The Bodily Resurrection and the A.D. 70 Doctrine

Nick S. Wallace

Full preterists, those advocating the A.D. 70 doctrine, contend that all prophecy in Scripture was fulfilled by the year A.D. 70. However, if we know what the future resurrection looks like, we know it hasn't happened yet. In 1 Corinthians 15, for example, Paul wrote that the foundational thing he delivered was that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead (vv. 3–4). This shows that Paul was discussing Jesus' physical body, as it is what became dead, buried, and then risen. Paul explained later in the chapter that the resurrected Christ "has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (v. 20). This suggests that we also will be raised as was Jesus, "each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming" (v. 23).

Paul elaborated on the resurrection later in the chapter. When Christ will come, the natural body will become the spiritual body: "The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body" (1 Cor. 15:42–44, emphasis mine, NSW). Notice the pronouns. The thing that is "sown in corruption" is the same thing that "is raised in incorruption," etc. There are two kinds of bodies, but the former will one day become the latter.

Similarly, Paul discussed in Philippians 3:20–21 how Christians "eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ," a reference to the Second Coming. Paul told Christians that at that future time, Christ "will transform our lowly body." The result of this transformation is "that it [our lowly body, NSW] may be conformed to His glorious body." What gets conformed, then, is our lowly body. The body is "transformed," which is translated from the Greek word metaschématizó, meaning "properly, to change outward appearance after a change." 1 However, the change is not only external but also affects the inner essence since the body is said to be "conformed." The term "conformed" is translated from the Greek word summorphos, which means "properly, conformed, by sharing the same inner essence-identity (form); showing similar behavior from having the same essential nature." 2 Therefore, Paul teaches the Philippians that there would be a future time when their lowly body would undergo a full transformation, conforming to Christ's glorious body. Since the bodies of the dead have not yet changed to this day, the fulfillment of this passage is future, not something that happened in A.D. 70, obviously.

Also worthy of consideration is John 5:28–29. In this passage, Jesus foretells that "the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." This suggests that, when raised, the bodies of the dead rise out of their graves as did Christ ("the firstfruits," 1 Cor. 15:20). Even now, as you read this article, all the dead are still buried in graves—all except for Christ, the firstfruits, of course. Therefore, the fulfillment of John 5:28-29 is yet to come, going against full preterism.

While more could be said, 1 Corinthians 15, Philippians 3:20–21, and John 5:28–29 teach that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again bodily, and that the same thing will happen to us at His coming. We will rise from the graves, and our bodies will be transformed to be like His glorious body. Since our bodies have not currently been raised from the dead or glorified, then our resurrection is a future event, and the A.D. 70 doctrine is false.

1 HELPS Word-studies, as found on Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/greek/3345.htm
2 HELPS Word-studies, as found on Bible Hub, https://biblehub.com/greek/4832.htm

1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 (NKJV)

"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."
Bold statements for our hope!

1. The Lord will descend from heaven.
2. The Lord will descend with a shout.
3. The voice of the archangel will be heard.
4. The trumpet of God will sound.
5. The dead in Christ will rise first.
6. Those who are living will then be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.
7. We shall always be with the Lord!

 Sentence Sermon:
"Don't put a question mark where God puts a period."

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