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A.D.70 Doctrine by Earl Wilburn (Taken from a letter debating the A.D. 70 Doctrine as proposed by Max King) * Now
to
Max King’s doctrine where he culminated several events into one, which
we find to be against the Scriptures. He uses the (hard to understand)
term; --- “Realized Eschatology”, or as he defines it as the
“fulfillment
of all prophecy realized in
For sure; the church was in it’s infancy for several years after being established. It took until all the inspired writings were completed and made accessible, the establishment of elders, etc. Or as Paul explained; --- “We know in part, and we prophesy in part; --- but when the perfect comes, the partial shall be done away.” (1 Cor. 13:10) (Vs.12) Adds; “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; --- now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known.” Remember?
There are
four basic components which go into making up any kingdom; (physical or
spiritual).
When Jesus said; --- “My
kingdom
is not of this world.” (Jn. 18:36) He’s saying His kingdom is a
spiritual
kingdom, a different realm.
(2) Territory --- (Lk. 17:20-21) ; Jesus said; --- “ The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; --- nor will they say, ‘Look, here itis!’ or ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Not physical) (3) Subjects --- Note: The kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan are both universal and every soul of man is a member of one or the other. The subjects/citizens of God’s spiritual kingdom are those who submit their spirits in willing obedience to Jesus the king and His Law. (Phil. 2:9-11) (4) Law --- God has provided the New Testament as His exclusive Law for the citizens of Christ’s kingdom. Paul referred to it as;--- “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus --- “ (Rom. 8:2) We have all these elements in the kingdom or church of our Lord, what else could possibly be missing? “--- seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” (2 Pet. 1:3) What about
our worship
on the Lord’s day? Jesus promised He would partake of the bread (His
body)
and the fruit of the vine (His blood) with His apostles in His kingdom.
The disciples did this in Acts 2 ,Acts 20 and 1 Cor. 11 all before 70
A.D.
Since Max King teaches that eternity began in 70 A.D., and that there’s
no death after Christ’s coming in 70 A.D., and the local church would
cease
to exist, then there would be no reason or purpose in the continued
observance
of the Lord’s supper would it? Also, we could not sing songs which
relate
to the hope of the resurrection at His second coming.
Where and how can we have hope for a future event when all will be raised to face Christ in judgment and having been found faithful unto death, have confidence for an eternal reward; --- (if this 70 A.D. doctrine be true)? (1 Cor. 15:20-28; 1 Thess. 4:13-18f; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2 Tim. 4:7-8) Weren’t men
such
as Hymenaeus and Philetus who also overthrew the faith of some by
teaching
that the resurrection had already occurred condemned? They strayed from
the truth, and Paul said their false teaching spread like cancer or
gangrene.
(2 Tim. 2:16-18) Doesn’t that sound familiar to you?
Wasn’t He touched by Thomas? --- “Then He said to Thomas, reach here your hand, and put it into My side; and be not unbelieving, but believing.” (Jno. 20:27) After His resurrection the eleven apostles invited Him to stay with them, and He did so. “And it came about that when He had reclined at table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them.” (Lk. 24:30) This tells me that the risen Lord sat down and had a common meal with His disciples. Further, in (Vs. 39); --- Jesus said; --- “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; --- Touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (vs.41-43) continues; --- “And while they still could not believe it for joy and were marveling, --- He said to them, ‘have you anything here to eat?’ --- And they gave Him a piece of broiled fish and He took it and ate it in their sight.” After Jesus was resurrected He not only appeared to Peter and the rest of the twelve, but Paul says; --- “He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, ---” (1 Cor. 15:5-6) Finally, when the Lord was taken up into the cloud, two men in white clothing stood beside the apostles and said; --- “Men of Galilee, why do you stand there looking into the sky? --- This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11) This is in perfect harmony with Paul’s description of His return; --- The Lord will descend in the clouds to meet His faithful followers; ---The raising of the dead and those that remain alive; --- For Jesus to be glorified by His saints on that day. What possible relation can this event have to do with the destruction of Jerusalem? Also, if Christ came already in 70 A.D., --- Did every eye see Him? Did everyone hear the trumpet sound, or see the angels? Were those who remained alive and caught up with the faithful dead to be with the Lord in the air always ; --- somehow at the same time to remain here on earth? (Don’t make a lick of sense!) If this is not literal, all these passages in (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 2 Thess. 