Preterism is a Lie

"We will not, however, incur the risk of pronouncing positively as to the name of Antichrist; for if it were necessary that his name should be distinctly revealed in this present time, it would have been announced by him who beheld the apocalyptic vision. For that was seen not very long time since, but almost in our day, towards the end of Domitians`s reign." (Against Heresies, v.xxx.3)

This was written by Irenaeus (120-202 AD) who was an early church father and who wrote the above in 180 AD.

PRETERISM IS A LIE!

Jesus did not come back in 70 AD.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17-18 KJV)

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:15 KJV)

In Germany there is no "preterism" at all - and people would only shake their heads...

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:12-26 KJV)

Telling the people that the resurrection of the dead has taken place Spiritually already is robbing people of the chance they have for the future. Christians are told to be on the watch day and night... for Jesus will come like a thief and they should be holy.

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (2 Peter 3:13-14 KJV)

How could they if they believe that Jesus came back in 70 AD?

After the first and second warning, reject a man of heresy, knowing that he who is such has been perverted, and sins, being self-condemned. (Titus 3:10-11 MKJV)

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:3 KJV)

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name
of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:16-19 KJV)

In addition, preterists steal the hope of the Christian believers:

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 KJV)

Preterists cannot do what Christ told the Disciples:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV)

In Preterists' views the Second Coming of Christ took place in 70 AD, so what should Disciples of today preach?

Preterism denies (or changes) most of the New Testament, and there will not be much left. Take this, for example:

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (2 Peter 3:13-14 KJV)
Peter speaks of a promise, but what a promise wouild be left for the people of today? Shall we listen to a preterist not to look for such things, or shall we listen to Peter?

Peter writes in his second letter:

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2Pe 3:7, KJV)

Preterists say that this is not valid for us anymore, for Peter was speaking of a near future in 70 AD, when the Solomon Temple fell and Jerusalem was taken and so many killed.
Preterists rob the people of the TRUTH by their claim that the Judgement has already taken place in 70 AD! They actually fear Judgement, but please do not ask me why.

Peter describes the destruction of the earth and everything around it. Preterists describes the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Peter writes in that same letter:

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10 KJV)

Now please tell me, how could this describe the fall of Jerusalem, especially if one regards the fact that the New Testament deals with CHRISTIANS? Why should Christians have regarded this the END OF EVERYTHING, while the Christian churches had been founded by the Apostles already - in Corinth, Ephesus, etc...???

Preterists are dreamers that do not want to believe God's Word when He informs the people of the coming Judgment. Peter warned:

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water,
perished (2 Peter 3:5-6 KJV)

And the following of Peter's words were obviously only valid for the people BEFORE 70 AD if we believe the preterists and not the Apostles:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)

So why would a preterist have come to repentance hundreds of years afterwards?

It is a LIE - probably the preterists are not aware of that, but it is what it is.

This lie is not just about a verse or two, but affects almost the whole New Testament, especially the Book of Revelation:

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:1-4 KJV)

Preterists will TEACH the people that this was all fulfilled in 70 AD already... Can you imagine the consequences of that?

And they also reject the following (or paraphrase it to their liking or whatever they do so it fits their self-composed Bible:

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7 KJV)

Preterists want you to believe that *every eye* saw Jesus coming in some symbolical clouds on His Second Coming in 70 AD.

Preterists cannot even sign the Nicene Creed or the Apostle's Creed, either:

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
who was born of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary;
crucified under Pontius Pilate and buried;
the third day he rose fromthe dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of the Father,
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
And in the Holy Spirit;
the holy Church;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the flesh.

They would have to kick the fith line from the bottom out, because it is related to future events which they deny.

Please notice that the Creeds were created to save the Church from false teachers and filter them out, because...

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9 KJV)

It was not only Peter who fought against the false teachers of his time... but Paul, John, Titus and Jesus Himself, but the church fathers, too.

Having studied the preterists' claims for years now, I have come to the conclusion that preterism is a deadly sect like the Mormons, Seventh Adventists or the like, and their replacement theory also fosters a really bad form of Anti-Semitism.

