luke 21:22 “because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled.” And Matt. 5:18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” Both of these passages make a valid case that the first century generation expected complete fulfillment within their lifetime and that the passing of the “heavens and earth” were a crucial part of that fulfillment in order for the Law to pass or find its fulfillment.
In order to properly address the issue with the Preterist system, it important to define what the “new heavens and earth” refer to? When we look at the book of Revelation we see a picture similar to that which is found in Revelation 21. In Revelation 21:1-3 it says “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.” As pictured in Revelation, this “new heavens and earth” reveals the holy city which is the New Jerusalem. Whatever the New Jerusalem that is contained within the context of the “new heavens and earth” is, it must be noted that only those whose names are written in the book of life are allowed to enter in this city.
In Galatians 4:25-26 we see a contrast between the
Within the context of this heavenly
By applying a broader vision of each of these terms as a classification of the just and unjust, we can see that the first century generation and the destruction of
The External Focus of the Full Preterism
There seems to be many dangers in by allowing the focal point of fulfillment to be allowed to reside within the realms time, within the confines of the first century, rather than focusing on the things which is applied by Paul within the heart of a Christian. The confusion comes when an external application is made to the passing of “present heavens and earth” and is applied to the destruction of
The point that I am making is this.
1.) If the “new heavens and earth” came in 70ad and the passing of the “present heavens and earth” ended at the destruction of
2.) If the unrighteous can not dwell in the “new heavens and new earth”, then the “present heavens and earth” which is reserved for fire and judgment of ungodly men MUST BE a continued reality for the ungodly.
3.) If the “present heavens and earth” passes away in 70ad which is described as that which is reserved for fire, and kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men, then where does that leave judgment today for those who are ungodly? Peter makes it very clear 2 Pet 3:7 that “By the WORD” the present heavens and earth” are reserved for fire. As long as “The Word” continues to stand, it would seem logical to conclude that the “present heavens and earth” must likewise stand in order for judgment to continue. The bible also does not mention two “present heavens and earth” or two judgments. One fulfilled in 70ad and another which remains for the ungodly.
4.) If the “present heavens and earth” that is reserved for fire continues to be in existence as a dwelling place for the unrighteous today, then what really passed away in 70ad that does not pass away in Christ?
Within the confines of 2 Pet 3, it would seem within the context that Peter is looking at something that is externally focused. The “old heavens and earth” which are said to have passed away in the days of Noah is an example of an external application (of this earth, physical). The “present heavens and earth” also appear to also be external (of this earth, physical). Or are they? It would definitely be a stretch of the imagination to also place the “new heavens and earth” in an external or temporal realm, or make it to be something physically seen. If the “new heavens and earth” are of this realm then it must be denied based on 2 Pet 3:13 that both the righteous and unrighteous dwell or are coexistent within the same realms of the “new heavens and earth”. This goes to question that if the “new heavens and earth” are not physical or external, why wouldn’t the “old heavens and earth in the days of Noah” and the “present heaven and earth” described by Paul and Jesus also be place outside of the external or physical realm to be a representation of the judgment of the ungodly.
Looking again at, 2 Pet 3:7 which say that “by the Word,” “the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.” As pointed out above, if one concludes the “present heavens and earth” passes away in 70ad, than that which is left to uphold the “present heavens and earth”, which is the word, has also been made not valid. Matt. 5:18 seems to be a key passage used by Preterist circles to prove that the word remains after “the heavens and earth” pass away. Some have defiantly missed the connection to the “present heavens and earth” and the need for this to continue to remain as a dwelling place for the ungodly. If the “present heavens and earth” does in fact pass away in 70ad, then this logically means based on 2 Pet 3:7 that the judgment and destruction of ungodly men also passes away. This is certainly not true.
There seems to be many additional elements that many Preterists have been placed within the context of the first century generation and have in fact made them no longer valid after 70ad. All Christians recognize the simple fact of the relationship between those who are “in Christ” and “not in Christ”. However in light of the chart below, it is clear, that there many different terms that are being used to revealing not only the condition of human heart but also as a classification for those “in Christ” or “outside of Christ”. If we look at these elements which pass away “in Christ” as a resurrection from a realm below to a realm above, then all of the elements within both columns consistently classify those who are residing in death, or born again into life from above.
