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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 resulting in division.
In the last two articles we examined a brief
history of realized eschatology, the circulation
of the doctrine among churches of Christ, the
perversity of the doctrine compared to Scripture,
and Max King's false doctrines: the spiritual
method of interpretation, and Transmillennialism.
In this article we investigate the truth of
Paul's Abrahamic allegory in Galatians 4:21-31.
This is important, because Max King twists the
allegory to make it appear to support his hypothesis
and doctrines.
As we begin, we will investigate the context,
then look at the allegory.
Not Saved by the Mosaic Law, but Through Faith
in Christ
Max King alleges that the Abrahamic allegory in
Galatians 4:21-31 proves that both the old and
new covenants coexisted; thus, they were simultaneously
in effect.
This interpretation contradicts the context
of the epistle. If both covenants coexisted, then
people could be saved by keeping the Mosaic Law,
which Paul makes abundantly clear is a false doctrine.
- Jesus saves us, rescuing us from this present
evil age (Gal. 1:4).
- He redeems us from the law that we might
receive the adoption (Gal. 4:5).
- People who teach we can be saved by keeping
the Mosaic Law in any way are accursed (Gal.
1:6-9).
- These teachers are not from God (Gal.
5:8).
- Christians should not adopt the same
view as these false teachers (Gal. 5:9-10).
- Christians who try to be saved by keeping
the Mosaic Law in any way have fallen from grace
(Gal. 5:4, 7).
- They are foolish and bewitched (Gal.
3:1).
- Righteousness does not come through the law,
but through Christ (Gal. 2:20-21).
Sons Through Faith, not the Mosaic Law
If Max King's doctrine of Transmillennialism is
correct, people to whom Paul wrote the Galatians
epistle could be sons of God through the Mosaic
covenant.
Paul teaches the opposite. We can't keep the
Mosaic covenant to be saved in any fashion; else,
we are not sons of God. Thus, both covenants did
not coexist.
- We are sons of Abraham through faith, not
the Mosaic Law (Gal. 3:6-9).
- We are under a curse if we are of the works
of the law (Gal. 3:10-12).
- We do not know God under the law, but
we are slaves (Gal. 4:8).
- Christ redeemed us from the curse of the
law (Gal. 3:13-14).
- The Mosaic Law does not impart righteousness
(Gal. 3:21).
- It was a tutor to bring people to Christ
(Gal. 3:23-24).
- Now that faith has come, we are no longer
under a tutor (Mosaic Law) (Gal. 3:25).
- We become sons of God through faith when
baptized into Christ, not through the Mosaic
Law (Gal. 3:26-29).
- People living by the Mosaic Law do not
know God, and are enslaved (Gal. 4:8-9).
- Remember, the Mosaic Law was abolished
and put to death at the cross (Eph. 2:15-16;
Col. 2:13-14).
- We must fulfill the law of Christ, not the
Mosaic Law (Gal. 6:2).
Allegory: Abraham and His Two Sons
So what is the meaning of the allegory in Galatians
4:21-31?
Max King alleges the allegory establishes the
"spirit of prophesy" on page 370 of his book;
thus, he believes the allegory supports his hypothesis
and doctrines: the spiritual method of interpretation,
and Transmillennialism. But that can't be true,
as we've seen in the context of Galatians leading
up to the allegory.
In the Scriptures we've reviewed in this article,
the context leading up to the Abrahamic allegory
tells us the point Paul is making with the allegory,
namely, that people who live under the Mosaic
Law do not know God, are enslaved, and are not
sons of God.
Look at the conclusions Paul draws from the
allegory:
- Christians are children of God; like Isaac
they are children of promise and free (Gal.
4:28, 31).
- Jews are children of the bondwoman, and cast
out of the commonwealth of God. They are not
children of God (Gal. 4:23-25, 30). To become
children of God they must be baptized into Christ,
then God will adopt them and set them free from
slavery (Gal. 3:24-4:7).
Conclusion
The Abrahamic allegory in Galatians 4:21-31 does
not teach that both the old and new covenants
coexisted. It teaches the opposite, that the covenants
did not coexist -- people under the first
covenant were cast out, because both covenants
did not coexist.
Galatians 4:21-31 is the Scripture upon which
Max King builds his hermeneutic, and his doctrine
of Transmillennialism (70 AD doctrine). We have
seen that his teaching on the allegory is false,
and must conclude that the doctrines built upon
his interpretation are false.
King's doctrine of the spiritual method of interpretation
is a false doctrine. And his doctrine of Transmillennialism
is false.
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