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Realized Eschatology: 70 AD Doctrine (Part II)
Bible study on Realized Eschatology: 70 AD Doctrine.

Realized eschatology is the doctrine that all end-time prophesies were fulfilled in 70 AD at the destruction of Jerusalem.

In this series of articles we are reviewing the false doctrine of realized eschatology (70 AD doctrine), because of its revitalization among churches of Christ which is resulting in divisions. My hope and prayer is that by studying this doctrine, and the truth of the Scriptures, we will fulfill God's command and see that none of us fall short of the grace of God.

In the last article we examined a brief history of realized eschatology, and the circulation of the doctrine in churches of Christ by Max King. We also examined the perversity of this doctrine, and several Scriptures that show it's a false doctrine.

In this article we examine Max King's hermeneutic and his doctrine of Transmillennialism, then show from Scripture they are false doctrines.

Max King's Hypothesis
The 70 AD doctrine is built upon a hypothesis rather than Scripture, which is a red flag for all Bible students. False teachers twist the Scriptures trying to prove all sorts of things, often by beginning with a hypothesis (2 Pet. 3:16).

For example, the Sadducees taught there was not a resurrection based upon a hypothesis, which they supported with a hypothetical story of a woman who was married to seven men before her death. Jesus said they were mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God (Matt. 22:29-32). Like false teachers today, the Sadducees ignored Scriptures that disproved their hypothesis, and believed a false doctrine.

Max King says on page 13 of the second edition of his book, The Spirit of Prophesy, "If our hypothesis holds. . . ." This shows that his doctrine is built on a hypothesis, which he developed earlier in his book.

What is King's hypothesis?

His hypothesis, which he presents with an elongated algebraic formula on page 12 of his book, is that the Bible tells us Jesus would come once after ascending to heaven, which was at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Thus, as he develops throughout his book, all end-time prophesies were fulfilled in 70 AD at the destruction of Jerusalem.

Spiritual Method of Interpretation
To make his hypothesis appear to be true from the Scriptures, King developed a new hermeneutic from the Abrahamic allegory in Galatians 4:21-31, which he calls the spiritual method of interpretation.

He asserts, without Biblical proof, that the spiritual method of interpretation is firmly established in the Bible, and that it's the basic and primary method of interpreting end-time prophesy (The Spirit of Prophesy, 2nd Edition, p. 19).

He develops the spiritual method of interpretation by twisting the allegory of Abraham and his two sons in Galatians 4:21-31, and concludes that the allegory represents the two comings of Christ one to fleshly Israel, and one to spiritual Israel. He also asserts that the spiritual method of interpretation is prominent among New Testament writers with respect to the establishment and development of spiritual Israel (The Spirit of Prophesy, 2nd Edition, p. 20).

King also uses Revelation 19:10, from where he derived the name of his book, The Spirit of Prophesy, to justify the spiritual method of interpretation while admitting it "does not speak directly to the nature of prophesy" (The Spirit of Prophesy, 2nd Edition, p. 20).

Understanding this is important, because Max King uses his analysis of the Abrahamic allegory to justify the spiritual method of interpretation and his doctrine of Transmillennialism.

Transmillennialism
The term "Transmillennialism" was invented by Max King and is a trademark of his company, Living Presence Ministries. Another term for this doctrine is Covenant Eschatology.

Transmillennialism is the doctrine that both the first and second covenants were in force between the cross and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. King teaches that the millennium (1,000 years) in Revelation 20:4-6 was the period between the cross and destruction on Jerusalem, which literally lasted only 37 years, and that both covenants were simultaneously in force (The Spirit of Prophesy, 2nd Edition, pp. 58-59).

Transmillennialism: False Doctrine
Max King's doctrine that the Jewish and Christian covenants coexisted between the cross and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD contradicts Scripture.

When Peter preached to Jews on Pentecost and they asked what they should do, he didn't tell them they could continue to obey the Mosaic Law. He told them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:37-38).

  • They had to be baptized and become disciples of Jesus (Matt. 28:18-19).
  • There is salvation in no other name than Jesus (Acts 4:12).
  • Gentiles were not given an option whether to obey Jesus or Moses. They had to obey Jesus (Acts 10:34-48).

We also learn that the old covenant (law) was cancelled at the cross (Col. 2:13-15). It was nailed to the cross, illustrating that it had been fulfilled, and was no longer in effect. Thus, the Mosaic Law was abolished and put to death when Jesus died on the cross (Eph. 2:13-16).

We also know that God changed the law, of necessity, so Jesus could be priest and king (Heb. 7:12-14). Thus, the law of Moses was not in effect after the cross, because Jesus became our high priest.

And we learn from Paul that Jews who tried to serve God by keep the Mosaic Law were lost , though they lived between the time of the cross and the destruction of Jerusalem (Rom. 10:1-4).

So, Jews who taught people to keep the Mosaic Law in any way to be saved were accursed. And people who followed their teachings were lost in sin (Gal. 1:8-9; 5:4).

Conclusion
Max King basis his spiritual method of interpretation and his doctrine of Transmillennialism on an erroneous interpretation of the Abrahamic allegory in Galatians 4:21-31. Therefore, both are false doctrines.

God teaches in His word that the covenant He made with Israel through Moses never coexisted with the covenant we have through Christ. Therefore, Transmillennialism is a false doctrine.