' TRIBULATION

30-70AD: Exodus | Tribulation

30-70AD The Early Church and the End of the World


GARY DEMAR
FRANCIS X. GUMERLOCK

www.AmericanVision.org
ISBN 0-915815-58-3
2006

"FROM INSIDE FLAP

Francis X. Gumerlock has undertaken the task of translating a number of ancient and medieval commentators who have written on Matthew 24 and Revelation.  He shows that many early and medieval Christian writers believed that these prophecies had already been fulfilled before the "end" of Jerusalem, that is, before its destruction by the Romans in A.D. 70 which resulted in the end of the Old Covenant world.

Gumerlock's chapters fill the gap in historiography by providing English translations of a number of preterist commentaries on prophecies in Matthew 24 by ancient and medieval Bible expositors.  Did other Christians, long before  Martin Luther, John Calvin, or Luis Alcasar, interpret prophecies of Matthew 24 as fulfilled in connection with the A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans?

Matthew 24:4-14 records Jesus' prediction of various signs that would take place before the end (24:6,14).  Not believing that these signs applied exclusively to the end of the world, many early and medieval writers believed that they had already appeared historically before the "end" of Jerusalem.  To illustrate their beliefs with regard to the content and timing of these signs of the end, Gumerlock's chapters provide a chain of comments from different Church Fathers upon the verses that they expounded.

With respect to the generation that would see all these things fulfilled (Matt. 24:34), several sources showed that a preterist interpretation of the passage existed in the early church.  Concerning the "coming" of Christ, mentioned many times in Matthew 24:27-51, most of the Church Fathers referred this coming to His bodily coming at the end of the world.  But patristic and medieval Biblical expositors did allow for it to be interpreted as a non-bodily advent, whether that be His coming to take residence in one's heart, His coming to receive one's soul at death, His continuous coming to the Church for strengthening, or a "hidden" coming in judgment.  One commentary, an Irish Book of Questions on the Gospels, written about 725, interpreted Christ's coming in Matthew 24 in light of the Judean war, as a coming in judgment through the Roman armies.

The Early Church and the End of the World is a needed addition to the discussion on what the earliest of the early church believed on Bible prophecy.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter  1 - Biblical Minimalism and Bible Prophecy

Chapter  2 - The Proof of the Gospel

Chapter  3 - Preterism Among First-Century Writers

Chapter  4 - Premillennialism in the Early Church

Chapter  5 - Sola Scriptura and Bible Prophecy

Chapter  6 - The Olivet Discourse in Ancient and Medieval Christianity

Chapter  7 - The Date of Revelation in the Early Church

Chapter  8 - More External Evidence for an Early Date of Revelation

Chapter  9 - Blood, Fire and Vapor of Smoke: The A.D.70 Destruction of Jerusalem in the Ancient Exegesis of Acts 2:19-27

Chapter 10 - Irenaeus and the Dating of Revelation


EXCERPTS

"John C. Whitcomb, in his article on "The Millennial Temple," writes that "five different offerings in Ezekiel (43:13-46:15), four of them with bloodletting, will serve God's purposes.  These offerings are not voluntary but obligatory; God will 'accept' people on the basis of these animal sacrifices (43:27), which make reconciliation [atonement] for the house of Israel (45:17, cf. 45:15)."  This is an impossible interpretation for at least three reasons.  First, these sacrifices are said to be "for atonement" (reconciliation) (Ezek. 45:15, 17) not, as Whitcomb claims, "as effective vehicles of divine instruction for Israel and the nations during the Millennial Kingdom."  Second, Jesus is the once for all sacrifice whose blood cleanses us from sin (Heb. 7:26-27; 8:13; 9:11-15;10:5-22; 1 Peter 3:18).  Third, sanctification comes under the new covenant by "the washing of water with the word" (Eph. 5:26) not by the washing of blood from sacrifices.  Those who dispute the completeness of the new covenant promises are looking for the Jews to return to the shadows of the Old Testament that Jesus came to shed redemptive light on.  They want to return to a world that Jesus came to replace." (xiv)

 

The Early Church and the End of the World asks this fundamental question: What did the earliest of the early Christian writers actually believe about prophetic events?  We can only answer this question by studying what they wrote.  Unfortunately, we do not have a complete record of the period.    Many of their surviving works are only fragments of larger works no longer available to us.  To make an historical investigation even more difficult, there are translation issues.  Many of the works of those who wrote just before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and beyond have not been translated into English.


Gary DeMar grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University (1973) and earned his M.Div. at Reformed Theological Seminary in 1979. He has lived in the Atlanta area since 1979 with his wife Carol. They have two grown sons. Gary and Carol are members of Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA).

