Realized Eschatology (A.D. 70 Doctrine)

Transcription

1 Realized Eschatology (A.D. 70 Doctrine) Introduction: This morning I want to talk about a doctrine that has had a destructive effect among Christians. This doctrine is referred to as Realized Eschatology or informally as the A.D. 70 doctrine. This doctrine needs to be exposed for what it is a perversion of the gospel of Christ (Gal 1:6-9). Scripture mandates that error should be exposed. Jude 3-4 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. It is always right to expose error, protect the innocent, and to turn away from divisive doctrines Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. Our motive must be a love for the truth and the souls of men. We must warn and correct, using God s word as our standard. 2 Timothy 2:24-26; 4:1-5 I. THE BASIC POSITION OF THE A.D. 70 DOCTRINE A. That the final coming of Christ and the promised resurrection occurred in A.D Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

2 B. This doctrine has far-reaching consequences upon the faith of Christians! 1. If true, then all who hope in the actual, bodily, personal return of Jesus are deceived. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. NKJV 2. If true, then we cannot expect our bodies to be raised to immortality when Jesus comes. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ s at His coming. NKJV 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. NKJV 3. If false, then those holding this doctrine have erred, and are guilty of overthrowing the faith of others as were Hymenaeus and Philetus. 2 Timothy 2:16-18 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. NKJV

3 II. WHAT IS REALIZED ESCHATOLOGY? A. Eschatology defined. Eschatology: The doctrine of last things. It means the ideas entertained at any period on the future life, the end of the world (resurrection, judgment) and the eternal destinies of mankind (ISBE, James Orr, II:972). Realized- signifies accomplishment. Therefore, Realized Eschatology is a doctrine of completed last things. Preterism- is an interpretation of Christian eschatology which holds that most or all of the biblical prophecies concerning the End Times refer to events which have already happened in the first century after Christ s birth. The system also claims that Ancient Israel finds its continuation or fulfillment in the Christian church at the destruction of Jerusalem in A. D. 70. *According to its interpretation of the Bible, the end times were realized and accomplished in A.D. 70 at the destruction of Jerusalem. Christians are being taught that all prophecy of end-time events was fulfilled in A.D. 70, and to look beyond that date for the personal coming of Christ and the bodily resurrection of mankind followed by a judgment, is without Biblical authority. B. Max King doctrine Max King, born in 1930, was a minister of churches of Christ for forty years version of Max King s Book, the following is stated: 1) There is no scriptural basis for extending the second coming of Christ beyond the fall of Judaism - p )...the end of the Jewish world was the second coming of Christ. - p. 81

4 3) Prophecy found its complete fulfillment in the second coming of Christ, and now may be regarded as closed and consummated. - p. 65 Therefore, the second coming of Christ is made equal with the fall of Judaism. (the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70) C. It must be shown that the personal, bodily return of our Lord is described in terms which cannot apply to the events of A.D. 70. When done, the error of this doctrine will be fully exposed. II. DID JESUS COME IN THE FIRST CENTURY AFTER HIS ASCENSION? A. Not in bodily form. 1.Jesus taught during that generation (Matt 24:30) they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. The context of Matthew 24 tells us how they would see Him. The context of the chapter is the destruction of Jerusalem. Jesus did not appear bodily in A.D. 70 when Jerusalem fell. READ MATTHEW 24 Instead, Matthew 24:30 speaks of His presence in Jerusalem s judgment. He authorized it, and brought it to pass just as He did on Egypt. Isaiah 19:1 The burden against Egypt. Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud, and will come into Egypt; The idols of Egypt will totter at His presence, and the heart of Egypt will melt in its midst. NKJV They would see or discern His presence when this destructive judgment occurred. He came in judgment in A.D. 70, but it was not His bodily return! AD 70 doctrine teaches: End of Jewish world was the 2nd coming

5 The coming of Christ was destruction of Jerusalem B. The A.D. 70 doctrine would make every mention of the coming of the Lord or day of the Lord mean the same event, regardless of its usage in context. The following passages show that can t be true: Acts 1:9-11 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. NKJV 1. In what manner did Jesus go into heaven? a) Personally, in His resurrected body. Luke 24:39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have. NKJV The apostles actually saw Jesus bodily ascension. This is the manner in which He will return 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. D. Jesus did not come in bodily form, nor was He personally seen during the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (Matthew 24:30). 2 Peter 3:5-7 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and

6 the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. NKJV 2 Peter 3:10-11 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, NKJV The A.D. 70 advocates try to make the heavens and earth (v. 7, 10), which shall meet a fiery end, the Jewish economy. This simply is not true. Was the world of Noah s time actually flooded? The world which now exists will one day be destroyed by fire. If this verse (verse 10) had been fulfilled in A.D. 70, then none of us would be here right now. E. All in the graves will come forth. John 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. NKJV F. The A.D. 70 doctrine says that the resurrection is past already (occurring in A.D. 70). But 1 Corinthians 15 decisively refutes that claim. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus

7 Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. This passage teaches a future, bodily resurrection from the dead. The A.D. 70 supporters suggest that Paul is speaking of the resurrection of Christianity out of Judaism, not the resurrection of mankind. This theory is only resurrected in the imagination of the A.D. 70 advocates. IV. PROBLEMS CONCERNING WORSHIP A. Should the Lord s Supper be observed after A.D. 70? 1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. 1. In partaking of the Lord s Supper we proclaim the Lord s death until He comes. The A.D. 70 doctrine makes every coming of the Lord in the New Testament mean A.D. 70. What will they do about the Lord s Supper? They could conclude that after A.D. 70 the Lord s Supper no longer proclaims Christ s death but this destroys the central meaning and effect of the Supper! They could conclude that the Lord s Supper is no longer applicable to Christians, and cease partaking of it. Some wrestle with this consequence. B. Can songs pertaining to the second coming of Christ be sung after A.D. 70? 1. Most will not sing with their brethren because of this Consequence Ephesians 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

8 Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. It makes sense why sing about something that you believe has already occurred? The Realized Eschatology doctrine opens a can of worms that some have not realized. Some will try to ignore its consequences, but this will only lead to hardened hearts. V. COMFORTING CHRISTIANS CONCERNING CHRIST S COMING A. The apostle Paul comforts the saints with assurance that Christians who die before Jesus returns will not miss out on any of the events and blessings of that grand day. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1. Jesus himself will descend from heaven (this did not happen in A. D. 70). Audible and visible events will occur. 2. We will ever be with the Lord in a resurrected, changed, caught-up state (this did not happen in A.D. 70). 3. We can comfort one another with these words, however there is no comfort in the words and doctrines of Realized Eschatology.

9 Conclusion: The A.D. 70 doctrine provides no final and decisive solution to the sin problem humanity faces. It presents a world in sin which will forever continue. The Bible reveals that with the Lord s return and 1. This sin-cursed world will be destroyed. 2 Peter 3:5-12 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? NKJV 2. A new order will take place 2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 3. Christians should be comforted in their hope of the future return of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Colossians 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.