Transcript An Examination of…

A Refutation of…
The A.D. 70 Doctrine
Realized Eschatology
Transmillennialism
Preterism
Purpose of Series
• A Biblical treatment of Eschatology (the
doctrine of the end times).
• An introduction to the doctrine of Realized
Eschatology
• A concise refutation of the doctrine of
Realized Eschatology
• Warnings and exhortations regarding
religious error, and the Christian’s
response to it
Lesson 3
Refuting Realized Eschatology
We read and study the Bible, and as a result we
experience a paradigm shift which reveals to us
a new insight into the Scriptures while creating
new mysteries to be explored and discovered.
This was one of the results of my “conversion” to
Preterism. As a result of understanding fulfilled
prophecy, I now find myself reassessing other
areas of my faith in light of what happened in AD
70. (emphasis mine, SC)
Virgil Vaduva
Prophecy Fulfilled in AD 70, planetpreterist.com
Definition: Paradigm Shift
• Paradigm - 3 : a philosophical and theoretical
framework of a scientific school or discipline
within which theories, laws, and generalizations
and the experiments performed in support of
them are formulated; broadly : a philosophical
or theoretical framework of any kind (MerriamWebster Online Dictionary)
• Paradigm Shift - A radical change in personal
beliefs, complex systems or organizations,
replacing the former way of thinking or
organizing with a radically different way of
thinking or organizing. (Answers.com)
Is the Paradigm Valid? (Darksucker Theory)
• The most common hoax [perpetrated by the
power companies] promoted the false concept
that light bulbs emitted light; in actuality, these
'light' bulbs actually absorb dark which is then
transported back to the power generation
stations via wires. A more descriptive name has
now been coined; the new scientific name is for
the device is darksucker.
• Take for example, the darksuckers in the room
where you are. There is much less dark right next
to them than there is elsewhere, demonstrating
their limited range.
Darksucker Theory II
• A candle is a primitive darksucker. A new candle
has a white wick. You will notice that after the
first use the wick turns black, representing all
the dark which has been sucked into it.
• There are also portable darksuckers called
flashlights. The bulbs in these devices cannot
handle all of the dark by themselves, and must
be aided by a dark storage unit called a battery.
• Dark has great mass, and so it is very heavy…
[for example] the heavier dark sinks to the
bottom of a lake, making it appear 'lighter' near
the surface.
Misconceptions Leading to Invalid Paradigm
• Time statements regarding the Second
Coming of Christ must be understood as
being accomplished within the generation
living at the time of Christ’s death.
• The coming of Christ’s kingdom with “power”
was accomplished at the fall of Jerusalem in
A.D. 70 rather than at the crucifixion of Jesus
Christ.
• The Destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and
the Second Coming of Christ are the same
event.
Max R. King: The Second Coming of Christ
There is no time period between the fall of
Judaism and the second coming of Christ.
They are essentially the same event – at any
rate they are inexorably linked.
The Spirit of Prophecy (2002 edition), Max R. King, page 137-138
The Fall of Jerusalem – Prophesied by Jesus
• Jesus’ prophecy concerning the destruction of
Jerusalem is recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13,
Luke 21
– Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple
(Matthew 24:1-2) Read
– His disciples desired more information (24:3) Read
• The destruction of Jerusalem would be preceded
by signs (24:4-14, cf. vs. 6), then immediately by
the “abomination of desolation” (24:15-21)
• The language of Christ’s coming in Judgment
upon Jerusalem full of figurative language and
hyperbole (24:29-31)
The Fall of Jerusalem – II
• Figurative, hyperbolic language is characteristic
of prophecy concerning judgment (see quote)
… a brief series of parallels from the Old Testament. The
stars becoming dark, the moon not giving its light, etc. (v.
29), is paralleled in the picture of the fall of Babylon (Isa.
13:10), the fall of Idumea (Isa. 34:4, 5), and the judgment
against Egypt in Ezekiel 32:7-8. The "sign of the Son of
Man," the coming, etc., have parallels in the day of
judgment on Egypt and Ethiopia ("a day of clouds") in
Ezekiel 30:3-4; in Ezekiel 19:1 Jehovah rides on a swift
cloud to bring judgment on Egypt. The picture of His
"coming" is consistent with other quotations from Jesus
which do not necessitate an actual physical return but
instead a "presence" in some event or happening (cf. Matt.
16:28; 26:64). This "coming" cannot be the second coming,
for Luke 21:27 and Mark 13:26 refer it to the fall of
Jerusalem. See also Isaiah 19:1 and Zephaniah 2:7. The
"Gathering of the Elect" (v. 31) is a figurative picture of the
Christians fleeing the city. Comparison may be made with
Zechariah 2:6ff.; Hosea 1:11, etc.
Perversions of Matthew 24 (II), Dan King, Truth Magazine (June 16, 1983)
The Fall of Jerusalem – II
• Figurative, hyperbolic language is characteristic
of prophecy concerning judgment (see quote
from Dan King)
• All of these things were to happen in that
generation (24:33-35) Read
• However, there was another event Jesus spoke of
in this context for which there would be no
signs!
– Matthew 25:1-13 (Parable of the 10 Virgins)
– “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor
the hour in which the Son of man is coming” (vs. 13)
– This is the Final Judgment! (25:31-33) Read
Second Coming & AD70 Two Different Events
• It is an incorrect assumption that references to
Christ’s Second Coming should be considered
figurative rather than literal
– Note Quote from Dungan
Confusing Literal and Figurative
“Many seem disposed to regard themselves as at
liberty to make anything out of the Bible which
their theology may demand or their whims
require. And if, at any time, they find a passage
that will not harmonize with that view, then the
next thing is to find one or more words in the text
used elsewhere in a figurative sense, and then
demand that such be the Biblical dictionary on the
meaning of that word, and hence that it must be
the meaning in that place.”
