Home Public Domain Library Christian Bookshare
Enjoy!
This book is affectionately dedicated
to the memory of my grandfather
Charles Albert Caldwell (1863-1947)
by whose godly life and love
I have been greatly blessed
pp5
FOREWORD
Each succeeding generation must fight its doctrinal battles. As one of
the last generation who has carried on extensively in writing in defense of
the Truth, I greet with deep joy and appreciation the faithful and
effective work of younger men on whom the burden must rest in days to come.
It has been my delight to read this discussion on "The Basis of the
Premillennial Faith" written by one of my pupils, Charles Caldwell Ryrie.
Here is sound Biblical doctrine presented in a most attractive way. The
sophistries of men who pass over determining Scriptures without being
influenced by them can hardly stand against such clear, exhaustive
argument. Older men can release the pressure they have been under to shield
the truth from the errors of those who claim to expound the truth of God
when younger men assume the burden.
The essential facts respecting the premillennial faith are greatly
misunderstood and often misstated by those who do not receive the direct,
plain teaching of the Scriptures. For example, it is a common thing today
to claim that the premillennial faith is something new in the world. On
this and other points of misunderstanding, Dr. Ryrie has given a true and
final word.
Considering the blessing that I have myself received from this thesis,
I can do no less than urge others to read it most carefully.
Lewis Sperey Chafer, D.D., Litt.D., Th.D.
pp6
PREFACE
Paul's question, "What hast thou that thou didst not receive?"
somewhat expresses one's feelings upon completing a work like this, for all
Biblical truth is a revelation from God through the ministry of the Holy
Spirit to receptive minds and hearts. Then, one enters, and rightfully so,
into the work of others as the history of doctrine is written. In a very
special way, acknowledgment and thanks are gratefully given to the faculty
of the Dallas Theological Seminary and Graduate School of Theology for
their faithful ministry of teaching this student. The Basis of the
Premillennial Faith was originally presented to them as a doctoral
dissertation. It has been revised and is presented in this form with their
kind permission. Acknowledgment is also made to authors and publishers
whose works have contributed in one way or another to these pages.
Premillennialism is a system of Biblical truth. It is not merely an
interpretation of one passage in the last book of the Bible. That the
Lord's people may be informed and enlightened concerning this system is the
purpose of this book. It was not written to stir up controversy, but it
must and does state conviction.
May God, whom we love, serve, and for whose glory this was written, be
pleased to bless His truth and exalt His Son in the life of each one who
reads these pages.
Charles Caldwell Ryrie
Alton, Illinois
pp7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER - PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION - 11
Systems of Interpretation - 11
Importance of Studying Prophecy - 15
2. ITS BASIS IN HISTORY - 17
The Ancient Period - 19
The Medieval Period - 26
The Reformation Period - 28
The Modern Period - 30
Conclusion - 33
3. ITS BASIS IN HERMENEUTICS - 34
Importance of Hermeneutics - 34
General Principles of Interpretation - 36
Principles of Interpretation of Prophecy - 38
Results and Conclusion - 46
pp8
4. ITS BASIS IN THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT - 48
The Importance of the Covenant - 48
The Promises of the Covenant - 49
The Historic Fulfillment of the Covenant - 50
The Unconditional Character of the Covenant - 52
The Future Fulfillment of the Covenant - 61
5. ITS BASIS IN THE DAVIDIC COVENANT - 76
The Analysis of the Covenant - 76
The Historic Fulfillment of the Covenant - 78
The Literal Interpretation of the Covenant - 81
The Confirmation of the Covenant in the Old Testament - 84
The Confirmation of the Covenant in the New Testament - 89
6. ITS BASIS IN THE NEW COVENANT - 105
The Issues Involved - 106
Premillennialists' Interpretation of the New Covenant - 106
The Old Testament Teaching on the New Covenant with Israel - 108
The New Testament Teaching on the New Covenant with Israel - 115
Conclusion - 124
pp9
7. ITS BASIS IN ECCLESIOLOGY - 126
The Church, an Intercalation - 127
The Church, a Mystery - 130
The Church, a Distinct Body of Saints in This Age - 135
8. ITS BASIS IN ESCHATOLOGY - 139
The Tribulation - 139
The Millennium - 145
9. CONCLUSION - 155
INDEX - 159
pp11
Chapter 1
Introduction
Last words of a parting friend are always full of meaning, and those
of the Lord Jesus Christ are no exception. Shortly before He left this
earth He said to His disciples, "I will come again," and these words have
been the blessed hope of the Church through the years of the Lord's
absence. Many Christians, however, have never understood the full import of
these words, while others, having misunderstood, have foisted meaning into
them. Nevertheless, in this consideration of the basis of the premillennial
faith, there is no intention of merely adding to the quantity of
controversial literature already in existence on the subject, but rather it
is intended that the need for a thorough setting forth of premillennialism
will be met in a positive manner. Furthermore, the intention is not to show
that all premillennialists agree in every point of their system, for it is
evident that they do not, and although differences and difficulties will
not be dodged, it will be shown that they do not constitute major problems
which invalidate the entire system. Indeed, the broad and basic outlines of
the truth remain, and these form an unshakeable basis for the premillennial
faith.
I. SYSTEMS OF INTERPRETATION
The word millennium, from the Latin words _mille (thousand) and _annus
(year) is not found in the Bible although its
pp12
Greek equivalent, _chilia _ete, appears in Revelation 20:2 and 3. The word
itself merely designates a period of time as such, but concerning the
belief in that period of time which is called chiliasm, millenarianism, or
premillenarianism there have arisen three principal systems of
interpretation.
Premillennialism. In general the premillennial system may be
characterized as follows. Premillennialists believe that theirs is the
historic faith of the Church. Holding to a literal interpretation of the
Scriptures, they believe that the promises made to Abraham and David are
unconditional and have had or will have a literal fulfillment. In no sense
have these promises made to Israel been abrogated or fulfilled by the
Church, which is a distinct body in this age having promises and a destiny
different from Israel's. At the close of this age, premillennialists
believe that Christ will return for His Church, meeting her in the air
(this is not the Second Coming of Christ), which event, called the rapture
or translation, will usher in a seven-year period of tribulation on the
earth. After this, the Lord will return to the earth (this is the Second
Coming of Christ) to establish His kingdom on the earth for a thousand
years, during which time the promises to Israel will be fulfilled.
Opponents of the premillennial system have attempted to obscure the
main issues involved by inventing distinctions between historic
premillennialists, pretribulationists, dispensationalists, and
ultra-dispensationalists. (See Oswald T. Allis, Prophecy and the Church,
pp. 6-15, and Floyd E. Hamilton, The Basis of Millennial Faith, pp. 21-30.)
Such distinctions are not warranted since the differences involved are so
minor and since the roots of premillennialism go far deeper.
Postmillennialism. This system, which took theological shape
pp13
with the teachings of Daniel Whitby (1638-1726), teaches that the Second
Coming of Christ will follow the thousand years of peace and righteousness.
Though believing with the early Church that the kingdom would come at the
Second Advent of Christ, Whitby stated that by the present gospel agencies
every evil in the world would be corrected until Christ should have a
spiritual reign for a thousand years after which period He would come to
judge and to close the present order. A more recent postmillennialist,
Augustus Hopkins Strong, says:
The Scripture foretells a period, called in the language of prophecy
"a thousand years," when Satan shall be restrained and the saints shall
reign with Christ on the earth. A comparison of the passages bearing on
this subject leads us to the conclusion that this millennial blessedness
and dominion is prior to the Second Advent.--Systematic Theology, pp.
1010-1011.
Further, he defines the millennium as:
... a period in the later days of the Church militant, when, under the
special influence of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of the martyrs shall
appear again, true religion be greatly quickened and revived, and the
members of Christ's churches become so conscious of their strength in
Christ that they shall, to an extent unknown before, triumph over the power
of evil both within and without.--Ibid., p. 1013.
The progress of evil has been so great in the past few decades that
this theory has been brought into disrepute and generally is not held today
even by amillennialists. The social gospel, however, has been an outgrowth
of this system since the
pp14
idea of a world free from evil is envisioned as a result of man's efforts.
Amillennialism. One amillennialist's definition of this system is as
follows:
This is the teaching that the only visible coming of Christ to this
earth which the Church is to expect will be for judgment and will be
followed by the final state. It is anti-chiliastic or a-millennial, because
it rejects the doctrine that there are to be two resurrections with an
interval of a thousand years ... between them.--Allis, op. cit., p. 2.
Amillennialism was born out of the theology of the Roman Catholic
church which teaches that the church is the kingdom and therefore is
reigning or should be reigning now. It had its origin in the teachings of
Augustine who taught that the millennium is to be interpreted spiritually
as fulfilled in the church. He held that the binding of Satan took place
during the earthly ministry of Christ (Luke 10:18), that the first
resurrection is the new birth of the believer (John 5:25), and that the
millennium must correspond, therefore, to the interadventual period of the
church age. Though he interpreted Revelation 20:1-6 as a recapitulation of
the preceding chapters of the book, he understood the thousand years
literally. However, since the Coming of the Lord did not occur at the end
of the first millennium of the Christian era, amillennialists today hold
that a thousand, a number of perfection or completion, is a symbolic
reference to the complete period between the two Advents of Christ.
pp15
II. IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING PROPHECY
It would not seem out of order to set forth a few basic reasons for
being interested in the study of prophetic themes and consequently for the
existence of this book.
In relation to God. Christians should be interested in prophecy
because of what God is. Either the world is out of God's control and His
plan is nothing more than a patchwork quilt or He is absolutely sovereign
and has a purpose and plan which He is carrying out (Isa. 46:11). Parts of
that plan which have been fulfilled serve to demonstrate that He is the
Truth, and thus that faith in prophecy is faith in God and in His plan.
In relation to the Scriptures. Fulfilled prophecy is one of the
strongest proofs of the truth and accuracy of the Scriptures. That the
prophecies which have been fulfilled would have been fulfilled by chance is
outside the realm of probability. In addition, there is no escaping the
responsibility of knowing and expounding the prophetic Scriptures since the
servant of the Lord is appointed to declare the whole counsel of God (Acts
20:27). Sixteen books in the Old Testament and one-twentieth of the New
Testament are prophetic, and one certainly' cannot neglect such a large
portion of the Word of God. Surely it is not God's purpose that any of His
Word should be slighted; it must not be ours.
In relation to the believer. The study of prophecy will do a number of
things for the believer. (1) It will keep him from false doctrines and
false hopes. (2) It will help to make the unseen real and create within the
believer's life the very
pp16
atmosphere of heaven. One cannot do other than worship in reading the
Revelation, for instance. (3) It will give joy in the midst of tribulation
and affliction (2 Cor. 4:17). (4) It will increase one's loyalty to Christ
and produce true, self-sacrificing service for Him. (5) When the believer
fully realizes all the glory that is his future, it makes him satisfied to
be nothing now. (6) Prophetic truth is the only thing which can give true
comfort in the time of sorrow and bereavement (1 Thess.
4:13-18). (7) All Scripture is profitable and prophecy is no exception for
it will produce and encourage holy living (1 John
3:3).
May the Holy Spirit forbid anyone who looks at these pages
to be a hearer only of the prophetic Word, and may He increase in each the
love of the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
pp17
Chapter 2
Its Basis in History
Premillennialism is the historic faith of the Church. To prove that
statement is the purpose of this chapter.
Premillennialists are often confused by either one or both of two
lines of attack which amillennialists make. Some, like Philip Mauro, deny
entirely that there is any historical evidence of premillennial beliefs. He
says:
The history of Christian doctrine continues in an unbroken line from
apostolic times to our day; and if it had been possible to produce from the
copious writings of the "Church Fathers" any proof that the doctrine
concerning the Kingdom of God taught by Scofield Bible and by certain Bible
Schools of our day was ever held by Christians, real or nominal, in times
past, it would have been produced long ago; seeing that the present writer
and not a few others have been challenging this new doctrine, and largely
upon the score of its entire novelty, for ten years past.--The Gospel of
the Kingdom, p. 104.
Others, attempting to confuse the issue and to take the eyes of the
premillennialist off the historicity of his faith, enumerate as many
distinctions as possible between so-called historic premillennialism and
modern premillennialism, which they sometimes call pretribulationism or
dispensationalism. Allis, a leading
pp18
amillennialist, is guilty of this, listing in his book nine points in
modern dispensationalism and asserting that:
Of the nine points enumerated above, only the first two are entitled
to be regarded as characteristic of Premillennialism historically
understood. The remaining seven are distinctive of Dispensationalism.--op.
cit., p. 9.
By doing this he is implying that because dispensationalism differs
greatly from premillennialism, in his estimation, it is something recently
introduced by Darby, Scofield, and others.
This double attack on premillennialism can be met without difficulty.
The contention that there is not a scrap of evidence to support the
historicity of the premillennial faith will be adequately answered by the
evidence to be presented in this chapter. The other line of attack can be
met by pointing out that discovery and refinement of doctrine does not mean
at all that such doctrine is extra-Biblical. Conservative amillennialists
would not deny that the great doctrines of the Reformation reclaimed by
Luther and Calvin were "discovered" in the sense that they were new and
extra-Biblical. They would admit, for instance, that the doctrine of
satisfaction as set forth by Anselm in the eleventh century was not so
fully developed as it is today as seen in the writings of conservative
theologians. And yet they would not go on to conclude that such recent
refinements and developments in the doctrine of the atonement are not to be
received and believed simply because they are of recent origin. Neither is
there any reason to reject recent findings in the field of eschatology.
Turning again to the first line of attack, let us consider the
pp19
evidence for the historicity of premillennialism by tracing eschatological
beliefs throughout the various periods of church history.
I. THE ANCIENT PERIOD
In the consideration of this period the teachings of the apostles
themselves will not be included since these will be discussed later. Of the
period of the apostolic fathers, Adolph Harnack, who is no special friend
of premillennialism, says:
Faith in the nearness of Christ's Second Advent and the establishing
of His reign of glory on the earth was undoubtedly a strong point in the
primitive Christian Church.--"Millennium," Encyclopaedia Britannica, XV,
495.
Likewise, Philip Schaff, the great church historian, states:
The most striking point in the eschatology of the ante-Nicene age is
the prominent chiliasm, or millennarianism, that is the belief of a visible
reign of Christ in glory on earth with the risen saints for a thousand
years, before the general resurrection and judgment. It was indeed not the
doctrine of the church embodied in any creed or form of devotion, but a
widely current opinion of distinguished teachers.--History of the Christian
Church, II, 614.
In addition to these general statements from noted historians, there
is also an abundance of evidence from the writings of the period.
The Didache. The Didache, which is dated about 100 A.D., says
concerning the Resurrection:
pp20
And then shall appear the signs of the truth; first, the sign of an
outspreading in heaven; then the sign of the sound of the trumpet; and the
third, the resurrection of the dead; yet not of all.--XVI: 6-7.
Although this quotation obviously does not prove premillennialism, it
does show that the early Church did not teach a general resurrection as
amillennialism does today.
Clement of Rome. The first letter by this man was written in 96 or 97
A.D. and was addressed to the Church at Corinth. In the letter is found
this statement:
Of a truth, soon and suddenly shall His will be accomplished, as the
Scriptures also bear witness, saying, "Speedily will He come, and will not
tarry:" and "The Lord shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Holy One,
for whom ye look."--To the Corinthians, XXIII.
The Shepherd of Hermas. This document, written sometime between 140
and 150 A.D. says:
You have escaped from great tribulation on account of your faith, and
because you did not doubt the presence of such a beast. Go, therefore, and
tell the elect of the Lord His mighty deeds, and say to them that this
beast is a type of the great tribulation that is coming.--Visions, I, IV,
2.
Since some have tried to deny that this man was chiliastic in belief,
it should be mentioned that Berkhof, an amillennialist, admits that he
was.--Reformed Dogmatics, p. 570.
Barnabas. Barnabas believed that the history of this world would be
consummated after six thousand years. These six
pp21
days, as he called them, were to be concluded by the return of Christ to
the earth at which time He would set up His kingdom on the earth for the
seventh day of a thousand years of sabbath rest. During this time the
temple was to be rebuilt by the servants of God's enemies and afterward the
eighth day would begin the new world. (Chapter XV.) Recent amillennialists
have claimed that this man was not a chiliast, but, although it is true
that his system of teaching is not fully developed since his work is not
large, his doctrine certainly leaves no room for amillennial eschatology.
Ignatius of Antioch. The date of the death of Ignatius, bishop of
Antioch, falls somewhere between 50 and 115 A.D. He actually says very
little along eschatological lines, but his references are understood by
many writers to be in correspondence with chiliasm, for he refers to the
"last times" and emphasizes the attitude of expectancy.--Peters, The
Theocratic Kingdom, I, 495.
Papias. Papias, bishop of Hierapolis (80-163), described the
millennial fertility in superlative language as follows:
The days will come in which vines shall grow, having each ten thousand
branches, and in each branch ten thousand twigs, and in each true twig ten
thousand shoots, and in every one of the shoots ten thousand clusters, and
on every one of the clusters ten thousand grapes, and every grape when
pressed will give five-and-twenty metretes of wine.--Fragment IV.
In another place he declares that there will be a millennium after the
Resurrection of the dead "when the personal reign of Christ will be
established on the earth."--Fragment VI.
pp22
Justin Martyr. This man of God (born about 100 A.D.) is an avowed
premillennialist. He placed great importance on this hope and regarded the
expectation of the earthly perfection of Christ's kingdom as the keystone
of pure doctrine. He spoke of the Coming of Christ as preceded by the
manifestation of the man of sin who would speak blasphemies against the
most high God and who would rule three and a half years. In his Dialogus
cum Tryphone he writes:
But I and whoever are on all points right-minded Christians know that
there will be resurrection of the dead and a thousand years in Jerusalem,
which will then be built, adorned, and enlarged as the prophets Ezekiel and
Isaiah and the others declare....
And, further, a certain man with us, named John, one of the Apostles
of Christ, predicted by a revelation that was made to him that those who
believed in our Christ would spend a thousand years in Jerusalem, and
thereafter the general, or to speak briefly, the eternal resurrection and
judgment of all men would likewise take place.--Chapters LXXX-LXXXI.
Irenaeus. This man, bishop of Lyons, who died in 200 A.D., came in
contact with apostolic teaching through his friend Polycarp. Thus the basis
for his chiliastic beliefs is the teaching of the Apostle John and his
disciples. Intricate detail characterizes his eschatological system. He
says:
But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this
world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple
at Jerusalem; and then the Lord will come from heaven in the clouds, in the
glory of the Father, sending this man and those who followed him into the
lake of fire; but bringing in for the righteous the times of the kingdom,
that is,
pp23
the rest, the hallowed seventh day; and restoring to Abraham the promised
inheritance, in which kingdom the Lord declared, that "many coming from the
east and from the west should sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." ...
The predicted blessing, therefore, belongs unquestionably to the times of
the kingdom, when the righteous shall bear rule upon their rising from the
dead.--Against Heresies, V, XXX-XXXIII.
Tertullian. Tertullian (150-225) was undoubtedly a premillenarian
also, for he says:
But we do confess that a kingdom is promised to us upon the earth,
although before heaven, only in another state of existence; inasmuch as it
will be after the resurrection for a thousand years in the divinely-built
city of Jerusalem.--Against Marcion, III, XXV.
The extent of the premillennial belief in the first two centuries of
the history of the Church is well summarized by the historian Fisher who
says:
The belief in a millennial kingdom on earth, to follow the second
advent of Christ, was widely diffused.--History of the Christian Church, p.
84
In the face of such overwhelming evidence, who can deny that
premillennialism was the faith of the early church?
In the next three centuries of the ancient period, chiliastic beliefs
declined. There are several reasons for this. First of all, when
Constantine (272-337) became emperor of the entire Roman empire, he ended
the early persecutions of the Church and united church and state.
Immediately the Church found
pp24
herself confronted by new conditions. No longer poor but now overburdened
with wealth and worldly honors, she saw that to maintain the doctrine of
pilgrimage and separation and to hope for a coming King and an earthly
kingdom would be extremely displeasing to Constantine. Thus patronage of
the Church by the world and the resulting prosperity brought the great loss
to the Church of the hope of the soon Coming of her Lord.
Hitherto the Scriptures had supported the Church in her separation
from the world, but since that course had been changed, the interpretation
of the Scriptures also had to be changed in order to justify her position.
Consequently, the rise of the Alexandrian school was a major factor in the
rejection of chiliastic beliefs. Origen, the theologian of this school,
openly attacked chiliasm and introduced the allegorical method of
interpretation by which he interpreted spiritually and not literally the
passages of Scripture which announced the millennium. Dionysius of
Alexandria, a disciple of Origen, continued his teaching and prepared the
ground for the rejection of the book of Revelation in 360 by the Council of
Laodicea.
