|
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.
|