1:7-10 and 1 Cor. 15:20-26) are completely out of context, because the hope of the saints, the judgment of God for good and evil, and the glorification of Christ must also be figurative, which is totally unacceptable. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul said; --- “The dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye; --- (1 Cor. 15:51-52) Speaking of course in the future tense. He said; --- “Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? --- But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; --- And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; and you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most to be pitied. --- But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. --- For as in Adam all die, --- So also in Christ all shall be made alive. But each in his own order: --- Christ the first fruits, --- after that those who are Christ’s at His coming. --- Then comes the end, when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, --- When He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. --- The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” (1 Cor. 15:12-26) The Preterits - view (Max King), denies that there will be a future literal bodily resurrection of the dead from the graves. There’s no way he can explain away the obvious import of the Scripture above, and also for instance, (Jno. 5:28-29) Jesus said; --- "Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which ALL who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; --- those who did GOOD deeds, to the resurrection of life, --- those who comitted EVIL deeds to a resurrection of judgment." A.D. 70 doctrine says that the resurrection Paul speaks of as noted above is one from a figurative death (the dead and decayed “body” of Judaism.) Now if all
this transpired
in 70 A.D., what happened to Christ? He is not to be King anymore, He
has
no authority, rule or power. Everyone has been sent to their destined
places
(heaven or hell); --- The earth and heavens were destroyed, the
elements
having been melted with fervent
heat.
After all these events are supposed to take place at Christ’ 2nd coming
!
In (Mt. 24:30) we find Jesus explaining to His apostles concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, and when He used the expression; ---”and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky,” (then continues), and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.” The Greek word for “sign” as used in this Scripture is “say-mi’-on”, meaning “an indication” or “token”, which tells us Jesus is speaking in the figurative sense. This is used many times throughout the Old Testament. For example; --- (Isa. 13:) God’s judgment by way of the Babylonians; ---(Joel 2:) and others. All to signify God’s power and judgment over those He seen fit to discipline or destroy. They didn’t actually see Jesus when Jerusalem was destroyed. Less than 24 hours before Jesus was to be crucified, He assured His apostles; --- “I will not leave you as orphans; --- I will come to you.” (Jn. 14:18) But we know from (Vs. 16-17) that He had reference to the Holy Spirit or the “Spirit of truth”. In (Mt. 16:28) , Jesus said; --- “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Did anyone actually see Jesus when He came in His kingdom? The point being, many events will take place in the judgment day which could not have occurred in 70 A.D. unless you make them all figurative. For instance: He will come as a thief; --- no warning or sign of His coming. The heavens will pass away with a roar, and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat. The earth and all it’s works shall be burned up. A new heaven and new earth in which righteousness dwells; --- no evil. (2 Pet. 3:10-13) Therefore, God does admonish us; --- “Since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation; ---” (Vs. 14-15) and He is; --- “not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (3:9) Also, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; --- And the dead in Christ shall rise first. --- Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them (risen saints), in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, (Not in Jerusalem) and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thess. 4:16-18) Now is Paul describing the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.? Continue 0n with (5:1-3) “Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, ‘peace and safety!’ --- Then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; --- and they shall NOT escape.” Note: During the destruction of 70A.D., they had the option to escape by fleeing to the mountains. Paul told the Thessalonian brethren; --- “For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well (When?) when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, --- dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, --” (2 Thess. 1:6-10) Question: Was the flood
in Noah’s
day figurative?