The third important factor in the rise of anti-chiliastic beliefs in
this period was Augustine (354-430), bishop of Hippo. In brief, his
position was as follows: the first resurrection is the rising of dead souls
into spiritual life beginning with the ministry of Christ, from which time
the millennium dates; the devil is bound and expelled from the hearts of
Christ's disciples; the reign of the saints is their personal victory over
sin and the devil; the beast is this wicked world and his image is
hypocrisy; the millennium will end in 650 A.D., terminating the
six-thousandth-year period and introducing the rise of Antichrist.
pp25
The truth, however, was not extinct, for several men in this
period are outstanding in their defense of premillennialism.
Cyprian. This man (195-258) was a chiliast of strong persuasion who
wrote graphically of the imminence of the kingdom of God and the certainty
of the reign of Christ. For instance, he said:
Why with frequently repeated prayers do we entreat and beg that the
day of His kingdom may hasten, if our greater desires and stronger wishes
are to obey the devil here, rather than to reign with Christ?--On Morality,
XVIII.
Commodianus. This bishop of North Africa, who wrote about 250 A.D.,
made statements like these:
They shall come also who overcame cruel martyrdom under Antichrist,
and they themselves live for the whole time. But from the thousand years
God will destroy all those evils.--Instructions, XLIV.
Nepos. This eminent and spiritual Egyptian bishop (230-250) wrote in
defense of chiliasm after Origen's attack on it. His chief work is A
Confutation of the Allegorists, which is specifically directed against
those who were explaining the millennium figuratively. Concerning him,
another has said:
Nepos's views have been denominated sensual, but like many others of
the Millennary Fathers, he has probably been misrepresented and
misunderstood. That he was a Pre-millennialist is most certain, even Whitby
allowing that Nepos taught "after this (first) resurrection the Kingdom of
Christ was to be upon earth a thousand years, and the saints were to reign
with him."--Taylor, The Voice of the Church on the Reign of Christ, p. 75.
pp26
Coracion. This man (c. 230-280) is usually considered to be a chiliast
because he is linked with Nepos by various writers. It was he who took the
place of Nepos after his death.
Methodius. The position of this man is inferred to be that of a
chiliast because of his opposition to Origen.
Lactantius. The learned Latin father (240-330) was definitely a
chiliast, for he wrote:
About the same time also the prince of the devils, who is the
contriver of all evils, shall be bound with chains, and shall be imprisoned
during the thousand years of the heavenly rule in which righteousness shall
reign in the world, so that he may contrive no evil against the people of
God.--Divine Institutes, VII, XXIV.
Thus, concerning the ancient period we conclude that (1) in the first
and purest centuries the Church was premillennial in her belief, and (2)
with the coming of the union of Church and state the hope began to fade
though it was not completely lost.
II. THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
The Middle Ages was a period of gross darkness for all doctrines, and
premillennialism was no exception. It has been shown that premillennialism
was the historic faith of the early church, and this is most important, for
it makes secondary the fact that the true doctrine was eclipsed during the
Middle Ages. The basis of the premillennial faith is already well
established in history, but for the sake of completeness its continued
historical development will be traced.
pp27
The doctrine of the kingdom, as held by the early Church, was almost
exterminated under the teaching and power of the papacy. However, as the
year 1000 drew near, hopes for a speedy end of the world revived. Though
this was proclaimed by various preachers, the position of organized
Christianity was so strong in the world that the desire for the
inauguration of a new order lost its vitality. Traditional millennial
beliefs were perpetuated, but in general throughout the Middle Ages
Christians were content with the triumph of the Church in the present order
and with the hope for the individual soul after death.
However, the light of the truth was not totally extinguished, though
there is no doubt but that it was brought into such disfavor by the ruling
church of Rome that it was scarcely known in this period. Still there are
intimations that the premillennial belief was held by some individuals and
groups in some of its features, but even the truth in this age was mixed
with error, for the darkness of Rome was deep and widespread.
The Waldensians. These holy people were banished and persecuted by the
Roman church. Though they did not possess a well-developed system of
eschatology, they were firm believers in the literal interpretation of
Scripture and did look for the Coming of the Lord. The Noble Lesson, one of
their writings, certainly shows their expectation of the coming kingdom.
(Taylor, op. cit., p. 131.) The lack of a detailed system may be due in
part to their point of emphasis which was directed against the Roman
teaching that the Roman church was the kingdom and executor of judgment.
But whatever they lacked in a system was
pp28
compensated by their looking for and loving of the appearance of the Lord.
The Paulicians. Though not chiliastic in the sense that the early
church was, these people likewise looked for the Lord's Coming and the
introduction of the age to come. The Cathari, successors of the Paulicians,
shared similar views.
Of the nature of the evidence in this period we may conclude that it
is not strong since it presents little by way of an eschatological system,
but that it chiefly centers rather in the expectation of the return of
Christ.
III. THE REFORMATION PERIOD
During the Reformation (1500-1650) there was a partial return to
premillennial truth. In general, it may be said that the Reformers were not
premillennialists, but their eschatology was overwhelmingly that of the
Roman church from which they separated. Wycliffe, Calvin, Luther, Zwingli,
and Melanchthon belong to this group. However, these men did look for the
return of Christ though they believed that the Church was in some sense the
kingdom of God. It should be remembered that they themselves acknowledged
their liability to error and admitted that many things in the Bible were
still obscure to them. Unquestionably their labors were not chiefly in the
field of eschatology.
There were certain groups, however, that were definitely
premillennial. In mentioning them it would be well to keep in mind this
warning which Peters expresses:
It is unfortunate and misleading, that ... efforts are made to link
ancient and modern Chiliasm with the vagaries of
pp29
Anabaptists and the Fifth Monarchy men, and to infer hastily that when
these are confessionally or otherwise condemned by the Reformers and
others, that this also is condemnatory of Chiliasm in all its phases. Such
a line of procedure if applied to other doctrine, would leave but little
for us to receive.--op. Cit., I, 525.
Chiliasts in England. Several men in England may be considered
chiliasts of this period although some were undoubtedly more profound and
discerning in their beliefs than others. William Tyndale (1480-1536) is
especially remembered for his insistence on the literal interpretation of
Scripture. Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer who were both burned at the
stake in 1555 held chiliastic views. The latter said:
Peradventure it may come in my days, old as I am, or in my children's
days.... The saints "shall be taken up to meet Christ in the air," and so
shall come down with Him again. "He will put down Satan, that old Serpent,
under our feet."--Silver, The Lord's Return, p. 123.
By the end of the Reformation premillennialism in England had come
into disrepute because its teaching had crystallized into a definite
political propaganda known as the Fifth Monarchy Movement, which was
bitterly antagonistic to Cromwell. Its advocates professed allegiance to
King Jesus only, affirming that he was about to appear and establish a
fifth world monarchy. They believed further that they should demonstrate
their fitness by fighting for King Jesus, which conviction was expressed in
two unsuccessful attempts at insurrection in 1657 and 1661.
Chiliasm in France. The Huguenots, a very spiritual people, were
chiliasts, and this is one of the reasons the Roman church
pp30
hated them so. The Camisards and the French prophets who flourished after
the Reformation in France were also of chiliastic persuasion.--Ibid., p.
125.
Other chiliastic groups. Zurich, Switzerland, was the original home of
the Anabaptists who were undoubtedly chiliasts. The Bohemian and Moravian
Brethren, firmly allied with the Anabaptists, held the same faith relative
to the premillennial return of Christ.
In summarizing this period, it may be said that although the
Reformation did not bring a complete return to the premillennial hope,
there was a partial return. That this return was often among sects that
were later condemned does not imply that the doctrine itself is erroneous.
Protestantism has never fully recovered from the eschatology of the Roman
Catholic church as it was developed during the Middle Ages.
IV. THE MODERN PERIOD
The modern period has witnessed a mixture of beliefs. First it has
seen the rise and fall of Postmillennialism. Although its roots may be
traced to Augustine, the father of modern Postmillennialism is Daniel
Whitby. The theory has already been outlined and does not have many
adherents today. Amillennialism has flourished in the modern era with the
weight of such men as B.B. Warfield, L. Berkhof, O.T. Allis, etc., behind
it.
Premillennialism in Europe. It would be impossible to list all the
exponents of premillennialism in the modern period. In his day alone,
Peters could list by name at least 470 widely
pp31
known ministers and writers in Europe who were premillennialists.
Nevertheless, certain men were especially instrumental in bringing forth a
return to the old historic faith in all its essentials.
Joseph Mede (1586-1638) who by his study was forced to yield to a
literal interpretation of Scripture said:
Yet this much I conceive the text seems to imply, that these saints of
the first resurrection should reign here on earth in the new Jerusalem in a
state of beatitude and glory, partaking of divine presence and vision of
Christ their king.--Taylor, op. cit., p. 171.
In 1740 a German, J.A. Bengel, issued a commentary on the Revelation
which gave impetus to premillennialism in the scholarly world. John Wesley
adopts Bengel's notes on the Revelation in his own commentary on the New
Testament and therefore aligns himself with premillennialists. Also
included among the prominent European chiliasts are these men who have
written commentaries on all or portions of the Scriptures: Bengel,
Olshausen, Gill, Stier, Alford, Lange, Meyer, Starke, Fausset, Bonar, Ryle,
Seiss, Cumming, Delitzsch, Ebrard, Mede, Goodwin, Elliott, Cunningham, and
Darby.
Premillennialism in America. In this country premillennialism was
early incorporated into the belief of many of the first preachers.
Outstanding among them is Increase Mather (1639-1723). This Puritan divine
said in his book, The Mystery of Israel's Salvation Explained and Applied:
That which presseth me so, as that I cannot gainsay the Chiliastical
opinion, is that I take these four things for Principles, and no way doubt
but that they are demonstrable.
pp32
1. That the thousand apocalyptical years are not passed but future. 2. That
the coming of Christ to raise the dead and to judge the earth will be
within much less than this thousand years. 3. That the conversion of the
Jews will not be till this present state of the world is near unto its end.
4. That, after the Jews' conversion there will be a glorious day for the
elect upon earth, and that this day shall be a very long
continuance.--Quoted by Smith, Bibliotheca Sacra, C, 76-77.
His son, Cotton Mather (1663-1728) was also explicit in his teaching:
It is well known, that in the earliest of the primitive times the
faithful did, in a literal sense, believe the "second coming" of the Lord
Jesus Christ, and the rising and the reigning of the saints with Him, a
thousand years before, the rest of the dead live again.... The doctrine of
the Millennium is truth.--Quoted by Peters, op. cit., I, 542.
In addition, Mather also testifies that many of his contemporaries
held premillennial views, and since his time scores have embraced this
truth. Peters lists at least 360 prominent men in America who are
premillennialists. In 1870 the book Maranatha by James H. Brookes appeared
and did much to spread premillennialism. In 1878 W.E. Blackstone's Jesus Is
Coming was published, and it likewise influenced many believers. The
Scofield Reference Bible, published first in 1909, has probably been one of
the greatest forces in popularizing premillennial teachings. Today,
premillennialists are a very respectable minority in the Church and include
many of the ablest, most devoted, and scholarly men that the Church has
produced.
pp33
V. CONCLUSION
Most of the discussion in this chapter centered in the ancient period
of church history, for it was deemed of utmost importance to show that
premillennialism was the faith of the early church. Ample testimony was
given to show that this was true in the first and purest centuries of the
Church. The truth was practically lost in the Middle Ages, and even the
Reformation brought only a partial return. In the modern period the return
has not been complete, but the truth as held today is essentially the same
as that which was held by the ancient church. The assertion by Mauro (cf.
ante.) that premillennialism has no basis in history plainly shows his
ignorance of the facts. Certain refinements may be of recent origin, but
premillennialism was certainly the faith of the Church centuries before the
Brethren and Darby. The assertion that premillennialism is a new thing is
not at all warranted in the light of the historical evidence.
Premillennialism has a very solid basis in history.
pp34
Chapter 3
Its Basis in Hermeneutics
Hermeneutics is the science which teaches the principles of
interpretation. Biblical hermeneutics in particular is the science which
determines the principles of the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures.
Hermeneutics is not exegesis, for exegesis is the practice of an art of
which hermeneutics is the governing science. Hermeneutics, therefore, is
the more basic science.
If it is to be shown that premillennialism is a Biblical doctrine,
there must first be laid a foundation in a right understanding of
hermeneutics, so that a proper exegesis may be built thereupon; hence, this
discussion of hermeneutics as a basis of the premillennial faith is
essential to the subsequent argument.
I. IMPORTANCE OF HERMENEUTICS
Harnack admits that in recent times a "mild type of 'academic'
chiliasm has been developed from a belief in the verbal inspiration of the
Bible." (Harnack, op. cit., XV, 497.) While it is recognized that
inspiration is not equivalent to hermeneutics, yet it is insisted that the
former is a prerequisite to the latter. Although it could not be
pp35
said that all amillennialists deny the verbal, plenary inspiration of the
Scriptures, yet, as it will be shown later, it seems to be the first step
in that direction. The system of spiritualizing Scripture is a tacit denial
of the doctrine of the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Scriptures which
this author holds. Nevertheless, it is significant that Harnack, no friend
of premillennialism, links so closely verbal inspiration with
premillennialism. Assuming the verbal, plenary inspiration of Scripture,
notice how crucial is the character of the issue concerning the science of
hermeneutics in relation to premillennialism. The issue concerns the
literal versus the figurative interpretation of Scripture. Hospers quotes
Pieters, who is an amillennialist, in the foreword to his book on
hermeneutics to show that principles of interpretation are determinative in
the controversy. Pieters says:
The question whether the Old Testament prophecies concerning the
people of God must be interpreted in their ordinary sense, as other
Scriptures are interpreted, or can properly be applied to the Christian
Church, is called the question of the spiritualization of prophecy. This is
one of the major problems in biblical interpretation, and confronts
everyone who makes a serious study of the Word of God. It is one of the
chief keys to the difference of opinion between Premillenarians and the
mass of Christian scholars. The former reject such spiritualization, the
latter employ it; and as long as there is no agreement on this point the
debate is interminable and fruitless.
Hamilton, another amillennialist, confesses:
Now we must frankly admit that a literal interpretation of the Old
Testament prophecies gives us just such a picture of an earthly reign of
the Messiah as the premillennialist pictures.--op. cit., p. 38.
pp36
It is little wonder then that Rutgers, too, another amillennialist,
regards the premillennialist's interpretation of Scripture as the
fundamental error of the system. Thus, it is clear that the question of
interpretation is a basic and crucial one which demands careful
consideration. It can either make or break the premillennial system.
II. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION
There are certain definite and recognized principles of Biblical
interpretation which will be stated first. Then it can be shown how closely
the premillennial interpretation adheres to these general principles. This
is the proper and logical order, though amillennialism reverses it, stating
its system first and then formulating principles of interpretation which
will work for that system. All doctrine must be built on sound principles
of interpretation; otherwise, the doctrine must be changed. These are the
general principles of hermeneutics.
Interpret grammatically. There is no more basic rule of interpretation
than this. The interpreter must begin his work by studying the grammatical
sense of the text, determining the exact meaning of the words according to
linguistic usage and connection. A word is the vehicle of a thought;
therefore, the meaning of any passage must be determined by a study of the
words therein with the relationship sustained in the sentence. This is a
natural corollary to the belief in the verbal, plenary inspiration of
Scripture, for if one holds that the words of the text were inspired of
God, then one must interpret those very words. A true exegesis is demanded.
Interpret according to the context. The Bible is not a book
pp37
of words or verses put together without any relation to one another.
Therefore, the context, which includes both the immediate context and the
wider scope of the section or book, must be studied in order to see the
relation that each verse sustains to that which precedes and to that which
follows. Nothing is better than to have an author explain himself, and the
study of the context is one of the most trustworthy resources at the
command of the interpreter. Sometimes the immediate context does not give
all the needed light on a certain passage, and so the wider context, even
the scope of the book itself, must be considered. The purpose of the
writing, the people addressed, and the general theme of the book are all
important factors. The later discussion of the new covenant in Hebrews 8
will afford a good example of this rule.
Compare Scripture with Scripture. This principle of interpretation,
which was not employed until the Reformation, places hermeneutics on a true
and solid foundation. It not only uses parallel passages in Scripture but
also regulates the interpretation of each passage in conformity with the
whole tenor of revealed truth. It brings low those who claim to receive the
Bible as the Word of God, and who reject specific revelations in it because
they do not fit into the framework of their preconceived theology. It is a
great inconsistency to admit a positive revelation and then to reject
things positively revealed. The application of this principle of
hermeneutics means the harmonization of all the Bible. An obscure or
seemingly contradictory passage cannot invalidate a doctrine clearly
supported by this principle of the analogy of faith. Amillennialists who
ridicule obscure points in the premillennial system should not forget that
they have yet to produce, even in outline form,
pp38
a system concerning which there is unanimous agreement among their own
group.
These, then, are the general principles of interpretation. What use
does premillennialism make of these general principles? Does it practice
what it preaches? That premillennialism interprets grammatically, that is,
literally, is undisputed, for this is the major point of difference,
readily admitted, between premillennialism and amillennialism. It does
appeal to the context, as in the example cited; and there is no question
but that premillennialism claims to have a complete system which follows
the rule of comparing Scripture with Scripture.
It is evident from amillennial commentaries and theologies that they
accept a literal interpretation of most of the Bible, but in the field of
eschatology they resort to the principle of spiritualization. Thus the
system is in the position of using two different and contradictory
principles of interpretation. It is useless, then, for amillennialists to
argue against and object to premillennialism when the basic rules of
interpretation are not established. Nevertheless, since the two systems do
agree on general principles, the crux of the matter must lie in the field
of principles of the interpretation of prophecy.
III. PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION OF PROPHECY
All acknowledge the necessity for a valid rule for the interpretation
of prophecy. Hamilton says typically:
There are many passages in prophecy which were meant to be taken
literally. In fact a good working rule to follow is that the literal
interpretation of prophecy is to be accepted unless
pp39
(a) the passages contain obviously figurative language, or (b) unless the
New Testament gives authority for interpreting them in other than a literal
sense, or (c) unless a literal interpretation would produce a
contradiction.--op. cit., p. 53.
Spiritualizing, then, is the answer of the amillennialist to the
problem of the interpretation of prophecy. It is the same as allegorizing,
and this method of interpretation does not have a savory origin. Farrar,
who is no premillennialist, points out:
Allegory by no means sprang from spontaneous piety, but was the child
of Rationalism which owed its birth to the heathen theories of Plato. It
deserved its name, for it made Scripture say something else than it really
meant....
Origen borrows from heathen Platonists and from Jewish philosophers a
method which converts the whole of Scripture, alike the New and the Old
Testament, into a series of clumsy, varying, and incredible enigmas.
Allegory helped him to get rid of Chiliasm and superstitious literalism and
the "antitheses" of the Gnostics, but it opened the door for deadlier
evils.--History of Interpretation, pp. 193-194, 196.
This raises a grave question at the very outset as to the integrity of
this spiritualizing method of interpreting prophecy. Hamilton's reasons for
spiritualizing Scripture are easily answered. The figures for which the
figurative language stands have a literal fulfillment. Many of the New
Testament passages adduced as examples of spiritual interpretation of the
Old Testament are merely citations of proof texts by Scripture writers in
support of specific points. Finally, there is no justification for
departing from the literal sense of Scripture because
pp40
that sense creates an apparent contradiction. Many of these apparent
contradictions will be discussed in the pages to follow, but it suffices to
point out here that if contradictions justify rejection of the system, then
amillennialism as a system must be rejected, for it has serious
contradictions which still await solution.
But, it may well be asked, how does the premillennialist meet the
problem of the interpretation of prophecy? Are there any special principles
for the interpretation of prophecy which he employs but which are in accord
with the basic hermeneutical principle of literal interpretation? These
questions are answered by the following list of special principles for the
interpretation of prophecy, which principles are consistent with, not
contradictory to, the general principles of hermeneutics already discussed.
These are not principles deduced from premillennial exegesis, but rather
these are special rules growing out of the general rules of hermeneutics
and the particular problem of prophecy upon which premillennial exegesis is
based. If, then, these special principles which concern interpretation of
prophecy are consistent with the basic law of hermeneutics, that is,
literal interpretation, and if they point the way to a comprehensive,
consistent, and harmonious system of Biblical interpretation, then
premillennialism rests on an exceedingly firm basis in relation to
hermeneutics.
