I have read dozens of books on theology and Biblical interpretation, and never once came across the term “preterest”. What the hell does it mean?
Pot has been legalized along with other psychdelics.
“What the hell does it mean?”
Hell may be the operative word. Seriously, pretirism is a belief that all biblical prophecies specific to Christ’s return and his coming rule upon the Earth have already been fulfilled. Some deny Israel’s importance in the end of days as they feel the Church is the replacement “Israel”. There are some variations of belief in the pretirist camp. Christ is said by some to return and collect his living and dead followers and then the rest of the world is judged...boom the end...new heaven and new Earth after the white throne judgment. As I said there is some variation. The pretirists ignore half of Revelation and OT prophecy...assigning most of it as little understood symbolism or as some how as historically fulfilled. Just remember...there has been no universal number(666) system yet though Revelation states one will occur. The OT speaks of a third temple in the last day and Revelation mentions it. No big asteroid collisions or 100 lb hail stones mixed with fire have happened yet though Revelation and Ezekiel specifically calls for such to occur.
Read Revelation flat out asking God to guide you...you won’t understand everything but the plainness of what physically is to come will stand out from the other symbolism in the book. If you understand history you will note that many things in Revelation and other passages have not happened yet or are just now unfolding now in front of our eyes.
Israel became a nation in 1948...Pretirist writers back then were denying such would happen, when just like “a thief sneaking into the back room of world politics”, she was made a nation again!
Preterism
Milennialism
Amilennialmism
Dispensationalism
...are the four main eschatological viewpoints.
Then, you can argue yourself silly with variations of pre-Trib or post-Tribulation, etc. Good discussion, but at this point we lack the full knowledge that gets us to 100% understanding.
Yet, each day, each decade, we draw closer. Still, Jesus will return like a "thief in the night" and no man will truly know WHEN it will happen.
Yet, I believe the purpose of prophecy is to prove the Bible, persuade those who can still be persuaded, and to give hope to those of us who realize what perilous times we are headed toward.