By removing the passing of the “present heavens and earth” one must consistently also conclude that every single item in column 1 representing the earthly things also passes away. Either all of column 1 pertain to only to 70ad, and pass away; or they stand today as a picture for those that are outside of the covenant. The direct result of removing any one of these items and placing them with the context of 70ad results in the removal of the classification of the ungodly. This is a major problem of placing eternal things within the confines of the physical world, and in the context of time. By doing so, it becomes a filter by which a whole theology system flows through. On the other hand, by placing them outside of time, and seeing the invisible things they point to, it becomes clear that they are realized within the heart of a man. Preterist have externalized the elements by placing this within the realms of 70ad and made it the substance and focal point. They have also over emphasized one generation which was judged because of their unfaithfulness and unbelief and have made it only pertained to 70ad, not realizing individually this same judgment still stands present as a condition and classification of the heart.
Do all of these terms truly represent a classification for those who are saved and those who are not saved? If not, how can they be separated? This is a very relevant issue within the discussion of Preterism which state that some of the elements in column 1 pass away in 70ad but do not make a constant conclusion that all of these elements pass away. For example, some Preterists conclude that the “Present Heavens and Earth”; “this generation” passed away in 70ad. Other Preterist also remove the Law of sin and death ending 70ad. However, despite this fact, they still believe that judgment has an ongoing effect because of 70ad as opposed to 70ad being an outward show of the “present
Passing of the Law
It is clear that most of Christianity have missed the essence of Matt 5:17-18 by placing it within the context of a single event occurring at any point in time. Most Christians place the passing of the law within the confines of 30ad at the cross based on their understanding of Jesus comments “It is finished”. In contrast, Preterists extend the passing of the law to the destruction of
Throughout the bible we understand and see how both the types and antitypes of the Passover and the cross stood as representatives of the releasing of bondage and the entrance into rest. The bible also reveals that when Jesus, the Passover lamb was slain, that this event did not eliminate the practice of the law in all its forms and regulations. Saul, prior to his conversion, was one of the many examples of those who continued uphold the laws well after 30ad. It would also seem clear that the Law did not pass away at either point in time but only occurred when one is united with Christ through death. Paul says, “But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.” 2 Cor. 3:14.
It was important to note that Christ’s death on the cross, did not free Paul from the law or remove the veil over his own heart, but his conversion into Christ, was that which released the bondage to the law. It is the physical veil, seen torn at the cross, that pictures the separation between true atonement for sin, and the condemnation that remained over the people.
The physical cross, physical veil that was torn, the physical darkness, and the great earthquake that shook the earth, must be considered first and foremost for the things it represented. There is no denial that these events did not physically occur, but there are many dangers, of not seeing and realizing the essence of what they mean. It is very inconsistence, to call some elements an allegory, as Paul does in 2 Cor. 3:14 using the veil as a picture, without seeing all the other elements within the crucifixion story as also an allegory. By an allegory, this does not mean that are a fictional story, but a revealing of something higher than is not visible to the physical eye. Paul said the physical veil was an allegory to the unseen veil of the heart. And it is through our death to our old man, by being born again, can we enter behind the veil into the new heavens and earth which is representing the church. Jesus comments “it is finished” also seems to be a consummative moment not only through the event itself in the cross but it also a representative of the “it is finished” within our hearts. For Paul says in 2 Tim. 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Paul says in “For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.” (Rom 6:5-9) It is certainly clear from Paul’s statement that in Christ, the body of sin which is in bondage to the flesh was made free, and that in Christ we have risen never to die again. According to this passage, Christ died as a representative, of our death in him. It would certainly seem clear that this was not a 30ad issue, but an issue of dying to our old man.
When looking at Jesus comments in Matt 5:17-18, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” Preterists often commonly use this passage to show that Jesus was referring to the destruction of
Paul makes it clear in Romans 8:3-4, “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Galatians 5:14, “For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 1 Thess. 2:13, “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.” In light of these passages, Paul shows us that the passing of the law, was directly tied to the fulfillment that would occur within us. When this law is fulfilled within the heart according to the Spirit which gives life, we have essential moved out of column 1 into column 2.
