Introduction New Testament abounds in warnings about false teachers and false teaching: 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 Jn. 4:1; Acts 20:29-30 What is the mission of false teachers? Acts 20:30: 2 Pet. 2:1; Matt. 7:15; Col. 2:8 We must put false teachers/teaching to the test to see if it can withstand the light of God’s Word: Jude 3; 1 Jn. 4:6

Examining Realized Eschatology Part 1: Introduction 2 Peter 2:1-2

What is it? The realized eschatology theory is a false doctrine (aka, “a.d. 70 doctrine”). “Preterism is a Christian eschatological view that interprets some (partial preterism) or all (full preterism) prophecies of the Bible as events which have already happened. The term preterism comes from the Latin praeter, which Webster's 1913 dictionary lists as a prefix denoting that something is ‘past’ or ‘beyond’.” Some call it the “Preterist View,” “Preterism.” Many flavors just like Baskin-Robbins ice cream. For example, a “full preterist” would consider a “partial preterist” a heretic, and vice versa. The Westside CoC (Indy) advertise themselves as a “full preterist” church. Examining Realized Eschatology

What is it? In this series of lessons I will refer to this doctrine as realized eschatology (RE for short). The word eschatology means “the doctrine of last things.” The word realized means “accomplished, completed.” RE asserts the end times were realized or completely accomplished in a.d. 70 when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. RE claims there are no prophecies in the Bible that are yet to be fulfilled…absolutely none! Examining Realized Eschatology

Origination? Like all false doctrine its origin is shrouded in mystery. James Stuart Russell (1878): The Parousia: A Critical Inquiry into the New Testament Doctrine of Our Lord’s Second Coming. The word parousia literally means ‘presence’; used in Bible times to denote the arrival of a king or emperor. The word parousia is used in the NT mainly to refer to Christ’s second coming: e.g., 1 Thess. 4:15; 2 Thess. 2:8; 2 Pet. 3:4 Examining Realized Eschatology

Origination? Max R. King is the current ‘champion’ of RE. Book: The Spirit of Prophecy (1971, 2002). Book: The Cross and the Parousia of Christ (1987). King has trademarked the doctrine: Transmillennialism®. King was a ‘gospel preacher’ at a liberal CoC in northeast Ohio. Westside CoC (Indy) should serve as a warning for all. Examining Realized Eschatology

What is it? RE is not a harmless theory or ‘preacher fuss.’ It has far-reaching and dire consequences upon the faith of Christians and the unity of the body of Christ. Impossible to answer every aspect of RE’s errors. Like all false doctrines (e.g., Calvinism, premillennialism), there are many permutations of RE. It is constantly metastasizing like a cancer. In these lessons I will consider the major errors of RE as taught by Max R. King in The Spirit of Prophecy (SOP-1 & SOP-2). Examining Realized Eschatology

Major RE errors Christ’s second coming is past. “…the eschatological resurrection was the translation of the children of God from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant (2 Cor. 3:18).” King, SOP-2, p. 309 “The church was in the grave or casket of Judaism until the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem.” King in debate with Gus Nichols, 1973 “The world marked for destruction in prophecy, the end of which involved the second coming of Christ and resulted in the true redemption of Israel, was the Jewish world. Therefore it is the end of the Jewish world and not this material earth we live on today.” King, SOP-1, p. 83 “There is no scriptural basis for extending the second coming of Christ beyond the fall of Judaism.” King, SOP-1, p. 105 “…the Old Covenant world continued several years after the cross. Its final end came with the fall of Jerusalem, and this event marked the passing of heaven and earth.” King, SOP-2, p. 298 “The world reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men (i.e., 2 Pet. 3:7, cvt) was the Jewish world.” King, SOP-1, p. 131 Final judgment is past. End of the world is past. Spiritual adultery. Denies the resurrection of the dead. Examining Realized Eschatology

Goals of study We will examine the 5 major errors of RE. Document with quotes from Max King’s writings. Stay alert! At times it will be tedious due to the blatant silliness of this doctrine and its convoluted nature. Pay close attention, ask questions, search the scriptures: Acts 17:11 Dealing with false teaching is not pleasant; take it very seriously. Examining Realized Eschatology

Goals of study RE errors are very serious! RE preaches a “different gospel” (Gal. 1:6) from what is revealed in the NT. RE teachers wrest the scriptures and deceive the unwary (2 Pet. 3:16). RE is NOT of the “one faith” or “one hope” (Eph. 4:4-5); RE fractures unity (1 Cor. 1:10). Examining Realized Eschatology

Goals of study The response of RE false teachers is significant: “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 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.” Romans 16:17-18 False teachers do NOT want to be exposed; they prefer to work like “leaven” (1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9). They prefer to infiltrate faithful brethren and slowly spread their false teaching. They take advantage of brethren’s good will, welcoming nature; and prey on scriptural ignorance. We must NOT give false teachers an advantage! Examining Realized Eschatology

Goals of study RE is as rank of a “damnable heresy” (2 Pet. 2:1) as they come. My examination of RE is (believe it or not) relatively brief. I sincerely appreciate all the dedicated men who have written refutations of RE. Examining Realized Eschatology

Conclusion Christ’s second coming is past. Final judgment is past. End of the world is past. Spiritual adultery. Denies the resurrection of the dead. Galatians 1:8-9: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Examining Realized Eschatology