Hermeneutics, D.R. Dungan (page 217)
Second Coming & AD70 Two Different Events
• It is an incorrect assumption that references to
Christ’s Second Coming should be considered
figurative rather than literal
– Note Quote from Dungan
• Resurrection of the Dead Literal, not Figurative!
– 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
1 Corinthians 15:12-19
Now if Christ is preached that He has
been raised from the dead, how do some
among you say that there is no resurrection of the
dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead,
then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen,
then our preaching is empty and your faith is also
empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God,
because we have testified of God that He raised up
Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead
do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is
not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is
futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who
have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this
life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the
most pitiable.
Second Coming & AD70 Two Different Events
• It is an incorrect assumption that references to
Christ’s Second Coming should be considered
figurative rather than literal
– Note Quote from Dungan
• Resurrection of the Dead Literal, not Figurative!
– 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
• Second Coming of Christ Literal, not Figurative!
– Acts 1:10-11
Acts 1:10-11
And while they looked steadfastly
toward heaven as He went up, behold, two
men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who
also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand
gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus,
who was taken up from you into heaven,
will so come in like manner as you saw Him
go into heaven.”
Second Coming & AD70 Two Different Events
• It is an incorrect assumption that references to
Christ’s Second Coming should be considered
figurative rather than literal
– Note Quote from Dungan
• Resurrection of the Dead Literal, not Figurative!
– 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
• Second Coming of Christ Literal, not Figurative!
– Acts 1:10-11
• Destruction of the World Literal, not Figurative!
– 2 Peter 3:5-7
2 Peter 3:5-7
For this they willfully forget: that
by the word of God the heavens were of old,
and the earth standing out of water and in
the water, 6 by which the world that then
existed perished, being flooded with water.
7 But the heavens and the earth which are
now preserved by the same word, are
reserved for fire until the day of judgment
and perdition of ungodly men.
Problems with the A.D. 70 Doctrine
• If the resurrection is past, why is there still death
and marriage? (Luke 20:34-36)
Max R. King: “Eternal Days”
The New Testament saints preached,
wrote, suffered, and died in the last days,
but this is not true of us today. We are now
in that world which was to come. We are in
the eternal kingdom of Christ, and instead
of being in last days we are in eternal days –
a world without end (Eph. 3:21).
The Spirit of Prophecy (2002 edition), Max R. King, page 138
Luke 20:34-36
And Jesus answered and said
to them, “The sons of this age marry and are
given in marriage. 35 But those who are
counted worthy to attain that age, and the
resurrection from the dead, neither marry
nor are given in marriage; 36 nor can they
die anymore, for they are equal to the angels
and are sons of God, being sons of the
resurrection.
Problems with the A.D. 70 Doctrine
• If the resurrection is past, why is there still death
and marriage? (Luke 20:34-36)
• Paul had the same belief regarding the
resurrection of the dead that the Pharisees had
(Acts 24:15)
Acts 24:15
I have hope in God, which they
themselves also accept, that there will be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the just
and the unjust.
Problems with the A.D. 70 Doctrine
• If the resurrection is past, why is there still death
and marriage? (Luke 20:34-36)
• Paul had the same belief regarding the
resurrection of the dead that the Pharisees had
(Acts 24:15)
• If the judgment had reference to the destruction
of the Jews, why would it have caused Felix to be
fearful? (Acts 24:25)
Acts 24:25
Now as he reasoned about
righteousness, self-control, and the
judgment to come, Felix was afraid and
answered, “Go away for now; when I have a
convenient time I will call for you.”
Felix was a Roman. He would not
have feared Rome’s siege of
Jerusalem.
Problems with the A.D. 70 Doctrine
• If the resurrection is past, why is there still death
and marriage? (Luke 20:34-36)
• Paul had the same belief regarding the
resurrection of the dead that the Pharisees had
(Acts 24:15)
• If the judgment had reference to the destruction
of the Jews, why would it have caused Felix to be
fearful? (Acts 24:25)
• The observance of the Lord’s Supper is to end at
the Second coming of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:26)
1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as you eat this bread
and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's
death till He comes.
Conclusion
The hope that we have as Christians is of a
future resurrection. Without it, we of all men
are to be the most pitied (cf. 1 Corinthians
15:19).
It is with words of this future resurrection
that we are to “comfort one another” (cf. 1
Thessalonians 4:18)
The A.D. 70 Doctrine robs us of this
comfort!
Addendum
How are we to react to those who
teach the A.D. 70 Doctrine?
Consider the following verses:
• 2 Timothy 2:16-18
• 2 John 9-11
• Jude 3
2 Timothy 2:16-18
But shun profane and idle
babblings, for they will increase to more
ungodliness. 17 And their message will
spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus
are of this sort, 18 who have strayed
concerning the truth, saying that the
resurrection is already past; and they
overthrow the faith of some.
2 John 9-11
Whoever transgresses and does
not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not
have God. He who abides in the doctrine of
Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If
anyone comes to you and does not bring this
doctrine, do not receive him into your house
nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him
shares in his evil deeds.
Jude 3
Beloved, while I was very diligent
to write to you concerning our common
salvation, I found it necessary to write to
you exhorting you to contend earnestly for
the faith which was once for all delivered to
the saints.