Preterism is believing most things have come to past or are fulfilled. As more people in Christ study the bible spiritually instead of thru endtime prophecy books and sites, the more richly the bible will come alive. I am not under a label,I just study the Bible only, nothing else (I pray christians will avoid entime prophecy books and sites like the "plague"!).
For example, I viewed The New Jerusalem as "symbolically" representing the HOLY SPIRIT, just as the WOMAN giving birth to the "male child" in chapt 12 of revelation, ("symbolic" of Jesus Christ being born of the Holy Spirit). Revelation almost "appears" to be a type of "history" of the birth, death and resurrection of "Christ" (possibly represented by the "2 witnesses"), then the destruction, wrath and vengeance on a "jewish city". At least that is how I have viewed it.
Revelation is devinely symbolic, and requires being studied thru the Holy Spirit and studying the whole Bible to interpret all the symbology used in it. Even the 7 churches by itself needs to be studied deeply, as they represent more than just "churches".
For example, they appear to be in "order" of the OT in some ways: Tree of life (garden of eden), second death(adam), hidden manna (hebrews in wilderness under Moses) etc.
For example, this is the only place in revelation that the words Son of God is used is of Thyatira, the only "church" doomed for destruction, no reprentance. I believe the churches are symbolic of something else even greater in revelation, but I am studying them now and feel I know what they represent. Thyatira also means "Odor of Affliction", and has Jezebel in it (study on Ahab and Jezebel).
reve 2: 18 " And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ' These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and [as] for your works, the last [are] more than the first. 20 "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed(symbolizing plauges and pestilence), and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 "I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
Jesus was born through the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit symboizes God dwelling in His elect believers who believe unto the Faith that is of Jesus.
To show how symbolic this is, the sun represents the "light of righteouness", the moon represents "darkness" and it is under Her "feet" of Her coming down(Christ said all of His enemies would be put under his FEET).
1 Corinthians 15:25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
A third of the 12 "stars" are "cast down" by the "tail" of satan, BEFORE Christ is born, symbolizing possibly 4 nations being destroyed or absorbed by another nation "in the past". The moon later turns to "blood", representing a destruction on a "dark kingdom", possibly the "babylon" in revelation.
Anyway, this was one way I viewed it, but it appears to "symbolise" the Holy Spirit or the Word, coming down, much like the New Jerusalem, God dwelling with us and we with Him through His Spirit.
Heaven doesn't necessarily mean the "heaven" where God reigns, but an old type heaven on "earth".
Revelation 12:1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. ........... And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.
I just bring this up to get more Christians in Christ to study the Bible and just the Bible and draw your own spirit lead views and interpretations, not others (not even mine). I always pray to God before I even start to read, asking for wisdom and knowledge of His words (which is all Solomon wished for in the OT)
1 corin 2:13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know [them,] because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is [rightly] judged by no one. 16 For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
