A Refutation of…

1. A Refutation of… The A.D. 70 Doctrine Realized Eschatology Transmillennialism Preterism

2. Purpose of Series • A Biblical treatment of Eschatology (the doctrine of the end times). • An introduction to the doctrine of Realized Eschatology • A concise refutation of the doctrine of Realized Eschatology • Warnings and exhortations regarding religious error, and the Christian’s response to it

3. Lesson 3Refuting Realized Eschatology We read and study the Bible, and as a result we experience a paradigm shift which reveals to us a new insight into the Scriptures while creating new mysteries to be explored and discovered. This was one of the results of my “conversion” to Preterism. As a result of understanding fulfilled prophecy, I now find myself reassessing other areas of my faith in light of what happened in AD 70. (emphasis mine, SC) Virgil Vaduva Prophecy Fulfilled in AD 70, planetpreterist.com

4. Definition: Paradigm Shift • Paradigm - 3 : a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations and the experiments performed in support of them are formulated; broadly : a philosophical or theoretical framework of any kind(Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary) • Paradigm Shift - A radical change in personal beliefs, complex systems or organizations, replacing the former way of thinking or organizing with a radically different way of thinking or organizing. (Answers.com)

5. Is the Paradigm Valid? (Darksucker Theory) • The most common hoax [perpetrated by the power companies] promoted the false concept that light bulbs emitted light; in actuality, these 'light' bulbs actually absorb dark which is then transported back to the power generation stations via wires. A more descriptive name has now been coined; the new scientific name is for the device is darksucker. • Take for example, the darksuckers in the room where you are. There is much less dark right next to them than there is elsewhere, demonstrating their limited range.

6. Darksucker Theory II • A candle is a primitive darksucker. A new candle has a white wick. You will notice that after the first use the wick turns black, representing all the dark which has been sucked into it. • There are also portable darksuckers called flashlights. The bulbs in these devices cannot handle all of the dark by themselves, and must be aided by a dark storage unit called a battery. • Dark has great mass, and so it is very heavy… [for example] the heavier dark sinks to the bottom of a lake, making it appear 'lighter' near the surface.

7. Misconceptions Leading to Invalid Paradigm • Time statements regarding the Second Coming of Christ must be understood as being accomplished within the generation living at the time of Christ’s death. • The coming of Christ’s kingdom with “power” was accomplished at the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 rather than at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. • The Destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and the Second Coming of Christ are the same event.

8. Max R. King: The Second Coming of Christ There is no time period between the fall of Judaism and the second coming of Christ. They are essentially the same event – at any rate they are inexorably linked. The Spirit of Prophecy (2002 edition), Max R. King, page 137-138

9. The Fall of Jerusalem – Prophesied by Jesus • Jesus’ prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem is recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 • Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple (Matthew 24:1-2) Read • His disciples desired more information (24:3) Read • The destruction of Jerusalem would be preceded by signs (24:4-14, cf. vs. 6), then immediately by the “abomination of desolation” (24:15-21) • The language of Christ’s coming in Judgment upon Jerusalem full of figurative language and hyperbole (24:29-31)

10. The Fall of Jerusalem – II • Figurative, hyperbolic language is characteristic of prophecy concerning judgment (see quote)

11. … a brief series of parallels from the Old Testament. The stars becoming dark, the moon not giving its light, etc. (v. 29), is paralleled in the picture of the fall of Babylon (Isa. 13:10), the fall of Idumea (Isa. 34:4, 5), and the judgment against Egypt in Ezekiel 32:7-8. The "sign of the Son of Man," the coming, etc., have parallels in the day of judgment on Egypt and Ethiopia ("a day of clouds") in Ezekiel 30:3-4; in Ezekiel 19:1 Jehovah rides on a swift cloud to bring judgment on Egypt. The picture of His "coming" is consistent with other quotations from Jesus which do not necessitate an actual physical return but instead a "presence" in some event or happening (cf. Matt. 16:28; 26:64). This "coming" cannot be the second coming, for Luke 21:27 and Mark 13:26 refer it to the fall of Jerusalem. See also Isaiah 19:1 and Zephaniah 2:7. The "Gathering of the Elect" (v. 31) is a figurative picture of the Christians fleeing the city. Comparison may be made with Zechariah 2:6ff.; Hosea 1:11, etc. Perversions of Matthew 24 (II), Dan King, Truth Magazine (June 16, 1983)

