I don't need to prove the verse means something the verse does not mean to prove Preterism is wrong.
This year there are 1945 proofs that Preterism is wrong.
Next year there will be 1946, the year after that 1947.
However, as far as the verse goes, it is obvious to me that both Preterists and Futurists misunderstand it, since both use the exact same verse in the exact same way to prove their points.
Matthew 24:33-34
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. |
Jesus mentioned that the disciples would see "all these things" and that this generation would not pass until "all these things" are fulfilled.
Jesus also said that when the disciples saw "all these things" then "it" is near, even at the doors.
So, the question that must be resolved is what does Jesus refer to when He says "all these things" and what does Jesus refer to when He says "it".
We can know for sure that "it" is not "all these things" since "all these things" happens before "it" happens.
Here are the things that Jesus says happen before something else:
"wars and rumours of wars", "nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes" and "the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the land (of Israel or of Rome?) for a witness unto all nations (Gentiles?)" all happen before "the end".
"the abomination of desolation" happens before the "great tribulation".
"great tribulation" happens before "Jesus comes in His glory".
Preterists and Futurists agree that "all these things" include everything from "wars and rumours of wars" to "Jesus comes in His glory."
They leave nothing left for "it".
But we have another account of the prophecy that tells us what Jesus meant when He said "when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near".
Luke 21:20
20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. |
When Jesus spoke of seeing "all these things" happening before "it" happens, He was speaking of everything leading up to and including "Jerusalem surrounded by armies" happening before "the desolation of Jerusalem".
So, when Jesus said that this generation would not pass until "all these things" are fulfilled, He was speaking of everything leading up to "Jerusalem surrounded by armies" in 66 CE .
And when the disciples saw "Jerusalem surrounded by armies" in 66 CE they fled to Pella.