The Partial Preterist perspective interprets many eschatological events, such as the judgments described in Revelation, as fulfilled around the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. In this view, the Millennium of Revelation 20:1-6 is understood as either a symbolic representation of the Church age following AD 70 or a literal 1,000-year period after that event. This contrasts with Premillennialism, which expects a future literal 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth. Let’s examine key scriptures to explore this interpretation.
1 Corinthians 15:22-24 and the Resurrection
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. (1 Corinthians 15:22-24 ESV)
In this passage, Paul outlines the resurrection order: Christ first, then believers at His coming, followed by “the end” when He hands over the kingdom to the Father. Partial Preterists see Christ’s “coming” as His judgment-coming in AD 70, which defeated the old covenant system and its authorities (e.g., Jewish religious powers). The Millennium follows AD 70, either as a symbolic Church age where Christ reigns through His people, with Satan’s influence restrained (Revelation 20:2-3), or as a literal 1,000-year period of gospel expansion. The “end” comes after this period, when Christ fully consummates His kingdom, at a future final return.
2 Peter 3:10 and the Day of the Lord
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:10 ESV)
Partial Preterists interpret the “day of the Lord” as the AD 70 judgment on Jerusalem, using apocalyptic language to describe the collapse of the old covenant world, not a literal destruction of the cosmos (e.g., similar imagery in Isaiah 13:9-13). The Millennium begins after AD 70, representing either the ongoing Church age, where Christ reigns spiritually as the gospel transforms the world, or a literal 1,000-year period of peace and Christian influence. The “heavens and earth” dissolving symbolizes the end of the old covenant order, paving the way for the new covenant’s dominance during the Millennium.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 and Christ’s Coming
since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints… (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 ESV)
This passage depicts Christ’s coming in judgment, bringing relief to believers and punishment to their adversaries. Partial Preterists see this as fulfilled in AD 70, when Christ judged those persecuting the early church (e.g., Jewish authorities aligned with Rome). The “eternal destruction” refers to the covenantal judgment on unbelieving Israel. The Millennium follows, either as the Church age, where believers reign with Christ spiritually (Revelation 20:4), or as a literal 1,000-year period of gospel prosperity, during which Satan’s ability to deceive the nations is restrained, allowing Christianity to flourish.
The Millennium in Revelation 20
In this Partial Preterist view, the “thousand years” of Revelation 20:1-6 begins after AD 70. It is interpreted in one of two ways:
Symbolic Church Age: The Millennium represents the entire period from AD 70 to the future return of Christ, during which Satan is “bound” (Revelation 20:2), meaning his ability to deceive the nations is limited, allowing the gospel to spread (e.g., Matthew 28:19-20). The “reign” of the saints (Revelation 20:4) is the spiritual authority of believers in the Church, both living and martyred, advancing God’s kingdom.
Literal 1,000-Year Period: Alternatively, the Millennium is a literal 1,000-year period following AD 70 (roughly AD 70–1070 or a defined era), characterized by the triumph of Christianity over paganism (e.g., the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire). Satan’s binding allowed this expansion, and the “first resurrection” refers to the spiritual revival of the Church or the vindication of martyrs.
In both cases, the Millennium is not a future earthly reign with Christ physically present but a period of Christ’s spiritual reign through His Church, post-AD 70, culminating in a final judgment at the end of the age.
Conclusion
This Partial Preterist view places the Millennium after AD 70, interpreting it as either the symbolic Church age or a literal 1,000-year period of gospel influence. Scriptures like 1 Corinthians 15:22-24, 2 Peter 3:10, and 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 support this by framing AD 70 as the judgment-coming of Christ, which defeated His enemies and initiated a new era of His reign. Revelation 20’s Millennium reflects this period of spiritual victory, whether symbolically (ongoing Church age) or literally (a defined post-AD 70 era), offering a framework that avoids the need for a future premillennial reign while emphasizing Christ’s present kingdom.