12. The Fall of Jerusalem – II • Figurative, hyperbolic language is characteristic of prophecy concerning judgment (see quote from Dan King) • All of these things were to happen in that generation (24:33-35) Read • However, there was another event Jesus spoke of in this context for which there would be no signs! • Matthew 25:1-13 (Parable of the 10 Virgins) • “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man is coming” (vs. 13) • This is the Final Judgment! (25:31-33) Read

13. Second Coming & AD70 Two Different Events • It is an incorrect assumption that references to Christ’s Second Coming should be considered figurative rather than literal • Note Quote from Dungan

14. Confusing Literal and Figurative “Many seem disposed to regard themselves as at liberty to make anything out of the Bible which their theology may demand or their whims require. And if, at any time, they find a passage that will not harmonize with that view, then the next thing is to find one or more words in the text used elsewhere in a figurative sense, and then demand that such be the Biblical dictionary on the meaning of that word, and hence that it must be the meaning in that place.” Hermeneutics, D.R. Dungan (page 217)

15. Second Coming & AD70 Two Different Events • It is an incorrect assumption that references to Christ’s Second Coming should be considered figurative rather than literal • Note Quote from Dungan • Resurrection of the Dead Literal, not Figurative! • 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

16. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 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? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up--if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

17. Second Coming & AD70 Two Different Events • It is an incorrect assumption that references to Christ’s Second Coming should be considered figurative rather than literal • Note Quote from Dungan • Resurrection of the Dead Literal, not Figurative! • 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 • Second Coming of Christ Literal, not Figurative! • Acts 1:10-11

18. Acts 1:10-11 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.”

19. Second Coming & AD70 Two Different Events • It is an incorrect assumption that references to Christ’s Second Coming should be considered figurative rather than literal • Note Quote from Dungan • Resurrection of the Dead Literal, not Figurative! • 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 • Second Coming of Christ Literal, not Figurative! • Acts 1:10-11 • Destruction of the World Literal, not Figurative! • 2 Peter 3:5-7

20. 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 the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

21. Problems with the A.D. 70 Doctrine • If the resurrection is past, why is there still death and marriage? (Luke 20:34-36)

22. Max R. King: “Eternal Days” The New Testament saints preached, wrote, suffered, and died in the last days, but this is not true of us today. We are now in that world which was to come. We are in the eternal kingdom of Christ, and instead of being in last days we are in eternal days – a world without end (Eph. 3:21). The Spirit of Prophecy (2002 edition), Max R. King, page 138

23. Luke 20:34-36 And Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

24. Problems with the A.D. 70 Doctrine • If the resurrection is past, why is there still death and marriage? (Luke 20:34-36) • Paul had the same belief regarding the resurrection of the dead that the Pharisees had (Acts 24:15)

25. Acts 24:15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

26. Problems with the A.D. 70 Doctrine • If the resurrection is past, why is there still death and marriage? (Luke 20:34-36) • Paul had the same belief regarding the resurrection of the dead that the Pharisees had (Acts 24:15) • If the judgment had reference to the destruction of the Jews, why would it have caused Felix to be fearful? (Acts 24:25)

27. Acts 24:25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Felix was a Roman. He would not have feared Rome’s siege of Jerusalem.

28. Problems with the A.D. 70 Doctrine • If the resurrection is past, why is there still death and marriage? (Luke 20:34-36) • Paul had the same belief regarding the resurrection of the dead that the Pharisees had (Acts 24:15) • If the judgment had reference to the destruction of the Jews, why would it have caused Felix to be fearful? (Acts 24:25) • The observance of the Lord’s Supper is to end at the Second coming of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:26)

29. 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.

30. Conclusion The hope that we have as Christians is of a future resurrection. Without it, we of all men are to be the most pitied (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:19). It is with words of this future resurrection that we are to “comfort one another” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:18) The A.D. 70 Doctrine robs us of this comfort!

31. Addendum How are we to react to those who teach the A.D. 70 Doctrine? Consider the following verses: 2 Timothy 2:16-18 2 John 9-11 Jude 3

32. 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.

33. 2 John 9-11 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

34. Jude 3 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.