Realized Eschatology
By Israel Crocker
June 2008
There have been many strange doctrines that have plagued the church in times past, but some reach into the world of the bizarre. It seems there is no end to what some will do to find new ideas for recognition, or search for a way of convenience instead of faithful adherence to Christianity. Realized Eschatology, more commonly known as AD 70 Doctrine, is a doctrine that is both puzzling and destructive. It teaches that all Biblical prophecy was fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. Those who propagate this belief do so on the sly. "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Peter 2:1). However, if one humbly searches the Scriptures and uses proper Biblical hermeneutics, this perverse doctrine can be easily answered.
THE WHO’S WHO OF REALIZED ESCHATOLOGY
Max King is the one responsible for the spreading of AD 70 Theology; thus, the doctrine properly also wears the name Kingism. But he did not originate the idea himself. The inspired Paul spoke of those in his day who taught similarly.
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. (2 Tim. 2:16-18)
Closer to our day, C.D. Beagle, Max King’s father-in-law, wrote a book—The Spirit of Prophecy—challenging the traditional interpretation of Biblical prophecy.1 From this book and some of his own writing, Max King became the apostle of AD 70 Theology.
It is amazing how some can be so blind to not recognize a direct warning, but still pursue it anyway. For example, the Catholic Church refers to its priests as "father," which is a direct contradiction to Scripture (cf., Matt. 23:9). God is clear! Still, they refuse to see the obvious because of their wickedness or ignorance of the New Testament (cf., Matt. 11:29, 2 Thess. 2:9-11). The same applies to Max King and his followers.
BASIC TEACHINGS
According to Kingism, all prophecy of Scripture was fulfilled (realized) in AD 70, as history shows the Romans demolished Jerusalem. Jesus warned that such an event was going to happen, and to watch for the signs of His coming by this occurrence (Matt. 24:1-35). Cates lists the resulting beliefs of King and followers:
1. All Bible prophecy was fulfilled completely by AD 70.2. The kingdom came with power in AD 70.
3. The Second Coming of Christ occurred in AD 70.
4. The Judgment Day took place in AD 70.
5. The dead were raised and death conquered in AD 70.
6. The law of Moses ended in AD 70.
7. Satan’s rule ceased in AD 70.
8. The world ended in AD 70.
9. Heaven and Hell began in AD 70.2
IMPROPER INTERPRETATION
How can one draw such strange conclusions that directly contradict Jesus’ plain teaching on the end of time? It is by redefining and spiritualizing terms. Even Beagle said, "If each scripture is studied in its textual setting, I am certain a whole new view of the scriptures will open before you."3 Jackson elaborates:
If the forgoing theory seems to make no sense at all, it is because the novice does not understand how these common biblical terms have been redefined to fit the King Theory. The "second coming" does not denote a literal return of Christ in the future, but a spiritual, invisible coming in A.D. 70. "Resurrection" hasn’t anything to do with the human body; rather, it refers to a resurrection of the Christian system from the persecution inflicted by the Jews between A.D. 30 and 70. The "judgment day" is not a time when all men give account to God, it is the destruction of Judaism. And the "end of the world" is not the passing of the earth; it supposedly is a reference to the dissolution of the Jewish world.4
When one spiritualizes or redefines these terms, by denying the literal possibility, no wonder a "whole new view of scripture" opens before King. In fact, he can make the Bible say almost anything he wants; but to do so is to deny basic, Biblical Hermeneutics. Dungan affirms as a rule, "All words are to be understood in their literal sense, unless the evident meaning of the context forbids."5 In other words, terms are to be considered literal—not spiritual or figurative—unless the context demands it as impossible. For example, Jesus claims, "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9). Understandably, Jesus is not a literal (actual) door that swings upon hinges. Therefore, by common sense, one knows that Jesus is using a metaphor (figurative language) to describe how He is the true way to the abundant life. But when one chooses to spiritualize terms first, without considering the outcome, he will twist scripture to his own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). "Again we must sadly note that the concept of contextual interpretation appears to be virtually unknown to the A.D. 70 people."6
UNGODLY RESULTS
Some have attempted to claim that believing in this "fresh new view" of scripture is not a matter of concern or fellowship. However, when one considers the overwhelming damage of AD 70 Theology, he cannot deny its detriment to the New Testament. The preaching of the Gospel has been a wasted effort since AD 70, because according to King we are either in heaven or hell in the present. No bodily resurrection shall ever take place, and thus, "...our bodies shall forever mix with the elements in their graves…."7 Jesus will not return from Heaven to receive His own as He promised.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1-3)
Dear reader, are you living in a mansion today? Are you married? Jesus said that in heaven marriage will no longer take place, that the saved will be like the angels (Matt. 22:30). "The theology of Max R. King is hopeless and monstrous in its implications!"8 Faithful children of God must be ever watchful of this damnable heresy for as one brother warns, "…they have evolved a covert strategy that seeks to quietly spread their novel theory until such a time as congregational take-overs can be effected."9 Thankfully, God had provided a way for those seeking His will to know what is truth, and what is intended to serve man’s own belly (John 7:16-17, Rom. 16:17-18).
End Notes:
1. Curtis Cates, The A.D. 70 Theology (Memphis, TN: Cates Publications, 1995), 17. 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid.4. Wayne Jackson, The A.D. 70 Theory—A Review of the Max King Doctrine (Stockton, CA: Courier Publications, 1990), 1-2.
5. D.R. Dungan, Hermeneutics—A Text Book (Delight, AR: Gospel Light Publishing Company, no date), 184.
6. Jackson, "The A.D. 70 Doctrine," in The Spiritual Sword 23 (April 1992):22.
7. Cates, 82.
8. Ibid., 83.
9. Jackson, "The A.D. 70 Doctrine," 22.