Bottom Line
Partial Preterism, within eschatological study, maintains that many-but not all-of the end-time prophecies found in Scripture were fulfilled during events in the first century AD, most notably with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. While recognizing the significant prophetic fulfillment in the past, Partial Preterism still anticipates a future, bodily Second Coming of Christ, the final resurrection, and the ultimate judgment of all humanity. This approach seeks to harmonize pertinent biblical passages about the near-term fulfillment of certain signs with the promises yet to be fully realized.
Historical Context and Development
Partial Preterism’s roots can be traced to early Christian writers who interpreted various New Testament prophecies as referring specifically to the generation witnessing the fall of Jerusalem. Over time, church interpreters and scholars studied how biblical warnings-such as those in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21-accurately reflected first-century circumstances during the Roman siege of Jerusalem.
The approach gained more formalized expressions during the Reformation and subsequent centuries, as scholars in Europe sought to reconcile biblical predictions with known historical events. This approach has continued to develop in modern times through an ongoing examination of the biblical text alongside archaeological, historical, and literary evidence. The partial fulfillment observed in the first century is seen as a testament to the reliability of Scripture’s prophetic message.
Key Biblical Passages
1. Matthew 24:34 - “Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.”
Partial Preterists interpret this statement as indicating that many of Jesus’ warnings, especially regarding the Temple’s destruction, took place within the lifetime of the apostles and their contemporaries.
2. Luke 21:20 - “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near.”
This is seen as a specific pointer to the events leading to Jerusalem’s fall. The Roman siege under Titus in AD 70 is considered the primary fulfillment of this prophetic statement.
3. Revelation 1:1 - “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass.”
Partial Preterists note the term “soon” or “near” in Revelation as an indicator that much of the prophecy had an imminent fulfillment for the first-century audience, while still acknowledging ultimate end-times events.
4. Daniel 9:26-27 -
These verses describe the cutting off of the Anointed One (Messiah) and the eventual desolation of the Temple. Partial Preterism connects this with the events surrounding Christ’s crucifixion and the siege of Jerusalem, while still recognizing prophecies that extend beyond the immediate historical context.
Major Distinctions from Full Preterism
1. Future Bodily Return of Christ - Partial Preterists affirm a literal Second Coming of Christ yet to occur, whereas Full Preterism claims that all eschatological events, including Christ’s return, happened in the first century.
2. Ongoing Expectation of Resurrection and Judgment - Partial Preterists uphold the belief that a future resurrection and final judgment are still pending, in line with passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:52-54 and Revelation 20:11-15.
3. Preservation of Orthodox Christianity - Because they maintain traditional doctrines on the resurrection of the dead and a final judgment, Partial Preterists remain within mainstream Christian orthodoxy. Full Preterism, by contrast, is widely regarded as incompatible with historic creeds and confessions.
Relationship to the Reliability of Scripture
Partial Preterism emphasizes the historical fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecies as evidence of the coherence and trustworthiness of the Bible. Points often highlighted include:
- Fulfilled Prophecy: The precise details foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem, confirmed by external sources like Josephus in “The Jewish War,” underscores the accurate nature of New Testament text and strengthens confidence in other biblical promises still to come.
- Consistency with Archaeological Discoveries: Excavations in Jerusalem (particularly near the Temple Mount) and findings of first-century artifacts corroborate the accounts of a large-scale destruction event, aligning with what Scripture records about this calamity.
- Manuscript Integrity: The early circulation of New Testament writings and the record of relevant events in multiple sources establish that these eschatological references existed prior to AD 70, reinforcing the argument that Scripture’s predictions preceded-and predicted-the actual historical outcome.
Practical Implications and Pastoral Considerations
1. Hope and Encouragement: By observing documented fulfillment of certain end-time prophecies, believers gain greater assurance in the future completion of all of God’s promises. Despite suffering and tribulation in this present age, the surety of Christ’s ultimate return offers hope and motivation for faithful living.
2. Call to Readiness: Partial Preterism underscores that while some prophecies have been fulfilled, the final consummation remains. This tension reminds believers to remain vigilant, engage in gospel proclamation, and live godly lives, confident that history continues under a sovereign plan.
3. Balanced Eschatological Perspective: Embracing the tension between “already fulfilled” and “not yet” wards off extremes-one that over-spiritualizes all events (Full Preterism) and another that places every single prophecy strictly in the future. Partial Preterism encourages contextual biblical study without diminishing the imminent relevance to believers’ daily walk.
