(Luke 2:1 KJV) And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
At the time, did the Mayan's living in what is now Central Mexico pay taxes to Caesar Augustus when he sent out his decree that "All THE WORLD" should be taxed?
If no, why not? It clearly says "ALL THE WORLD"?????
Of course the word "world" in that instance would mean the Roman empire, or the known world. It certainly would not mean only Jerusalem and Judah. So keep this in mind because we will see the Lord use the same word when He answered the following question asked by His disciples:
"'Tell us,' they said, 'when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?'" (Mt.24:3).
Earlier the Lord Jesus spoke the parable of the "tares of the field" where He described what will happen at the "end of the age":
"Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, 'Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.' He answered, 'The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world (kosmos), and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age , and the harvesters are angels. 'As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (Mt. 13:36-43).
By the Lord's own words we know that at the "end of the age" there will be a WORLD-WIDE HARVEST and nothing like that came upon the Roman Empire in 70AD!
The words of the Lord Jesus about what will happen at the "end of the age" by itself completely destroys the Preterist's teaching about eschatology.
But you would rather deny what the Lord Jesus said so you can cling to the teaching of the Preterists that the beast of Revelation 13:1 has already come and gone so there is no need to be on guard for his appearance!
Who do you say was the beast of Revelation 13:1, Tet? I could use a good laugh today!