Consistency in principle. This is a summary statement of that which
has just been said. Prophecy is not a special case in that it demands
special hermeneutics if such a system contradicts the basic principle of
literal interpretation. There may be special outworkings of that principle
but the principle must be consistent.
pp41
Compare prophecy with prophecy. This very fundamental principle of
prophetic interpretation is enjoined by the Scripture itself, for Peter
says, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any
private interpretation" (2 Pet. 1:20). _Idios is generally used in the
sense of "one's own" (John 1:11; 1 Cor. 12:11; Matt. 14:13), and it simply
means that no prophecy is to be interpreted by itself, but in the light of
all that God has spoken on the subject. Every prophecy is part of a
wonderful scheme of revelation, and this entire scheme as well as the
interrelationship between the parts must be kept in mind. No one prophet
received the revelation of all the truth; rather, the Book unfolds little
by little, without contradiction, until we have a complete and perfect
picture. In this connection it must be remembered that difficulties are not
contradictions. Neither does the existence of a problem militate against
the plain statements of prophecy. In dealing with such problems, Feinberg
offers two pertinent suggestions:
First of all, when certain difficulties are affirmed of a doctrine
which claims to be Biblical, one is only required to show that a solution
of the alleged problem is possible. When certain passages are referred to
which are said to contradict the premillennial doctrine, all that is
necessary is to demonstrate that according to the rules of exegesis, a
harmonization is possible. Secondly, sometimes even this cannot be fairly
required. If any doctrine is shown on the basis of the laws of exegesis to
be taught in the Bible, then to prove the doctrine false more is needed
than the mere statement that the teaching brings to light even unanswerable
problems. Otherwise, it could be demonstrated that the doctrines of
salvation and redemption are false. The same method is used in rejecting
and denying these doctrines that is employed in opposing premillennialism.
In order to disprove premillennial interpretation of Scripture, its
pp42
opponents must show that its exegesis of the passages of Scripture involved
is false and erroneous.--Premillennialism or Amillennialism?, pp. 35-36.
Interpretation differs from application. Interpretation is one;
application is manifold. The primary aim of the interpreter is, in every
case, to discover the true and only interpretation. Literal interpretation
allows wide latitude in making spiritual applications from all passages,
but there are two extremes to be avoided in applying this principle. Some
have made so much of application that the true interpretation has been
lost. This is usually a pathway to amillennialism. Others, and
premillennialists are often guilty of this, have been so intent on
discovering the interpretation that they have lost all application along
with the resultant blessing. Psalm 122:6 may well be used as an example of
the proper distinction between interpretation and application. The verse
reads: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love
thee." The literal interpreter understands this verse in a twofold sense:
(1) the primary reference is to the city Jerusalem and that for which it,
as the capital, stands representative, that is, the nation Israel and the
land, and (2) there is also a secondary application, but not
interpretation, allowed, that is, an expression of the general truth that
in all generations divine blessing has rested upon all who forwarded the
work of those identified with the Lord. The application, however, does not
in any way take the place of the interpretation.
Figurative language. Although much of prophecy is given in plain
terms, much of it is in figurative language, and this constitutes a problem
of interpretation. It may be said as a general statement that the use of
figurative language does not
pp43
compromise or nullify the literal sense of the thing to which it is
applied. Figures of speech are a legitimate grammatical usage for conveying
a literal meaning. More specifically, in interpreting figures of speech, it
may be said, as Patrick Fairbairn does, that:
... care should be taken to give a fair and natural, as opposed to a
far-fetched or fanciful, turn to the figure employed. We do so, on the
ground, that figurative language is essentially of a popular caste, and is
founded on those broader and more obvious resemblances, which do not need
to be searched for, but are easily recognised and generally
used.--Hermeneutical Manual, p. 148.
Premillennialists' use of types often brings criticism in this
connection. The use of types is perfectly legitimate as illustration of the
truth though they should not be used to teach doctrine. All literalists
recognize numerous types in prophecy, but they insist on solid, grammatical
interpretation. It is one thing to say that Israel typifies the Church, as
premillennialists rightly do; it is quite another thing to say that Israel
is the Church, as amillennialists wrongly teach.
Figures of speech, then, give no cause for spiritualizing Scripture.
Hospers says:
It must be noted that opponents of Premillenarianism often confuse
matters by an equivocation of the legitimate figures of speech with their
own artificial conception of spiritualization.--op. cit., p. 10.
Citing Galatians 4:24-26 as a specific example, he further says:
It is Paul's allegory. As already stated above, according to good
rhetoric, an allegory is an extended metaphor. We must
pp44
therefore sharply discriminate between taking allegory as equivalent to
spiritualization and as regular figurative speech. In the passage Paul uses
geographical terms by means of which he illustrated. Lightfoot puts it
well: "With St. Paul, on the other hand, Hagar's career is an allegory
because it is history. The symbol and the thing symbolized are the same in
kind.... With Philo the allegory is the whole substance of his teaching;
with St. Paul it is but an accessory. He uses it rather as an illustration
than an argument."--Ibid., pp. 21-22.
In conclusion it may be stated that in connection with the use of
figurative language, the interpreter should look not for the literal sense
of the words employed in the figure, but for the literal sense intended by
the use of the figure. Figurative language does not make void literal
interpretation.
Law of fulfillment. In the interpretation of unfulfilled prophecy,
fulfilled prophecy forms the pattern. The logical way to discover how God
will fulfill prophecy in the future is to discover how He fulfilled it in
the past. If the hundreds of prophecies concerning Christ's first coming
were fulfilled literally, how can anyone reject the literal fulfillment of
the numerous prophecies concerning His Second Coming and reign on the
earth? Feinberg cites a pertinent example:
Take, for example, the words of Gabriel in the first chapter of Luke
where he foretells of the birth of Christ. According to the angel's words
Mary literally conceived in her womb; literally brought forth a son; His
name was literally called Jesus; He was literally great; and He was
literally called the Son of the Highest. Will it not be as literally
fulfilled that God will yet give to Christ the throne of His father David,
that He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and that of His
glorious kingdom there shall be no end?--op. cit., p. 39.
pp45
How inconsistent it is, then, to apply any kind of special
hermeneutics to the prophecies of the Second Coming when there was no need
of doing so with the prophecies of His first coming.
Law of double reference. Often a prophecy may have a double
fulfillment, one being in the immediate circumstances and another in the
distant future. Christ's being called great and the Son of the Highest, in
the example cited above, has a double fulfillment. These things were
literally true at His first coming, but they were not universally true as
they will be at His Second Coming. The Psalms furnish many examples of this
law, and amillennialists admit that there are many references which do not
have an adequate explanation in the immediate experiences of David and
which therefore point to a future fulfillment by David's greater Son.
Nevertheless, double fulfillment is literal fulfillment and is therefore
consistent with the basic rules of interpretation.
Law of time relationship. This law may assume several forms. Two or
more events of a like character may be described in a common profile. The
prophecy of Rachel's mourning for her children is an example of this.
Scripture reveals that this applies to the Babylonian captivity in the
first instance and to the slaughter of the innocent children under Herod in
the second instance (Jer. 31:15; Matt. 2:18).
This law takes another form when future events are so mingled together
on the horizon of prophecy as to appear like mountains in a range of
mountains, the valleys being hidden. Simply because two events are placed
side by side is no proof that the fulfillment will take place
simultaneously or even in immediate succession. Isaiah 9:6-8; 61:1-2;
Daniel 9:24-27
pp46
are a few examples of these tremendous gaps of time in the Scriptures.
IV. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
Results of allegorical interpretation. Those who employ the
allegorical method of interpretation arrive at a diversity of
interpretation. It is noteworthy that premillennialists and amillennialists
agree on the main lines of truth whenever the principle of literal
interpretation is retained. The doctrines of theology proper, sin,
salvation, etc., are generally agreed on, but in the doctrine of future
things where the amillennialist feels obliged to employ his allegorical
interpretation there is diversity. Not only is there diversity between the
systems of interpretation, but there is also diversity within amillennial
ranks. Such disagreement necessarily tends to discredit the authority of
the Scriptures in the eyes of the unsaved and of the untaught.
Allegorical interpretation fosters modernism. As has often been
pointed out, it is almost impossible to find a premillennial liberal or
modernist. Among the Brethren, who are supposed to be the founders of
modern literalism, liberalism is practically unknown. On the other hand,
the great body of modernistic Protestantism is avowedly amillennial. Thus
the allegorical method of amillennialism is a step toward modernism.
Finally, it should be pointed out that allegorical interpretation
cannot explain the Scriptures. Of course, many doctrines are explained by
amillennialists, but in these the literal principle is followed. But in the
field of eschatology even the amillennialist admits that "the doctrine of
future things is still an
pp47
unexplored field." (W. Masselink, Why Thousand Years?, p. 11.) This
certainly cannot be said of premillennialism.
Results of literal interpretation. When the principles of literal
interpretation both in regard to general and special hermeneutics are
followed, the result is the premillennial system of doctrine. In contrast
to the results noted above, there is general agreement among
premillennialists on the main lines of prophetic truth; premillennialism is
diametrically opposed to modernism; and premillennialism does not leave
large portions of the Scripture unexplained. All explanations may not agree
in every detail, but at least all portions of Scripture are treated.
Conclusion. In this chapter we have dealt with the basic issue. If one
interprets literally, he arrives at the premillennial system. If one
employs the spiritualizing or allegorizing method of interpretation in the
field of eschatology, he arrives at amillennialism. There is no
disagreement over the fundamental rules of interpretation--even though they
spell literal interpretation; the disagreement is in the interpretation of
prophecy. The amillennialist's answer is special hermeneutics which are
special in the sense that they contradict all regular hermeneutical
principles. The premillennialist's answer includes some special
considerations in interpreting prophecy, but these are special in the sense
that they are particularly useful only in prophetic interpretation while at
the same time being harmonious with the basic principles of hermeneutics.
Thus, premillennialism is solidly based in hermeneutics, and upon this
solid foundation the remainder of this book is built.
pp48
Chapter 4
Its Basis in the Abrahamic Covenant
In the next three chapters we shall consider the relationship to
premillennialism of the Abrahamic, Davidic, and new covenants. It is a
large task because so much material must be considered, but it is basic to
the argument. If it can be demonstrated that any one of these covenants is
still in force with respect to its promises, this will practically annul
the amillennial system, for each of them contains promises which require a
separate national future for Israel, including possession of the promised
land. On the other hand, it is equally true that if any one of these
covenants allows its future fulfillment to be by the Church,
premillennialism is tremendously weakened, for it insists that the Church
does not fulfill Israel's promises in any sense at all. The study of the
covenants is vital to premillennialism. The Mosaic covenant does not enter
into the argument, for all agree that it was conditioned upon Israel's
obedience.
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COVENANT
All agree that the Abrahamic covenant is one of the outstanding
covenants in the Word of God. Its crucial issues in relation to
premillennialism are two: (1) Does the Abrahamic
pp49
covenant promise Israel a permanent existence as a nation? If it does, then
the Church is not fulfilling Israel's promises, but rather Israel as a
nation has a future yet in prospect; and (2) does the Abrahamic covenant
promise Israel permanent possession of the promised land? If it does, then
Israel must yet come into possession of that land, for she has never fully
possessed it in her history. The answers to these two questions center
around two other considerations: (1) Is the covenant conditional? This is a
crucial issue, for if it can be proved conditional, then Israel has no
assurance of a future national identity or possession of the land; and (2)
if it is not conditional, how will those parts yet unfulfilled be
fulfilled? Will they be fulfilled spiritually by the Church or literally by
Israel? These are the important questions and issues relative to the
Abrahamic covenant.
II. THE PROMISES OF THE COVENANT
The major passage setting forth the covenant is Genesis 12:1-3:
Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and
from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew
thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and
make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them
that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all
families of the earth be blessed.
The personal promises to Abraham include the special blessing of God,
a great name, himself as a channel of divine blessing
pp50
to others, a divine treatment of others on the basis of their attitude
toward him, and an heir by Sarah (Gen. 15:4).
The national promises of which Abraham was given assurance were that
his seed would be a great nation (cf. Gen. 17:6), the land of Canaan would
be given for an everlasting inheritance (cf. Gen. 17:8), and the covenant
would be established with his seed (Gen. 17:7).
There were also two universal promises given to Abraham: (1) the
promise of divine treatment of others on the basis of their attitude toward
Abraham, which is a universal as well as a personal promise, and (2) the
principal universal promise that "in thee shall all the families of the
earth be blessed."
III. THE HISTORIC FULFILLMENT OF THE COVENANT
It should be strikingly evident throughout this section that God's
method in fulfilling parts of the Abrahamic covenant has been literal.
(1) In fulfillment of the personal promises, Abraham was specially
blessed of God. Lincoln has pointed out:
a. Abraham was blessed personally in temporal things: (1) He had land
(Gen. 13:14, 15, 17); (2) He had servants (Gen. 15:7, etc.); (3) He had
much cattle, silver, and gold (Gen. 13:2; 24:34, 35).
b. Abraham was blessed personally in spiritual matters: (1) He had a
happy life of separation unto God, (Gen. 13:8; 14:22, 23); (2) He enjoyed a
precious life of communion with God, (Gen. 13:18); (3) He had a consistent
life of prayer, (Gen. 18:23-33); (4) He was sustained of God constantly,
pp51
(Gen. 21:22); (5) He possessed the peace and confidence that comes from an
obedient life, (Gen. 22:5, 8, 10, 12, 16-18).--"The Covenants," pp.
182-183.
(2) He had a great name. Bush has said:
Not so much in the records of worldly fame, as in the history of the
church. Yet it is a remarkable fact, that perhaps no mere man has ever been
so widely and so permanently honoured. "The Jews, and many tribes of the
Saracens and Arabians, justly own and revere him as their progenitor: many
nations in the East exceedingly respect his memory to this day, and glory
in their real or pretended relation to him. Throughout the visible church
he has always been highly venerated; and even now Jews, Mohammedans, and
many Gentiles vie with each other and with Christians, who shall most
honour this ancient patriarch! Nothing could be more improbable at the time
than this event; yet the prediction has been fulfilling, most exactly and
minutely, during the course of almost four thousand years!" (Notes on
Genesis, pp. 195-196.
(3) He was a channel of divine blessing to others, for he not only
blessed his household, his posterity, but the world at large through the
Bible, the Saviour, and the gospel.
(4) History has borne out the fact that nations which have persecuted
Israel, even when that very persecution was in fulfillment of God's
discipline, have been punished for dealing with Abraham's seed. This has
been true in both blessing and cursing in the case of the slaughter of the
kings (Gen. 14:12-16); in the case of Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18-20); in the
case of Abimelech (Gen. 20:2-18; 21:22-34); in the case of Heth (Gen.
23:1-20); and in other experiences in Israel's history (Deut. 30:7; Isa.
14:1-2; Joel 3:1-8; Matt. 25:40-45).
pp52
(5) Abraham did have an heir by Sarah (Gen. 21:2).
The national promises are the ones concerning which premillennialism
has its controversy with other systems of interpretation and will be
reserved for discussion under the unconditional character of the covenant,
for these promises have not had their complete fulfillment.
The universal promise of blessing to all the families of the earth has
been fulfilled. As Bush says:
It is not wealth, fame, power, sensual pleasure, or mental endowments,
but the gift of his own Son as a Saviour, the bestowment of the Holy
Spirit, the pardon of sin, peace of conscience, and the high and purifying
hopes connected with eternal life. This is the inheritance that makes us
truly rich, and utterly vain, foolish, and fatal is it to seek for real
blessedness from any other source.--Ibid., p. 197.
Denial that these aforementioned promises have been fulfilled is
puerile. But the question of the fulfillment of the national promises still
remains to be answered.
IV. THE UNCONDITIONAL CHARACTER OF THE COVENANT
The unconditional character of the Abrahamic covenant is the crucial
issue in making the Abrahamic covenant a basis for premillennialism. If the
covenant is unconditional, then the national aspect of it must yet be
fulfilled, and premillennialism is the only system of interpretation which
makes a place for a national future for Israel in which she possesses her
land.
Amillennialists are divided in their view of the covenant.
pp53
Some accept its unconditional character but endeavor by spiritualizing to
be rid of the objectionable portion of it. This is the view of Berkhof.
Others, and these are greater in number, view the covenant as conditional
and consequently in no need of fulfillment. This is the view of Allis and
others. These arguments will be answered as we list the positive reasons
advanced by premillennialists for the unconditional character of the
covenant.
(1) The Abrahamic covenant is called eternal in the Word of God.
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee in their
generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy
seed after thee. (Gen. 17:7)
... and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting
covenant. (Gen. 17:13b)
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou
shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an
everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. (Gen. 17:19)
Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto
Isaac; And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an
everlasting covenant. (1 Chron. 16:16-17)
Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; And
confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting
covenant (Psa. 105:9-10)
The Scriptures clearly teach that this is an eternal covenant based on
the gracious promises of God. There may be delays, postponements, and
chastisements, but an eternal covenant cannot, if God cannot deny Himself,
be abrogated.
pp54
(2) The original promises given to Abraham were given without any
conditions whatsoever. The words recorded in Genesis 12 are clear in their
testimony. Allis, the amillennialist, admits that:
It is true that, in the express terms of the covenant with Abraham,
obedience is not stated as a condition.--op. cit., p. 33.
He then proceeds to contradict himself by attempting to show that
obedience is a condition, by which action he is certainly not showing
himself to be the Calvinist that he is when he speaks of security thus. In
any case, the Scripture does not condition the original promises given to
Abraham. Later confirmation in Scripture of the unconditional character
will follow. However, it seems clear that the covenant as established was a
unit. Galatians 3:15, "Though it be but a man's covenant, yet when it hath
been confirmed, no one maketh it void nor addeth thereto," makes certain
that the covenant may not be tampered with either by being added to or
subtracted from. If, as Allis admits, the covenant is unconditional in its
inception, then he should also admit that it remains unconditional
throughout history. Who dares add conditions to the God-given content of
the covenant?
(3) The covenant was confirmed by reiteration and enlargement. In
Genesis 13:14-17, Abraham is promised title forever to all the land which
he saw, and the promise concerning his seed is amplified in that he is
promised seed comparable in number to the dust of the earth. In Genesis
15:1-7, the line of the seed is designated as coming through Abraham, not
Eliezer,
pp55
his servant, and the promise of the land is reiterated. In Genesis 17:1-8,
the covenant is solemnly confirmed, kings are promised to his seed, all the
land of Canaan is given to the seed of Abraham for an everlasting
possession, a personal and special relationship is set up between God and
the seed of Abraham in which God promises to be their God, and Abram is
given the name Abraham as a symbol of the promise that he will be the
father of many nations, that is, nations other than the one which will
inherit the land. This reiteration was doubtless for emphasis. It does not
indicate any temporal character of the covenant, but supports the
premillennialists' claims that the covenant is unconditional.
(4) The covenant was solemnized in a recognized way.
And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a ram
of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto
him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one
against another: but the birds divided he not.... And when the sun was
going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great
darkness fell upon him.... And it came to pass, that, when the sun went
down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that
passed between those pieces. (Gen. 15:9, 10, 12, 17)
Commenting on this passage, Keil and Delitzsch say:
The proceeding corresponded rather to the custom, prevalent in many
ancient nations, of slaughtering animals when concluding a covenant, and
after dividing them into pieces, of laying the pieces opposite to one
another, that the persons making the covenant might pass between them. Thus
... God condescended to follow the custom of the Chaldeans, that He might
in the most solemn manner confirm His oath to Abram
pp56
the Chaldean. The wide extension of this custom is evident from the
expression used to denote the conclusion of a covenant, _kahrath _breeth,
to hew, or cut a covenant ... whilst it is evident from Jer. 34:18, that
this was still customary among the Israelites of later times.--The
Pentateuch, I, 214.
The unconditional character of the covenant is further emphasized by
the fact that only Jehovah passed between the parts of the sacrifice.
Concerning this, these same scholars say:
From the nature of this covenant, it followed, however, that God alone
went through the pieces in a symbolical representation of Himself, and not
Abram also. For although a covenant always establishes a reciprocal
relation between two individuals, yet in that covenant which God concluded
with a man, the man did not stand on an equality with God, but God
established the relation of fellowship by His promise and His gracious
condescension to the man.--Ibid., I, 216.
(5) The covenant was given a visible sign in the rite of circumcision
(Gen. 17:9-14). The amillennialist uses this as an argument to attempt to
show that the covenant was conditional, for, according to him, since
circumcision was a required act of obedience the covenant must be
conditional. The truth is that circumcision was the personal act which
related the man to the covenant and had nothing to do with the
unconditional nature of the everlasting covenant. One uncircumcised person
certainly could not annul the covenant any more than one unbeliever can by
his unbelief make void the grace of God for everyone else.
