There are very sincere religious folk called preterists. Preterist is a term that came into the English language from Latin, signifying completed past action. A preterist interprets Matthew 24 as already fulfilled by the time of the 70 AD destruction of the Temple. Commentator Adam Clarke was a preterist in regard to Matthew 24, believing it was already fulfilled in his day. Modern commentary authors, such as William Lane and R. C. Sproul, are also fairly well-known preterists.

Preterism is a perspective in eschatology that asserts all biblical prophecy, including the Second Coming of Christ, the Resurrection of the Dead, and the Last Judgment, was fulfilled by AD 70 during the Destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans. Preterists interpret Christ's statement in Matthew 10:23, "you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes," as indicating a figurative return of Christ in judgment at that time. They view the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 as the fulfillment of this prophetic coming. However, this interpretation is challenged by the absence of apocalyptic signs such as clouds or redemption in Jerusalem during that event, suggesting that Christ's words may point to a different time of fulfillment.

Preterism, derived from the Latin term *praeteritus* meaning "gone by" or "what has already taken place," is a view of prophecy asserting that many biblical prophecies have already been fulfilled in history. Preterists particularly focus on the Olivet Prophecy in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, as well as the entire book of Revelation, claiming these were fulfilled by or before the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. There are two schools within preterism: full preterists believe all biblical prophecy was fulfilled by this date, viewing it as the terminus of all prophecy, while partial preterists hold that most prophecies are fulfilled but some, notably Christ's second coming and the resurrection of the dead, remain future events. This perspective, though seemingly fringe, has a significant following and historical roots dating back to Eusebius in the late 3rd century AD, just a couple of hundred years after the close of the biblical canon. Preterism has persisted into modern times, revived by groups such as the Churches of Christ and infiltrating reformed churches, Calvinist circles, Presbyterian denominations, and beyond. Notable contemporary figures in Protestant circles who advocate preterist views further spread these ideas through various platforms. Central to the preterist interpretation is Matthew 24:34, where Jesus states, "This generation shall not pass till all these things are fulfilled." Preterists argue that Jesus referred to the generation present with Him and His disciples, a period of about 40 years, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in AD 70. They conclude that all the events Jesus described must have occurred by that time, signaling the end of prophecy fulfillment. However, this interpretation hinges on a specific understanding of "this generation," raising questions about the accuracy of such a limited timeframe given the scope of unfulfilled events described in the prophecy.