Corroborations from History and Archaeology
1. Josephus’ Testimony: His firsthand accounts detail the Roman siege on Jerusalem, corroborating curious details of famine, internal strife among the Jewish resistance, and massive bloodshed-portraying a scenario remarkably in step with Christ’s warnings.
2. Early Christian Writers: Eusebius (4th century AD) and others recount how Christians in Jerusalem fled to the region of Pella before the siege, seemingly heeding the warnings given in Luke 21.
3. Artifacts and Remains: Unearthed remnants of siege towers, burn layers, and first-century coins minted in Jerusalem verify the cataclysmic nature of AD 70. These discoveries provide further historical grounding for the biblical narrative.
Eschatological Continuity with the Rest of Scripture
Partial Preterism upholds a coherent narrative:
• Creation: God designed the cosmos, as declared in Genesis 1:1, in perfect order, reflecting intelligent design.
• Fall and Redemption: Humanity’s fall introduced sin and death, pointing to the need for a Savior. Passages like Genesis 3:15 foresee a victorious Redeemer.
• Christ’s First Coming: The Gospels record Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and Resurrection (cf. Matthew 28:5-7; Luke 24:45-46).
• Past Fulfillment and Future Hope: Many prophecies were accomplished with the close of the Temple era and the destruction of Jerusalem; however, the culmination in the Second Coming, final resurrection, and new creation remains.
This model allows for significant historical realization while firmly maintaining the Bible’s forward-looking statements, rooted in the completed work of Christ’s Resurrection and emphasizing the coming culmination of the divine plan.
Conclusion
Partial Preterism defines a nuanced eschatological stance where a major portion of New Testament prophecies-especially those concerning Jerusalem and the Temple-came to pass in the first century. At the same time, it preserves the fundamental Christian doctrine of a future, bodily Second Coming of Christ, as well as a literal resurrection and final judgment.
By underscoring key biblical passages, historical records, archaeological evidence, and manuscript stability, Partial Preterism attests to the trustworthiness and cohesiveness of Scripture. It provides a balanced perspective that encourages believers to hold fast to the certainty of fulfilled prophecy while confidently awaiting the ultimate fulfillment still on the horizon.
Partial Preterism, within eschatological study, maintains that many-but not all-of the end-time prophecies found in Scripture were fulfilled during events in the first century AD, most notably with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. While recognizing the significant prophetic fulfillment in the past, Partial Preterism still anticipates a future, bodily Second Coming of Christ, the final resurrection, and the ultimate judgment of all humanity. This approach seeks to harmonize pertinent biblical passages about the near-term fulfillment of certain signs with the promises yet to be fully realized.
Historical Context and Development
Partial Preterism’s roots can be traced to early Christian writers who interpreted various New Testament prophecies as referring specifically to the generation witnessing the fall of Jerusalem. Over time, church interpreters and scholars studied how biblical warnings-such as those in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21-accurately reflected first-century circumstances during the Roman siege of Jerusalem.
The approach gained more formalized expressions during the Reformation and subsequent centuries, as scholars in Europe sought to reconcile biblical predictions with known historical events. This approach has continued to develop in modern times through an ongoing examination of the biblical text alongside archaeological, historical, and literary evidence. The partial fulfillment observed in the first century is seen as a testament to the reliability of Scripture’s prophetic message.
Key Biblical Passages
1. Matthew 24:34 - “Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.”
Partial Preterists interpret this statement as indicating that many of Jesus’ warnings, especially regarding the Temple’s destruction, took place within the lifetime of the apostles and their contemporaries.
2. Luke 21:20 - “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near.”
This is seen as a specific pointer to the events leading to Jerusalem’s fall. The Roman siege under Titus in AD 70 is considered the primary fulfillment of this prophetic statement.
3. Revelation 1:1 - “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass.”
Partial Preterists note the term “soon” or “near” in Revelation as an indicator that much of the prophecy had an imminent fulfillment for the first-century audience, while still acknowledging ultimate end-times events.
4. Daniel 9:26-27 -
These verses describe the cutting off of the Anointed One (Messiah) and the eventual desolation of the Temple. Partial Preterism connects this with the events surrounding Christ’s crucifixion and the siege of Jerusalem, while still recognizing prophecies that extend beyond the immediate historical context.