(6) The Abrahamic covenant was confirmed by the birth of Isaac and
then confirmed to him.
pp57
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou
shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an
everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. (Gen, 17:19)
For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set
time of which God had spoken to him. (Gen. 21:2)
And the Lord appeared unto him [Isaac], and said, Go not down into
Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land,
and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy
seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I
sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the
stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in
thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. (Gen. 26:2-4)
No conditions are attached to this reiteration to Isaac of the
covenant, for it is based on the unconditional oath of God to Abraham. Now
Abraham had sinned during the years since the covenant was first made to
him and the time when it was confirmed to Isaac, and if God had viewed the
covenant as conditioned upon obedience, then there was ample reason for
abrogating the entire covenant. Instead, however, He confirms His promise
to Isaac, and thereby manifests the unconditional character of the
Abrahamic covenant.
(7) The covenant was likewise confirmed to Jacob.
And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of
Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to
thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of
the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and
to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the
families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will
pp58
keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into
this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have
spoken to thee of. (Gen. 28:13-15)
Again it should be noticed that the covenant was reaffirmed without
any conditions attached showing again its unconditional character. (Since
the promise was given to Jacob and his heirs, this answers the
amillennialists' question, why is Esau excluded from the land if the
covenant is unconditional?)
(8) The covenant was confirmed in spite of disobedience. This is the
crucial test in regard to the unconditional character of the covenant, for
amillennialists hold that disobedience is the ground on which it may be
said that the covenant is no longer in force. But God said to Israel amid
terrible apostasy:
Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the
ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which
divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his
name: If these ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the
seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Thus saith the Lord; if heaven above can be measured, and the foundations
of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of
Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord. (Jer. 31:35-37)
In spite of the apostasy, God graciously declares that His covenant
has not been set aside. The Lord of hosts has put Himself on record, if
language means anything at all, and has determined to fulfill His covenant
in spite of disobedience.
(9) The Abrahamic covenant is unconditional because it is later used
as the basis for giving the Palestinian covenant. The part of the Abrahamic
covenant which relates to the land is
pp59
enlarged upon in the Palestinian covenant (Deut. 28:1-30:20) where the
right to the enjoyment of the land is given. If the Abrahamic covenant
which gives the title to the land were nullified, then the collateral
doctrines in the Palestinian covenant would likewise be of no force, all of
which would place God in the position of promising something to His people
which He had already taken away from them because of disobedience. Of what
meaning would be these promises, so similarly related to those of the
Abrahamic covenant, if God had already abrogated that covenant? The
Palestinian covenant, then, is a proof of the unconditional character of
the Abrahamic covenant.
(10) Fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant is not equivalent to
enjoyment of that covenant. Simply because the children of Israel did not
enjoy the promises and provisions of the covenant does not mean that these
promises will not be fulfilled. Because of sin and disobedience they were
often estranged from the promises, but never divorced from them. Similarly,
the promises of God in this age of grace are not abrogated simply because
the individual Christian believer fails to appropriate and enjoy them. How
much more certain is fulfillment in the case of the promises of the
Abrahamic covenant which promises are not based upon human appropriation
but upon the immutable word and promise of the unchanging God.
(11) Unstated conditions cannot be construed to mean that conditions
are nevertheless involved. This is a negative argument and is considered
here only because amillennialists make so much of it. The command to Jonah
is often given as an illustration of a condition implied, though not
stated, because through his preaching the destruction of Nineveh was
delayed.
pp60
However, the cases are not at all similar. In the case of Jonah it was a
message; in the case of Abraham it was an everlasting covenant. The
judgment of Eli's house (1 Sam. 2:30) is also used as an illustration of
this alleged truth. Since God declared that Aaron's house would be the
perpetual priesthood, and since Eli was cut off and Samuel installed in the
priestly office, it is argued that obedience is implied as a condition.
Remember, however, that the Aaronic priesthood was set up under the Mosaic
covenant, which was very definitely conditional, while the Abrahamic
covenant is unconditional. Unstated conditions are not implied in the
Abrahamic covenant which supports the fact of its unconditional character.
(12) Since the covenant has never been fulfilled in history, if
language means anything at all, it must have a future fulfillment.
Amillennialists contend that the land was fully possessed by Israel during
the time of Solomon. Their proof text is 1 Kings 4:21 which says:
And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of
the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and
served Solomon all the days of his life.
In the very fact of using this text the amillennialist is admitting
that the covenant was literally fulfilled! Why, then, does he look for a
spiritual fulfillment by the Church? However, we can point out four things
which were not fulfilled by Solomon. There was no permanent possession of
the land as promised to Abraham. All the land was not possessed. "From the
river of Egypt" (Gen. 15:18) and "from the border of Egypt" (1 Kings 4:21)
are not equivalent terms geographically. Solomon did not occupy all this
land; he merely collected tribute. Temporary
pp61
overlordship is not everlasting possession. Finally, hundreds of years
after Solomon's time the Scriptures still abound in promises concerning
future possession of the land. This must prove that God and His prophets
realized, whether the amillennialist does or not, that Solomon had not
fulfilled the Abrahamic covenant.
In closing this section concerning the unconditional character of the
Abrahamic covenant verified by these twelve reasons, these words of
Walvoord are appropriate:
If God had intended to convey the impression that the covenant was
eternal and unalterable, He could not have used more express and specific
language. It is stated that His promises stand in spite of Israel's sins,
and that they are unaltered by them. His promise is declared to be
immutable: "Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the
heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an
oath: that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to
lie, we may have strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold
of the hope set before us" (Heb. 6:17, 18; cf. 6:13-16)--Bibliotheca Sacra,
CII, 33.
V. THE FUTURE FULFILLMENT OF THE COVENANT
Up to this point we have established two important facts. First, it
has been shown that not all the promises given to Abraham have been
fulfilled, specifically, the national promises. Secondly, it has been
conclusively proved that the Abrahamic covenant is unconditional. The
question now is, how are these two facts to be reconciled except the
covenant have a future
pp62
fulfillment of some sort? All admit that some of the promises of the
Abrahamic covenant have been fulfilled, but those who believe that the
covenant is conditional hold that the spiritual aspects of it are fulfilled
by the Church. It is true that:
It may be conceded that some of the promises given to Abraham are
intended to extend to the church. The individuals in the church enter into
the promises of blessing given to those in Christ and to this extent are
the spiritual children of Abraham. This is expressly stated in Scripture:
"Know therefore that they ¦which are of faith, the same are the sons of
Abraham" (Gal. 3:7). The basis for this statement in Galatians, however, is
not on any promise given to Israel--and this is very significant. The
passage continues: "And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify
the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying,
In thee shall all the nations be blessed. So then they that are of faith
are blessed with the faithful Abraham" (Gal. 3:7-9). In other words, the
portion of the covenant specifically given to Israel is not transferred to
the church. Only the portion of the covenant dealing with the universal
blessing such as extended beyond Israel is applicable to the
church.--Ibid., p. 33.
The concession made above concerns only the universal promises given
to Abraham and not the national promises given to the nation Israel.
Premillennialism firmly holds that these are not in any sense transferred
to the Church, which statement can be proved by showing that the Church in
its entirety is never designated Israel in Scripture. If she were, then
there would be good reason for transferring the promises which belong to
Israel as well as the name.
The next logical step in the proof, then, is to show that a contrast
is maintained in Scripture between Israel, the Gentiles,
pp63
and the Church. This will be done by showing from the New Testament that
(1) natural Israel and the Gentiles are contrasted, (2) natural Israel and
the Church are contrasted, and (3) Jewish Christians are contrasted with
Gentile Christians.
That natural Israel and the Gentiles are contrasted in the New
Testament is seen from the fact that Israel is addressed as a nation after
the Church has been established. Peter recognized this distinction, for he,
"filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them Ye rulers of the people, and
elders of Israel" (Acts 4:8; cf. Acts 3:12a; 21:28; Rom. 10:1). It should
be perfectly evident from these verses that natural Israel and Gentiles are
contrasted in the New Testament.
The term Jew is also used in the New Testament after the institution
of the Church. Paul says, "Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to
the Gentiles, nor to the church of God" (1 Cor. 10:32). If the Jewish
people were the same group as the Church or the Gentiles, then certainly
there would be no point in the apostle's distinction in this passage.
Further, in Romans 9:4-5 Paul says concerning the nation Israel:
Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory,
and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and
the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh
Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Paul is obviously referring to natural Israel for he calls them his
"kinsmen according to the flesh" (verse 3), and it is to these people that
he relates all these peculiar privileges. The fact that these words were
spoken after the beginning of the Church
pp64
is proof that the Church does not rob Israel of her blessings. Notice that
Paul refers to the covenants which would be irrelevant if the covenants had
been abrogated because of disobedience or unbelief. Israel's greatest act
of unbelief had already occurred in her rejection of Christ. Further proof
is found in Ephesians 2:12-15:
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having
no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who
sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our
peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of
partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the
law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of
twain one new man, so making peace.
In this passage Gentiles are expressly said to be excluded from the
blessings peculiar to Israel. In going on to state their blessings in the
church, Paul does not say that once having believed, these Gentiles now
come into the Israelite blessings, but rather that God has brought about a
new thing, the new man in Christ Jesus. It is evident, then, that:
It may be concluded without further argument that the distinction
between natural Israel and Gentiles is continued after the institution of
the church--Israel is still a genuine Israel, and the Gentiles continue to
fulfill their part. While this fact of Scriptures is more or less admitted
even by the amillennialist, the significance is not adequately realized.
The continuance of Israel and Gentiles as such is a strong argument against
either one being dispossessed of their own place. Israel is not reduced to
the bankruptcy of the Gentiles--to become "strangers
pp65
from the covenants of promise" (Eph. 2:12), and the distinction between the
two groups is maintained on the same sharp lines as before the church was
instituted.--Walvoord, Bibliotheca Sacra, CI, 408.
In the second place, natural Israel and the church are contrasted in
the New Testament. Concerning the importance of this distinction the same
writer says:
The amillennial position fully agrees to this contrast, but in doing
so, its supporters do not realize that the basis of their own argument is
jeopardized. If natural Israel continues as an entity apart from the church
with its own program and destiny, it becomes at once an interesting and
vital argument against the transfer of Israel's promises to the church or
their loss by any other means. The amillennialists are forced to a position
which by its nature is untenable. They must admit the existence of natural
Israel apart from the church because it is too evident that this is a fact
of Scripture and history. They cannot admit any program for them or any
possibility of a national future for them.--Ibid., p. 409.
This point may also be proved by referring to Paul's contrast between
the Jews and the church in 1 Corinthians 10:32. However, the most important
proof passage is Romans 11 where God's program for Israel is outlined. It
would be illogical to apply this chapter to spiritual Israel, for as Shedd
points out:
He is speaking most commonly in this chapter, of the nation as a
whole, out of which, he says, a part are spiritually elected, __so that the
nation as a whole are not _rejected [italics mine]. It would be superfluous
to assert and endeavor to prove that the spiritual people of God are not
"thrust out entirely."--Commentary on Romans, p. 329.
pp66
Paul asks in this chapter if God has cast away His people, that is, natural
Israel. The answer is an emphatic no, for Paul himself and the remnant
prove that God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew (verse 2). In
verses 7 to 10, the rest of the nation, that is, the unbelieving part, is
contrasted with this remnant, but that distinction cannot vitiate the
irrevocable promises made to Abraham. It is true that this unbelieving part
has been judicially hardened, but the hardening is not permanent. In the
meantime their fall has brought riches to the Gentiles, for the gospel has
come unto them. But, this being true, "how much more their [Israel's]
fulness?" (verse 12). In other words, the fullness of blessing for Israel
will be "much more," but since this is future it conclusively proves that
Israel will have a future.
In verses 17 to 24, Paul introduces the figure of the olive tree. The
apostle does not say that Israel is the olive tree; rather, the olive tree
is the place of privilege. Israel was the first definite group to be called
to this place, but because of unbelief she was set aside or broken off. Now
the place of privilege is occupied by the Gentiles, but it is perfectly
clear that Israel will again be grafted into the olive tree (verses 23,
24). What would be the point of all this argument if there were no contrast
in the mind of Paul between Israel and the Church?
Not only do 1 Corinthians 10:32 and Romans 11 prove that natural
Israel and the Church are contrasted, but the simple yet astounding fact
that Israel has continued as a nation until this very day is strong
additional evidence. Other nations have decayed or been assimilated by
other groups, but the Jews continue as a recognizable group. How vividly
this is seen in the establishment of the nation Israel in the land of
Palestine,
pp67
an event which should prove beyond all doubt to anyone that natural Israel
is not the Church.
In the third place, Jewish Christians (spiritual Israel) and Gentile
Christians are contrasted in the New Testament. This is the most important
of the contrasts, for as Walvoord points out:
The twofold origin of Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians is
obvious to all. In the attempt to disfranchise Israel of her promises,
however, it is claimed that the church composed of both Gentiles and Jews
takes Israel's place of blessing completely. It is pointed out that there
has always been an inner circle of Israelites who were the "true Israel"
and that these were the genuine inheritors of the promises, not the nation
as a whole.... Is the church ever identified with true or spiritual Israel,
that is, are Gentile Christians ever included in the designation
Israel?--Bibliotheca Sacra, CI, 411.
Two passages, properly explained, will provide proof of this contrast
between Jewish and Gentile Christians. The first, Romans 9:6, "For they are
not all Israel, which are of Israel," is often taken as proof that only
spiritual Israel, that is, the Church, are those who inherit the promises,
the rest of Israel being excluded. However, properly interpreted, this text
supports the fact that Gentile Christians are never included in the
designation Israel. In brief, it means that being an Israelite by natural
birth does not assure one of the life and favor promised the true Israelite
who approaches God by faith. The contrast, then, is not between those who
inherit Abraham's promises and those who do not, but rather it is between
the promises which belong to Israel according to the flesh, and those which
belong
pp68
to the Israelite who enters into them by faith, which latter promises also
belong to the Gentile believer who then becomes a child of Abraham by faith
(Gal. 3:6). The passage intimates nothing concerning the relationship of
Israel and the Church, but it draws sharply the distinction between
believing Israelites and unbelieving Israelites as to their present
blessings. Both groups still remain genuine Israelites, but the distinction
is made with regard to their attitude toward Christ. Believing Israelites
come into all the blessings of the Church in this age while unbelieving
Israelites do not. However, when their blindness is lifted, they will again
be grafted into the olive tree of privilege. Thus this passage does not in
any way prove that Gentile Christians are called Israel. Rather it
distinguishes believing Israelites in this age as a distinct group in the
body of Christ.
The second passage involved is Galatians 6:15-16:
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this
rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
In this passage the question is, who is the Israel of God? The
amillennialist asserts that the Israel of God is the entire body which is
the Church. If this could be sustained it would weaken the premillennial
position considerably. However, the very opposite is the truth, for instead
of identification there is distinction in this passage. The apostle is
singling out believing Jews in this benediction pronounced upon the entire
body of Christ which, of course, includes these Jews.
It is true that grammar is not definitive in this case as the
pp69
_kai may be either explicative or simply copulative. If it were explicative
it would be translated _even and would support the amillennial
interpretation; if copulative, it would be translated in the usual sense
_and, and would support the premillennial view. Actually an absolute
decision cannot be made from the verse itself, but general usage would
favor the recognition of two classes in this verse.
It is another indication that Gentile and Jewish believers are on the
same level since the conjunction links coordinate parts of the sentence.
The apostle is invoking blessing upon all who walk according to the rule of
grace; then, lest there be any misunderstanding regarding his attitude, he
singles out believing Israelites as a special group. Ellicott, the Greek
scholar, agrees with this view and says:
Still, as it is doubtful whether _kai is ever used by St Paul in so
marked an explicative force as must be assigned ... and as it seems still
more doubtful whether Christians generally could be called "the Israel of
God" ... the simple copulative meaning seems most probable ... St Paul
includes all in his blessing, of whatever stock and kindred; and then, with
his thoughts turning (as they ever did) to his own brethren after the flesh
(Rom. 9:3), he pauses to specify those who were once Israelites according
to the flesh (1 Cor. 10:18), but now are the Israel of God ... true
spiritual children of Abraham.--St Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, p. 139.
We may safely conclude that if these key passages do not identify
Israel and the Church, as amillennialists claim, then no passage in the New
Testament does. In every case, the term is used of the nation Israel or of
the believing remnant which
pp70
has become part of the body of Christ. In no case are the national promises
to Israel destroyed. By these three contrasts, natural Israel and the
Gentiles, natural Israel and the Church, spiritual Israel and the Church,
it is clear that the Church in its entirety is never designated Israel in
Scripture. Thus there is no basis for transferring to the Church the
promises which belong to Israel.
Since the Church does not fulfill the promises of the Abrahamic
covenant, Israel herself must fulfill them at a future date. Since only
premillennialism has a place for a future fulfillment, it must be the
correct system of interpretation. However, in order to make this discussion
complete concerning the future fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant, it is
necessary to show that the Scriptures teach positively that Israel is the
nation which will fulfill these promises. To do this evidence from two
lines will be presented: (1) from passages which clearly teach that Israel
will be restored; and (2) from passages which show that Israel will possess
the land again, thus fulfilling the promises of the covenant.
If the promises of the Abrahamic covenant are unconditional, as has
been shown, and if the Church does not fulfill these promises, then the
only logical conclusion is that Israel will be restored in order to fulfill
them. However, since some insist that the nation has been completely
rejected by God, two passages of Scripture must be carefully examined.
The first one is Matthew 21:43: "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom
of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the
fruits thereof." This verse, which appears immediately after the parable of
the householder, in which judgment is pronounced on Israel, would seem to
teach
pp71
the complete disinheritance of Israel from all her promises. However, an
accurate interpretation of this verse must answer these questions: what
will be taken away, from whom is it taken, and to whom is it given?
It is the kingdom of God that is taken from them. A full discussion of
the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God will be given under the
Davidic covenant, but suffice it to say at this point that the kingdom of
God is the sphere of true faith in God. It is significant that Matthew, who
is the only Gospel writer to use the term kingdom of heaven, uses the other
phrase here, and this is certainly at the special direction of the Holy
Spirit. Furthermore, the kingdom of God is not identified with the
millennial kingdom; thus, the Lord is not saying that the blessings and
promises concerning the millennium have been taken from Israel. The Lord is
saying to these Jews that, because they had rejected Him, they could not
enter the kingdom of God, for "except a man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
From whom was the kingdom of God taken? It seems clear that the _you
refers to the generation to whom the Lord was speaking. This interpretation
does not contradict any hermeneutical principle, and it is consistent with
Romans 11:26.
To whom would the kingdom be given? By application, the "nation
bringing forth the fruits thereof" may mean any generation which will turn
to Christ; but in its strict interpretation it refers to the nation Israel
when she shall turn to the Lord and be saved before entering the millennial
kingdom. The emphasis in this passage is that the unbelieving scribes and
Pharisees would not be saved because of their rejection of Christ.
Gaebelein gives a good summary of the verse:
pp72
The Word of the Lord is emphatic and absolute; there is no hope for
them. The nation to whom the Lord promises the Kingdom is not the Church.
The Church is called the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, the
Habitation of God by the Spirit, the Lamb's Wife, but never a nation. The
nation is Israel still, but that believing remnant of the nation, living
when the Lord comes.--The Gospel of Matthew, II, 138.
The second passage which shows conclusively that Israel will be
restored is the passage which deals with her future salvation, Romans
11:26-27.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come
out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For
this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
This passage properly belongs to the discussion of the new covenant
and will be included there. It may be said now, however, that careful
exegetes agree that Israel means Israel in this passage. In this chapter
Paul has been speaking of the setting aside of Israel as a nation, so it
follows that the restoration of Israel is as a nation. Some amillennialists
have endeavored to make Israel mean the Church because of the use of the
word Zion, which they spiritualize to mean the Church. But Thayer, the
Greek authority, silences these claims when he declares that Zion in this
passage is "the entire city of Jerusalem itself." (A Greek-English Lexicon
of the New Testament, p. 576.) This passage teaches, then, that all Israel,
in contrast to the remnant being saved today, will be saved at the Second
Coming of Christ. From these two passages it is clear that Israel has not
been cast off but will be restored to the place of blessing in
73
the future. Israel, because she has not been disinherited, will be in a
position to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant.
The second line of evidence concerns Israel's possession of the land.
It has been shown that Israel will be able to fulfill the Abrahamic
covenant since she will be restored; now let us see whether or not she
actually does. This will be done by testing the provision in the Abrahamic
covenant concerning the unconditional promise of the possession of the land
of Palestine. The boundaries of the land were given in very definite terms:
In that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram saying, Unto thy seed
have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the
river Euphrates: the Kenite, and the Kenizzite, and the Kadmonite, and the
Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Rephaim, and the Amorite, and the
Canaanite, and the Girgashite, and the Jebusite. (Gen. 15:18-21)
Since it has been demonstrated that the Palestinian covenant, though
it laid down conditions for enjoyment of the land, in no way forfeits the
title to the land given to Abraham, and since Solomon did not fulfill the
promise to Abraham, the boundaries of his kingdom not being equivalent to
those described in the Abrahamic covenant, and since the Church does not
fulfill these specifically Israelitish promises, it follows that we must
either admit that the promise will have a future fulfillment or that God is
not faithful to His Word. Its fulfillment in the future involves the
continuance of the nation Israel.
