7 Differences Between Partial Preterist and Historicist Postmillennialism

1. Millennium – Preterists believe the figurative millennium began at the first coming of Christ and will end at his second coming, before Satan’s little season, or after Satan’s little season. Historicists believe that the millennium will begin in the future when all the nations are converted, the Pope and Islam are destroyed, and the salvation of the Jews is complete. When the 1,000 years (literal or figurative) are over, Satan will be unbound for a little season, which will end with Christ’s second coming.

2. The Binding of Satan – Preterists believe Satan was bound at Christ’s first coming so the gospel can spread to all nations. Historicists believe Satan’s binding began with Christ work on earth and is continuing to be bound by the spread of the gospel. Satan will be fully bound when all nations are converted, introducing the millennium.

3. The Kingdom of God – Preterists believe the kingdom of God is synonymous with the millennium (the period between Christ’s first and second coming). Historicists believe the kingdom of God was given to Jesus at his first coming and is present now but it is not the same thing as the future millennial golden age of peace, although it overlaps.

4. The Great Tribulation – Preterists believe the great tribulation began in the first century and ended in 70 A.D., when Jerusalem was destroyed. Historicists believe the great tribulation began in the first century and will end when all nations are converted and the millennium begins.

5. The Beast of Revelation – Preterists believe the beast is political Rome with Emporer Nero being its representative. Rome is not a direct fulfillment of the man of sin or the Antichrist. Preterists disagree on who the man of sin is and antichrist applies to anyone who denies Christ. The man of sin could be an office such as the Pharisees or Sanhedrin led by Ananus. Historicists believe that the beast is the office of papacy and also applies to Islam (the two horns of Antichrist). The Papacy is the Antichrist, man of sin, and beast of Revelation. They believe there are many antichrists but the papacy is “THE” Antichrist.

6. The Book of Revelation – Preterists believe that most of the prophecies in Revelation have been fulfilled within the first century. Historicists believe Revelation is about progressive history starting from the Apostle John’s time until the eternal state, just like the prophecies in the book of Daniel.

7. Olivet Discourse –  Preterists believe that the prophecies in Matthew 24:1-34 have been fulfilled. Jesus was speaking about the events leading up to and including the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. as Christ came spiritually to judge Israel. Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” The generation Jesus was talking about is the generation of the first century disciples that he was speaking to. Historicists agree that “this generation” is the generation of the first century disciples and it is a prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem. The coming of the Son of Man (verses 27-31) for Historicists is sort of a parenthesis, not being fulfilled in the first century. It is in reference to Christ’s final coming in contrast to the coming of the false christs.

The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70AD -- a painting by David Roberts (1796-1849).
The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70AD —
a painting by David Roberts (1796-1849).

13 thoughts on “7 Differences Between Partial Preterist and Historicist Postmillennialism”

  4. In your first point, when you speak about the Millennium, you have it backwards. The Preterist position has two major lines of thought. The Full Preterist believes that the Book of Revelation has been fulfilled completely at the fall of Jerusalem, and that we are now in the “New Heavens and New Earth.” The Partial Preterist believes that most of the Book of Revelation has been fulfilled at the Fall of Jerusalem except for the ending (chps. 20-21). This is why Preterists are very keen on dating the Book of Revelation prior to 70 AD. The Historicist believes that the Book of Revelation is being fulfilled Historically – that is – through the Church Age. According to the Historicist position the Book of Revelation starts being fulfilled shortly after AD 100, and continues to the every end of the World. A Postmill Partial Preterist believes the “Golden Age” occurs at the end of Church History just before the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. A Postmill Historicist holds the same view, but sees Church History as a slow rise of the Church and the dominion of the Church culminating in the “Golden Age.” I cannot help but say thank you for making these issues more confusing than they ought to be. Blessings in Jesus, Robert Paul Wieland

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  8. “Historicists believe the great tribulation began in the first century and will end when all nations are converted and the millennium begins.”

    Can you give me sources to theologians who held/hold to that view?

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  10. What books could be recommended for the Historicism Postmill view? I have read and listened to quite a bit of the Partial Preterist arguments (Ex. Ken Gentry, Demar, Durban, etc.). However, it appears that these are really optimistic Amillennialists calling themselves Postmill.

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    1. A History of the Work of Redemption by Jonathan Edwards
      Commentary on the Book of Revelation by James Durham
      Commentary on Revelation by Wilhelmus a Brakel
      Christ’s Second Coming by David Brown

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