Major Distinctions from Full Preterism
1. Future Bodily Return of Christ - Partial Preterists affirm a literal Second Coming of Christ yet to occur, whereas Full Preterism claims that all eschatological events, including Christ’s return, happened in the first century.
2. Ongoing Expectation of Resurrection and Judgment - Partial Preterists uphold the belief that a future resurrection and final judgment are still pending, in line with passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:52-54 and Revelation 20:11-15.
3. Preservation of Orthodox Christianity - Because they maintain traditional doctrines on the resurrection of the dead and a final judgment, Partial Preterists remain within mainstream Christian orthodoxy. Full Preterism, by contrast, is widely regarded as incompatible with historic creeds and confessions.
Relationship to the Reliability of Scripture
Partial Preterism emphasizes the historical fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecies as evidence of the coherence and trustworthiness of the Bible. Points often highlighted include:
- Fulfilled Prophecy: The precise details foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem, confirmed by external sources like Josephus in “The Jewish War,” underscores the accurate nature of New Testament text and strengthens confidence in other biblical promises still to come.
- Consistency with Archaeological Discoveries: Excavations in Jerusalem (particularly near the Temple Mount) and findings of first-century artifacts corroborate the accounts of a large-scale destruction event, aligning with what Scripture records about this calamity.
- Manuscript Integrity: The early circulation of New Testament writings and the record of relevant events in multiple sources establish that these eschatological references existed prior to AD 70, reinforcing the argument that Scripture’s predictions preceded-and predicted-the actual historical outcome.
Practical Implications and Pastoral Considerations
1. Hope and Encouragement: By observing documented fulfillment of certain end-time prophecies, believers gain greater assurance in the future completion of all of God’s promises. Despite suffering and tribulation in this present age, the surety of Christ’s ultimate return offers hope and motivation for faithful living.
2. Call to Readiness: Partial Preterism underscores that while some prophecies have been fulfilled, the final consummation remains. This tension reminds believers to remain vigilant, engage in gospel proclamation, and live godly lives, confident that history continues under a sovereign plan.
3. Balanced Eschatological Perspective: Embracing the tension between “already fulfilled” and “not yet” wards off extremes-one that over-spiritualizes all events (Full Preterism) and another that places every single prophecy strictly in the future. Partial Preterism encourages contextual biblical study without diminishing the imminent relevance to believers’ daily walk.
Corroborations from History and Archaeology
1. Josephus’ Testimony: His firsthand accounts detail the Roman siege on Jerusalem, corroborating curious details of famine, internal strife among the Jewish resistance, and massive bloodshed-portraying a scenario remarkably in step with Christ’s warnings.
2. Early Christian Writers: Eusebius (4th century AD) and others recount how Christians in Jerusalem fled to the region of Pella before the siege, seemingly heeding the warnings given in Luke 21.
3. Artifacts and Remains: Unearthed remnants of siege towers, burn layers, and first-century coins minted in Jerusalem verify the cataclysmic nature of AD 70. These discoveries provide further historical grounding for the biblical narrative.
Eschatological Continuity with the Rest of Scripture
Partial Preterism upholds a coherent narrative:
• Creation: God designed the cosmos, as declared in Genesis 1:1, in perfect order, reflecting intelligent design.
• Fall and Redemption: Humanity’s fall introduced sin and death, pointing to the need for a Savior. Passages like Genesis 3:15 foresee a victorious Redeemer.
• Christ’s First Coming: The Gospels record Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and Resurrection (cf. Matthew 28:5-7; Luke 24:45-46).
• Past Fulfillment and Future Hope: Many prophecies were accomplished with the close of the Temple era and the destruction of Jerusalem; however, the culmination in the Second Coming, final resurrection, and new creation remains.
This model allows for significant historical realization while firmly maintaining the Bible’s forward-looking statements, rooted in the completed work of Christ’s Resurrection and emphasizing the coming culmination of the divine plan.
Conclusion
Partial Preterism defines a nuanced eschatological stance where a major portion of New Testament prophecies-especially those concerning Jerusalem and the Temple-came to pass in the first century. At the same time, it preserves the fundamental Christian doctrine of a future, bodily Second Coming of Christ, as well as a literal resurrection and final judgment.
By underscoring key biblical passages, historical records, archaeological evidence, and manuscript stability, Partial Preterism attests to the trustworthiness and cohesiveness of Scripture. It provides a balanced perspective that encourages believers to hold fast to the certainty of fulfilled prophecy while confidently awaiting the ultimate fulfillment still on the horizon.