It is recognized that Israel has been in dispersion at various times
in her history, but these dispersions do not abrogate the promise of the
permanent possession of the land since they were imposed as a penalty for
sin. This is easily proved by
pp74
noting that the prediction concerning the first dispersion into Egypt was
given (Gen. 15:13-16) after the land was promised to Abraham (Gen. 13:15)
and before the promise was reaffirmed (Gen. 15:18-21). The dispersion and
regathering were brought about as promised. The second dispersion into
Babylon was also accomplished and some, but not all, returned to the land.
A representation of the whole nation was reassembled in the land. The third
and last dispersion began in 70 A.D. and continues to the present day.
Israel has not yet returned from this dispersion although the prophecies of
her final regathering are manifold, which prophecies must be fulfilled if
the Bible is the Word of God (cf. Deut. 30:3; Isa. 11:11-12; Ezek. 37:21;
Amos 9:15). The literal interpretation of these passages makes it clear
that these promises have not been fulfilled. For example, at no time have
the Jews been gathered from the four corners of the earth (Isa. 11:12).
Israel's regathering is surely future. It is also clear that the Church
does not possess the land of Palestine or any land, for members of the body
of Christ are pilgrims and strangers on this earth. In spite of
dispersions, then, Israel will possess her land again.
By way of parenthesis, it may be added that the ever-increasing
Zionist movement and the formation of the nation Israel are of no small
import. While these things are not the fulfillment of the Abrahamic
covenant, still they are significant indications to the premillennialist
that God is working, and they are highly embarrassing to the
amillennialist.
This concludes the discussion of the Abrahamic covenant. The two
questions asked at the outset have been answered. Israel is promised
permanent possession of the land and permanent existence as a nation. This
is based on the unconditional
pp75
character of the covenant. Since the Church does not fulfill the national
promises of the covenant, these promises await a future fulfillment by the
nation Israel. Other Scriptures were cited to show that the Lord has
promised a future restoration of the nation and a return to the land. Thus,
the unconditional, partially-fulfilled Abrahamic covenant becomes an
important plank in the solid basis for the premillennial faith.
pp76
Chapter 5
Its Basis in the Davidic Covenant
The second important covenant upon which premillennialism is based is
the covenant with David. While the Abrahamic covenant is not often ignored
by interpreters of the Word, the Davidic usually receives the merest
attention. This is a fundamental defect, for the main themes of the
covenant, namely the throne, the King, and the kingdom, are vitally
important to any professed system of truth. It is not enough to say that
all the promises of the Davidic covenant have been fulfilled by Christ.
What aspects of the covenant have been fulfilled, what aspects remain to be
fulfilled, the question of literal or spiritual fulfillment, the relation
of the covenant and the kingdom to this age and to the Church, and the
future millennial reign of Christ must all be included in a complete
discussion of the covenant. Without a proper understanding of the Davidic
covenant, God's purposes concerning His own Son, His throne, His kingdom,
and His church are a hopeless blur. Premillennialism is the only system of
truth which can bring these things into focus.
I. THE ANALYSIS OF THE COVENANT
In these words God made His covenant with David:
pp77
And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers,
I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels,
and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and
I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father,
and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the
rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But my mercy shall
not depart away from him as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before
thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before
thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. (2 Sam. 7:12-16)
The background of the covenant is familiar. David desired to build a
temple for the Lord to replace the temporary tentlike tabernacle. David
himself lived in a house of cedar and it seemed only congruous to him that
there be a more permanent building for the center of worship. But to Nathan
the prophet was revealed that God had something far greater in mind for
David. In this revelation, which we call the Davidic covenant, there are
made certain promises to David and certain ones to his yet unborn son.
The promises of the covenant to David. God promised three things to
David. First, he was to have a posterity. The covenant explicitly states
that he would have a son and that David's house would be established
forever. This clearly has reference to David's physical descendants, for
David's line would always be the royal line. Secondly, David's throne was
to be established forever. Thirdly, David's kingdom was also to be
established forever. This has reference to the earthly, political kingdom
over Israel.
The promises of the covenant to Solomon. To Solomon likewise were
promised three things. First, he was promised that he would be the one to
build the temple. Secondly, God promised
pp78
that Solomon's throne would be established forever. It is important to
notice that Solomon received no promise that his seed would sit on that
throne forever. The promise was that David's seed would never be abolished,
but no similar promise was given to Solomon. This fine point must be
recognized in order to reconcile the provisions of the covenant with the
historic fulfillment, for Solomon's line was cut off from sitting on the
throne of David. Thirdly, chastisement was promised for disobedience, but
the perpetuity of the covenant is nevertheless assured. The Word of God is
perfectly plain concerning this, as already quoted. It seems as though God
especially anticipated the amillennial argument that disobedience abrogates
the covenant, and so He specifically says that it would not. History
records that disobedience did bring punishment, but the covenant stands
sure.
II. THE HISTORIC FULFILLMENT OF THE COVENANT
It is only necessary to mention briefly that David had a son, that
David's throne was established, that David's kingdom was established, that
Solomon built the temple, that his throne was established, and that he was
punished for disobedience. It is agreed by all conservatives that these
things were established forever, for all recognize that Christ is the
ultimate fulfiller of these promises. Luke 1:31-33 makes this clear:
And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son,
and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the
Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of
his father David: and he shall
pp79
reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be
no end.
Premillennialists agree with amillennialists in recognizing that
David's posterity had its consummation and eternal fulfillment in Jesus
Christ, for only the eternal Son of God could fulfill these promises.
However, the question of fulfillment not only consists in whether or not
Christ fulfills the promises of the covenant, but also must include a
discussion of when and how He fulfills them. In brief, the amillennialist
answer is that Christ fulfills these promises in His present session at the
right hand of God. The kingdom, therefore, is solely a spiritual one. The
premillennialist answers that the fulfillment is yet future and will take
place when Christ returns to the earth to set up and reign over a literal
kingdom beginning in the millennium and continuing throughout all eternity.
This is the teaching of the Old Testament passages which confirm the yet
unfulfilled promises of the covenant, and it is the teaching of the New
Testament even though the King was rejected. But before considering this,
it is necessary to deal with one additional problem concerning the historic
fulfillment of the covenant.
The question which must be answered is this: does the historic partial
fulfillment (conceived of as partial from the premillennial contention that
Christ is not now fulfilling the provisions of the covenant) disallow a
future literal fulfillment? The chief difficulties which history brings up
are three: (1) there has been no continuous development or continued
authority of the political kingdom of David, (2) Israel's captivity and the
downfall of the kingdom would seem to argue against a literal
interpretation for a future fulfillment, and (3) the
pp80
centuries which have passed since the first advent of Christ would seem to
indicate that a literal fulfillment should not be expected. Negatively, it
should be remembered that amillennialism has just as much difficulty as
premillennialism with the first two problems since they have to do with
events before the first coming of Christ. Positively, the premillennial
position holds that the partial historic fulfillment in no way mitigates
against the future fulfillment for these four reasons. First, the Old
Testament prophets expected a literal fulfillment even during Israel's
periods of great apostasy. Secondly, the covenant demands a literal
interpretation which also means a future fulfillment. Thirdly, the New
Testament teaches that the present mystery form of the kingdom in no way
abrogates the future literal fulfillment. Fourthly, the very words of the
covenant teach that, although Solomon be disobedient, the covenant would
nevertheless remain in force, and that Solomon's seed was not promised
perpetuity. The only necessary feature is that the lineage cannot be lost,
not that the throne be occupied continuously. It is a fact of history that
Solomon's line was cut off from the throne (Jer. 22:30; 36:30), and
although Joseph, Christ's legal father, was descended from Solomon (Matt.
1:7), Mary, His actual mother, was a descendant of another son of David,
Nathan (Luke 3:31). The important conclusion from all this is that:
... the line which was to fulfill the promise of the eternal throne
and eternal kingdom over Israel was preserved by God through a lineage
which in fact did not sit on the throne at all, from Nathan down to Christ.
It is, then, not necessary for the line to be unbroken as to actual conduct
of the kingdom, but it is rather that the lineage, royal prerogative, and
right
pp81
to the throne be preserved and never lost, even in sin, captivity, and
dispersion. It is not necessary, then, for continuous political government
to be in effect, but it is necessary that the line be not lost.--Walvoord,
Bibliotheca Sacra, CII, 161.
Part of the covenant, then, has been fulfilled literally in the past.
That there have been and are interruptions in the carrying out of the
provisions of the covenant does not mean that the yet unfulfilled parts
will not be fulfilled in the future.
III. THE LITERAL INTERPRETATION OF THE COVENANT
The importance of literal interpretation. Only literal interpretation
will bring out all the significantly prophetic features of the Davidic
covenant. First of all, if the covenant is interpreted literally, then it
follows that what Christ is doing now in His present session is not
fulfilling the Davidic covenant. In the Old Testament the throne of David
as perpetually promised is the throne of the house of Israel (Jer. 33:17).
If Christ is the Man who is fulfilling Jeremiah's statement, then He is
certainly not now fulfilling the Davidic covenant, for not one New
Testament reference can be found which teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ
is now on the throne of David, and His present relation to the Church
certainly has no equivalence to the throne of the house of Israel.
Twenty-one times in the New Testament Christ's present position is
described by the phrase, "at the right hand" of God, or of the Majesty on
High, etc., and this location is expressly defined as the throne of the
Father (Rev. 3:21; 12:5).
pp82
It then follows that if Christ is not now fulfilling the Davidic
covenant, there must be a future fulfillment, and if there is to be a
future fulfillment, then the premillennial system of interpretation is
required, for it alone gives a place for such a future earthly reign of
Christ. Therefore, the question of literal interpretation is extremely
important.
The arguments for literal interpretation. There is no better list of
arguments for the literal interpretation of the Davidic covenant than the
one which Peters gives.
(1) It is solemnly covenanted, confirmed by oath, and hence cannot be
altered or broken.
(2) The grammatical sense alone is becoming a covenant.
(3) The impression made on David, if erroneous, is disparaging to his
prophetical office.
(4) The conviction of Solomon (2 Chron. 6:14-16) was that it referred
to the literal throne and Kingdom.
(5) Solomon claims that the covenant was fulfilled in himself, but
only in so far that he too as David's son sat on David's throne. Some from
this wrongfully infer that the entire promise is conditional over against
the most express declarations to the contrary as to the distinguished One,
the pre-eminent Seed. It was indeed, conditional as to the ordinary seed of
David ... and if his seed would have yielded obedience, David's throne
would never have been vacated until the Seed, par excellence, came.... The
reader will not fail to observe that if fulfilled in Solomon, and not
having respect unto the Seed, how incongruous and irrelevant would be the
prophecies given afterward, as e.g. Jer. 33:17-26, etc.
(6) The language is that ordinarily used to denote the literal throne
and Kingdom of David....
(7) The prophets adopt the same language, and its constant reiteration
under Divine guidance is evidence that the plain grammatical sense is the
one intended.
(8) The prevailing belief of centuries, a national faith,
pp83
engendered by the language, under the teaching of inspired men, indicates
how the language is to be understood.
(9) This throne and Kingdom is one of promise and inheritance, and
hence refers not to the Divinity but to the Humanity of Jesus.
(10) This same is distinctively promised to David's Son "according to
the flesh" to be actually realized, and, therefore, He must appear the
Theocratic King as promised.
(11) We have not the slightest hint given that it is to be interpreted
in any other way than a literal one; any other is the result of pure
inference.
(12) Any other view than that of a literal interpretation involves the
grossest self-contradiction.
(13) The denial of a literal reception of the covenant robs the heir
of His covenanted inheritance.
(14) No grammatical rule can be laid down which will make David's
throne to be the Father's throne in the third heaven.
(15) That if the latter is attempted under the notion of "symbolical"
or "typical," then the credibility and meaning of the covenants are left to
the interpretations of men, and David himself becomes the "symbol" or
"type" of the Creator.
(16) That if David's throne is the Father's throne in heaven, then it
must have existed forever.
(17) If such covenanted promises are to be received figuratively, it
is inconceivable that they should be given in their present form without
some direct affirmation, in some place, of their figurative nature, God
foreseeing (if not literal) that for centuries they would be pre-eminently
calculated to foster false expectations, e.g. even from David to Christ.
(18) God is faithful in His promises and deceives no one in the
language of His covenants.
(19) No necessity existed, why if this throne promised to David's Son
meant something else, the throne should be so definitely promised in the
form given.
(20) The identical throne and Kingdom overthrown are the ones
restored.
(21) ... These, in connection with the covenants themselves, make
David's throne and Kingdom a requisite for the
pp84
display of that Theocratic ordering which God has already instituted ...
for the restoration and exaltation of the Jewish nation ... for the
salvation of the human race ... and for the dominion of a renewed
curse-delivered world.... Such a throne and Kingdom are necessary to
preserve the Divine Unity of Purpose in the already proposed Theocratic
line.--op. cit., 1, 343-44.
These reasons conclusively prove that the only proper way to regard
the covenant is literally, and this being true, the covenant must have a
future fulfillment which is according to the premillennial system of
interpretation.
IV. THE CONFIRMATION OF THE COVENANT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
The Old Testament is replete with confirmations of the promise of God
to establish His kingdom on the earth. The prophets are united in their
testimony, looking forward to and proclaiming a Messiah who would establish
the house of David on David's throne over David's kingdom. No other
conclusion is possible without perverting the meaning of these prophecies.
In the Psalms. Brief mention should be made of the forty-fifth Psalm
which speaks of the marriage of the King and of the seventy-second Psalm
which speaks of His character. By no stretch of the imagination could this
be made to refer to Solomon. The principal confirming Psalm is the
eighty-ninth which says in part:
I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my
servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build
pp85
up thy throne to all generations.... My mercy will I keep for him for
evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him, His seed also will I
make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven. If his
children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; If they break my
statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their
transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless
my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my
faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing
that is gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will
not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the
sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a
faithful witness in heaven. (Verses 3, 4, 28-37)
The Lord seemed to anticipate the amillennial argument, but He clearly
and definitely says that He will not alter or spiritualize, if you please,
the thing that has gone out of His lips (cf. verse 34). Surely there could
be no more certain confirmation of the future King and kingdom than this
which was given to David.
In Isaiah. Isaiah, a contemporary of Micah, also prophesied concerning
the visible, earthly kingdom as promised in the Davidic covenant. In the
days of the approaching Assyrian invasion, he said:
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the
government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince
of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no
end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to
establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isa. 9:6-7)
pp86
Chapters 11, 24, 25, 54, 60, 61, etc., all describe various aspects of
the kingdom and add to the proof that the kingdom promised to David and
confirmed by Isaiah is not the present session of Christ in heaven. Of
course, this is based on a literal interpretation of these passages, but
this only further confirms the consistency of the premillennial position.
In Jeremiah. Jeremiah standing among the falling ruins of the kingdom
nevertheless had the same unchanging confidence in the covenant that was
made with David. In the chapter immediately following the prediction of the
cutting off of Solomon's line from the throne, Jeremiah says:
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a
righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute
judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and
Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called,
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (23:5-6)
Certainly there was no fulfillment of this promise in the first advent
of the Man of sorrows. The world still awaits the day when this glorious
King shall reign and prosper in the earth. Again the prophet speaks:
For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I
will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and
strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: But they shall serve the
Lord their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
(30:8-9)
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will perform that good
thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of
Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of
righteousness to grow up unto David;
pp87
and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days
shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the
name wherewith she shall be called The Lord our righteousness. For thus
saith the Lord; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the
house of Israel.... Thus saith the Lord; If ye can break my covenant of the
day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and
night in their season; Then may also my covenant be broken with David my
servant. (33:14-17, 20-21)
If the prophet meant what he said--and what else can we
believe?--nothing from human history since the days of the Babylonian
captivity can be produced in fulfillment of these words.
In Ezekiel. Ezekiel, a prophet of the exile, speaks in the same manner
of the coming kingdom.
And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have
one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my
statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given
unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall
dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children
for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. (37:24-25)
In Daniel. Daniel, also a prophet of the exile, is important, for he
fixes the time of the kingdom as at the Second, not the first, Advent of
the Lord Jesus. In the prophecy recorded in Daniel 7:13-14, he says:
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came
with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they
brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory,
and a kingdom, that all people,
pp88
nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting
dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not
be destroyed.
In the minor prophets. In the so-called minor prophets there are a
number of passages which speak of the Davidic kingdom. We can only notice a
few of them.
Hosea anticipates Israel's separation from their right relationship
with God, but he also foretells with equal certainty their return.
For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and
without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and
without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of
Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall
fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days. (3:4-5)
Amos speaks of the same event when he says:
In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen,
and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I
will build it as in the days of old. (9:11)
Zechariah declares that at Christ's second coming, when "his feet
shall stand ... upon the mount of Olives" (14:4), "the Lord shall be king
over all the earth" (14:9). This, like Daniel's prophecy, fixes the time of
the kingdom as beginning at the Second Advent of Christ.
Thus the Old Testament proclaims a kingdom to be established on the
earth by the Messiah, the Son of David, as heir of the Davidic covenant.
The Jews expected such a kingdom for they took God literally at His word,
which strongly and
pp89
repeatedly confirmed the hopes and promises of the covenant with David.
V. THE CONFIRMATION OF THE COVENANT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
There is little doubt that the Old Testament predicted an earthly
kingdom. The all-important question is, did Christ change in any way this
conception when He came to earth and was rejected by His own people? In
order to answer fully this question it will be necessary to show the nature
of the kingdom as it was anticipated by the Jews from their own concept of
that kingdom and from the preaching of the day. Then the rejection, mystery
form, and future real form of the kingdom must be examined from the
Scriptures, for this is the crux of the matter and the chief point of
disagreement between premillennialism and amillennialism.
In the Jews' concept of the kingdom at the time of Christ. In spite of
the degraded political and moral condition of the nation Israel at the time
of Christ, the national hope of a kingdom was exceedingly strong. Jewish
thought at that time was permeated with the thought of this kingdom. The
terms, kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, etc., were on everyone's lips.
The concept which the Jews had of this kingdom at this time may be summed
up under these five characteristics: earthly, national, Messianic, moral,
and future.--Ceperley, The Kingdom Concept at the Time of Christ and Its
Significance, PP. 13-19.
The hope was for an earthly kingdom. When Israel saw Palestine under
the rule of a foreign power, her hope was the
pp90
more intensified, because the kingdom she expected was one that would be
set up on the earth and one that would naturally carry with it release from
foreign domination. The Scripture bears testimony to this for repeatedly
Christ is spoken of as "He that should come" (Luke 7:19), of the One whom
the people wanted to crown as king (John 6:15). The nation conceived of a
kingdom to be set up on the earth (cf. Matt. 20:20; Luke 1:71; 19:17;
24:21).
The kingdom was to be national; that is, the expected kingdom had a
specific relationship to Israel, being promised to that nation alone. Other
nations were not to be left outside the blessings of the kingdom, but it
was to center in Israel with Jerusalem as its capital.
The expected kingdom has often been referred to as the Messianic
kingdom since Messiah was to reign. Because of the nature of the expected
kingdom, the Messiah who was to come took on the character of a great
deliverer and military leader in the minds of the Jews of that day. Since
they recognized that He was to be born in Bethlehem, they thought He was to
live first in concealment before coming forth as a deliverer.
The kingdom was to be a moral kingdom, for Israel was to be cleansed
as a nation. However, the nation longed so for the deliverance from
political oppression that little thought was given to turning from sin.
This is why the preaching of repentance as a condition of entrance into the
kingdom was such a stumbling block to the people.
Obviously the kingdom was not yet in existence and was therefore
future at the time of the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even all
the glory under David and Solomon was not comparable to the expected
kingdom. Consequently, all of
pp91
Israel's beliefs concerning this kingdom were of the nature of unrealized
hopes. Israel looked to the future.
In this fivefold characterization of the Jews' expectation of the
kingdom there is definite confirmation of the features of the Davidic
covenant.
In the preaching of John the Baptist. John the Baptist's message was
simplicity itself. Matthew has recorded it: "In those days came John the
Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, And saying, Repent ye: for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:1-2). It is important to notice
that the word kingdom as used by John in his preaching is always made
definite by the use of the article. John does not speak of a kingdom but
the kingdom, and as far as the record is concerned it is the kingdom of
heaven. John also preached that it was at hand; that is, that it was future
and next on God's program for the Jewish nation. John does not define the
nature of the kingdom which he preached; rather, his exhortation was to
repent of sin. But in all of his preaching he confirms the hopes contained
in the promises of the Davidic covenant.
