Has Bible Prophecy Already Been Fulfilled? (Part II: The Book Of Revelation) -- By: Thomas D. Ice

Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 04:13 (Dec 2000)
Article: Has Bible Prophecy Already Been Fulfilled? (Part II: The Book Of Revelation)
Author: Thomas D. Ice


Has Bible Prophecy Already Been Fulfilled?
(Part II: The Book Of Revelation)

Thomas Ice

Executive Director
Pre - Trib Research Center, Arlington, TX

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. This article presents the preterist interpretation of Revelation and its implications, followed by a thorough defense of the futuristic view. 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 two of a series designed to examine and refute preterism.

The Preterist Contention In Revelation

“The closer we get to the year 2000, the farther we get from the events of Revelation,” says preterist Ken Gentry. “‘Preterism’ holds that the bulk of John’s prophecies occur in the first century, soon after his writing of them. Though the prophecies were in the future when John wrote and when his original audience read them, they are now in our past.”1 Dr. R. C. Sproul apparently agrees with Dr. Gentry’s basic

understanding of Revelation as fulfilled prophecy.2 In his commentary on Revelation, the late David Chilton, a preterist said,

The Book of Revelation is not about the Second Coming of Christ. It is about the destruction of Israel and Christ’s victory over His enemies in the establishment of the New Covenant Temple. In fact, as we shall see, the word coming as used in the Book of Revelation never refers to the Second Coming. Revelation prophesies the judgment of God on apostate Israel; and while it does briefly point to events beyond its immediate concerns, that is done merely as a “wrap-up,” to show that the ungodly will never prevail against Christ’s Kingdom. But the main focus of Revelation is upon events which were soon to take place.”3

As with the Olivet Discourse (Matt. 24; Mk. 14; Lk. 21), the preterist view does not view Bible prophecy as “things to come,” but rather as “things that came.” Why do they come to such an errant conclusion?

Prete...
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