Why Universalism Fails Under Preterism: The Idol-Free Kingdom

Why Universalism Fails Under Preterism: The Idol-Free Kingdom

There is a growing belief, even among some who embrace fulfilled eschatology, that Universalism—the idea that all people, regardless of belief or behavior, will ultimately be saved—is compatible with Full Preterism. But while Full Preterism teaches that the final judgment has already occurred (circa 70 AD), and that the New Jerusalem is now present, it does not follow that everyone ends up inside that city. Scripture remains clear: not all enter the kingdom, and nothing unclean or cursed will ever pass through its gates (Revelation 21:27).

Zechariah 13:2–3 – The Idols Cut Off

“It shall be in that day,” says the Lord of hosts, “that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered… I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land.”

—Zechariah 13:2-3

This prophetic word speaks of the covenantal purging that preceded the arrival of the New Covenant order. God didn’t sweep everyone into the kingdom. He cut off idols, shut the mouths of false prophets, and removed unclean spirits. The goal was not inclusion of every worldview—it was purity in God's covenantal dwelling.

Universalism ignores the judgment aspect of this. But under Full Preterism, this judgment already happened—and it was not universal salvation. It was a winnowing of the faithful from the idolatrous.

Zechariah 14:16–21 – Vassal-Suzerain Language: Obedience Matters

This passage describes the survivors of the nations coming up yearly to worship the King in Jerusalem. But look closely:

“And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship… on them there will be no rain.”

—Zechariah 14:17

This is vassal-suzerain covenant language. The nations are not free to do as they please. They are obligated to honor the King, and if they don’t, they experience consequences. Universalism claims God’s kingdom is a free-for-all. But Zechariah says the opposite: God’s kingdom demands allegiance.

“In that day HOLINESS TO THE LORD shall be engraved on the bells of the horses… and every pot in Jerusalem shall be holiness to the Lord.” (v. 20–21)

This is not a universal mixing of worldviews. It is total sanctification—everything devoted to Yahweh.

 Isaiah 2:20; 30:22; 31:7 – Idols Thrown Away

Isaiah paints a consistent picture: when God’s kingdom comes in fullness, idolatry is renounced:

“In that day men will cast away their idols of silver and their idols of gold…” (Isaiah 2:20)

“You will defile your carved images… You will throw them away as an unclean thing; You will say to them, ‘Get away!’” (Isaiah 30:22)

“In that day every man shall throw away his idols of silver and gold…” (Isaiah 31:7)

This isn’t universal salvation—it’s universal separation between the pure and the defiled. You cannot bring your Vishnu statue or your Buddha icon into the New Jerusalem. God demands cleansing, not inclusion of every religious system.

Isaiah 65:20 – Two Destinies in the Age to Come

“No more shall an infant from there live but a few days… But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.”

—Isaiah 65:20

This prophetic image of the New Heavens and Earth (fulfilled in the covenantal New Jerusalem post-70 AD) still contains two destinies:

The righteous enjoy long life (covenant blessings).

The sinner, though given time, remains accursed.

Universalism imagines the New Jerusalem with no judgment. Isaiah says otherwise: grace and judgment exist side by side in the inaugurated kingdom.

 Ezekiel 36:22–27 – Cleansing, Not Compromise

“I will take you from among the nations… Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.”

—Ezekiel 36:24–25

God doesn’t just invite nations into His covenant family—He cleanses them. The entry requirement into the New Jerusalem isn’t simply existence; it’s cleansing, repentance, allegiance. Universalism skips the purification process. But God never does.

Revelation 21:27 – Nothing Unclean Enters

“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”

This verse alone is a deathblow to universalism. The gates of the New Jerusalem are open (Rev. 21:25), but not to just anyone. Only those who have been cleansed—those whose names are written in the Book of Life—may enter.

You cannot bring your idols. You cannot cling to lies. You cannot remain defiled and walk among the sanctified.

God Does Not Share His Glory

“I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to carved images.”

—Isaiah 42:8

The cross was not a cheap pass for all religions. It was the deathblow to idolatry and the gate into covenant through Christ alone.

Conclusion

The judgment is past, the kingdom has come, and New Jerusalem is open. But none of that implies all are saved.

The Scriptures still speak:

Of the unclean being excluded

Of the idolaters being judged

Of the faithful being transformed

And of the kingdom being holy