Why tongues ceased in 70 AD

TONGUES:  WHY THEY CEASED IN 70 A.D.

1 Corinthians 13:8  Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.  (NAS)

OPENING STATEMENT:

The spiritual gift of tongues ceased in 70 A.D. and everything that is being called tongues, today, is no more than "gibberish, (naglamlam; which means to talk nonsense)," and is a counterfeit of the original spiritual gift.

Gibberish defined:            Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language defines "gibberish" as rapid and incoherent talk; unintelligible chatter.

Introduction

  I.  Purposes:  I have five purposes for the next several hours of teaching: 

A.  To present the truth about the biblical gift of tongues.

B.   To expose the modern-day "tongues experience" as a counterfeit of the original spiritual gift.

C.  To expose the shallowness of Bible knowledge regarding the spiritual gift that the modern-day "tongues speaker" claims to possess.

D.  To assist the serious Bible student in his/her search for truth on the subject of tongues.

E.   To send a warning to the spiritually naive and those who lack knowledge of the Word of God.

 II.  Two principles of reasoning:  If it can be shown that tongues ceased in 70 A.D., it logically follows that every modern-day "tongues experience" is invalid and counterfeit under the two following principles.

1.      Principle:  Nothing is valid that is invalid.

2.      Principle:  Any practice that is invalid is a counterfeit.

III. The method of theology:  Inductive reasoning will be the major method used to expose the modern-day "tongues experience" as counterfeit.

A.  Lewis Sperry Chafer, a very notable theologian, in Volume 1, page 8, of his work entitled, Systematic Theology, writes that inductive reasoning is the theological method used in dealing with the truths of God's Word, and that induction gathers biblical facts on a given subject and then reduces those facts into one harmonious and all-inclusive statement.  He also differentiates between perfect and imperfect induction's.

B.            Inductive reasoning:  Inductive reasoning draws conclusions from known facts.  Induction's may be perfect or imperfect.

1.      Perfect induction:

a.   A perfect induction must consider every pertinent fact on the subject under consideration.

b.   Every fact must be interpreted correctly.

c.   To say that one has drawn a perfect induction implies that the conclusion reached is correct.

2.      Imperfect induction:

a    An imperfect induction would result from failure to consider every pertinent fact on the subject under consideration.

b.   An imperfect induction would result from the misinterpretation of just one fact known about the subject.

c.   To say that one has drawn an imperfect induction implies that the conclusion reached is incorrect.

Briefly stated, tongues was a temporary gift that operated from the day of Pentecost, 30 A.D. until 70 A.D., and any attempt to justify the practice of biblical tongues after 70 A.D. is biblically unjustified.  Those who oppose this position frequently say, "But the Bible says . . . ," and then a passage of Scripture is quoted to justify the present day use of the gift of tongues.  The implication is that a scriptural quote is all that is necessary to justify whatever we want to justify.  This is spiritual nonsense and should cause you to respond with;  "We know what the Bible says, but what does it mean and how does it apply?"  And until there is an honest attempt to answer these two questions, spiritual chaos and confusion will continue to run rampant within the present day universal church.  In view of the present day spiritual chaos and confusion, the following question is asked.  Who among us is willing to listen to the prophet Isaiah as he writes in Isaiah 1:18?  "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: . . ."

IV. Three important dates:  There are three important dates in Bible history that have an impact on the correct understanding of the biblical gift of tongues.  The three dates are Pentecost 30 A.D., 70 A.D. and 96 A.D.

A.            Pentecost 30 A.D.:  This is the day on which the Church Age began and the day on which the biblical gift of tongues began to be exercised as a warning to unbelieving Israel of the impending fifth cycle of discipline.

B.   70 A.D.:  This is the year in which God used the Roman ruler, Titus, to administer the 5th cycle of discipline driving the Jews out of their homeland for disobedience.  (This is well documented in secular history.)  The Jews are not scheduled to return legitimately to their homeland until the second advent of Christ, which marks the beginning of the Millennial reign of Christ.

C.  96 A.D.:  This date represents the year in which the Christian canon of scripture was completed.  The canon became complete the moment the Apostle John finished writing the Book of Revelation on the Island of Patmos in 96 A.D.

V.  Israel during the lifetime of Jesus Christ:  Israel was already under the 4th cycle of discipline when Jesus was born.  Approximately 70 years later, Israel would undergo the 5th cycle of discipline.

VI. Simple question!  Simple answer?:  The simple question is this.  If tongues ceased in 70 A.D., then why did they cease in 70 A.D?  It took less than ten seconds to ask that question, and most people want an answer in the same amount of time, however, it doesn't work that way.  If a person is interested in knowing why tongues ceased in 70 A.D, then there must be a willingness to hear all the facts so that a perfect induction can be drawn.  Let's look at the facts.

FACT #1

The Five Cycles of Discipline:  Leviticus 26:16-38

Leviticus is God's guidebook for His newly redeemed people, showing them how to worship, serve, and obey a holy God.  Leviticus centers around the concept of the holiness of God, and how an unholy people can acceptably approach Him and then remain in continued fellowship.  In chapters 1 through 17 God sets down the laws of acceptable approach to Him, and in chapters 18 through 27 He sets down the laws of continued fellowship with Him.  In chapter 26 He specifically sets down the results of obedience and disobedience.

