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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 previous three 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,
Max King's false doctrines relating to his spiritual
method of interpretation and Transmillennialism,
and the truth of Paul's Abrahamic allegory in
Galatians 4:21-31.
In this article, we examine key words and phrases
of this doctrine, so we can be on guard against
false teachers who try to secretly introduce this
destructive heresy (cf. 2 Pet. 2:1).
False Doctrines: Unique Vocabulary
False teachers often incorporate a unique vocabulary
in their doctrines so it's easier to deceive people.
For example, Roman Catholics have "Pope", "Cardinal",
"nun", "transubstantiation", and "purgatory".
New Age religion has "awakening", "spiritual
awakening", and "higher consciousness".
And the Mormons have a fictional prophet named
Nephi and a fictional angel named Moroni.
False teachers also redefine or misdefine words
in the Bible to fit their doctrines, such as those
who say baptism is the same as christening, pouring,
and sprinkling.
When we talk with people who are using a vocabulary
that's not in the Bible, they may be using expedient
terms to express Biblical ideas, but there's a
good chance they are teaching a false doctrine,
so we should be careful.
Covenant Eschatology / Transmillennialism
Two terms invented by Max King are "Covenant Eschatology"
and "Transmillennialism" which we've discussed
throughout this series, and shown to be false
doctrines.
"Covenant Eschatology" was coined by Max King
in the late 1980's, and "Transmillennialism" was
invented in 1999 and registered as a trademark
by Living Presence Ministries, a company of Max
King and his family.
Since "Covenant Eschatology" and "Transmillennialism"
are not Bible terms, and since they represent
concepts foreign to the Bible, they serve as red
flags, warning everyone to beware of the 70 AD
doctrine.
New Heavens and New Earth
70 AD adherents are obsessed with the new heaven
(s) and new earth, believing they are the same
as the New Jerusalem, heavenly Jerusalem, and
Zion, which they believe are terms representing
the church in its fullness, beginning in 70 AD.
As an example of this preoccupation, "new heaven
(s) and new earth" appears four times in the Bible
(NASB), twice in the Old Testament and twice in
the New Testament. But the term appears ninety-nine
times in Max King's first major book, The Spirit
of Prophesy (2nd Edition).
What does the Bible say about the new heavens
and new earth? This phrase represents eternal
life of the saints in heaven, after the physical
destruction of the world and judgment of ungodly
men at the final judgment (2 Pet. 3:5-13; Rev.
20:11- 21:1). Certainly, the new heavens and new
earth did not come at 70 AD.
Last Days / Last Time
70 AD adherents are also obsessed with the last
days and last time, equating these terms with
eschatology (The Spirit of Prophecy, 2nd Edition,
King, pp. 129, 134), believing they denote the
time marking the closing period of the Jewish
age at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD,
the resurrection and the final judgment in 70
AD, and the beginning of the fullness of the church
in 70 AD.
As an example of this preoccupation, "last days"
appears eleven times in the Bible (NASB), six
in the Old Testament and five in the New Testament.
But the term appears seventy times in Max King's
book, The Spirit of Prophesy (2nd Edition).
What does the Bible say about the last days?
The last day is when the disobedient will be judged,
which is at the physical destruction of the world
(Jn. 12:48; 2 Pet. 3:5-7). Certainly, the last
day was not at 70 AD; therefore, the last days
did not end at the destruction of Jerusalem.
Consummation
70 AD adherents twist the word "consummation"
to promote several components of their doctrine.
Max King, in his book The Spirit of Prophesy
(2nd Edition), uses the word consummation like
this: the consummation, consummation of the age,
consummation of the ages, consummation of the
old covenant age, consummation of the New, consummation
of things, consummation of all things, consummation
that is of the Spirit, consummation of the seventieth
week of Daniel, consummation of God's plan.
In stark contrast, the word "consummation" appears
once in the Old Testament (KJV), and once in the
New Testament.
Where "consummation" is used in the Old Testament,
it actually means destruction, and doesn't mean
consummation in the same way as the New Testament.
But, 70 AD advocates twist the word as it appears
in Daniel 9:27 to their advantage, and use it
to teach their false doctrine.
For 70 AD adherents, the consummation was at
70 AD at which time they believe these events
occurred: the coming of Christ, the end of the
old covenant and beginning of the fullness of
the new covenant, the beginning of the everlasting
kingdom in its fullness, the resurrection and
judgment, the end of the Jewish age and destruction
of the Jewish earthly city and sanctuary, the
end of last days and beginning of the new heavens
and new earth.
What does the Bible say about consummation?
The word consummation is used in the King James
translations in the sense of destruction in Daniel
9:27, relating to Daniel's seventy weeks prophesy.
And in the New Testament, we are told that the
consummation of the ages occurred when Jesus was
crucified on the cross (Heb. 9:26), not at 70
AD at the destruction of Jerusalem as taught by
70 AD advocates.
Parousia
The word parousia is frequently used by 70 AD
advocates, and is one of their most recognizable
verbal traits.
The Greek word "parousia" means presence,
coming, arrival, and is one of the words used
in association with Christ's coming, but not the
only word.
The word appears sixteen times in the New Testament
(NASB), in contrast to Max King's usage of it
several times in his first book. Then King wrote
a 748-page-book devoted to the parousia, titled
The Cross and the Parousia of Christ.
70 AD adherents believe the Bible tells us Jesus
will come one time after His ascension to heaven,
which occurred in 70 AD. They believe Jesus' coming
at the destruction of Jerusalem was spiritual,
at which time the resurrection and judgment occurred,
among other things already listed in this article.
They do not believe Jesus did, or ever will, personally
return to the earth after His ascension.
What does the Bible say about the coming of
Christ? Let's briefly examine Scripture relating
to this topic, without limiting ourselves to just
the Greek word parousia.
The Bible tells of more than one coming of Jesus
after His ascension.
- Matt. 24:1-3, 30, 34 The destruction
of Jerusalem, 70 AD.
- Rev. 16:15; 22:7, 12, 20 The destruction
of Rome, 5th century.
- 2 Pet. 3:5-7, 10 The day of the Lord
at the physical destruction of the world, when
ungodly men are judged (Jn. 12:48).
The Bible tells us that Jesus will personally
appear again on earth after His ascension, in
opposition to the 70 AD doctrine.
- Acts 1:11 Jesus will come (erchomai)
in the way the apostles watched Him ascend to
heaven. The Greek word here is used of persons
and denotes to come from one place to another,
to appear, to come before the public.
- 2 Th. 1:10 When Jesus comes (erchomai),
He will be marveled at among all who have believed.
The Greek word here is the same as in Acts 1:11.
- Heb. 9:28 Jesus will appear (horao)
a second time for salvation apart from sin.
The Greek word here means to see with the eyes,
to perceive, know, experience.
When will Jesus personally appear on earth again?
He will appear on earth again at the time of the
physical destruction of the earth, when He is
marveled at among all who believe (2 Pet. 3:5-10;
1 Th. 1:10). At that time, we will meet the Lord
in the air, and be with Him forever more (1 Th.
4:13-18).
Conclusion
We have learned from Scripture that the 70 AD
doctrine is a false doctrine.
If you have been deceived by the 70 AD doctrine,
I pray this study will help you learn the truth
of the gospel, which is the power of God unto
salvation.
And if you are a faithful Christian, I pray
this study will equip you with God's word to stand
firm against Satan and his ministers, and not
fall from your steadfastness by believing the
70 AD doctrine.
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