But in the opening line it is evident that its speaker does not understand Preterism either because he says, "We are speaking today on a subject that is called 'Preterism,' or as some call it, 'Historicism.'" The problem with this statement is I know of no one familiar with these two doctrines that would confuse them as the same teaching except a person who has not properly done their homework. To set the record straight I am including a BRIEF explanation of these differences.

Historicist

They believe that most prophecy is now history that has progressively been fulfilling itself through time, even up to our day. Most Historicists see Rome or the Catholic Church as Revelation's "Babylon the Great."

Partial Preterist (Past)
(or Kingdom Eschatology)

The word Preterist simply means past. This group believes in a partial past interpretation of prophecy. Most believe the Church -- Jew and Gentile in one body -- is the True Israel of God, Daniel's 70 weeks are fulfilled, the Great Tribulation and the time of Jacob's trouble was the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, Jerusalem was Revelation's Babylon the Great, Matthew 24 was fulfilled during the generation in which it was written, the first 19 chapters of the book of Revelation are fulfilled, and the remaining chapters of Revelation are being fulfilled in the Church. Partial Preterists believe in the Church kingdom in the earth, but that it transfers to an eternal kingdom for all saints after the Lord returns. They believe there still is a final judgment, and a final coming of the Lord that will end the Church Age and will resurrect the dead in Christ, even though the destruction of Jerusalem was referred to in scripture as a "coming of the Lord." (This viewpoint is probably closest to the position that I currently endorse on Bible prophecy. However, I strive to remain open so that I can always walk in the light as God reveals more understanding about the Scriptures.)

Total Preterist

Total Preterists believe the same as Partial Preterists, except they believe all prophecy was fulfilled when the Lord came in judgment against Jerusalem in 70 AD. They believe that He resurrected the dead at that time, and that those who are alive and remain will be caught up to meet the Lord as they die. They also believe the world and the Kingdom of God (Church Age) will never end because the Scriptures teach that His Kingdom is an "everlasting Kingdom that will never be destroyed." They see that as the Church kingdom in the earth forever, becoming an eternal kingdom to the saints as they die and go to heaven to be forever with the Lord.

The main difference between the Partial Preterist and the Total Preterist is found in their differing viewpoints of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 concerning the final resurrection. The Partial Preterist believes its fulfillment will take place in the future, for the simple reason they do not believe a resurrection took place in 70 AD, and do not believe it has happened thus far. The Total Preterist believes its fulfillment took place in 70 AD when Jesus came back to bring judgment against Jerusalem. They say that those who were dead and in the graves then were resurrected and those who are alive and remain shall be caught up to meet the Lord as they die.

Please note that all viewpoints -- both Futurist and Historical -- believe in the resurrection of the dead and spending eternity with Jesus as the eternal reward of the Christian. They only differ as to the timing of the resurrection and the events surrounding it.

The lack of understanding these differences is one of the main reasons why there is so much disinformation in this video series. In the coming weeks you will see articles on our website written to address each of the erroneous teachings in this series. These, I promise you, will be written in the biblically based style we are known for; for the Bible is the determiner of all truth.