  I.  The blessings if Israel would obey.  (from TLB) 

Leviticus 26:3-13  "If you [ Israel ] obey all of my [ God ] commandments [ as set forth in the Mosaic Law ],  I [ God ] will give you [ Israel ] regular rains, and the land will yield bumper crops, and the trees will be loaded with fruit long after the normal time! And grapes will still be ripening when sowing time comes again. You [ Israel ] shall eat your [ Israel ] fill, and live safely in the land,  for I [ God ] will give you [ Israel ] peace, and you [ Israel ] will go to sleep without fear. I [ God ] will chase away the dangerous animals.  You [ Israel ] will chase your [ Israel ] enemies; they [ Israel's enemies ] will die beneath your [ Israel ] swords.  Five of you [ Israelites ] will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you [ Israelites ], ten thousand! You [ Israel ] will defeat all of your [ Israel ] enemies.  I [ God ] will look after you [ Israel ], and multiply you[ Israel ] , and fulfill my [ God ] covenant with you [ Israel ].  You [ Israel ] will have such a surplus of crops that you [ Israel ] won't know what to do with them [ crops ] when the new harvest is ready!  And I [ God ] will live among you [ Israel ] and not despise you [ Israel ].  I [ God ] will walk among you [ Israel ] and be your [ Israel ] God, and you [ Israel ] shall be my [ God ] people.   For I [ God ] am the Lord your [ Israel ] God who [ God ] brought you [ Israel ] out of the land of Egypt, so that you [ Israel ] would be slaves no longer; I [ God ] have broken your [ Israel ] chains so that you [ Israel ] can walk with dignity.

II.   The five cycles of discipline are five different levels of divine discipline directed toward the nation of Israel for its failure as a nation to listen to God's warning.

A. The warning: (from the NAS) 

Leviticus 26:14-16  But [ conjunction of contrast, contrasting results of obedience against results of disobedience ] if you [ Israel ] do not obey Me [God ] and do not carry out all these commandments [ as found in the Mosaic Law ],  if, instead, you [ Israel ] reject My [ God ] statutes, and if your [ Israel ] soul abhors My [ God ] ordinances so as not to carry out all My [ God ] commandments, {and} so break My [ God ] covenant,  I [ God ], in turn, will do this to you [ Israel ]: . . . .

B. The five cycles of discipline: (from TLB)

1.            1st cycle: 

Leviticus 26:16-17  . . . . I [ God ] will punish you [ Israel ] with sudden terrors and panic, and with tuberculosis and burning fever; your [ Israel ] eyes shall be consumed and your [ Israel ] life shall ebb away; you [ Israel ] will sow your crops in vain, for your [ Israel ] enemies will eat them.   I [ God ] will set my [ God ] face against you [ Israel ] and you [ Israel ] will flee before your [ Israel ] attackers; those who hate you [ Israel ] will rule you [ Israel ]; you [ Israel ] will even run when no one is chasing you [ Israel ]!

2.            2nd cycle: 

Leviticus 26:18-20   "And if you [ Israel ] still disobey me [ God ], I [ God ] will punish you [ Israel ] seven times more severely for your [ Israel ] sins.  I [ God ] will break your [ Israel ] proud power and make your [ Israel ] heavens as iron and your [ Israel ] earth as bronze.  Your [ Israel ] strength shall be spent in vain; for your [ Israel ] land shall not yield its crops, nor your [ Israel ] trees their fruit.

3.            3rd cycle: 

Leviticus 26:21-22  "And if even then you [ Israel ] will not obey me [ God ] and listen to me [ God ], I [ God ] will send you [ Israel ] seven times more plagues because of your [ Israel ] sins.  I [ God ] will send wild animals to kill your [ Israel ] children and destroy your [ Israel ] cattle and reduce your [ Israel ] numbers so that your [ Israel ] roads will be deserted.

4.            4th cycle: 

Leviticus 26:23-26  "And if even this will not reform you [ Israel ], but you [ Israel ] continue to walk against my [ God ] wishes, then I [ God ] will walk against your [ Israel ] wishes, and I [ God ], even I [ God ], will personally smite you [ Israel ] seven times for your [ Israel ] sin.  I [ God ] will revenge the breaking of my [ God ] covenant by bringing war against you [ Israel ]. You [ Israel ] will flee to your [ Israel ] cities, and I [ God ] will send a plague among you [ Israel ] there; and you [ Israel ] will be conquered by your [ Israel ] enemies.  I [ God ] will destroy your [ Israel ] food supply so that one oven will be large enough to bake all the bread available for ten entire families; and you [ Israel ] will still be hungry after your [ Israel ] pittance has been doled out to you [ Israel ].

5.            5th cycle: 

Leviticus 26:27-38  "And if you [ Israel ] still won't listen to me [ God ] or obey me [ God ], 28  then I [ God ] will let loose my [ God ] great anger and send you [ Israel ] seven times greater punishment for your [ Israel ] sins.  You [ Israel ] shall eat your [ Israel ] own sons and daughters, and I [ God ] will destroy the altars on the hills where you [ Israel ] worship your [ Israel ] idols, and I [ God ] will cut down your [ Israel ] incense altars, leaving your [ Israel ] dead bodies to rot among your [ Israel ] idols; and I [ God ] will abhor you [ Israel ].  I [ God ] will make your [ Israel ] cities desolate, and destroy your [ Israel ] places of worship, and will not respond to your [ Israel ] incense offerings.  Yes, I [ God ] will desolate your [ Israel ] land; your [ Israel ] enemies shall live in it, utterly amazed at what I [ God ] have done to you [ Israel ].  "I [ God ] will scatter you [ Israel ] out among the nations, destroying you [ Israel ] with war as you [ Israel ] go. Your [ Israel ] land shall be desolate and your [ Israel ] cities destroyed.  Then at last the land will rest and make up for the many years you [ Israel ] refused to let it lie idle; for it [ Israel's land ] will lie desolate all the years that you [ Israel ] are captives in enemy lands. Yes, then the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths! It [ Israel's land ] will make up for the rest you [ Israel ] didn't give it [ Israel's land ] every seventh year when you [ Israel ] lived upon it [ Israel's land ] .  "And for those [ Israelites ] who are left alive, I [ God ] will cause them [ the Israelites left alive ] to be dragged away to distant lands as prisoners of war and slaves. There they [ the Israelites left alive ] will live in constant fear. The sound of a leaf driven in the wind will send them [ the Israelites left alive ] fleeing as though chased by a man with a sword; they [ the Israelites left alive ] shall fall when no one is pursuing them[ the Israelites left alive ] .  Yes, though none pursue they [ the Israelites left alive ] shall stumble over each other in flight, as though fleeing in battle, with no power to stand before their [ the Israelites left alive ] enemies.  You [ Israel ] shall perish among the nations and be destroyed among your [ Israel ] enemies.

6.  The fifth cycle of discipline amplified in Deuteronomy 28:49-67 

"The LORD will bring a nation against you [ Israel ] from afar, from the end of the earth, as the eagle swoops down, a nation whose language you [ Israel ] shall not understand, a nation of fierce countenance who shall have no respect for the old, nor show favor to the young.  "Moreover, it shall eat the offspring of your [ Israel ] herd and the produce of your [ Israel ] ground until you [ Israel ] are destroyed, who also leaves you [ Israel ] no grain, new wine, or oil, nor the increase of your [ Israel ] herd or the young of your [ Israel ] flock until they have caused you [ Israel ] to perish.  "And it [ the nation the Lord brings against Israel ] shall besiege you [ Israel ] in all your [ Israel ] towns until your [ Israel ] high and fortified walls in which you [ Israel ] trusted come down throughout your [ Israel ] land, and it [ the nation the Lord brings against Israel ] shall besiege you [ Israel ] in all your [ Israel ] towns throughout your [ Israel ] land which the LORD your [ Israel ] God has given you [ Israel ].  "Then you [ Israel ] shall eat the offspring of your [ Israel ] own body, the flesh of your [ Israel ] sons and of your [ Israel ] daughters whom the LORD your [ Israel ] God has given you [ Israel ], during the siege and the distress by which your [ Israel ] enemy shall oppress you [ Israel ].  "The man who is refined and very delicate among you [ Israel ] shall be hostile toward his brother and toward the wife he cherishes and toward the rest of his children who remain, so that he will not give {even} one of them any of the flesh of his children which he shall eat, since he has nothing {else} left, during the siege and the distress by which your [ Israel ] enemy shall oppress you [ Israel ] in all your towns.  "The refined and delicate woman among you [ Israel ], who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground for delicateness and refinement, shall be hostile toward the husband she cherishes and toward her son and daughter, and toward her afterbirth which issues from between her legs and toward her children whom she bears; for she shall eat them secretly for lack of anything {else,} during the siege and the distress by which your [ Israel ] enemy shall oppress you [ Israel ] in your [ Israel ] towns.  "If [ Israel ] you are not careful to observe all the words of this law [ the Mosaic law ] which are written in this book, to fear this honored and awesome name, the LORD your God, then the LORD will bring extraordinary plagues on you [ Israel ] and your [ Israel ] descendants, even severe and lasting plagues, and miserable and chronic sicknesses.  "And He [ God ] will bring back on you [ Israel ] all the diseases of Egypt of which you [ Israel ] were afraid, and they [ the diseases ] shall cling to you [ Israel ].  "Also every sickness and every plague which, not written in the book of this law, the LORD will bring on you [ Israel ] until you [ Israel ] are destroyed.  "Then you [ Israel ] shall be left few in number, whereas you [ Israel ] were as the stars of heaven for multitude, because you [ Israel ] did not obey the LORD your God.  "And it shall come about that as the LORD delighted over you [ Israel ] to prosper you [ Israel ], and multiply you [ Israel ], so the LORD will delight over you [ Israel ] to make you [ Israel ] perish and destroy you [ Israel ] ; and you [ Israel ] shall be torn from the land where you [ Israel ] are entering to possess it.  "Moreover, the LORD will scatter you [ Israel ] among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth; and there you [ Israel ] shall serve other gods, wood and stone, which you [ Israel ] or your [ Israel ] fathers have not known.  "And among those nations you [ Israel ] shall find no rest, and there shall be no resting place for the sole of your [ Israel ] foot; but there the LORD will give you [ Israel ] a trembling heart, failing of eyes, and despair of soul.  "So your [ Israel ] life shall hang in doubt before you [ Israel ]; and you [ Israel ] shall be in dread night and day, and shall have no assurance of your [ Israel ] life.  "In the morning you [ Israel ] shall say, `Would that it were evening!' And at evening you [ Israel ] shall say, `Would that it were morning!' because of the dread of your [ Israel ] heart which you [ Israel ] dread, and for the sight of your [ Israel ] eyes which you [ Israel ] shall see.

C.  The five cycles of discipline were administered by God to Israel on the following occasions:

1.   The fifth cycle of discipline was administered to the Northern Kingdom (Israel), Hosea 4:1-6, in 721 B.C.  Elijah, Elisha, Amos and Hosea all prophesied the coming of the fifth cycle of discipline.  2 Kings 17 gives the historical account.

2.   The fifth cycle of discipline was administered to the Southern Kingdom (Judah) in 586 B.C.  The overt manifestation of Jewish reversionism in the Southern Kingdom was idolatry.  The duration of the fifth cycle of discipline to the Southern Kingdom was seventy years.

3.   The fifth cycle of discipline was administered to Judea in 70 A.D.  This was prophesied by Isaiah in Isaiah 28:1-13, which will be explained in fact #2, and by our Lord in

Luke 21:20-24 

"But when you [ Israel ] see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her [ Jerusalem's ] desolation is at hand.  "Then let those [ Israelites ] who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those [ Israelites ] who are in the midst of the city depart, and let not those [ Israelites ] who are in the country enter the city; because these are days of vengeance, in order that all things which are written may be fulfilled.  "Woe to those [ Israelites ] who are with child and to those [ Israelites ] who nurse babes in those days; for there will be great distress upon the land, and wrath to this people [ Israel ], and they [ Israel ] will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.  (NAS)

The Jews are not scheduled to return legitimately to their homeland until the second advent of Christ, which marks the beginning of the Millennial reign of Christ.

D.  Grace always precedes the fifth cycle of discipline.  The first four cycles of discipline are grace warnings.  In the fifth cycle of discipline, you either are killed or become enslaved.

Conclusion:  The five cycles of discipline are a part of God's program for Israel.

FACT #2

Israel's Reversionism and Its Form:  Arrogance and Drunkenness:  Isaiah 28:1-13

1  Woe to the proud crown [ arrogance ] of the drunkards [ drunkenness ] of Ephraim, And to the fading flower of its glorious beauty, Which is at the head of the fertile valley of those who are overcome with wine!

2  Behold, the Lord has a strong and mighty agent [ a foreign power used as God's tool for carrying out the fifth cycle of discipline against Israel ]; As a storm of hail, a tempest of destruction, Like a storm of mighty overflowing waters, He has cast it [ Israel ] down to the earth with His hand.

3  The proud crown [ arrogance ] of the drunkards [ drunkenness ] of Ephraim is trodden under foot.

4  And the fading flower of its [ Israel's ] glorious beauty, which is at the head of the fertile valley, will be like the first-ripe fig prior to summer; which one sees, and as soon as it is in his hand, He swallows it.

5  In that day the Lord of hosts will become a beautiful crown and a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people [Jewish believers not in reversionism].

6  A spirit of justice for Him who sits in judgment, a strength to those who repel the onslaught at the gate.

7  And these also reel with wine and stagger from strong drink: The priest and the prophet [ the Bible teachers of that day ] reel with strong drink, They [ the Bible teachers of that day ] are confused by wine, they [ the Bible teachers of that day ] stagger from strong drink; they [ the Bible teachers of that day ] reel while having visions, They totter when rendering judgment.

8  For all the tables are full of filthy vomit [ sick from too much drinking ], without a single clean place [ vomit is everywhere ].

9  "To whom would He [ God ] teach knowledge? And to whom would He [ God ] interpret the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just taken from the breast?

10  "For He [ God ] says, 'Order on order, order on order [ teaching doctrine categorically, that is, selecting various Bible subjects and teaching all the Bible has to say about those subjects ], line on line, line on line [ teaching the Word of God a word at a time and declaring the meaning of each word ], a little here, a little there [ selecting a timely message from an appropriate text wherever it may be found ]."

11  Indeed, He [ God ] will speak to this people [ Israel ] through stammering lips [ the spiritual gift of tongues that when miraculously spoken makes the speaker sound like a drunkard ] and a foreign tongue [ this reference to tongues is a reference to Gentile languages ],

12  He [ God ] who said to them [ Israel ] , "Here is rest, give rest to the weary," and, "Here is repose," but they [ Israel ] would not listen.

13  So the word of the LORD to them [ Israel ] will be, "Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line, a little here, a little there," that they [ Israel ] may go and stumble backward, be broken, snared, and taken captive.

Conclusion:  At the time of this writing, Israel as a nation was overcome with arrogance and drunken reversionism.

FACT #3

A Prophetic Warning to Israel:  Isaiah 28:11

11 Indeed, He [ God ] will speak to this [ specifies a specific group of people; remember the word "this" when you read and interpret 1 Corinthians 14:21 ] people [ Israel as a nation; not the church; not Christians, but Israel and Israel alone ] through stammering lips [ speech that when miraculously spoken by persons who had never learned the language make the speakers sound like drunkards ] and a foreign tongue [ all tongues were Gentile languages ],

  I.  This passage is both a prophecy and a warning.

A.  As prophecy, it anticipates the beginning of tongues on the Day of Pentecost, 30 A.D.

B.   As a warning it anticipates the fifth cycle of discipline to Israel in 70 A.D.

 II.  It is extremely important to note from this prophecy that God was going to use stammering lips and a foreign tongue to speak to THIS PEOPLE, that is, Israel as a nation, and if we are not impressed by this important point, the impact of 1 Corinthians 14:21 will be missed.

Conclusion:  While some members of the church possessed the gift of tongues, the impact of the gift was upon THIS PEOPLE, that is, Israel as a reversionistic nation.

FACT #4

1 Corinthians 14:21:  The Purpose of Tongues is Related to Isaiah 28:11

21 In the Law [ refers to the Old Testament Canon ] it is written [ a reference to Isaiah 28:11 ], "By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this [ the word "this" is the same word used in Isaiah 28:11 and is a reference to Israel as a nation; not the church; not Christians, but Israel as a nation; in other words, "Jews" ] people [ Israel ], and even so they [ Israel ] will not listen to Me," says the Lord.

   I. If the purpose for the gift of tongues is to be understood, the relationship between Isaiah 28:11 and the spiritual gift of tongues must be understood.

  II. This passage links the Church Age gift of tongues to Israel as a nation, herein, referred to as "this people."  It should be strongly emphasized that the phrase "this people" in Isaiah 28:11 refers exclusively to Israel as a nation.

Conclusion:  Some members of the Church possessed the gift of tongues, but God designed the benefit of the gift to be for Jews, not the church, not Christians, but Jews, and any attempt to teach otherwise does violence to the Word of God.

FACT #5

Paul States the Purpose of Tongues:  1 Corinthians 14:22

22 So then tongues [ the "Church Age" spiritual gift ] are for a sign, not to those who believe [ "those who believe" refers to Church Age believers ] , but to unbelievers [ specifically, Jewish unbelievers ] ; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers, but to those who believe.

  I.  The following questions must now be considered.

A.  What was the purpose of tongues?

B.   What did God want to accomplish through the spiritual gift of tongues?

 II.  The answers to these questions become clear when we understand what God is telling us through the hand of Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:22 along with verse 21.

A.            Tongues were for a sign.  (v.22)

B.            Tongues were for a sign to unbelievers.  (v. 22)

C.            Tongues are directed toward Jews.  (v. 21)

First Conclusion:  Tongues were a sign to unbelieving Israel.

Second Conclusion:  Tongues were a sign to unbelieving Israel of the impending fifth cycle of discipline.  (Remember, they were already under the fourth cycle at the time of Paul's writing.)

FACT #6

Tongues Will Cease:  1 Corinthians 13:8

1 Corinthians 13:8  Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.

 I.   Prophecy and knowledge and tongues are spiritual gifts, and from this verse, three things are evident about these spiritual gifts:

A.      prophecy (as a gift) will be done away.

B.   tongues (as a gift) will cease.

C.      knowledge (as a gift) will be done away.

II.         Note the following things about these three phrases. 

A.  Both prophecy and knowledge "will be done away," but tongues "will cease."

B.   The verbs used with both prophecy and knowledge are the same.

C.  The verb used with tongues is different.

III. Let's examine these three phrases as they exist in the Greek manuscript from which they are translated:

A.      prophecy   will be done away

            profhteita/i            katarghqh/sontai

            prophetetai            katargethesontai

B.   tongues      will cease

            glw=ssai            pau/sontai

            glossai            pausontai

C.      knowledge will be done away

            gnw=si$            katarghqh/setai

            gnosis            katargethesetai

IV. It should be clear from these three phrases that prophecy, tongues and knowledge are temporary gifts; however, we are not told when these three gifts will cease to function, and we are not told why they will cease to function.  The when and why will be discussed later.

 V. Now let's examine the grammatical construction of the verbs used to indicate the temporary nature of these three gifts.

(prophecy)                  katarghqh/sontai                  3rd person plural,                  future  passive  indicative ( katargeoo )

(tongues)                  pau/sontai                  3rd person plural,                  future  middle  indicative ( pauoo )

(knowledge)                  katarghqh/setai                  3rd person singular, future  passive  indicative ( katargeoo )

VI. There are two major and significant differences in the three verbs used to indicate the temporary nature of these three spiritual gifts:

A.  The root verb used with the temporary gift of tongues is different from the root verb used with the other two temporary gifts.

B.   The verb used with tongues is in the "middle voice" while the verb used with both prophecy and knowledge is in the "passive voice."

VII.What is the significance of the middle voice as opposed to the passive voice?

A.  The middle voice, used with tongues, indicates that the gift of tongues would work against itself to bring about its own termination.

Application:  Since tongues were a sign, when the sign had served its full purpose, the sign would no longer be needed, therefore, tongues had a limited use from the beginning, and when their usefulness had run its course, tongues ceased in and of themselves.

B.   The passive voice, used with prophecy and knowledge, means that the subject receives the action of the main verb.

Application:  Both prophecy and knowledge received the action of termination by being worked upon by an outside force.  The outside force was the completed canon of Scripture, so, when the canon of Scripture became complete, namely, after the Apostle John received the Book of Revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ on the Island of Patmos in 96 A.D., the gifts of prophecy and knowledge were no longer needed, therefore, the completed canon of Scripture became the outside force that rendered both prophecy and knowledge no longer necessary.

Conclusion:  Since the gift of tongues was a sign of the impending fifth cycle of discipline to Israel, tongues ceased the moment Israel was driven out of her land under the fifth cycle of discipline in 70 A.D., therefore, every modern-day form of tongues is a spurious counterfeit of the original gift and does not have its source in God.

FACT #7

God Used Titus to Administer the Fifth Cycle of Discipline to Israel in 70 A.D.

  I.  The fact that God used Titus to administer the fifth cycle of discipline to Israel in 70 A.D. is a well documented fact, even in secular history.

 II.  Titus, full name TITUS FLAVIUS SABINUS VESPASIANUS (39-81), Roman emperor (79-81), who destroyed Jerusalem and completed the Colosseum. He was born December 30, 39, in Rome, the elder son of Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus, later Emperor Vespasian. Titus served as a military tribune in Germany and Britain and later fought under his father's command during the Jewish rebellion in Palestine. After Vespasian became emperor in 69, Titus was left in command of the Roman army in Palestine, and he brought the war to a close with the capture and destruction of Jerusalem in 70. To commemorate this victory in the Jewish war, his brother, Emperor Domitian, later erected the Arch of Titus.  On the death of his father in 79, Titus became emperor, and by his generous gifts and lavish entertainments he soon made himself popular with the Roman people. He established a lenient government, discontinuing all prosecutions for laesa majestas, or treason by disrespect, and decreeing heavy punishments against informers. During his short reign Titus completed and dedicated (80) the Flavian amphitheater, later called the Colosseum, begun by his father and built near the extensive baths that bear his name. The eruption of the volcano Vesuvius occurred during his reign in 79, and the following year Rome was afflicted by a great fire and a plague. His beneficence to the sufferers of these disasters made Titus the idol of the populace. He died on September 13, 81.

"Titus," Microsoft (R) Encarta. Copyright (c) 1994 Microsoft Corporation. Copyright (c) 1994 Funk & Wagnall's Corporation.

FACT #8

If Tongues (plural) Ceased in 70 A.D., All Forms of Tongues Ceased in 70 A.D.

  I.  In an attempt to respond to the conclusion that tongues ceased in 70 A.D., some have advanced the argument that there are different types of tongues, and only tongues similar to those of Acts 2 have ceased.  Tongues, in Acts 2, are said to be the miraculous ability to preach the gospel in a language never learned, and not understood by the preacher, yet understood by the hearer.  Tongues, in 1 Corinthians 14, are said to be the Christian's prayer language, which language is foreign to the person exercising the gift, but understood by God.  This argument allows for one form of tongues to be terminated in 70 A.D., while allowing another form to continue.  How does one answer the argument that only the Acts 2-type of tongues ceased in 70 A.D.?

 II.  1 Corinthians 13:8 says, ". . . whether there shall be tongues, they shall cease."  Here, the pronoun "they" is plural and correctly reflects the plural number of its antecedent plural noun, "tongues."  Since "tongues" is plural, this verse, by direct statement, prophesies a future cessation of the multiple and varied forms of tongues, therefore, it is proper to make the following inquiry.  If the Bible prophesies the cessation of the multiple and varied forms of tongues, when will this cessation occur?  The answer is quite easy.  All forms of tongues ceased in 70 A.D.  And why?  Because tongues were a sign to unbelieving Israel of the impending 5th cycle of discipline, and when the 5th cycle of discipline occurred in 70 A.D., the need for the sign no longer existed, and therefore ceased in every form.

FACT #9

Apology or Polemic?:  1 Corinthians 12-14

 1.  The issue regarding chapters 12 and 14 of 1 Corinthians is whether these two chapters are a tongues apology or a tongues polemic.

 2.      APOLOGY:      A formal justification or defense.  An apology is an argument that builds a case in favor of something.

 3.  POLEMIC:            A controversy or refutation.  A polemic is an argument that builds a case against something.

 4.  A close and careful study of these two chapters indicates their polemic nature as Paul builds a case against the abuse of tongues in the Corinthian church.

 5.  When the polemic nature of 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 is understood, then and only then, can

1 Corinthians 12:31 be translated and interpreted correctly.

Conclusion:  1 Corinthians 12-14 is a POLEMIC against the abuse of tongues in the Corinthian church.

FACT #10

Should Tongues Really be Coveted?:  1 Corinthians 12:31

1 Corinthians 12:31  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.  (KJV)

This verse  presents a problem for anyone who is translating from the original Greek language.  The very first word in the Greek sentence is the word  zhlou=te,  and herein lies the problem.  This word can be correctly translated in three different ways. 

zhlou=te second person plural, present active imperative

zhlou=te second person plural, present active subjunctive

zhlou=te second person plural, present active indicative

Each of these grammatical constructions has its own translation.  For example:

zhlou=te second person plural, present active imperative

      The imperative mood is a command, and this translation would demand the force of a command.  Unfortunately, this word is translated as a command in the English King James Version, the English New American Standard Version and the English New International Version and the Living Bible.  Each reads as follows:

King James:            "covet earnestly"

New American Standard:            "earnestly desire"

New International Version:            "eagerly desire"

Living Bible:            "try your best to have"

Good News:            "set your hearts"

zhlou=te second person plural, present active subjunctive

      The subjunctive mood recognizes the free will of the individual and then points them in a desired direction.  Unfortunately, this word is translated in this manner in the New English Bible.  It reads as follows:             New English Bible:  "you should aim at"

zhlou=te second person plural, present active indicative

      The indicative mood views the verbal action from the viewpoint of reality.  No English version of the Bible translates this verb to reflect the indicative mood.  To reflect the indicative mood, this verb would be translated in the following manner:

King James:      "you are coveting earnestly"

New American Standard:      "you are earnestly desiring"

New International Version:      "you are eagerly desiring"

Living Bible:      "you are trying your best to have"

Good News:      "you are setting your hearts"

Only the indicative mood properly reflects the polemic nature of 1 Corinthians 12 and 14.  The polemic nature, then, demands that 1 Corinthians 12:31 be understood as Paul exposing a problem in the church at Corinth, namely, the abuse of the gift of tongues.  He was not commanding them to seek after a specific gift, namely, tongues.

      It is interesting that a footnote on 1 Corinthians 12:31 in the New International Version is the only reference in any modern English version wherein an appropriate translation is rendered.  This footnote reads as follows:

            New International Version:  "But you are eagerly desiring"

Conclusion:  1 Corinthians 12:31 does not command present day believers to seek the gift of tongues.  In fact, when properly translated, this verse accuses the Corinthian believers of wrongfully seeking the tongues gift.

FACT #11

Forbid Not to Speak in Tongues:  1 Corinthians 14:39

1 Corinthians 14:39  Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

1    This verse is always used as an argument to reject the idea that tongues ceased in 70 A.D.  The argument follows this line.  If tongues ceased in 70 A.D., then why did Paul tell the Corinthians to "forbid not to speak in tongues?"

2.   The answer to this objection is quite easy.  The Book of 1 Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul in approximately 55 A.D., and the fifth cycle of discipline did not fall upon Israel until 70 A.D.; therefore, at the time Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 14:39, tongues were still valid, and would be valid for another fifteen years.

Conclusion:  This verse has no application for the Church today, and its validity for application to the Church ended in 70 A.D. when Israel was removed from her land by God under the fifth cycle of discipline.

FACT #12

To Correct Ancient Abuses Does Not Validate Tongues for Today

A.  1 Corinthians 14 is thought by some to be a chapter designed by the Apostle Paul to correct the abuse of tongues during his time. 

B.   To acknowledge that chapter 14 is set forth to correct ancient abuses does not imply that any modern-day use that follows Paul's guidelines validates that present day use. 

C.  1 Corinthians 14 was set forth to correct ancient abuses only for that period of time in which tongues were valid. 

D.  At the moment tongues ceased in 70 A.D., the need for chapter 14's corrective measures were no longer required.

FACT #13

Associative Relationship vs. Causal relationship:  (Acts 2)

A.  Remember that the tongues phenomena was prophesied in Isaiah 28:11.  It began its fulfillment on the day of Pentecost, 30 A.D.  This historical event is recorded for us in Acts 2, and after a thorough study of the passage, it becomes clear that three significant things happened simultaneously in the lives of those who were in that upper room.  Lets look at those three things.

1.   First, they became permanently indwelt with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3).  "And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them.  This permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit was prophesied by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11, and by Jesus Christ in John 14:17.

Matthew 3:11  I [ John the Baptist ] indeed baptize [ identify ] you [ repentant Jews who came to John for water baptism ] with water unto repentance: but [ a conjunction of contrast, contrasting John's baptism of repentance and Jesus' baptism with the Holy Spirit ] he [ Jesus ] that cometh after me [ John the Baptist ] is mightier than I [ John the Baptist ], whose [ Jesus' ] shoes I [ John the Baptist ] am not worthy to bear: he [ Jesus ] shall [ indicates a future time, specifically, the day of Pentecost, 30 A.D. ] baptize [ this word means "identify" ] you [ refers to Jews, specifically, those in the upper room in Acts 1:15 ] with the Holy Ghost [ Greek:  pneuma meaning "Spirit" ], and with fire [ the baptism with fire will not occur until the second coming of Christ at which time every unbeliever on planet earth will be cast into hell fire, thereby identifying them with the fire of hell ]:  (KJV)

John 14:17

17 {that is} the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, {but} you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you.   (NAS)

2.            Second, they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit ....  This is the Greek phrase pimplemi plus the genitive of pnuema, which means that the Holy Spirit was the content of the filling.

3.   Third, they spoke in tongues. Acts 2:4  " . . . and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance."

B.   Now, since they were simultaneously indwelt by the Spirit, and filled with the Spirit, and spoke in tongues, the common error is to conclude that there must be a cause and effect relationship between these three phenomena.  For example, it is wrong to conclude that since they were filled with the Spirit, and simultaneously spoke in tongues, the filling with the Spirit caused them to speak in tongues.  Being filled with the Holy Spirit is what empowered them to speak in tongues, just as this same filling with the Holy Spirit empowered other believers prior to Pentecost, 30 AD to accomplish supernatural service for God.  In addition, it is equally wrong to conclude that since they were indwelt with the Spirit, and simultaneously spoke in tongues, the indwelling of the Spirit caused them to speak in tongues.

C.  An acceptance of these fallacious cause and effect arguments leads to further erroneous conclusions.  For example, it is wrong to conclude that if you have not spoken in tongues, you are not indwelt with the Holy Spirit.  It is equally wrong to conclude that if you have not spoken in tongues, you are not saved.  Both of these conclusions are wrong because they are based upon the fallacious notion that there is a cause and effect relationship between the indwelling of the Spirit and speaking in tongues, or a cause and effect relationship between the filling with the Spirit and speaking in tongues.

D.  What, then, really happened on the day of Pentecost, 30 A.D.?  Three things occurred simultaneously on that day.  The upper room believers became permanently indwelt with the Holy Spirit; they became filled with the Spirit; and they spoke in tongues.  It cannot be denied that these three phenomena occurred simultaneously, however, the relationship among these three phenomena is associative rather than causal, and there is a vast difference between an associative relationship and a causal relationship.

E.   What, then, is meant by an associative relationship?  An associative relationship simply acknowledges that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the filling with the Spirit, and speaking in tongues were associated with one another on the day of Pentecost, 30 A.D.  However, it is a horrible conclusion to assume that there must be a cause and effect relationship between things associated with one another.  Let me illustrate the foolishness of such an argument.  If I see and hear a man singing, while he is simultaneously playing a guitar, and he is simultaneously accompanied by a backup group of singers, should I conclude that the guitar is causing him to sing, or should I conclude that the backup group is causing him to sing.  Obviously not!  But we can say that man's singing is associated with guitar playing, and associated with a backup group of singers.

F.   In this same manner, the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the filling with the Spirit, and speaking in tongues were associated with one another on the day of Pentecost, 30 A.D., but not one of these three phenomena were the cause of any one of the other.  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit was the fulfillment of prophecy, decreed in eternity past to be initiated on the day of Pentecost 30 A.D.  The filling with the Spirit was the temporary empowerment which allowed those in the upper room to perform some form of supernatural service for God.  The same temporary filling of the Spirit given to other men and women of God in the past who were called upon to do some supernatural service for God.  Speaking in tongues was the fulfillment of prophecy, decreed in eternity past to be initiated on the day of Pentecost, 30 A.D., and while these three phenomena were associated with one another, not one of them was the cause of any other.

FACT #14

Reality vs. Validity

Many modern-day "tongues" speakers appeal to their "tongues-experience" and argue for the validity of modern-day "tongues" based upon the reality of their own personal experience. 

It should be understood that reality is not always associated with validity.  Something can be real, but not valid. 

For example, gossip is very real to its victim, but gossip is not a valid form of Christian activity.  Bigotry is very real to its victim, but bigotry is not a valid Christian attitude. 

The point is simply this.  Reality does not always imply validity, therefore, if someone tells you they have had a "tongues" experience, you may not be able to deny the reality of that experience, but you have every right, based upon the Word of God, to deny the validity of that experience.

FACT #15

Further Information About Reality vs. Validity

1)   The modern-day "tongues-experience" is not limited to Christianity.  Other world religions have a similar manifestation, and since the adherents of other religions are considered unbelievers by God, it becomes evident that even unbelievers "speak-in-tongues."  Obviously, no thoughtful Christian would attempt to equate the reality of this pagan phenomenon with the Christian gift of tongues.  Real, yes.  Valid, no! 

2)   Even unbelievers performed miraculous works for which they received the rebuke of Jesus.

Matthew 7:21-23

23      "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.

22      "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'

23      "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'  (NAS)

      The reality of the fact that these unbelievers had cast out demons in the name of Jesus did not validate them as believers in the Lord's eyes. Obviously, this reality did not mean validity to Jesus, and if reality does not always imply validity to Jesus, why should reality always imply validity to you and I today? 

3)      During the Tribulation, that is, that period of human history between the rapture of the Church and the second advent of Christ, the dictator of the Revived Roman Empire, also known as the Anti-christ, will come with all power, signs and false wonders in accord with the activity of Satan.  (2 Thessalonians 2:8-9)

8 And then [ immediately following the rapture ] that lawless one [ the dictator of the Revived Roman Empire ] will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming [ the second advent ];

9 that is, the one whose coming [ the Anti-christ ] is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders [ power, signs, and false wonders refer to miraculous works done in the power of Satan by the Anti-christ],  (NAS)

      The reality of this power, and these signs and false wonders does not make them valid in the eyes of the Lord.  Obviously, this reality of this power, and these signs and false wonders cannot and should not be equated with validity by any thoughtful Christian.

4)   The reality of the modern-day "tongues" phenomena is being equated with validity.  Obviously, no knowledgeable Christian will equate this modern-day "gibberish" with biblical tongues that were valid from Pentecost 30 A.D. until the day the Jews were driven out of their land under the 5th cycle of discipline in 70 A.D.

FACT #16

The Sources of Modern-day "Tongues"

A.        There are several sources of this gibberish known as modern-day "tongues." 

B.         The sources are as follows: 

            1) the engastrimuthos demon,

            2) emotion,

            3) self-induced. 

C.  Only the unbelievers "speak in tongues" by means of the engastrimuthos demon.  The believer speaks through emotion or self-induction.

D.  The word "engastrimuthos" is the Greek word  eggastrimuqoV  found in the Septuagint that translates the Hebrew word   bo  "OB" in Isaiah 8:19.

Isaiah 8:19  And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits [ "them that have familiar spirits" is the Hebrew word  bo ] (OB) and the Greek word eggastrimuqoV (engastrimuthos) and refers to a demon that controls the vocal chords of the one it indwells ], and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?  (KJV)

It is imperative to understand that only unbelievers can speak by means of the engastrimuthos demon.

E.   Emotion is another source of modern-day "tongues."  An individual can allow himself/herself to produce this gibberish by elevating his/her emotional state to the necessary personal level.  The level of emotion required to produce the phenomena differs from person to person, and for some the emotional level required can be quite low and unobservable to onlookers.

F.   Self-induced "tongues" is yet another source of this modern-day gibberish.  By self-induction is meant the ability to produce this gibberish at will.  It is turned-on and turned-off at will.  It is learned and often follows the same pattern, that is, it sounds the same every time it is manifested.

INDUCTIVE CONCLUSION

Sixteen tongues related facts have been presented in this lesson, and, now, an inductive conclusion can be drawn by drawing some of these facts together.

 1.            Tongues were a sign.  (1 Corinthians 14:22)  FACT #5

 2.            Tongues were a sign to unbelievers.  (1 Corinthians 14:22)  FACT #5

 3.            Tongues were a sign to unbelieving Israel. (1 Corinthians 14:21)  FACT #4 and FACT #3

 4.  Tongues were for a sign to unbelieving Israel of the impending fifth cycle of discipline.  (Leviticus 26:16-38)  FACT #1

 5.  Historically, the fifth cycle of discipline occurred to Israel in 70 A.D.  (secular history documents this)  FACT #7

 6.        It was prophesied that all forms of tongues would cease.  (1 Corinthians 13:8)  FACT #6

Question #1:  When did tongues cease?  All forms of tongues ceased in 70 A.D.

Question #2:  Why did tongues cease?  All forms of tongues ceased in 70 A.D. because tongues were a sign to unbelieving Israel of the impending fifth cycle of discipline, and when the fifth cycle of discipline occurred, the sign ceased because the purpose for which it was intended no longer existed.

FINAL COMMENTS

The spiritual gift of tongues ceased in 70 A.D. and everything that is called tongues, today, is no more than "gibberish."  It is a counterfeit of the original spiritual gift, and quoting Scripture to justify any form of modern-day "tongues" discloses the "tongues" proponent as either naive, shallow, or without clear understanding of the Book to which the justifying appeal is made.  Every validating argument is weightless when measured against the Word of God, and can be proven to be so.  The worst deception of all is the appeal to personal experience.  To deny that someone might have had a personal "experience" is absurd.  The real question, however, relates to the source of that experience.  Brethren, the modern-day "tongues" experience is a counterfeit of the original gift.  Please, do not be deceived!

tags: tongues ceased  tongues  70ad  gift tongues  

links: digg this    del.icio.us    technorati    reddit