“This Generation” & “This Age”
As shown within the context of column 1 and column 2, the false assumption that any one of the elements from column 1 or column 2 ended or began in 70ad results in the removal of the unbelievers and ungodly that are not allowed into the kingdom or the eternal rest. Instead of 70ad, it seems more appropriate to place the transition point to those who leave column 1 into column 2 as a passing that occurs “in Christ” as Paul does in 2 Cor. 5:17. By making 70ad as the passing from column 1 into column 2 Preterists are externalizing the “present heavens and earth”, which they also are guilty of doing with “this generation” and “this age” and making it pertain solely to the first century generation. If “this generation” and “this age” is placed in 70ad as the focal point rather than as a category for the unfaithful, one can also conclude that judgment under the condemnation of “this generation” is also removed at the fall of
It is admitted by most that Jesus uses the phase “this generation” or this “this age” many times within the context of the fall of
By making this assumption that Jesus is only taking about the physical generation of the first century, misses the exact point Paul was making about the allegorical things it represented. Placing it within the confines of 70ad, within the confines of the destruction of
The fact must be seen that “this generation” and “this age” and “the present Jerusalem” have not passed away but continue post 70ad and stand today as a representation for those who are unfaithful and not “in Christ”. The erosion of placing these elements temporally in 70ad rather than seeing that they are of the heart is an open realization that manifests itself within the confines of ones physical life. Either one chooses to eat from the tree of life or be a partaker of the tree of good and evil. Either one remains in the realms of “the unbelieving generation” or is found faithful “to obtain the age to come.” This is why Christianity as a whole is so opposed to the Preterist viewpoint. Making the assumption that the sole application Jesus makes in Matt. 23, Luke 21, and Mark 13 only pointed to the destruction of a physical city in the context of 70ad, makes judgment of the unbelievers a past event, no longer relevant. Paul had something higher and greater when he applied those physical elements and shadows to the heart.
Futurist also make the same mistake of placing things externally at some future point in time, rather than understanding that the real issue within the context of Jerusalem is really about which master we are serving. The reality is that the ungodly are still present and their dwelling place consists of the world below rather than the world above. God has never stopped or ended his faithfulness to judge those who are unrighteous. He has not stopped or ended his faithfulness to those who he has chosen and called and who have been cleansed from within the heart.
When looking at the following passages, it must be clearly seen that the generation that Jesus was referring to was internally applied within those unbelievers who remain in their sins. (Luke 11:32) “The men of
The truth is that all of these elements must continue to remain post 70ad. If any one item in column 1 passes away, the end results in the removal or passing of all of column 1. Just like the issue with the passing of the “present heavens and earth” or the removal of “this present age” or “this generation” from the context of any one of the relating elements. Each of these elements either stands or falls on the basis of ones faith and must be redefined to represent the heart of every man. This is the defining issues that separates one who is “in Christ” or “not in Christ”. He is either 100% in the first column or a 100% in the second column. One can not serve two masters, and likewise we can not place eternal truths within the real of time. God’s first command “You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your might.” Friends let us look beyond 70ad to the eternal things above in heavenly places.
The deductions that Preterist have made are enormous due to the external and temporal application within the confines of 70ad. This is why there is so much confusion as to the reasons why no inspired writer places the destruction of the physical city as a final passing away point in history. The reality is that not one passage contained within the bible places the “all things fulfilled” as a past tense. However James does applies “all things fulfilled” when he states “you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (James 2:8) Preterist continue to maintain that all things were fulfilled in 70ad however this is clearly denying the fulfillment within the heart that passes in Christ. It can not apply to 70ad and also apply within us. Either 70ad was the focal point, or in Christ is the focal point. This is the key issue. Past-poning or post-poning should be removed from the picture. The following chart should be carefully considered.
(2 Corinthians 3:5-6) Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
(Matthew 13:14-15) “In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them.’