In the preaching of Christ. The ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ was
directed at first to the nation Israel. At His birth it was announced that
"he shall save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21), and the wise men
sought the "King of the Jews" (Matt. 2:2) who would rule the people Israel.
Christ continued to preach the message of the kingdom where John left off,
for "from that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 4:17, cf. 4:23; 9:35). The terminology
is identical with that of John the Baptist, for it is the kingdom of which
Christ spoke and it is viewed as being at hand.
pp92
In addition, the kingdom which Christ preached was one of
righteousness. Entrance was to be based on religious profession, the
righteousness of which was to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees
(Matt. 5:20). The Lord elaborates on the moral requirements in the Sermon
on the Mount which is a manifesto of the kingdom and which would have been
put into effect immediately had the offer of the kingdom been accepted at
that time. All the conditions were right--the King was there present, the
offer of the kingdom had been made, great multitudes were following Him
(Matt. 4:25). And so the King presents the constitution of the kingdom in
the Sermon on the Mount, but it was the very high standard of morality that
would be required that the Jews refused to accept.
In the preaching of the twelve. The twelve disciples were the first
commissioned by the Lord to proclaim the kingdom message.
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into
the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not.
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go,
preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matt 10:5-7)
Two things from this passage are striking. First, the message was the
same as that preached by John the Baptist and by Christ. Secondly, the
witness was to be only to the nation Israel. The twelve are specifically
commanded not to go to the Gentiles or even to the Samaritans. How can this
be explained except as a confirmation of the Davidic covenant?
All the evidence points to the confirmation of the visible, earthly
kingdom as first promised to David. This was the kingdom
pp93
announced by John the Baptist. It was the content of the early ministry of
Christ and of the twelve disciples whom He commissioned.
In the mystery form of the kingdom. This is the crucial point in the
interpretation of the Davidic covenant. The kingdom of heaven (literally of
the heavens, not in the heavens) which Christ faithfully offered while on
earth was the very same earthly, Messianic, Davidic kingdom which the Jews
expected from the Old Testament prophecies. But it is a matter of history
that such a kingdom was not ushered in at the first advent of Christ. Does
this abrogate the covenant, or was something new introduced at that time?
In the understanding of the mystery form of the kingdom lies the answer.
Two things enter into this: the rejection of the offered kingdom, and the
Lord's actual teaching concerning the mystery form of the kingdom.
Evidence of the rejection of the kingdom is found in many places. The
first is seen in the record that John the Baptist was placed in prison
(Matt. 11:2). Because of this rejection of John as well as the rejection of
His own message (cf. verse 19), the Lord Jesus pronounces judgment on the
cities wherein He had given greatest proof of His Messiahship through the
miracles He had performed (Matt. 11:20-21). (It is significant that at the
end of this chapter, in which occurs this first evidence of the rejection
of the kingdom, these words appear: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (verse 28), for these are words
which are entirely foreign to the kingdom message.) In chapter twelve the
record of the unpardonable sin is given, and these two chapters seem to be
the turning point in the account. Nevertheless,
pp94
other evidences of Christ's rejection are seen even to the very end of His
life. Later on in His ministry this occurred:
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his
disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said,
Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias,
or one of the prophets. (Matt. 16:13-14)
Near the very end of His life, Christ is seen still offering Himself
to the nation as their King, riding meek and lowly into Jerusalem (Matt
21), that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. At the very end He dies under
the claim to be the King of the Jews (Matt. 27:37). Clearly, then, the
kingdom was rejected by Israel.
The second part of the discussion concerns the teaching by our Lord of
the mystery form of the kingdom, and the principal passage involved is
Matthew 13. Though the details of this chapter have been a battleground for
interpreters through the years, it is only within our purpose to consider
certain features which are vital to the doctrine of the kingdom. Each of
the seven parables in the chapter, except the first one, is introduced with
the phrase "the kingdom of heaven is like to." However, in explaining to
the disciples the meaning of the first parable, which Christ had not
introduced in that way, He told them that to them it was given "to know the
mysteries of the kingdom of heaven" (verse 11). The subject, then, is well-established.
It is important to notice the time limits in the passage. The second
parable is introduced by these words, literally, "The kingdom of the
heavens has become like unto." This sets
pp95
the time limit for the beginning of the subject matter involved. In other
words, the kingdom of heaven was assuming the form described in the
parables at that time when Christ was personally ministering on the earth.
The end of the time period covered by these parables is indicated by the
phrase "end of the world" or more literally "the consummation of the age"
(verses 39-49). This is the time of the Second Advent of Christ when He
shall come in power and great glory. Therefore, it is clear that these
parables are concerned only with that time between the days when Christ
spoke them on the earth and the end of this age. This gives a clue to the
meaning of the phrase "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven."
Certainly the kingdom was not set up when Christ was on earth. Instead
it was rejected. However, the kingdom of heaven in mystery form was
established at the first advent of Christ. A mystery in the Scriptures is a
truth previously hidden but finally revealed. This is the definition
usually accepted by premillennialists and will have to be assumed to be
correct at this point. It will be defended by an inductive study in the
chapter on ecclesiology. In Matthew 13 the Lord is introducing the
mysteries of the kingdom, that is, something that was formerly unknown but
which is now revealed. The kingdom itself was not unknown to the Old
Testament prophets as has been shown, but the mystery form of the kingdom
was unknown then and could not be known until Christ's genuine offer of the
kingdom had been rejected. It is the mystery form of the kingdom of which
the Lord speaks in this chapter, and this is the form in which the kingdom
is established in this present age.
This is all-important for it shows ultimately that the present
pp96
session of Christ is not the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. If it
were, then the Lord need not have introduced the mystery form of the
kingdom at all, but rather He should have told the disciples that He would
fulfill the Davidic covenant in a new way, that is, by His session in
heaven. He did introduce something new, but it was not, as the
amillennialist claims, His present session in heaven, but instead it was
the mystery form of the kingdom. This coupled with the fact that the real
form of the kingdom, that is, the earthly, Messianic, and national kingdom,
was spoken of after this mystery form was introduced confirms the
premillennial interpretation of the New Testament confirmations of the
Davidic covenant.
While it is impossible to give here a detailed interpretation of each
of these parables, certain characteristic features of the kingdom of heaven
must be noticed. In doing so, the contrast between these and the
characteristics of the Church will be evident, and all of this will add to
the proof that the Church is not the kingdom over which Christ is now
reigning.
The parable of the sower teaches that religious profession is a
characteristic of the mystery form of the kingdom of heaven. Those who hear
the word of the Sower and who consequently make some sort of religious
profession are themselves then cast into the world for a testimony (cf. the
phrase "he that was sown" in verses 19, 20, 22, 23, R. V.). Only one-fourth
of them bear fruit, some to a greater and some to a lesser degree. This
one-fourth seem to be the only ones who are truly saved, for the point of
the parable is that profession is characteristic of the kingdom.
The second parable, the wheat and the tares, teaches the presence of
counterfeits in the kingdom of heaven, a characteristic
pp97
certainly not true of the Church. These are unquestionably unbelievers, for
they are called by the Lord "children of the wicked one" (verse 38). That
they are in the kingdom of heaven is also without question, for they are
"among the wheat" (verse 25).
The parable of the mustard seed teaches the abnormal growth of the
mystery form of the kingdom. The birds of the air (verses 4, 19, cf. Rev.
18:2) which lodge in the branches represent demonized human beings who are
part of Christendom. Abnormal growth and the sheltering of false religions,
then, are the two characteristics of the kingdom taught in this parable.
Leaven always speaks of evil, but not necessarily of evil persons.
Here, in this fourth parable, it may refer to evil doctrine which shall
permeate the kingdom of heaven in its mystery form. If evil persons were
meant, this parable would teach the same truth as the second one--a
seemingly needless repetition. Evil doctrine, according to this parable, is
characteristic of the kingdom.
The parable of the treasure speaks of the inclusion of Israel in the
kingdom of heaven, for Israel is yet to be restored and saved. This takes
place at the very end of the mystery form of the kingdom (Matt. 22:1-10).
The parable of the pearl teaches that the Church, the body of Christ,
is also a part of the kingdom of heaven in its mystery form. This was also
taught in the first and second parables.
The last parable, the dragnet, brings out the truth that the
unbelieving element of the kingdom will be separated from the believing
element at the end of the mystery form of the kingdom.
pp98
From this brief discussion of Matthew 13, two facts stand out as being
especially important to the argument. First, the characteristics of the
kingdom preclude its being the Church, which in turn means that the Church
is not fulfilling the Davidic covenant, and, secondly, the form of the
kingdom in this present age is temporary.
Before showing that the real form of the kingdom is also promised in
the New Testament, a brief word concerning the relation of the terms
kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God would be in place, although not
absolutely vital to the argument, since amillennialists have seized upon
this distinction with seemingly great glee, calling it "hairsplitting." If
we believe that the very words of the Scripture are inspired, then we must
believe that these different terms are not used by accident or without
purpose. Further, this brief discussion should serve to show that
premillennialism is the only system of interpretation which can cope with
such distinctions.
The phrase kingdom of heaven which is used at least thirty-six times
is confined to Matthew's Gospel. The phrase kingdom of God is used
explicitly at least seventy-two times in the New Testament. The
characteristics of the two are different The kingdom of heaven is
characterized by religious profession; the kingdom of God, by the new birth
(John 3:3). It follows that there are no unbelievers in the kingdom of God,
and nowhere is a separation of unbelievers out of the kingdom of God spoken
of. Both the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God experience abnormal
growth in the world (Mark 4:30-32), and both include a saved remnant of
Israel and the Church. In brief, there are significant distinctions between
the two that
pp99
make it erroneous to equate the terms; on the other hand, the similarities
pose no contradictions.
Exactly parallel passages in the Synoptic Gospels, which would seem to
make the kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God equivalent terms, are:
Matthew 4:17 and Mark 1:15; Matthew 10:7 and Luke 9:2; Matthew 11:11 and
Luke 7:28; Matthew 13:11, Mark 4:11 and Luke 8:10; and Matthew 13:31 and
Mark 4:20. However, we still must insist that similarity is not equivalence
and that the distinctions are not contradicted. In addition, it should be
remembered, in considering this entire problem, that the Holy Spirit may
quote Himself in the different Gospel accounts with complete freedom; that
Christ's messages were delivered in Aramaic and translated into Greek after
being condensed and interpreted under the guidance of the Holy Spirit; that
God led the various writers to select from the sayings of Christ those
things which were in keeping with the theme of each particular book; and in
each of the five instances listed above, what is said of the kingdom of
heaven and the kingdom of God is true of both.
In the real form of the kingdom. When the Lord Jesus Christ introduced
the truth of the mystery form of the kingdom, did He abrogate all the
promises of the Davidic covenant for the earthly, national, Messianic,
moral, and future kingdom? The answer is an emphatic no, and this will be
proved by citing three passages which concern the real form of the kingdom
but which were spoken after the time at which the Lord introduced the truth
of the mystery form of the kingdom.
The first is the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13). Like the
parables of Matthew 13 this one has been variously
pp100
misinterpreted, but for the present discussion our chief interest in the
parable is to determine the time indicated by it. If it refers to the
Second Coming of Christ, then this is proof that the promises concerning
the kingdom in its real form as anticipated by the Jews and proclaimed by
John the Baptist and others have not been abrogated, for this is a parable
of the kingdom of heaven (verse 1). Considering the entire Olivet discourse
in which this parable is set, it is evident, even without a detailed
exposition of all the words and phrases in the discourse which have a time
element in them, that all of them refer to the great tribulation or to
events connected with the Second Coming of Christ (cf. Matt. 24:3, 6, 7,
14, 15, 21, 29, 30, 37, 42, 44; 25:10, 19, 31). If the discourse as a whole
refers to the times of the Second Advent then the parable of the ten
virgins must also be interpreted of the last times of Israel. One agrees
with Andrus who says that a consistent interpretation of the parable itself
would be that:
The Bridegroom is coming with the bride to a wedding feast on the
earth (in the first part of the kingdom of heaven, the millennial kingdom
of Christ).... The virgins of the parable are not waiting with the bride
but as a welcoming party waiting for the Bridegroom and the bride.--The
Parable of the Ten Virgins, p. 43.
Whether or not one agrees with all the details of such an
interpretation, the fact still remains that the kingdom of heaven is linked
with the Second Coming of Christ and is not abrogated by the present
mystery form.
The Lord Jesus also confirms Israel's hope for an earthly kingdom in
His teaching concerning the judgment of the
pp101
nations (Matt. 25:31-46). Without going into all the details of the
interpretation of the passage, one would point out that to the nations on
the right hand Christ says, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (verse 34).
Fundamentally, it makes relatively little difference whether the judgment
is national or individual, whether unsaved individuals enter the millennium
or not, or what is the place of Gentiles (with whom this judgment is
concerned) in the kingdom. (Cf. Hamilton, op. cit., pp. 70-78, who makes
much of these minor points in order to cloud the real issue.) Not one of
these alternate views would weaken the proof intended from this passage;
that is, that the Lord, even after announcing the mystery form of the
kingdom, teaches that there is a future real form which will be ushered in
at His Second Coming.
The last passage to be cited as proof that the real form of the
kingdom has not been abrogated is the Amos quotation in Acts 15:14-17.
While it has been shown that on the basis of literal interpretation of Luke
1:31-33 it is God's purpose to fulfill the Davidic covenant, that there is
not one reference connecting the present session of Christ with the Davidic
throne, that the kingdom is in mystery form today, that the real form is
still expected in the future, a proper understanding of this passage will
clinch the argument that the present work of Christ is not identical with
the future kingdom reign. The council had met in Jerusalem to face the
question of the relationship of Judaism to Christianity. Schaff has well
said that:
The question of circumcision, or of the terms of admission of the
Gentiles to the Christian church ... involved the wider
pp102
question of the binding authority of the Mosaic law, yea, the whole
relation of Christianity to Judaism.--op. cit., I, 335.
After private and public deliberations, the key speech was delivered
by James who said:
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to
take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the
prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again
the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the
ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek
after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith
the Lord, who doeth all these things (Acts 15:14-17).
The entire ninth chapter of Amos from which the quotation is taken
bears on the interpretation of these verses in Acts, for Amos confirms the
fact that the "tabernacle of David" is the nation of Israel in contrast to
the Gentile nations. No exegesis could make it equivalent to the New
Testament Church. Gaebelein gives a good analysis of James' words citing
four points in the progression of thought. (The Acts of the Apostles, pp.
265-69.) First, God visits the Gentiles, taking from them a people for His
name. In other words, God has promised to bless the Gentiles as well as
Israel, but each in his own order. The Gentile blessing is first. Secondly,
Christ will return. This is after the outcalling of the people for His
name. Thirdly, as a result of the Coming of the Lord, the tabernacle of
David will be built again; that is, the kingdom will be established as
promised in the Davidic covenant. Amos clearly declares that this
rebuilding will be done "as in the days of old" (9:11); that is, the
blessings will be earthly and
103
national and will have nothing to do with the Church. Fourthly, the residue
of men will seek the Lord, that is, all the Gentiles will be brought to a
knowledge of the Lord after the kingdom is established. Isaiah 2:2; 11:10;
40:5; 66:23 teach the same truth. Summarizing the teaching of these verses
Walvoord has well said:
Instead of identifying the period of Gentile conversion with the
rebuilding of the tabernacle of David, it is carefully distinguished by the
first (Gentile blessing), and after this, referring to Israel's coming
glory. The passage instead of identifying God's purpose for the church and
for the nation Israel established a specific time order. Israel's blessing
will not come until "I return," apparently a reference to the second coming
of Christ. That it could not refer either to the Incarnation or to the
coming of the Spirit at Pentecost is evident in that neither are
"return's." The passage under consideration constitutes, then, an important
guide in determining the purpose of God. God will first conclude His work
for the Gentiles in the period of Israel's dispersion; then He will return
to bring in the promised blessings for Israel. It is needless to say that
this confirms the interpretation that Christ is not now on the throne of
David bringing blessing to Israel as the prophets predicted, but He is
rather on His Father's throne waiting for the coming earthly kingdom and
interceding for His own who form the church.--Bibliotheca Sacra, CII, 164.
This concludes the study of the Davidic covenant. It has been shown
that the covenant demands literal interpretation and literal fulfillment.
Some of its promises have been fulfilled, but this in no way hinders a
future fulfillment; in fact, it guarantees it. The covenant was confirmed
over and over in the Old Testament, all the prophets agreeing as to the
literal, future, earthly kingdom. Moreover, the New Testament does
pp104
not in any way abrogate the provisions of the covenant. It is true that a
new thing is revealed; that is, the mystery form of the kingdom, but
explicit references to the kingdom as promised and anticipated in the Old
Testament are also found after the revelation of the mystery form of the
kingdom. Finally, the New Testament nowhere identifies the present work of
Christ with the throne and kingdom of David, but rather specifically
separates the period of present Gentile blessing from that of Israel's
future glory. Thus, in the Davidic covenant premillennialism has a firm
basis.
pp105
Chapter 6
Its Basis in the New Covenant
Although the new covenant is one of the major covenants of Scripture,
a clear statement of its meaning and of its relation to the premillennial
system is needed. Even among premillennialists there seems to be a lack of
knowledge concerning this covenant.
As in the other covenants, the question here is again the question of
fulfillment. No matter what may be the eschatological persuasion, all
conservatives recognize that God made a promise of a new covenant when He
said, "I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the
house of Judah" (Jer. 31:31), and all agree that our God keeps His word.
While admitting this, however, many do not face fairly the question of
fulfillment.
It is of utmost importance in treating this subject to compare the Old
Testament and the New Testament teaching concerning the new covenant with
Israel. If, as some claim, the New Testament alters the teaching of the Old
Testament, then this promise may not, indeed need not, have a literal
fulfillment. If it can be shown, on the other hand, that the New Testament
passages which refer to the new covenant in no way abrogate the new
covenant with Israel or in no way assign its
pp106
fulfillment to the Church, then it must be concluded that the new covenant
with Israel is yet to be fulfilled if God's Word is not to be broken. If
this is true, the only period in which it can be fulfilled is the
millennium, and, of course, the only system of interpretation which allows
for a literal millennium is premillennialism.
I. THE ISSUES INVOLVED
It is profitable always at the very outset to have in mind the issues
involved. The solution of this problem concerning the new covenant with
Israel hinges on three determinative issues.
First, are the promises given to Israel in the new covenant being
fulfilled in this age? The answer to this question will either further
justify or weaken premillennialism.
Secondly, how does the New Testament use the term new covenant? The
answer to this question will give additional confirmation to the first and
will be a basis for other conclusions.
Thirdly, what is the explicit teaching of the New Testament concerning
the new covenant? The New Testament quotes from the Old Testament the major
passage on the new covenant and draws certain conclusions. What these are,
and their relation to the doctrine as a whole, will in large measure
determine the answer to the entire question.
II. PREMILLENNIALISTS' INTERPRETATION OF THE NEW COVENANT
Premillennialists are divided into three groups as far as their
interpretation of the new covenant is concerned. This does not
pp107
evince weakness, for not one of the views contradicts the system. Two views
are essentially the same, and the third is the one extreme of which
amillennialism is the other. This is the view that the new covenant
directly concerns Israel and has no relationship to the Church. It is not
denied that the Church has a covenant, but it is emphasized that this is
not specifically a new covenant but rather the only covenant. This approach
to the problem of interpretation is not generally held by premillennialists
although J.N. Darby held this view.
The most common view among premillennialists concerning the new
covenant is that which is set forth in the notes of the Scofield Reference
Bible. This interpretation holds that the one new covenant has two aspects,
one which applies to Israel, and one which applies to the church. These
have been called the realistic and spiritual aspects of the covenant, but
both aspects comprise essentially one covenant based on the sacrifice of
the Lord Jesus Christ.
The third form which premillennial interpretation takes is that which
distinguishes the new covenant with Israel from the new covenant with the
Church. This view finds two new covenants in which the promises to Israel
and the promises to the Church are more sharply distinguished even though
both new covenants are based on the one sacrifice of Christ. This view does
not differ essentially from the view that holds that there are two aspects
to the one covenant, but it at least shows that the Scripture will support
a sharp distinction between Israel and the Church which further strengthens
the premillennial position. One cannot see that the one covenant, two
aspects interpretation absolutely contradicts the entire
pp108
premillennial system, but at least this chapter will show that another
interpretation, namely two new covenants, is possible.
III. THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING ON THE NEW COVENANT WITH ISRAEL
The people of the new covenant. The teaching of the Old Testament is
that the new covenant therein given is for the Jewish people. This is seen
for several reasons.
First, it is seen by the fact of the words of establishment of the
covenant. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new
covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah" (Jer.
