Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 04:12 (Aug 2000)
Article: Has Bible Prophecy Already Been Fulfilled? (Part One: The Problem Of Preterism)
Author: Thomas D. Ice

CTJ 4:12 (August 2000) p. 164

Has Bible Prophecy Already Been Fulfilled?
(Part One: The Problem Of Preterism)

Thomas Ice

Executive Director
Pre-Trib Research Center

Preterism is based upon the belief that most, if not all, Bible prophecy was fulfilled in A.D. 70. Because of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, preterists are compelled to take passages like Matthew 24:34 and its parallel passages that say ‘this generation will not pass away until all these things take place” as being fulfilled. After defining preterism, describing the three basic types of preterism, and denoting the implications of preterism, this author acutely examines Matthew 10:23, 16:28, and the Olivet Discourse, demonstrating that these passages do not substantiate a first century preterist fulfillment. The exegetical survival of the preterist position revolves around the meaning of these passages. In spite of the “problematic” passages of Scripture affirming a futuristic view of Bible prophecy, they reaffirm their commitment to preterism. This article is part one of a series designed to examine and refute preterism.

“The Olivet Discourse is not about the Second Coming of Christ. It is a prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.”
—David Chilton (Preterist)

In February 1999 I attended the Legonier Ministries National Conference with about 4,000 other people in Orlando, Florida. Legonier is the ministry of Dr. R. C. Sproul. I attended because for the first time in 30 years the topic was on Bible Prophecy. Guess what? The predominate view, led by Dr. Sproul, proclaims the teaching that most of what you and I believe to be future prophesies have already been fulfilled by first century events. This view now being champion by Dr. Sproul and others is known as preterism.

When Will Prophecy Be Fulfilled?

What is preterism? Before I explain that in more detail, I want to orient you to the four views that people hold in relation to the timing of prophetic fulfillment. The four views are simple in the sense that they reflect the only four possible ways that one can relate to time:

CTJ 4:12 (August 2000) p. 165

past, present, future, and timeless. When speaking of the fulfillment of Bible prophecy these four timing possibilities are called preterism, historicism, futurism, and idealism.

The preterist (Latin for “past”) believes that most, if not all prophecy has already been fulfilled, usually in relation to the destruction of Jerusalem in a.d. 70. The historicist (present) sees much of the cu...