Rev 01:12-20: Jesus' Appearance

(12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; (13) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (14) His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; (15) And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. (16) And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. (17) And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: (18) I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (19) Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; (20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:12-20 KJV)

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Jesus Divine Appearance

John turns around to "see" the voice. He sees "seven golden candlesticks" (12), and in their middle he sees Jesus Christ, dressed like a king with a long garment and a golden girdle, who reveals Himself as "the first and the last" (17) and the one who was resurrected, and who is eternal (18). His white head and hair like white wool, as white as snow, speaks of His being blameless, without any fault; He is God's lamb. But white is also the color that represents brightness, light. While the color black absorbs light completely, the color white reflects it. But the white of His countenance does not reflect the sun; He is shining Himself like the sun. God is light, such a light as daylight, like the shining sun. He came to earth "to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:79 KJV) Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the father now, but He left His Holy Spirit on earth, who is shining brightly through His people, the Christians, whom He told: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16 KJV) We glorify the Father by our good works, but we should not boast, because they show the light that Jesus brought into this world, and which the Holy Spirit sends out from us now that Jesus is with the Father: "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:5 KJV) We humans could not do anything good on our own without Him. When John sees Jesus, he "falls at his feet as dead" (17). John is completely overwhelmed with Jesus' Holiness and Divinity, recognising God, and so much in awe that he feels like dead. This appearance of Jesus seems to be very impressive on him, and he feels fear, but the Lord Jesus comforts him, touches him by laying his right hand on him, saying, "Fear nor". Then Jesus reveals who He is, and that He has "the keys of hell and of death" (18). So Jesus has the power to decide who has to stay in hell and who is not, as much as He can give life or take it away. He is the master of death, and we are promised that everybody who believes in Him will have eternal life (cf. John 3:15 ff.), which is why the Apostle Paul could say, "... Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:54-55 KJV)

The Seven Stars and the Seven Candlesticks

In (20) Jesus clears up that the seven candlesticks represent the seven churches. Jesus is the center of them as He is the center of the churches today. He is their light, and whatever they are doing, they are simply a reflection of the light of God's face. They are golden, the candlesticks, golden like Jesus' girdle. This is a hint to us that Jesus and the churches belong together. They both have the attribute "golden", which is often used for something that is Royal, Divine, Holy. Jesus also holds the seven stars in His right hand (16), and in (20) he explains that they are the angels of the seven churches. Angels are often used as God's messengers, and it seems God is ready to send them out.

Jesus' Eyes are a Flame of Fire

His eyes are a "flame of fire". (14) In many commentaries that this means he looked at the churches penetrantly, which sounds plausible, because He has a check up on the seven churches in Chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation, a critical view, and also a rebuke of six of them. He wanted them to repent. But the picture of the flame of fire says more. A fire like that brings warmth, but can also destroy, and fire is also said to purify things. So while Jesus sees everything that the seven churches (which are examplary for all the churches) do or do not do critically, He also has a purifying or destructive power on whatever His eyes may see.

Jesus' Feet looked like Fine Brass

I wondered why Jesus' feet looked like "fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace" (15), but then I found out that brass, which is an alloy, looks white if it contains more than 51 per cent of zinc. So this would have made almost all of Jesus' whole body white, glowing and shining.

Jesus' Voice is like the "Sound of Many Waters"

Jesus' voice sounds like the "sound of many waters" (15). Water usually has the meaning of life, and life in abundance is what Jesus has come to earth for. He offers to everybody: "And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17 KJV) In chapter 14 of Revelation the comparison turns up again: "And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder" (Revelation 14:2 KJV). But it also refers to the majesty of His voice, which reminds me of Psalm 29:3-5: "The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty." (KJV) Sometimes the waters represent a multitude of people or tongues, as in Revelation 17:15: " And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." (KJV)

The Twoedged Sword

"Out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword" (16), which is the Word of God, which is "quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." (Hebrews 4:12-13 KJV)

The Scene compared to Matthew 17:1-7

The whole scene (13-18) is something that might have reminded John of the following event that happened during His dwelling on earth, on the mountain as referred to in Matthew: "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. (Matthew 17:1-7 KJV) This is also more evidence to believe that the Apostle John, James' brother, is identical with John in the Book of Revelation. I do not believe that the similarity of events was accidentally. John could really be sure that his vision came from Jesus Himself. It is especially in the Gospel of John that he speaks of Jesus as "light", as in John 1:4-5 (KJV): "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."