Now Christ, being of the seed of Abraham and Isaac, established His New Covenant when He died and nailed the old one to His cross, making it ineffective after His death. “--- having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God who raised Him from the dead. And when you were dead in your transgressions and the un-circumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, --- having cancelled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; --- and He has taken it out of the way having nailed it to the cross.” (Col. 2:12-14) ; (Eph. 2:12-16); (Heb. 10:1 & 9-10) “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ --- once for all.” (Heb. 10:10) If the old and new Covenant had overlapped from 30 - 70 A.D. as Max King teaches, it would have been nothing short of spiritual adultery. (Rom. 7:1-3); Paul outlines God’s Law concerning physical marriage and how each spouse is bound to each other as long as they live. And if one joins him/herself to another while the other spouse is still living, he or she is guilty in God’s sight of physical adultery. On the other hand , if one spouse dies the other is free to marry another. Pretty straight forward. (Vs. 4-6) Paul uses the big “therefore” word to point out how this principle works to avoid spiritual adultery; --- “Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, --- that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God. For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. --- But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” How could one obey (or be married to) two different Laws given to two different nations (physical & spiritual Jerusalem)? It would have been necessary to have two high priests;--- Christ, our spiritual high priest sharing priesthood duties with a physical high priest. Impossible!! Where’s the Scripture that says Christians were to be under the O.T. Law of Moses at anytime? Paul explained it thusly; --- “But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. --- Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. --- But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” (Gal. 3:23-25) Again; --- The Holy Spirit through Paul says; ---If we say that we are under any part of the Law of Moses, that puts us under obligation to keep the whole Law. And then what happens? “Behold I, Paul say to you that if you receive circumcision (for instance), Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. --- You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; ---you have fallen from grace.” (Gal. 5:2-4) The apostle Peter warns (concerning judgment day and destruction of this present earth); --- “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness, ---” (2 Pet. 3:17) Christ made
peace
between the Jews and Gentiles in His death on the cross in 33 A.D.,---
not in 70 A.D. (Eph. 2:11-22) In short, Paul said; “Christ abolished in
His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in
ordinances,
that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus
establishing
peace.” He “broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.”
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God never promised Ishmael anything, other than he would be blessed, made fruitful by multiplying him exceedingly, father twelve princes, and be made a great nation! That’s all! The covenant God made was with Isaac and was to be everlasting for him and his descendants. There was never a so called “overlapping” of inheritance. As stated above, Ishmael was the son of a bondswoman representing the Old Law, while Isaac, a son of a free woman represented the New Law. Hagar was Mt. Sinai, in Arabia and corresponds to the physical or present Jerusalem while Sarah being free, represented the Jerusalem above or spiritual Zion. Thus Paul writes; --- “But what does the Scripture say? --- CAST OUT THE BONDWOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE BONDWOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN. So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.” (Gal. 4:30-31)
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In the next chapter (Vs. 6) we’re encouraged to; --- “be on the alert and sober-minded.” Peter put it this way; --- “Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you (when?), at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:13) Back to
Paul in 1
Thess. 5:11-13; we’re to “encourage one another, and to build up one
another”.
To “appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge
over
you in the Lord, and give you instruction, --- that you esteem them
very
highly in love because of their work, --- and to Live at peace with one
another.” (Not always easy, but we do it for the Lord, right?)
(1 Pet. 4:17) “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? --- And if it is with difficulty that the righteous be saved, what will become of the Godless man and the sinner?” (2 Pet.
2:4) “--God
did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into *hell and
committed
them to pits of darkness, --- reserved for judgment.” *(hell = Greek -
Tartaros or deepest abyss of hades. “Srong’s concordance”)
(2 Pet. 3:7) “But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”
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Dear sister, XXX, did you not say; ”We don’t have a doctrine”? But this 70 A.D. teaching of Max King IS a doctrine and there is insurmountable evidence from God’s Holy word which refutes Max King’s stand on “70 A.D.”, “Realized Eschatology” or what ever else you would like to call it. It truly amazes and perplexes us that you could conceivably believe such things, having been so grounded in the truth as we know you were. Could it be perhaps you may have drifted away from it? (Heb.2:1) “We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” Don’t you remember Paul’s loving words to the brethren of Colossae? -“I say this in order that no one may delude you with persuasive argument.”(Col. 2:4) We stay saddened to the depths of our hearts by your apparent change of beliefs, and we fear terribly for your precious souls. We hope and pray that you will reconsider what you learned in the past and what we have written and change your minds once again. May the Lord of heaven by His grace grant you wisdom and understanding while you ponder these things.