31:31). Peters points out that this verse "which as all commentators admit
(however they may afterward spiritualize) in its literal aspect denotes the
Jewish people." (op. cit., I, 322.) Verse 33 of the same passage reaffirms
the fact that the covenant is made with Israel, and this is recognized by
such Old Testament scholars as Keil and Orelli even though they afterward
spiritualize the truth. Other passages which support this fact are: Isaiah
59:20-21; 61:8-9; Jeremiah 32:37-40; 50:4-5; Ezekiel 16:60-63; 34:25-26;
37:21-28.
Secondly, that the Old Testament teaches that the new covenant is for
Israel is also seen by the fact of its very name. In the central passage in
Jeremiah 31:31-34 it is contrasted with the Mosaic covenant. Since, then,
the new covenant is made with the same people as the Mosaic was, the
important question is, with whom was the Mosaic covenant made? We believe
that the Scripture clearly teaches that the Mosaic covenant of the law was
made with the nation Israel only. Romans 2:14
pp109
definitely states that the law was not given to the Gentiles. Romans 6:14
and Galatians 3:24-25 show that the Christian is not under the law. Second
Corinthians 3:7-11 states that the ten commandments specifically ("written
and engraven in stones") are done away (verse 11). The Old Testament, to
which appeal is made in this section, conclusively states that the law was
for Israel only.
These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the Lord made
between him and the children of Israel in Mount Sinai by the hand of Moses
(Lev. 26:46).
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so
righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? (Deut 4:8)
There can be no question as to whom pertains the law. It is for Israel
alone, and since this old covenant was made with Israel, the new covenant
is made with the same people, no other group or nation being in view.
Thirdly, that the Old Testament teaches that the new covenant is for
Israel is also seen by the fact that in its establishment the perpetuity of
the nation Israel and her restoration to the land is vitally linked with it
(Jer. 31:35-40). The Church is never called a nation, and the national
aspect of this covenant concerns an earthly people. In the passage cited
the points of identification, the tower of Hananeel, the hill of Gareb, and
the brook Kidron, concern the city of Jerusalem. This has to be the literal
city which has a geographical position in Palestine on this earth. It
cannot possibly be the New Jerusalem or heavenly city, for where, for
instance, in the environs of the New Jerusalem is there a "valley of the
dead bodies, and of
pp110
the ashes" (verse 40)? It must refer to the boundaries of the restored city
of Jerusalem. Cf. Zechariah 14:9-11.
Thus we conclude that for these three incontrovertible reasons, the
very words of the text, the name itself, and the linking with the
perpetuity of the nation, the new covenant according to the teaching of the
Old Testament is for the people of Israel.
The period of the new covenant. According to the teaching of the Old
Testament the new covenant is yet future. Hosea regarded it as future seven
hundred years before the time of Christ (2:18-20). About the same time
Isaiah said, "I will make an everlasting covenant with you" (55:3). A
century later Jeremiah prophesied as recorded in the thirty-first chapter
already quoted. At the time of the prophecies of Ezekiel the new covenant
was still future (16:60, 62; 20:37; 34:25-26).
Isaiah 59:20-21 also tells the period of the new covenant, that is,
when "the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from
transgression in Jacob." According to Romans 11:26-27, where this passage
is quoted, the period of the new covenant was still future at the time of
the Apostle Paul. Israel's covenant with Messiah is yet to be accomplished
and that only when their iniquity has been purged by the return of Messiah.
Further, the period of the new covenant is vitally linked with the
restoration of Israel to her land. Jeremiah says:
Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven
them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring
them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely.... And I
will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from
them, to do
pp111
them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not
depart from me. Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will
plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole
soul (32:37, 40-41).
The sequence of events set up by the prophet is that Israel will first
be regathered and restored to the land and then will experience the
blessings of the new covenant in the land. History records no such
sequence. God cannot fulfill the covenant until Israel is regathered as a
nation. Her complete restoration is demanded by the new covenant, and this
has not yet taken place in the history of the world. The Jewish state of
Israel established in Palestine today is not the fulfillment of prophecies
concerning the nation Israel in the prophetic Word. Israel is constituted
as a nation in God's sight even while in dispersion, and the fact that a
portion of the Jewish people have constituted themselves a political entity
does not make this portion the nation of prophecy. Fulfillment of the
prophecies requires the regathering of all Israel, their spiritual rebirth,
and the return of Christ. Present-day Israel, though doubtless a forerunner
of and a preparation for the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning
Israel as a nation in the future, is characterized only by a partial return
in unbelief.
Finally, it can be shown that the period of the new covenant is
millennial. The following passages, which are limited to those whose
contexts speak of the new covenant, give descriptions of some of the
blessings to be experienced in the time of the fulfillment of the new
covenant.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man
his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall
pp112
all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the
Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no
more (Jer. 31:34).
And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil
beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the
wilderness, and sleep in the woods (Ezek. 34:25).
Both universal knowledge of the Lord and changes in the animal kingdom
are millennial blessings according to Isaiah 11:6-9. Therefore, the new
covenant is not only future but millennial.
For the sake of completeness a word must be added concerning the
everlasting character of the covenant. The question naturally arises, does
the covenant relate only to the kingdom age or is it truly everlasting?
Both things are true. It begins in the millennium and is perpetuated
throughout the eternal state.
The provisions of the new covenant. The following provisions for
Israel, the people of the new covenant, to be fulfilled in the millennium,
the period of the new covenant, are found in the Old Testament.
(1) The new covenant is an unconditional, grace covenant resting on
the "I will" of God. The frequency of the use of the phrase in Jeremiah
31:31-34 is striking. Cf. Ezekiel 16:60-62.
(2) The new covenant is an everlasting covenant. This is closely
related to the fact that it is unconditional and made in grace. The
Scripture clearly says:
For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt-offering; and I
will direct their work in truth, and I will make
pp113
an everlasting covenant with them (Isa. 61:8, cf. Ezek. 37:26; Jer.
31:35-37).
(3) The new covenant also promises the impartation of a renewed mind
and heart which we may call regeneration.
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of
Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward
parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall
be my people (Jer. 31:33, cf. Isa. 59:21).
(4) The new covenant provides for restoration to the favor and
blessing of God.
And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee
unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in
mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt
know the Lord (Hos. 2:19-20, cf Isa. 61:9).
(5) Forgiveness of sin is also included in the covenant, "for I will
remove their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" (Jer.
31:34b).
(6) The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is also included. This is seen
by comparing Jeremiah 31:33 with Ezekiel 36:27.
(7) The teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit will be manifested, and
the will of God will be known by obedient hearts.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man
his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the
least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord (Jer. 31:34).
pp114
(8) As is always the case when Israel is in the land, she will be
blessed materially in accordance with the provisions of the new covenant.
Jeremiah declares that God "will rejoice over them to do them good"
(32:41), and Isaiah says that He "will direct their work in truth" (61:8).
As a part of this blessing the land will again be their own, for God has
promised that He "will plant them in this land assuredly with ... [His]
whole heart and ... soul" (Jer. 32:41). Beasts will be tamed and nature
will again function according to the best interests of the productivity of
the soil (Ezek. 34:25-27).
(9) The sanctuary will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, for it is written "I
... will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle
also shall be with them" (Ezek. 37:26-27a).
(10) War shall cease and peace shall reign according to Hosea 2:18.
The fact that this is also a definite characteristic of the millennium
(Isa. 2:4) further supports the fact that the new covenant is millennial in
its fulfillment.
(11) The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation of all the
blessings of the new covenant, for "by the blood of thy covenant I have
sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water" (Zech. 9:11).
By way of summary, it may be said that as far as the Old Testament
teaching on the new covenant is concerned, the covenant was made with the
Jewish people. Its period of fulfillment is yet future beginning when the
Deliverer shall come and continuing throughout all eternity. Its provisions
for the nation Israel are glorious, and they all rest and depend on the
very Word of God.
IV. THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING ON THE NEW COVENANT WITH ISRAEL
This is the most crucial section in the consideration of the new
covenant. The important factors to be considered are the use of the term
new covenant and the actual teaching of the New Testament on the new
covenant. The premillennial system has been justified by the Old Testament
teaching concerning the new covenant, for the provisions have not been
fulfilled in this present age. Now the question is, does the New Testament
change all this? If it does, premillennialism is weakened; if not, it is
further strengthened, all of which shows the vital relationship that exists
between the new covenant and the premillennial system.
The use of the term in the New Testament. The term new covenant is
used in five undisputed New Testament passages:
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new
testament in my blood, which is shed for you (Luke 22:20).
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped,
saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye
drink it, in remembrance of me (1 Cor. 11:25).
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the
letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth
life (2 Cor. 3:6).
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith
the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with
the house of Judah (Heb. 8:8).
pp116
And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by
means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under
the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of
eternal inheritance (Heb. 9:15).
In addition, there are six further references to the new covenant in
the New Testament.
For this is the blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for
the remission of sins (Matt. 26:28).
And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is
shed for many (Mk. 14:24).
For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins
(Rom. 11:27).
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and
write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be
to me a people (Heb. 8:10).
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that
which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away (Heb. 10:13).
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of
sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel (Heb. 12:24).
The word new is not mentioned in Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Romans
11:27; and Hebrews 8:10, although it is found in some texts of the Gospel
references. A critical study of the text is not necessary, for it is clear
from the parallel references in Luke 22:20 and First Corinthians 11:25 that
the references in Matthew and Mark also refer to the new covenant. The
contexts of Romans 11:27 and Hebrews 8:10 clearly indicate
pp117
that the new covenant is in view in these passages even though the word new
is not used. In Hebrews 12:24 the word _nea is used instead of the usual
adjective _kaine, which brings out the fact that the covenant is recent in
its beginning as well as new in quality.
The use of the term in the first two references, Luke 22:20 and First
Corinthians 11:25, is in connection with the Lord's Supper. Since the
Lord's Supper is an ordinance of the Christian Church and is for both Jew
and Gentile, it is obvious that the new covenant as referred to in the New
Testament is not entirely Jewish. In fact, there must be a new covenant
according to the teaching of the New Testament that is made with the
Church. It is of this same covenant that Paul was a minister (2 Cor. 3:6),
and since he was a minister to the Gentiles, the scope of this new covenant
must be different from the one revealed in the Old Testament.
Hebrews 9:15 teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ is the mediator of the
new covenant. The death of Christ is necessary to the assuring of the
provisions of the new covenant which He makes in His death. This may seem
like arguing in a circle, but this is exactly what the writer states. In
this same Epistle is the final reference to the new covenant (8:8), and
this is the only New Testament reference which clearly relates the term new
covenant to Israel. This is the determining reference in relation to the
premillennial system; it will be studied in detail.
Before doing that, however, we must emphasize that the new covenant as
instituted at the Lord's Supper was extended to include other than the
Jewish people, for it was "for many" (Matt. 26:28; Mk. 14:24). One cannot
deny that the Church receives similar blessings to those of the new
covenant with
pp118
Israel, but similarity is not fulfillment. Regeneration, indwelling of the
Holy Spirit, teaching of the Holy Spirit, and forgiveness of sins, which
are the four important blessings promised to Israel in Jeremiah 31:31-34,
are all promised to those who believe on Christ in this age. In the light
of these facts, could it not be that there is a new covenant for the Church
as well as a new covenant for Israel?
If the Church does not have a new covenant then she is fulfilling
Israel's promises, for it has been shown that the Old Testament teaches
that the new covenant is for Israel alone. If the Church is fulfilling
Israel's promises as contained in the new covenant or anywhere in
Scripture, then premillennialism is weakened. One might well ask why there
are not two aspects to one new covenant. This may be the case, and it is
the position held by many premillennialists, but we agree that the
amillennialist has every right to say of this view that it is "a practical
admission that the new covenant is fulfilled in and to the Church." (Allis,
op. Cit., p. 153.) However, since the New Testament will support two new
covenants, is it not more consistent premillennialism to consider that
Israel and the Church each has a new covenant?
What, then, is the old covenant with the Church? Some
premillennialists would answer that the so-called Adamic covenant (Gen.
3:14-19) is to the new covenant with the Church as the Mosaic covenant is
to the new covenant with Israel. This may be so, but why is there any need
for an old covenant with the Church if the word new means new in quality? A
new quality does not demand at all a contrasting old quality. In either
case, this does not affect the premillennial system of interpretation.
pp119
We have demonstrated that there is a possible solution which is consistent
with the system, and that is sufficient.
The use of the Old Testament quotations of the new covenant in the New
Testament. It is now necessary to consider what use the New Testament makes
of the quotations of the new covenant from the Old Testament. This section
will strengthen the conclusion of the previous section that there are two
new covenants by showing that the New Testament teaches that the new
covenant with Israel is yet future and that the promises are in no way
abrogated or assigned to the Church. The principal passage to be considered
is Hebrews 8:6-13 with references to Hebrews 10:16-17 and Romans 11:26-27.
In order to discover the teaching of these passages, five questions must be
answered.
First, who are the people addressed? The Epistle to the Hebrews is, as
its title indicates, addressed to Jewish people. It was written to Hebrew
converts and treats Hebrew institutions. The point is simply this: in an
Epistle addressed to Jewish believers one would expect to find a reference
to Israel's covenants and in particular to the new covenant with Israel.
Admittedly, the fact that this is an Epistle to Hebrews certainly does not
prove that the new covenant therein mentioned is the one with Israel, but
it is supporting evidence to this fact.
Secondly, what is the proof intended? The plan of the Epistle is to
show the contrast between Judaism and the better things of Christianity.
The writer has shown in the earlier chapters that Christ is better than
angels, than Moses, than Joshua, and than Aaron. In chapter 8 he continues
by showing that Christianity has a better covenant than Judaism and Christ
is the mediator of this better covenant established on better
pp120
promises (8:6). The writer proves this by contrasting the Mosaic covenant.
This covenant was never eternal, and this is proved to these people of
Jewish background by quoting from the Old Testament the central passage on
the new covenant. This shows that even the Old Testament anticipated the
temporary character of the Mosaic covenant; nevertheless, Christians by
contrast have a better covenant.
Thirdly, what is the purpose of the quotation? As intimated above, the
purpose of the quotation from Jeremiah 31 is to show from the Old Testament
Scriptures that the Mosaic covenant is not eternal. Amillennial exegesis
attempts to make this passage prove that the church is now fulfilling
Israel's promises. Allis says:
The passage speaks of the new covenant. It declares that this new
covenant has been already introduced and that by virtue of the fact it is
called "new" it has made the one which it is replacing "old," and that the
old is about to vanish away. It would be hard to find a clearer reference
to the gospel age in the Old Testament than in these verses in
Jeremiah.--op. cit., p. 154.
Walvoord has well answered this by saying:
Dr. Allis has stated well the amillennial position, and has also
himself indicated its fallacy, in the opinion of the writer, by begging the
question. He states that the Hebrews passage "declares that this new
covenant has been already introduced." The passage states that a "better
covenant" than the Mosaic covenant has been introduced (Heb. 8:6), but it
does not state here or anywhere else that this better covenant is identical
with the "new covenant with the house of Israel," or that the new covenant
with Israel has been introduced. The argument of the passage does not hinge
on this point at all, but rather on
pp121
whether the Old Testament in any way anticipated an end to the Mosaic
covenant. This the Old Testament does, but it does not follow that the new
covenant of the Old Testament is identical with the better covenant of
Hebrews.--Bibliotheca Sacra, CIII, 18-19.
Indeed it would follow that the better covenant of Hebrews is that
which the Lord Jesus established with the Church, that , is, the new
covenant with the Church. This means that the writer of the Epistle has
referred to both new covenants, and by his reference to the new covenant
with Israel in the quotation from Jeremiah 31, he shows that it has not
been annulled. It is important to notice that nowhere does the writer say
that the covenant with Israel is fulfilled. Indeed that is the reason for
the lack of appeal to the content of the covenant. As Walvoord further
says:
There is no appeal at all to the content of the new covenant with
Israel as being identical with the better covenant of which Hebrews speaks.
The very absence of such an appeal is as strong as any argument from
silence can be. It would have been a crushing blow to the opponents of the
Christian order among the Jews to be faced with a quotation which described
in detail the promises of God to the church. The writer instead merely
refers to the word new and goes on to show in Hebrews nine how the
Christian order superseded the sacraments of the Mosaic covenant.--Ibid.,
p. 25.
In Hebrews 10:16-17 there is another quotation of the new covenant
with Israel, and the problem of interpretation is much the same. The
argument here is that the sacrifice of Christ supersedes the sacrifices
under the Mosaic covenant, and the appeal to the new covenant with Israel
is to show that the
pp122
Old Testament Scriptures promised that sins would be remembered no more.
The passage does not state that the new covenant with Israel is identical
with the new covenant with the Church or that it is fulfilled by the
Church.
Fourthly, what people are concerned? It quite naturally follows from a
right understanding of the Jeremiah quotation in Hebrews 8 that the people
in view are the Jewish people. In other words, the New Testament does not
disannul the promises of God to Israel as contained in the new covenant
with Israel. Furthermore, the New Testament verifies the Old Testament
teaching that the people of the new covenant are Israel. Amillennial
exegesis makes "the house of Israel and the house of Judah" mean the people
of God in general. On what basis such statements are made is beyond
imagination. One would like to ask how the Old Testament Scriptures are to
be handled, especially the curses on Israel, if passages specifically
addressed to the Jews are for all men also. This is certainly not sound
exegesis of the words Israel and Judah. The new covenant of Hebrews 8:7-13
belongs to the Jewish people and not to the Church.
Fifthly, what is the period of fulfillment? Although Hebrews 8 does
not make any explicit statement concerning the time of fulfillment of the
new covenant with Israel, the passage does imply that it is still
unfulfilled. It has been seen that there is no appeal to the content of the
new covenant as would have been the case if the writer were saying that it
is now fulfilled. However, there is in the New Testament one additional
quotation of the central Old Testament passage on the new covenant which
clearly states the time of fulfillment of the yet
pp123
unfulfilled new covenant with Israel. The passage is Romans 11:26-27:
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come
out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For
this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Verse 27 is obviously a reference to the new covenant with Israel (cf.
Jer. 31:34); therefore, a right understanding of the period of fulfillment
of this passage will tell us the period of fulfillment of the new covenant
with Israel. At this point amillennialists are divided. Some hold that "all
Israel" means all believers. Evidently Allis is among this group although
he passes by Romans 11:26 with only a footnote reference in which he tries
to show that Romans 11 says nothing of Israel's restoration. He argues that
Paul is not speaking of Israel's restoration because he does not speak of
restoration to the land, which is certainly no argument at all. However,
this view of the meaning of "all Israel" is consistent amillennialism, for
if the new covenant is now assigned to believers then "all Israel" must
also refer to all believers.
Many amillennialists, on the other hand, admit on the basis of careful
exegesis that Israel must mean Israel. Usually they say that "all Israel"
refers to the elect remnant of Israel. Although they interpret the passage
literally, they will not admit a group deliverance of the nation Israel but
only an individual deliverance. Here their dilemma shows the inconsistency
of the amillennial position, for if all Israel is to be saved on the basis
of the new covenant, as Romans 11:25-26 states,
pp124
and if "all Israel" means the remnant of the Jews, then the new covenant is
still with the Jews and not with the Church, even though, according to
amillennialism, it is being fulfilled in this present age!
The premillennial position and teaching of the passage is that Israel
will be restored as a nation at the Second Coming of Christ. In Romans 11
Paul has been considering the setting aside of Israel as a nation, and
likewise the restoration is as a nation. This will take place when the
Deliverer comes out of Zion, that is, at Christ's Second Coming, and at
this same time God will fulfill the promises to Israel contained in the new
covenant. Thus the New Testament instead of assigning the new covenant a
present fulfillment in the Church, teaches not only that it is as yet
unfulfilled but also that it will be fulfilled to Israel at the Second
Coming of Christ.
V. CONCLUSION
In considering, first of all, the teaching of the Old Testament we
have concluded that the new covenant is for Israel, and if language means
anything at all, this means the natural descendants of Abraham through
Jacob. Also the Old Testament teaches that the new covenant is yet future,
and by comparing millennial passages it is clear that the period of
fulfillment is the millennium.
The occurrences of the term new covenant in the New Testament show
that there is a wider meaning than to Israel alone. Some of the blessings
of the new covenant with Israel are blessings which we enjoy now as members
of the body of Christ, and on this basis it was concluded that there is a
new
pp125
covenant with the Church. This is substantiated by the teaching of the New
Testament, for the Scripture nowhere abrogates the new covenant with Israel
or assigns its fulfillment to the Church. Indeed, the New Testament
explicitly states that the new covenant with Israel will be fulfilled at
the Second coming of Christ. Hebrews 8 quotes the new covenant with Israel
only to show that the Old Testament anticipated an end to the Mosaic
covenant and that Christians have a better covenant, that is, the new
covenant with the Church.