 

 

A prolific writer, Gary has authored over twenty books covering a full range of topics: The three-volume God and Government series (1982-86), Ruler of the Nations (1987, 2002), The Reduction of Christianity (1988), Surviving College Successfully (1988), Something Greater Is Here (1988), You’ve Heard It Said (1991), America’s Christian History: The Untold Story (1993), War of the Worldviews (1994), Last Days Madness (4th ed., 1999), Is Jesus Coming Soon? (1999), Thinking Straight in a Crooked World (2001), End Times Fiction: A Biblical Consideration of the Left Behind Theology (2001), The Changing Face of Islam in History and Prophecy (2002), and America’s Heritage (2002). He is also the general editor and co-author of A New World in View (1996) and Reformation to Colonization (1997), the first two volumes in the To Pledge Allegiance history textbook series.

Gary has been interviewed by Time magazine, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, the BBC, and Sean Hannity. He has done numerous radio and television interviews, including the “Bible Answer Man,” hosted by Hank Hanegraaff. Newspaper interviews with Gary have also appeared in the Washington Times, Toledo (Ohio) Blade, the Sacramento Bee, the Atlanta Journal/Constitution, and the Chicago Tribune.

American Vision also publishes The Biblical Worldview, a monthly magazine edited by Gary.

 

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT

 

The Early Church and the End of the World seeks to remedy some of these problems.  Thomas Ice, in his book The End Times Controversy, makes some bold claims that cannot be supported when the historical record is actually analyzed.  The early church was not monolithic in its views of Bible prophecy.  There was no unanimous acceptance of premillennialism, a distant futurism, or the peculiar distinctives of dispensationalism.

The Early Church and the End of the World will show that some of the earliest writers commenting on the Olivet Discourse, most likely writing before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, were referring to the judgment coming of Jesus, an event that the gospel writers tell us was to take place before that first-century generation passed away (Matt. 24:34).  Adding to the confirmation of this view are the writings of the church's first historian, Eusebius Pampilus of Caesarea (c. 260-341), whose Ecclesiastical History is a window on the first few centuries of the church.

Timeline: 

30-70AD: Paul refers to the Old Covenant of the Law in many different ways

From: http://preterism.ning.com/forum/topics/paul-refers-to-the-old

Elements of the world: (Galatians 4:3) Weak and beggarly elements. (Gal. 4:9) A yoke of bondage. (Gal.5:1) "the ministry of death," (2 Corinthians 3:7) for example. In this article we will look at another term used by Paul to describe the old covenant.

Timeline: 

69AD The Year of the Four Emperors

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_of_the_Four_Emperors

Year of the Four Emperors

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Year of the Four Emperors - 69
Galba
Otho
Vitellius
Vespasian

The Year of the Four Emperors was a year in the history of the Roman Empire, AD 69, in which four emperors ruled in a remarkable succession. These four emperors were Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian.

The forced suicide of emperor Nero, in 68, was followed by a brief period of civil war, the first Roman civil war since Mark Antony's death in 30 BC. Between June of 68 and December of 69, Rome witnessed the successive rise and fall of Galba, Otho and Vitellius until the final accession of Vespasian, first ruler of the Flavian Dynasty. This period of civil war has become emblematic of the cyclic political disturbances in the history of the Roman Empire. The military and political anarchy created by this civil war had serious repercussions, such as the outbreak of the Batavian rebellion.

The Roman Empire, 69. After the death of emperor Nero, the four most influential generals in the Empire successively vied for the imperial power.

Contents

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Succession

Nero to Galba

Nero

In 65, the Pisonian conspiracy attempted to restore the Republic, but failed. A number of executions followed leaving Nero with few political allies left in the Senate. In late 67 or early 68, Caius Julius Vindex, governor of Gallia Lugdunensis rebelled against Nero's tax policy, with the purpose of substituting Servius Sulpicius Galba, governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, for Nero.

Vindex's revolt in Gaul was unsuccessful. The legions stationed at the border to Germania marched to meet Vindex and confront him as a traitor. Led by Lucius Verginius Rufus, the Rhine army defeated Vindex in battle and Vindex killed himself. Galba was at first declared a public enemy by the Senate.

By June of 68, the Senate took the initiative to rid itself of Nero, declaring him a public enemy and Galba emperor. Nymphidius Sabinus, desiring to become emperor himself, bribed the Praetorian Guard to betray Nero. Nero committed suicide. Galba was recognized as emperor and welcomed into the city at the head of his legions, which were: VI Victrix, I Macriana liberatrix, I Adiutrix, III Augusta and VII Gemina.

