What does a partial-preterist view of Revelation 1:7 and 22:20 look like? (verses, which present the main theme of the book as the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ)
“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7)
“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)
For anyone insterested to see a clear example of how leading partial-preterists deal with Revelation 22:20. Here’s an example from Kenneth Gentry’s new Revelation commentary (see attached image below). Notice how Gentry says NOTHING about Revelation 22:20 being mainly (or even partially) about the second coming! Rather, Gentry states “Jesus is here [Revelation 22:20] referring to his judgment-coming in AD 70. The whole book of Revelation has been emphasizing the Jewish oppression of Christians and promising Christ’s judgment-coming against Israel. The beleaguered first-century Christians were looking for vindication and relief (6:9-11), which came in the AD 70 judgment, as I argue throughout this commentary.” (Kenneth Gentry, The Divorce of Israel: A Redemptive-Historical Interpretation of Revelation, Vol 2, p. 1762)
This kind of partial-preterist interpretation regarding the blessed return of the Lord Jesus is POISONOUS. It is an unbiblical, unhistorical perversion, which should be strongly rejected. And as has been pointed out by my friend Jeremy Sexton, this preterist view of Revelation 22:20 is also AGAINST the Westminster Confession (likewise Savoy Declaration, and 1689 Baptist Confession), which ends with these solemn words:
“As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity: so will He have that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.” (Westminster Confession, 33:3)
It’s also good to remember that Gentry is certainly not representing some “fringe” view among partial-preterists, but his work is actually considered “the standard for partial preterism” (Youngmog Song) and “arguably the most thorough representation of the partial preterist approach” (Cornelis Venema), and “arguably the most extensive, vigorous preterist exegesis of Revelation in at least a generation. Non-preterist interpreters of Revelation must reckon with Gentry if they are to be taken seriously” (P. Andrew Sandlin)
“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” Revelation 1:7
“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 22:20
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