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We are to have the same attitude Christ had like when He gave the example of the good Samaritan; --- how that he helped the traveler who had fallen victim to robbers, stripped and beaten and left half dead. Luke, the physician tells us; --- “But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, ---” (Lk. 10:33) He goes on to tell how he bandaged him up, doctored him and took care of all his needs. (Vs. 37) Jesus says; --- “Go and do the same.” (Gal. 6:10) Paul echoes Jesus’ words; --- “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” YES! We as true Christians are to help the poor, the orphans, the lowly down and out sinner; by any means we can within our ability; --- all with the motive of bringing them to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and to give our Father in heaven all the glory. But does this mean we are to make it our primary objective to visit prisons and half-way houses? These people are locked up or in chains for a reason. They are guilty of breaking the law and committing crimes against society. (1 Pet. 2:13-14) . For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. (Rom. 13:1-7) “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities (Civil government) -- "Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; --- and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves (Both from civil authorities and from God Himself). --- For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. --- Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good (obey the law), and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, --- but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. --- Render to all what is due them: --- tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” But
conversely, if
we are going by what Jesus said in (Mt. 25:36) “--- I was in prison,
and
you came to Me.” ; --- Does He mean we’re to comfort and take care of
the
needs of just any criminals? Or was He talking about another
class
of prisoners?
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The apostle Paul in demonstrating his love and admiration for the Ephesian brethren had this to say; --- “I do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. --- I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, --- what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, --- and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." --- (Eph. 1:16-19) Isn’t Paul simply saying that we are to have an open mind and receptive heart in order to come to a full understanding of all we need to know in order to please God and go to heaven? After all, he says; --- “These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places; -” (Vs. 19-20) Who did
Jesus say
He would reveal truth to? (Lk. 10:21) Our Lord said; “--- I praise
Thee,
O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things
from
the wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes.”
In closing,
think
on this. If the Scriptures were not interpreted by the apostles to
where
they just wrote down their own version as they saw fit, but rather
guided
by the Holy Spirit, then the words written were directly from God. (2
Pet.
1:20-21)
(Acts 16:14) “And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; --- and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” (Vs. 15) Tells us that Lydia and her household were baptized. (1 Jn. 5:20) John writes; --- “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, ---” (Eph. 3:3-4) Paul said; --- “that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.” He adds in (5:17); -“So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Yes, God will open the hearts and understanding of men and women whose hearts are fertile and properly cultivated. When the disciples questioned Jesus as to why He spoke in parables, He explained; --- “To you it is granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables; -- in order that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.” (Lk. 8:10) Then the Lord proceeds in explaining the parable of the seed and the sower. How that the seed represented the pure word and the field representing the various types of hearts of man and that some hearts do not respond favorably and some do. It is this heart that God will open and cause to bear fruit. Some more than others.--- What was it that our beloved brother, Paul said? He said;--- “I planted, Apollos watered, --- but God was causing the growth.” (1 Cor. 3:7) It’s so amazing how we can go to the Scriptures with a heart prepared to receive and obey, and see how easy and simple they are to understand. Maybe this is what Jesus alluded to when He said; --- “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; --- And you shall find rest for your souls. --- For My yoke is easy (or pleasant), and My load is light.” (Mt. 11:28-30) Yet when we go to the teachings of men like Max King, the “yoke” he places on one is anything but easy, light or pleasant! Some of the terminology he uses one must go to a dictionary just to decipher. In his article; “The Cross and the Parousia The Two Dimensions of One Age-Changing Eschaton” by Max King, for instance; --- What on earth does this mean? We had to study in depth to even begin to comprehend just the title. In his Preface, he says; --- “The cross and the parousia of Christ are in biblical eschatology what alpha and omega are in the Greek alphabet”. When we first heard this word “parousia’, from bro. XXX, we had to ask him to spell it, for it was a very strange word to us. Sure enough, we found it to be a Greek word meaning, “presence”. Would the average person look on this as plainness of speech? The
following are
words or phrases which we copied directly from Max King’s Preface of
“The
Cross and the Parousia”.
Again we
must ask;
--- Is this plainness of speech? And this is just from the Preface.
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