Galba to Otho

Galba

This turn of events gave the German legions not the reward for loyalty that they had expected, but rather accusations of having obstructed Galba's path to the throne. Their commander, Rufus, was immediately replaced by the new emperor. Aulus Vitellius was appointed governor of the province of Germania Inferior. The loss of political confidence in Germania's loyalty also resulted in the dismissal of the Imperial Batavian Bodyguards and rebellion.

Galba did not remain popular for long. On his march to Rome, he either destroyed or took enormous fines from towns that did not accept him immediately. In Rome, Galba cancelled all the reforms of Nero, including benefits for many important persons. Like his predecessor, Galba had a fear of conspirators and executed many senators and equites without trial. The army was not happy either. After his safe arrival to Rome, Galba refused to pay the rewards he had promised to soldiers who had supported him. Moreover, in the start of the civil year of 69 in January 1, the legions of Germania Inferior refused to swear allegiance and obedience to the new emperor. On the following day, the legions acclaimed Vitellius, their governor, as emperor.

Hearing the news of the loss of the Rhine legions, Galba panicked. He adopted a young senator, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus, as his successor. By doing this he offended many people, and above all Marcus Salvius Otho, an influential and ambitious man who desired the honour for himself. Otho bribed the Praetorian Guard, already very unhappy with the emperor, to his side. When Galba heard about the coup d'état he went to the streets in an attempt to normalize the situation. It proved a mistake, because he could attract no supporters. Shortly afterwards, the Praetorian Guard killed him in the Forum.

Otho's legions: XIII Gemina and I Adiutrix

Otho to Vitellius

Otho

Otho was recognised as emperor by the Senate that same day. The new emperor was saluted with relief. Although ambitious and greedy, Otho did not have a record for tyranny or cruelty and was expected to be a fair emperor. However, trouble in the form of Vitellius was marching down on Italy from Germany.

Vitellius had behind him the finest elite legions of the empire, composed of veterans of the Germanic Wars, such as I Germanica and XXI Rapax. These would prove to be his best arguments to gain power. Otho was not keen to begin another civil war and sent emissaries to propose a peace and inviting Vitellius to be his son-in-law. It was too late to reason; Vitellius' generals had half of his army heading to Italy. After a series of minor victories, Otho was defeated in the Battle of Bedriacum. Rather than flee and attempt a counter-attack, Otho decided to put an end to the anarchy and committed suicide. He had been emperor for a little more than three months.

Vitellius' legions: I Germanica, V Alaudae, I Italica, XV Primigenia, I Macriana liberatrix, III Augusta, and XXI Rapax
Otho legions: I Adiutrix

Vitellius to Vespasian

Vitellius

On the news of Otho's suicide, Vitellius was recognised as emperor by the Senate. Granted this recognition, Vitellius set out for Rome. However, he faced problems from the start of his reign. The city was left very skeptical when Vitellius chose the anniversary of the Battle of the Allia (in 390 BC), a day of bad auspices according to Roman superstition, to accede to the office of Pontifex Maximus.

Events would seemingly prove them right. With the throne tightly secured, Vitellius engaged in a series of feasts, banquets (Suetonius refers to three a day: morning, afternoon and night) and triumphal parades that drove the imperial treasury close to bankruptcy. Debts were quickly accrued and money-lenders started to demand repayment. Vitellius showed his violent nature by ordering the torture and execution of those who dared to make such demands. With financial affairs in a state of calamity, Vitellius took the initiative of killing citizens who named him as their heir, often together with any co-heirs. Moreover, he engaged in a pursuit of every possible rival, inviting them to the palace with promises of power only to have them assassinated.

Vespasian

Meanwhile, the legions stationed in the African province of Ægyptus (Egypt) and the Middle East provinces of Iudaea (Judea/Palestine) and Syria had acclaimed Vespasian as emperor. Vespasian had been given a special command in Judaea by Nero in 67 with the task of putting down the Great Jewish Revolt. He gained the support of the governor of Syria, Gaius Licinius Mucianus. A strong force drawn from the Judaean and Syrian legions marched on Rome under the command of Mucianus. Vespasian himself travelled to Alexandria where he had been acclaimed Emperor on July 1, thereby gaining control of the vital grain supplies from Egypt. Vespasian's son Titus remained in Judaea to deal with the Jewish rebellion. Before the eastern legions could reach Rome, the Danubian legions of the provinces of Raetia and Moesia also acclaimed Vespasian as Emperor in August, and led by Marcus Antonius Primus invaded Italy. In October, the forces led by Primus won a crushing victory over Vitellius' army at the Second Battle of Bedriacum.

