Preterism: The Doctrine of Hymeneus

If there is one thing I dislike, are people who hold to a false doctrine such as Preteristism (which means “past fulfillment”), who claim the magic year everything fulfilled was in 70 A.D., which wipes out dozens of prophecies that were not yet fulfilled.

They want you to prove from scripture that what they believe is false.  The request to “discuss scripture” may sound sincere, but the tactic ends up with spiritualizing many passages of scripture and having to redefine theological terms and accept their redefinitions.  They come up with scripture that seems to be persuasive to their position, and if you decide not to engage in the conversation, then you are considered, “not on board,” because you refuse to take their bait.

Preterists deny the future return of Christ!

Preterism denies the gospel promise Jesus will return in the very same literal, physical, visible way he left (Acts 1:9-11; Phil 3:20-21; Col 3:4; I Cor 1:7; 15:23; I Thess 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:15-17; 5:23; 2Thess 1:7; I Tim 6:14; 2 Tim 4:8; Titus 2:13; Heb 9:27-28; I Pet 5:4; John 14:1-3; I John 2:28; 3:2; Rev 1:7).

We do not deny that what happened in 70 A.D.,  the judgment against Israel, but the doctrine of Preterism goes much further and deny the possibility of Jesus coming any other way at any other time.

The gospel requires that the return of Christ includes both bodily resurrection of all the dead and the judgment of all the dead and living. (I Cor 15:23; 2 Tim 4:1; Rev 20:11-15), which inseparable events with his return have not happened in any way, shape, or form.

Preterists offer no hope of a future, bodily resurrection!

Preterists offer no hope of a future, bodily resurrection! (Luke 24:37-43; 2 Cor. 15) The Preterists deny the resurrection of all the dead.  (John 5:28-29; 6:39-40,44,54; 11:23-26; Acts 23:6; 24:15; Rom 8:11; Job 14:12-14; 19:25-27; Ps 49:15; I Cor 15:1-58; Phil 3:20-21; Rev 20:11-13; Hos 13:14). There is nothing about all this happening in 70 A.D.

Jesus physically rose from the dead and so shall we (I Cor 15:20-23).   For Preterists to deny a physical resurrection makes them guilty and condemned as Hymenaeus  (2 Tim 2:14-18; I Tim 1:18-20).

Preterists deny the future Judgment!

Judging the Jewish adversaries by destroying Jerusalem is a limited event that did happen, but it does not match the scriptural Judgment of the whole earth, which include the gentiles (Eccl 12:14; Matt 12:36; Rom 2:3-16; Jude 1:14-15).  They deny the final day of judgment of ALL (John 5:28-29; Rom 14:9-11; II Cor 5:9-11; Heb 9:27-28; Rev 20:11-15; II Tim 4:1,8; I Pet 4:5; Matt 7:21-23; 25:31-46; Acts 10:42; 17:30-31; 24:25).

I could go on and on. Preterism is nothing new.  It is heresy. (2 Tim. 2:16-18)

Paul condemned the doctrine of Hymeneus who departed from the faith, who corrupted and made shipwreck the faith of others.  He was a preterist in his day who blasphemed by declaring the resurrection had already taken place.  It is a cancerous doctrine and Paul condemned Hymeneus to Satan for his blasphemy. (I Tim 1:18-20; 2 Tim 2:14-18).  It is nothing but a lie with plenty of profane and vain babbling.

It is very hard and pointless to “discuss scripture” with someone who has so hardened their ears, hearts, and minds to many of the biblical truths found in scripture, and a waste of precious time.