Victorious Eschatology: The Fulfilled View of the End Times

What is Victorious Eschatology?

Victorious Eschatology is the belief that the prophecies concerning the “end times” have already been fulfilled, particularly through the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. This perspective, often called Fulfilled Eschatology, differs significantly from the mainstream Christian expectation of a future Second Coming, global judgment, and the end of the world.

This belief is rooted in the theological framework of Preterism, which comes in two main forms:

1. Partial Preterism

• Holds that some prophecies (like the Great Tribulation and the destruction of Jerusalem) were fulfilled in 70 A.D.
• Still anticipates a future bodily return of Christ and final judgment.
• Popular among Reformed theologians and some evangelical scholars.

2. Full Preterism (Consistent Preterism)

• Believes that all biblical prophecy, including Christ’s return, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment, was fulfilled in the first century.
• Teaches that the Kingdom of God is fully established today, and believers live in the reality of Christ’s victory.
• Often considered controversial within mainstream Christianity.

Both perspectives share the conviction that Christ’s “coming” was primarily about the judgment of Jerusalem and the completion of the Old Covenant system, rather than an event still waiting to happen.

3. Victorious Eschatology

Victorious Eschatology differs from Preterism in that, while both affirm that biblical prophecy has been fulfilled, Victorious Eschatology fully embraces the implications of that fulfillment in ways that Full Preterism often does not. Many Full Preterists still hold to traditional ideas about the afterlife, ongoing spiritual warfare, sin, and religious practice, believing that some aspects of the Christian experience—such as a post-mortem judgment or the necessity of structured faith practices—still persist today. In contrast, Victorious Eschatology teaches that all aspects of redemption, resurrection, judgment, and the establishment of Christ’s Kingdom have already been completed, meaning that believers are fully liberated from religious obligations, fears of afterlife punishment, and notions of an ongoing spiritual struggle. This perspective emphasizes living in complete victory now, rather than awaiting any future transformation beyond what Christ has already accomplished.

Key Terms and Related Perspectives

To understand Fulfilled Eschatology within broader theological discussions, it helps to be familiar with:

• Futurism – The dominant view in Christianity that still expects a future apocalypse, rapture, and physical Second Coming.
• Amillennialism – The belief that Christ’s reign is spiritual, rather than an earthly kingdom.
• Postmillennialism – The belief that the world will gradually improve through Christian influence before Christ’s final return.
• Historicism – A perspective that sees prophecy as unfolding progressively throughout history.

How Does Fulfilled Eschatology Differ from Futurist Views?

Traditional Christian eschatology (Futurism) anticipates a future fulfillment of end-times prophecies, including:

• A global Great Tribulation.
• A visible return of Christ to establish His earthly kingdom.
• A future resurrection of the dead and final judgment.
• The creation of a new heaven and new earth.

Fulfilled Eschatology challenges this timeline and asserts that these events have already happened. Below is a comparison:

Futurist View	Fulfilled Eschatology
The “End Times” are still in the future.	The “End Times” referred to the end of the Jewish age in 70 A.D.
Christ will return physically in the future.	Christ’s “coming” was a judgment event in 70 A.D.
The resurrection of the dead is a future bodily event.	The resurrection was spiritual, signifying the transition from Old Covenant to New Covenant life.
The final judgment has not happened yet.	Judgment occurred in the first century with the fall of Jerusalem.
The Kingdom of God will be physically established in the future.	The Kingdom is spiritual and fully established today.

What Are the Biblical Justifications for Fulfilled Eschatology?

Our work at The Great News Network has dug in for decades on what the Bible says in complete historical and linguistic context. A few very small examples that might paint the picture of ways that Victorious Eschatology is indicated are as follows:

1. Jesus’ Prophecies of the End Times

In passages like Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple and the end of the Jewish age. He states:

“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” – Matthew 24:34

This suggests that the “end times” events were meant for Jesus’ contemporaries, not a future age thousands of years later.

2. The Time Statements in the New Testament

The New Testament frequently describes the “end” as imminent:

• “The time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:3)
• “The end of all things is near.” (1 Peter 4:7)
• “This will happen soon.” (Revelation 22:6)

These statements challenge the idea that biblical prophecy refers to events thousands of years into the future.

3. The Judgment of 70 A.D.

The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. is seen as the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecies. This event:

• Ended the Old Covenant system with the destruction of the temple.
• Confirmed the spiritual nature of Christ’s Kingdom (John 18:36).
• Marked the fulfillment of Daniel’s 70 Weeks prophecy (Daniel 9:24-27).

How Does Fulfilled Eschatology Change the Understanding of Christ’s Kingdom?

1. The Kingdom Is Here and Now

Most Christians anticipate a future earthly kingdom, but Jesus taught that His kingdom was “not of this world” (John 18:36). Fulfilled Eschatology affirms that:

• The Kingdom of God is spiritual, not geopolitical.
• It was fully established through Christ’s reign in the first century.
• It is a present reality that believers participate in today.

2. The End of Religious Systems

Since Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant, religious institutions (temples, sacrifices, priesthoods) are no longer necessary. Worship is now:

• Personal and direct, not mediated through institutions.
• Based on spirit and truth, rather than rituals (John 4:23-24).

3. Living in Victory Rather Than Expectation

Instead of waiting for future salvation, judgment, or deliverance, believers in Fulfilled Eschatology live with the certainty that:

• Sin, death, and Satan have been defeated.
• There is no future wrath or judgment for believers.
• Eternal life is a present aspiration, not just a future hope.

What Are the Implications for Faith and Religious Institutions?

1. Christianity Without Fear-Based Theology

Since judgment has already taken place, believers are not under threat of eternal punishment. Instead, faith is about:

• Living in freedom and grace.
• Embracing faith and love, rather than religious obligation.
• Growing spiritually without fear of divine wrath.

2. A Shift Away from Institutional Religion

If the Old Covenant system has been fulfilled, then:

• Religious institutions that mimic Old Testament structures (priesthoods, tithing, hierarchical authority) are unnecessary.
• Believers can worship freely, without reliance on denominational control.

3. A Call to Live in Faith and Love in the Present Kingdom

Instead of focusing on the afterlife or awaiting a future event, Victorious Eschatology encourages believers to:

• Engage in the world with faith, love and grace.
• See Christ’s reign as a present reality, rather than a future promise.
• Participate in building a world shaped by His Kingdom principles.