Surrounded by enemies, Vitellius made a last attempt to win the city to his side, distributing bribes and promises of power where needed. He tried to levy by force several allied tribes, such as the Batavians, only to be refused. The Danube army was now very near Rome. Realising the immediate threat, Vitellius made a last attempt to gain time and sent emissaries, accompanied by Vestal Virgins, to negotiate a truce and start peace talks. The following day, messengers arrived with news that the enemy was at the gates of the city. Vitellius went into hiding and prepared to flee, but decided on a last visit to the palace. There he was caught by Vespasian's men and killed. In seizing the capital, they burned down the temple of Jupiter.

The Senate acknowledged Vespasian as emperor on the following day. It was December 21, 69, the year that had begun with Galba on the throne.

Vitellius legions: XV Primigenia
Vespasian legions: III Augusta, I Macriana liberatrix

Aftermath

Vespasian did not meet any direct threat to his imperial power after the death of Vitellius. He became the founder of the stable Flavian dynasty that succeeded the Julio-Claudians and died of natural causes as emperor in 79, with the famous last words, "Vae, puto deus fio" ("Dear me, I must be turning into a god...").

Chronology

68

69

  • January 1 – The Rhine legions refuse to swear loyalty to Galba
  • January 2 – Vitellius acclaimed emperor by the Rhine
  • January 15 – Galba killed by the Praetorian Guard; in the same day, the senate recognizes Otho as emperor
  • April 14 – Vitellius defeats Otho
  • April 16 – Otho commits suicide; Vitellius recognized emperor
  • July 1 – Vespasian, commander of the Roman army in Judaea, proclaimed emperor by the legions of Egypt under Tiberius Julius Alexander
  • August – The Danubian legions announce support to Vespasian (in Syria) and invade Italy in September on his behalf
  • October – The Danube army defeats Vitellius and Vespasian occupies Egypt
  • December 20 – Vitellius killed by soldiers in the Imperial Palace
  • December 21 – Vespasian recognized emperor

See also

References

Timeline: 

63BC-70AD The 11 horns of Daniel's 4th Beast

63BC-70AD: The 11 horns of Daniel's 4th Beast (The 11 "Kings" of Daniel's 4th idol-worshipping kingdom to possess Jerusalem)

"horn" = king, (national leader, primary personal representative)
"beast" = idol-worshipping Gentile nation that rules over (subjugates) God's Chosen People 

Bible scholars living in the last days of old Jerusalem may have seen some very interesting things in this dream of Daniel 7.

Timeline: 

30AD-ONGOING The Law of Christ

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away.

The Law of Christ
Inspired by the Holy Spirit from Heaven with His Baptism,
Delivered by His own mouth with His miraculous ministry,
Signed by His own Blood with His Cross,
Approved by His Father God Almighty with His Resurrection,
Personally enforced with all power in Heaven & Earth since His 70AD Return.
The Law of Christ
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
~Hebrews 13:8
For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
~Hebrews 9:16-18 NKJV
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.
~1 Timothy 1:5
"Legalism" is an oft misused term, frequently employed by the lawless, the rebellious to mock obedience to anyone, even obedience to Christ who warned plainly in Luke 6:46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
The term "Legalism" appears nowhere in Holy Writ but was a technical, theological term devised to refer to attempts to attain righteousness specifically via The Law of Moses, which was fulfilled at the Cross by Christ around 30AD. (See Cross of Christ: Old to New Covenant moment of change /?q=node/87).
THE LAW OF CHRIST (LOVE) compared to THE LAW OF MOSES (LEGALISM) :
Galatians 6:2
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill The Law of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:20-22
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under The Law [of Moses] I became like one under The Law [of Moses] (though I myself am not under The Law [of Moses]), so as to win those under The Law [of Moses]. 21 To those not having The Law [of Moses] I became like one not having The Law [of Moses] (though I am not free from THE LAW OF GOD but am under THE LAW OF CHRIST), so as to win those not having The Law [of Moses].
(slightly modified NIV, referencing the underlying Greek)

Romans 8:1-2
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from The Law of Sin & Death. NKJV

[ie of Moses = "When you sin, you will die" aka "The Ministry of Death" 2 Cor 3:7 and "The Ministry of Condemnation" 2 Cor 3:9 Whereas the Gospel is "The Ministry of the Spirit"].

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus = The Law of Christ.
The Law of Sin & Death = The Law of Moses.
Therefore,
The Law of Christ sets us free from The Law of Moses.
We are not left without law, lawless.

