The A.D. 70 Theory
Introduction:
The second coming of Christ has been on the minds of men
since He ascended into the clouds in the first century. Acts 1
Several false theories were being taught about His second coming.
II Thessalonians 2:1-3a The belief that Jesus came for the
last time in the first century is still with us today and must be
dealt with.
In particular, the so-called “A.D. 70 Theory” is being
advocated by many in the Lord’s church. It is also called “Realized
Eschatology” or the “Max King Theory” named after the one who
brought it into the churches of Christ. He has written two books
which set forth this theory of Christ’s second coming: The Spirit
of Prophecy (1971) and The Cross and the Parousia
of Christ (1987).
This theory contends that the second coming of Christ, the
establishment of the eternal kingdom, the day of judgment, the end
of the world, and the resurrection of the dead all occurred in A.D.
70 with the destruction of Jerusalem and the fall of Judaism.
A New Vocabulary
I. The Second Coming of Christ
Those who believe the “A.D. 70 Theory” teach that all
references to Christ’s second coming deal with His coming in
judgment upon Jerusalem and the nation of Israel in A.D. 70.
- Jesus did come in judgment in A.D. 70.
This was not a literal, personal coming. Matthew 24:15-35 Note
verse 35 especially.
- His second and final coming will be
personal and literal.
Matthew 24:36-44, Acts 1:9-11, Revelation 1:7
- The destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70
was upon a particular city and a particular nation.
- His second coming will involve all
nations. Matthew 25:31-32
- Life continued on earth after A.D.70, but
there will not be life on earth after His second coming.
Luke 21:21-24,
I Thessalonians 4:16-17
II. The Resurrection
- More terms are redefined. The adherents
teach that the resurrection mentioned in the New Testament is
the resurrection of the church. It had been “buried” under
Judaism until A.D. 70. Christians “rose” from the grave of
Judaism. They do not believe in the resurrection of the human
body.
- Read Daniel 12:2-3. “And many of those
who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to
everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those
who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever
and ever. NKJV This refers to literal, bodily resurrection.
- Read Matthew 22:23-32. Jesus believed in
the resurrection of the human body. Also, Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob were not members of the church.
- Read John 5:28-29. The word “all” in
Greek is plural. This is not talking about resurrection of
churches.
- Read I Corinthians 15:3-4, 12-13. The
resurrection of the dead (ones) is the same as the resurrection
of Christ; not symbolic or figurative, but literal and bodily.
III. Judgment Day
- Max King teaches the “judgment day”
mentioned in the New Testament (For example: II Peter 3:5-7) is
judgment only upon the Jewish world. There will not be a
judgment when all appear before God. But the context of II
Peter 3 is a universal judgment (similar to the flood of Noah’s
day), not one solely upon the Jews.
- Read Matthew 12:41-42. Did the Lord
resurrect the people of Ninevah in A.D. 70? Of course not!
- Read Romans 14:10. Did that happen in
A.D. 70?
- Read II Corinthians 5:10. Did everyone
receive what they were due in A.D. 70?
- Read Revelation 20:10-11, 14-15. Did all
the dead stand before the throne in A.D. 70? Were all the lost
thrown into the lake of fire in A.D. 70? Were Satan and death
destroyed in A.D. 70? No, they were not.
Invitation:
Many other parts of this teaching could be mentioned, but
enough has been examined to see that the A.D. 70 Theory is false.
There is going to be a future judgment day when everyone will stand
before God’s throne.
Bobby Stafford
September 11, 2011 (Part I)
September 18, 2011 (Part II and III)
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