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Realized Eschatology: 70 AD Doctrine (Part III)
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 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.