2 Corinthians 3:5-4:1
But our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as Ministers of the New Covenant, not of the Letter but of the Spirit; for the Letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. ["The Letter" here would be the tablets of stone that the LORD sent from Sinai via Moses to His People. How much better the Person of the Holy Spirit than that old Letter of stone, the Law of Moses].
7 But if the Ministry of Death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the Ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the Ministry of Condemnation had glory, the Ministry of Righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech — 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 4 Therefore, since we have this Ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
NKJV

The Word = The Perfect Law that gives freedom = The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus that gives freedom.
Therefore,
The Law of God = The Law of Christ = The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus = The Word = The Perfect Law (The Law of Perfection) = The New Covenant in Christ's Blood
James 1:22-25
Do not merely listen to The Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to The Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into The Perfect Law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does.
"In that He says, 'A new covenant,' He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away." ~Hebrews 8:13, penned over 1930 years ago.
NKJV
THE NEW TESTAMENT LAW OF CHRIST REPLACES THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW OF MOSES BECAUSE
THE EVERLASTING PRIESTHOOD OF MELCHIZEDEK REPLACES THE PRIESTHOOD OF AARON
Speaking of Jesus, being made a High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, superceding the order of Aaron:
Hebrews 7:12-17
12For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of The Law [of God].
13For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
v12 - So we see that a change came to The Law [of God] with the change of priesthoods.
When the priesthood of Aaron was changed out for the priesthood of Melchizedek, then The Law of Moses was changed out for The Law of Christ.
It is uncommon for people to refer to The Gospel as "The Law of Christ," but Paul used the term in Gal 6:1 and 1 Cor 9:21. The Law of Christ is synonymous with James 2:8 "The Royal Law" as well as Rom 8:2 "The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus:" i.e., The New Covenant in Christ's Blood.
Even as
The Law of Moses was given at the beginning of the Exodus from Egypt
and remained a God-enforced reality throughout the priesthood of Aaron,
The Law of Christ was given at the beginning of the exodus (Tribulation period) from the Old Covenant Law of Moses
and remains a God-enforced reality throughout the priesthood of Melchizedec.
As,
The Law of Moses embodied more than the 10 Commandments
and came to refer to the entire corpus of commandments of the Old Covenant,
The Law of Christ embodies more than just a few sayings of the Lord Jesus
but is acknowledged as refering to the entire corpus of New Testament commands.
It should be noted that a only very small portion of God's commands through Moses in the Old Testament pertained strictly to the Exodus period and are readily recognised as such: "Strike the rock," "Talk to the rock," "Stretch out your staff," "Move camp when the cloud lifts or the fire moves," etc.
Likewise, only a very small portion of God's commands through the Spirit of Christ in the New Testament pertained strictly to the 30-70AD Tribulation period and are readily recognised as such with specific time statements associated with each one: Matt 10:23 "You will not have gone through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes," and notably 1 Cor 13:8-10 & Eph 4:11-13 which likewise contain "until ..." time-limiting statements.
Heb 7:14 & Heb 7:17 - Jesus is identified as a priest forever after this order of Melchizedec.
Heb 7:16 - Jesus' endless life is referred to, granting greater strength & longevity to His Commandment, The Law of Christ.
Therefore,
The Law of Christ shall remain in effect as long as Jesus remains High Priest, i.e. as long as Jesus lives.

Belief in Christ = Believing what Christ said.
"Jesus is my Lord" = "Jesus is my Owner, my Master, my Boss, Jesus' Words tell me what to do."
Faith = taking Jesus seriously enough to obey Him.
James 2:20
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith [in Christ] without works [of obedience to Christ] is dead?

Hebrews 7:12-17
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of The Law [of God].

LEGALISM = OBEDIENCE TO THE OLD TESTAMENT = THE LAW OF MOSES = THE OLD LAW OF GOD

LOVE = OBEDIENCE TO THE NEW TESTAMENT = THE LAW OF CHRIST = THE LAW OF GOD

OLD TESTAMENT LEGALISM HAS GIVEN WAY TO NEW TESTAMENT LOVE

1 John 5:1-4
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
NKJV

John 14:15-16
If you love Me, keep My commandments.
NKJV

John 14:21
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
NKJV

John 15:9-14
"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
NKJV

Timeline: 

30AD "They shall look on Him whom they pierced"

Prophecy ~ 520 BC History ~ 30AD

Zechariah 12:10-13:1
"And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. 11 In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 12 And the land shall mourn, every family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; 13 the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by itself, and their wives by themselves; 14 all the families that remain, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves. 13:1 "In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.
NKJV

John 19:30-37
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. 31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, "Not one of His bones shall be broken." 37 And again another Scripture says, "They shall look on Him whom they pierced."
NKJV

Timeline: