How do we determine in the Bible what refers to AD 70 and what is yet to be fulfilled in prophecy?

There are a lot of differing viewpoints about prophecies relating to AD70, so your question is a difficult one.

A few points about interpreting prophecy:

• When interpreting prophecy, one should carefully compare scripture with scripture to get a clearer overall view.
• Read the prophecy very carefully, and keep in mind the context of the prophecy.
• Prophecy can have more than one fulfilment –– in slightly different ways & at different times (eg Joel 2:28-32).
• It’s easy to see the application after the fulfilment/s, but not so easy before the fulfilment/s.

How do we determine which passages refer to AD70?   Basically, if a prophecy fits the events of AD70, it is most likely referring to it.  The problem is, prophecies fulfilled in AD70, may have a dual fulfilment, so may have another fulfilment at the time of the end.  We have to be constantly checking the prophecies and keeping a keen lookout on world events to see if there is a relevance to today or to the future.

Several passages I feel have relevance to AD70:

• Deuteronomy 28:49-57
• Daniel 8:11-12
• Daniel 9:26-27
• Matthew 21:42-45
• Matthew 24:4-20
• Mark 12:1-12
• Mark 13:5-25
• Luke 17:30-31
• Luke 20:9-19
• Luke 21:6-24

But even in these passages, there are verses that appear to also apply to the time of the end.  For example:

Matt  21:44  And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”  cf   Dan 2:34-35  As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.  (35)  Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, all together were broken in pieces, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

The chief priests and the Pharisees perceived that this prophecy was spoken against them, but at the return of Jesus, the stone (Jesus) will destroy all the kingdoms of this world.

Matt  24:21  For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.  cf  Dan 12:1  “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.

Matthew 24:21 has an obvious fulfilments in AD70 but Daniel 12:1 indicates that another fulfilment is to happen shortly before the resurrection in the last days.

Luke 17:30-31 has an application in AD70.  Luke 17:30-37 has an application at the time of the end.

Luke 21:24-27 has an application to AD70 and to the time of the end.