In all of this, premillennialism has been confirmed. Israel means
Israel and her promises have not been fulfilled by the Church. Since they
have not, they must be fulfilled in the millennium if God's Word is not to
be broken. The induction that there are two new covenants strengthens the
premillennial position and does not permit the amillennialist to say that
the Church is fulfilling Israel's promises. Thus, again, premillennialism
rests on a firm basis in the teaching of the Word of God concerning the new
covenant.
pp126
Chapter 7
Its Basis in Ecclesiology
In ecclesiology, the doctrine of the Church, premillennialism has a
firm basis. It was stated in the introduction that premillennial
interpretation extends to the whole system of doctrine, and while it is
impossible here to state the entire premillennial doctrine of ecclesiology
it is necessary to relate certain features of ecclesiology in which
premillennialism has its roots.
The main point in question is whether or not the Church is a distinct
body in this present age. If the Church is not a subject of Old Testament
prophecy, then the Church is not fulfilling Israel's promises, but instead
Israel herself must fulfill them and that in the future. In brief,
premillennialism with a dispensational view recognizes the Church as a
distinct entity, distinct from Israel in her beginning, in her relation to
this age, and in her promises. If the Church is not a distinct body, then
the door is open wide for amillennialism to enter with its ideas that the
Church is some sort of full-bloomed development of Judaism and the
fulfiller of Israel's promises of blessing (but not of judgment). Thus
premillennialism and ecclesiology are inseparably related.
Since the entire field of ecclesiology cannot be covered, the argument
will be along these lines. First of all it is necessary
pp127
to see if the Scriptures, in setting forth the program of God for Israel,
allow for an interposition of this church age. Then it must be proved
whether or not the designation of the Church as a mystery means that it was
unknown to the Old Testament prophets. Finally one must examine the
teaching of the Scripture concerning the use of the word church to see if
the Church is a distinct body in this age.
I. THE CHURCH, AN INTERCALATION
The first question asked above is answered by the teaching of the
Scriptures that the Church is an intercalation. It makes little difference
to the doctrine whether one wishes to call the Church a parenthesis or an
intercalation, but since a parenthesis is related primarily to grammar and
an intercalation does mean an introduction of a period of time into a
calendar, the latter word seems more accurate. Allis admits that "the
parenthesis view of the Church is the inevitable result of the doctrine
that Old Testament prophecy must be fulfilled literally to Israel," (op.
Cit., p. 54) and yet he endeavors to prove that there is no idea of a
parenthesis in Scripture.
No originality is claimed here, and since H.A. Ironside has done an
exhaustive piece of work, his conclusions will merely be summarized. (The
Great Parenthesis, pp. 15-131) These illustrations show that there is
abundant Scripture evidence for a parenthesis or intercalation. This being
true, then it will have been demonstrated that in the Scripture's setting
forth of God's program for Israel there is allowance made for the
interpolation of this present church age.
pp128
Daniel 9:24-27. While the explanation of all the details of this
prophecy is not within the scope of this chapter, certain facts are
important to the discussion. The prophecy concerns the nation Israel, for
the angel speaks of Daniel's people (verse 24). The prophecy concerns
seventy weeks of years which are divided into seven weeks (49 years),
sixty-two weeks (434 years) and one week (7 years). The beginning of the
reckoning is the twentieth year of Artaxerxes, 445 B.C. According to Sir
Robert Anderson's calculations, the Lord Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem
exactly sixty-nine weeks of years later. Therefore there remains but one
week to be fulfilled, and since the first sixty-nine have been fulfilled
literally, it may be expected that the seventieth will be fulfilled in the
same manner. Clearly there is an interval of time between the sixty-ninth
and seventieth weeks, and the interval is the church age.
Isaiah 61:2-3. When the Lord Jesus Christ was reading in the synagogue
at Nazareth (Luke 4:16-19) He read from this passage in Isaiah, but He
significantly stopped the reading with the words "the acceptable year of
the Lord" even though the Isaiah passage goes on to speak of "the day of
vengeance of our God." The Lord, however, was distinguishing between the
events connected with His first coming and those of His Second Coming. He
did not continue the reading because He knew that the events of Isaiah 61
were not continuous and that the day of vengeance of our God was not due to
begin at that time. In other words, the Lord Jesus made room for the
parenthesis of this church age which has already lasted more than nineteen
hundred years.
Daniel 2. In this chapter which sets forth the times of the Gentiles,
the parenthesis occurs within the Roman empire. The
pp129
last condition of the empire, symbolized by the feet with the ten toes, has
never existed, for there have never arisen these ten kingdoms at the same
time. This same parenthesis is seen between verses 23 and 24 of the seventh
chapter, between 8:22 and 23, and between 11:35 and 36- These passages
should be studied in detail, but the only point to be made here is that the
Old Testament allows for the present age although it does not foresee it.
In Hosea. In Hosea 3:4-5 the gap occurs again, for the "afterward"
indicates the long period of time during which Israel is wandering among
the nations. Again, in the last verse of chapter 5, there is reference to
the ascension of the Lord and in the first verses of chapter 6 to Israel's
repentance. The ascension took place nearly two thousand years ago, but the
events of chapter 6 have not yet taken place.
In the Psalms. Ironside lists three Psalms which give examples of the
intercalation period. In Psalm 22:1-21 the sufferings of the Lord on the
cross are pictured. Verse 22 tells of His Resurrection and appearance among
His own, but verse 23 sets forth the coming of the kingdom and deliverance
of Israel. Surely this is yet future for it is not true that "all the ends
of the world ... remember and turn unto the Lord" (verse 27). Psalm 110:1
speaks of the present work of Christ--"sit thou at my right hand"--and the
second verse of His return in power. Again it is evident that this is
unfulfilled for surely today He does not "rule ... in the midst of thine
enemies." Psalm 34:12-16 affords another illustration of this parenthesis
principle because it is partially quoted by Peter (1 Pet. 3:10-12).
Israel's ecclesiastical year. Leviticus 23 also gives a further
pp130
picture of the parenthesis. In the spring of the year occurred the feasts
of Passover, firstfruits, and Pentecost, all of which have already had a
fulfillment in the death of Christ, in the Resurrection of Christ, and in
the descent of the Holy Spirit. In the fall of the year, beginning with the
seventh month, occurred three more feasts, trumpets, atonement, and
tabernacles. Trumpets have to do with the calling back of Israel to her
land (Isa. 18:3-7; 27:12-13); atonement, with Israel's cleansing (Zech.
12:10-14; 13:1); and tabernacles, with Israel's millennial blessings. The
break between the two sets of feasts is clear and definite, and
illustrative of this principle.
Romans 11. The figure of the olive tree has already been discussed
under the Abrahamic covenant but is further illustration of this truth.
Acts 15. This chapter concerning the first church council at Jerusalem
has also been discussed and is merely listed here to give added support to
the argument.
These then are the evidences that show that Scripture clearly gives a
place for the present church age. God's program for Israel allows room for
the present age without nullifying that part of Israel's program which is
yet future. The Old Testament prophets saw everything in one continuous
view because the revelation of the Church in this age had not been given to
them. Nevertheless place has been left for the intercalation period. The
Church is an intercalation.
II. THE CHURCH, A MYSTERY
The second step in the argument is to show that the Church, though
allowed for in the prophecies of old, was not foreseen in
pp131
the Old Testament; that is, that it is a mystery not revealed until New
Testament times.
Definition of a mystery. The word mystery does not necessarily mean
something difficult to be understood but something that is imparted only to
the initiated, something that is unknown until it is revealed. In the
English Old Testament the word never appears, and _musterion is used in the
Septuagint only in Daniel 2:18, 19, 27-30, 47 as a translation of the word
secret in reference to the king's dream. In the New Testament the word is
used twenty-seven times of which twenty occurrences are in the Pauline
Epistles. It is somewhat significant that the word is not used in the Old
Testament. It would point to the fact that a mystery is a New Testament
truth. It is also significant that Paul is the one who uses the word the
most, and as a result we may conclude that Romans 16:25 defines a mystery.
Does the Scripture support this definition that a mystery is a truth
hidden in the Old Testament but now revealed in the New Testament? The
chief point of difference with the amillennialist concerns whether or not
the truth of a mystery was completely hidden in the Old Testament. Allis
stresses this, using as his proof Ephesians 3:5, "Which in other ages was
not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy
apostles and prophets by the Spirit," and emphasizes the word _as. In
answer to this, Payne points out:
Had he given more attention to the similar passage in Colossians 1:26
it might have altered the direction of his argument. This passage, which
Allis simply indicates with a Scripture reference, makes it quite clear
that Paul did not intend the _as in Ephesians 3:5 to introduce a qualifying
phrase; for in Colossians
pp132
it is replaced with a _but which eliminates the possibility of the
qualifying interpretation.--Amillennial Theology As a System, pp. 197-98.
Since this chief argument which the amillennialist advances does not
stand up, then it may be assumed that the definition that a mystery is a
truth completely hidden in the Old Testament but revealed in the New
Testament is valid. This will be true throughout the entire New Testament
if the specific item which is designated as a mystery is kept in view.
Is the Church a mystery? It is true that the Church itself is never
actually called a mystery in the New Testament. However, it is a mystery
since its major elements are specifically designated as mysteries.
The mystery of the one body is revealed in Ephesians 3:1-12. In a
word, it is that the Gentiles would be fellow-heirs with the Jews, a thing
absolutely foreign to the Jewish mind. In Ephesians 2:15, Paul calls the
body a "new man." This is a difficult phrase for the amillennialist because
it is the Word of God, not Darby, which says that the Church is a new man
and not a made-over Israel.
The mystery of the organism, referred to in Colossians 1:24-27;
2:10-19; 3:4, 11, is that Christ indwells each believer. Israel was never
spoken of as a living organism of all Jews, and only Christ's external
manifestation was anticipated by the Old Testament. That is the reason that
"Christ in you" is a mystery.
There is the mystery of the bride. Although the Church is not actually
called the bride, the symbolism used in Ephesians 5:22-32 of the husband
and wife relationship and the marriage
pp133
recorded in Revelation 19:7-9 indicate that the Church is the bride of
Christ. There is no mystery of the bridegroom relationship to Israel (Isa.
54:5), but such a relationship with the Church was not revealed until New
Testament times.
Finally there is the mystery of the rapture. The idea of resurrection
was not unknown to Old Testament saints, but the idea of the translation of
living saints at the rapture was the mystery revealed through Paul in First
Corinthians 15:51-52. This passage cannot refer to the Second Coming of
Christ because that event was not a mystery unrevealed in the Old
Testament. The reference is to something distinct, that is, the rapture of
the Church before the tribulation.
If the argument was correct that the church age comes between the
sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks of Daniel, and if this passage reveals how
the Church will be taken out of the world before the seventieth week
begins, then the end of the church age is before the tribulation. This also
follows from the character of the Church as a mystery.
A related passage is First Thessalonians 4:13-18 in which Paul speaks
of the same event (because he talks of the translation of the living) and
he speaks of it as a comforting hope. Of what comfort would the hope of the
rapture be if the church is to pass through the tribulation if that time is
as terrible as it is described to be? The Thessalonians had evidently been
concerned about the relationship of those who had died to the kingdom. Paul
reassures them by saying that those who have died God will bring with Jesus
(verse 14). The reason that God can bring these believers with Him at His
Second Coming into the kingdom is because before that time God will have
raised them, and Paul then goes on to speak of that resurrection
pp134
and translation which must occur before His Second Coming.
The conclusion is easily reached. Since the fundamental
characteristics of the Church are called mysteries, the Church itself is a
mystery, that is, it was not foreseen in the Old Testament but revealed
only in the New Testament.
The termini of the church. To support the argument that the Church is
a distinct work of God in this age, this brief section concerning the
termini of the Church is apropos. It has just been shown that the Church is
limited to the New Testament. Chafer has given four incontrovertible
reasons why the Church began at the day of Pentecost. (Systematic Theology,
IV, 43-46.) (1) The Church could not have existed in the world until after
the death of Christ, for her purification is solely by His precious blood
and she is built on His finished work. (2) The Church could not have
existed until after the Resurrection of Christ, for He, the risen One, is
the one who provides her with resurrection life. (3) There could be no
Church until Christ had ascended into heaven, for she is the body of which
He is the head, and this relationship was established by His ascension.
Neither could the Church survive for a moment without His intercessory
work. (4) Finally, the Church could not come into being before Pentecost
because the advent of the Holy Spirit did not occur until then. If the
Church is the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23), if entrance to the body of
Christ is through the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13), and if the
baptism of the Holy Spirit did not occur until the day of Pentecost (Acts
1:5; 2:4; 11:15-16), then the Church did not begin until the day of
Pentecost.
pp135
By the same argument, that is, the relation of the Holy Spirit to the
Church, there is the indication of the end of the church age. Without
entering into all the arguments concerning whether or not the Church will
go through the tribulation, let it simply be noticed that, since according
to 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 the lawless one who is an important personage
connected with the beginning of the tribulation cannot be revealed until
the Holy Spirit is removed, the Church, the bodies of whose members are the
temples of the Holy Spirit, must also be removed before the tribulation
period begins. Thiessen gives the correct view of this passage when he
says:
... that which "withholdeth" (neuter, verse 6) and "he who letteth"
(hindereth) (masculine, verse 7), is none other than the Holy Spirit. He,
no doubt, employs human government and human laws, as also providential
interventions, in the accomplishment of His purposes, ... but more
especially the testimony and influence of the Church.... When the Church is
caught up, the Holy Spirit will be taken from the world in the peculiar
sense in which He is present on earth today.... He will no longer be here
in the same degree of manifestation. He will be here at that time in some
such way as He was present in the world before the Day of Pentecost.--Will
the Church Pass Through the Tribulation? p. 41.
The termini of the Church, from Pentecost to the rapture, support the
fact that the Church is a mystery, which fact in turn supports the
premillennial system of interpretation.
III. THE CHURCH, A DISTINCT BODY OF SAINTS IN THIS AGE
The last proposition in the argument of this chapter is to consider
whether or not the Church is a distinct body of saints
pp136
in this age. That this is true is practically a self-evident conclusion
from the arguments already stated. These facts have already been pointed
out:
(1) The Church is not fulfilling in any sense the promises to Israel.
(2) The use of the word Church in the New Testament never includes
unsaved Israelites.
(3) The church age is not seen in God's program for Israel. It is an
intercalation.
(4) The Church is a mystery in the sense that it was completely
unrevealed in the Old Testament and now revealed in the New Testament.
(5) The Church did not begin until the day of Pentecost and will be
removed from this world at the rapture which precedes the Second Coming of
Christ.
To these reasons we now add two additional ones to show that the
Church is a distinct body of saints in this age.
(6) The first use of the word Church in the New Testament indicates
that it is still future. The word is first used in Matthew 16:18, and this
first use, as with most Biblical terms, is of most important signification.
In this verse these words of the Lord Jesus are recorded: "And I say also
unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church;
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." The important word for
the present discussion is the word will. Chafer has well pointed out that:
When the stress falls on the word will, the prophetic aspect is
introduced and the reader is reminded that the Church did not exist at the
moment Christ was speaking, but was to be realized in the future. This is a
difficult aspect of truth for
pp137
those who contend that the Church has existed throughout the period covered
by the Old Testament, or any part of it.--op. cit., IV, 41.
Thus, at the time of Christ's earthly ministry the Church was yet
future.
(7) The use of the word _ekklesia supports the conclusion that the
Church is a distinct body of saints in this age. It is used to mean simply
an assembly. This is the common use of the word in the Septuagint. It is
used to translate _moeed, _eedah, and _kahal all of which are translated by
these words: assembly, feast, congregation, company, appointed meeting. The
point is that in every case the thought is that of an assembly. In the New
Testament the word is also used in this sense in Acts 7:38; 19:39; and
Hebrews 2:12. This sense has no theological meaning.
It is used to mean an assembly of Christians. In this sense it may
mean a local group of believers (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1; etc.) or it may
mean a number of local groups (Acts 8:1, 3; 11:22; etc.).
The word is also used of the totality of professing Christians without
reference to locality. Examples of this use are Acts 12:1; Romans 16:16;
Galatians 1:13; etc.
It is used of the body of Christ. In this sense the word has reference
to those who have been baptised into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit
(1 Cor. 12:13). This is the technical use of the word.
All agree that _ekklesia as used in the first-named instance is used
of Israel in the Old Testament. The question is, is it used of Israel in
the other senses? The answer is no for two
pp138
reasons. All the references to Israel in the Old and New Testaments can be
classified under the first use of the word; that is, in its simple meaning
of an assembly; and it is not possible to use the meaning assembly in the
technical sense which refers to the body of Christ. Of course an Israelite
who accepts Christ is translated from the Old Testament assembly and put
into the body of Christ, but natural Israel remains natural Israel, and the
Church in the technical sense is strictly limited to those who have
accepted Christ in this age. Therefore, the Church is a distinct body of
saints in this age.
The original question of this chapter has been answered. The Church is
a distinct body in this age. This has been shown in that the Church is an
intercalation allowed for in Old Testament prophecies, in that it is a
mystery revealed only in the New Testament, and in the positive proofs that
the Church is a distinct body of saints in this age. Since this is so, the
Church is not fulfilling Israel's promises, but she will be taken out of
the way before God again deals with Israel. The only system of
interpretation that allows for this distinct body, the Church, is
premillennialism. Other systems cannot offer a clear-cut ecclesiology
because they do not see this distinct divine purpose for this age. Israel
has to be carried over into the Church, for there is no future age in other
systems in which the promises to Israel can be fulfilled. Premillennialism,
then, is vitally related to ecclesiology and supported firmly by it.
pp139
Chapter 8
Its Basis in Eschatology
Although other parts of the book have dealt with eschatological
details, there are certain passages which have not been discussed which
belong to the field of eschatology. In this chapter these will be
considered in the relationship of premillennialism to the tribulation and
to the millennium. Also some of the problems of the premillennial system
will be included. One thing, however, should be very evident; that is, the
proportionate place given to eschatology per se as a basis of the
premillennial faith. Premillennialism is far more than a system of
interpretation of the doctrine of last things. It is vitally related to the
entire Word of God.
I. THE TRIBULATION
Premillennialism does not stand or fall on one's view of the
tribulation. It is not the decisive issue, but it is hoped that the view
set forth in this chapter will add to the weight of evidence that
premillennialism is the only consistent system of interpretation.
The duration of the tribulation. According to Daniel 9:24-27, the
period of the tribulation is seven years. Matthew 24:22
pp140
seems to indicate that this seven year period will be shortened a little,
but, generally speaking, the duration of the tribulation is seven years. It
was demonstrated that the first sixty-nine weeks of Daniel's prophecy ended
at the death of Christ and that the seventieth week is still future. This
is important because it proves that the tribulation is still future. Daniel
9:27 confirms this:
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the
midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,
and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even
until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the
desolate.
The important question in the interpretation involves the antecedent
of the pronoun he. The reference cannot be to Christ for He did none of the
things referred to in the verse. Thiessen sets forth the correct
interpretation when he says:
It is more natural to refer the pronoun "he" to the prince mentioned
in the last part of verse 26, namely the Roman prince; however not to
Vespasian, Roman emperor from A.D. 69-79, nor to his son and successor,
Titus, who ruled from A.D. 79-81. Neither of these made and broke a
covenant with the Jews; and Titus lived only two years after his accession
to the throne. The reference is to a Roman prince who shall come after the
long interval of the last half of verse 26, which has already lasted 1,900
years; and the last week is still future.--Bibliotheca Sacra, XCII, 49.
Daniel also indicates in this verse that the tribulation is divided
into two equal parts. The latter half is called the great tribulation and
is referred to elsewhere in Scripture as time,
pp141
times, and half a time; that is, three and a half years (cf. Dan. 7:25;
12:7; Rev. 12:14). Elsewhere it is called forty-two months and 1,260 days
(Rev. 11:2; 13:5; 11:3; 12:6). Thus the tribulation is a future period of
approximately seven years divided into two equal parts. The fact that this
period is yet future will be even more evident as the characteristics of
the period are given.
The nature of the tribulation. The Scripture gives certain
characteristics of this period.
First, it is a unique period.
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the
time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it (Jer. 30:7).
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which
standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of
trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:
and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be
found written in the book (Dan. 12:1).
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the
beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be (Matt. 24:21).
Secondly, it is a period of judgment upon the nations. It would not be
practical to enter into all the arguments concerning the interpretation of
the Revelation. In contrast to the futurist interpretation assumed here,
suffice it to say that:
The most fanciful effort of imagination is demanded when the
world-transforming judgments of Revelation, chapters 6-19, are applied to
past history. A few writers have attempted this
pp142
adjustment in detail. More of them prefer to remain in the realm of
indefinite generalities, and to excuse their own uncertainty by the
contention that the Revelation is veiled and obscure at best.--Chafer, op.
Cit., IV, 361.
The entire fourteen chapters could be cited in proof of this
characteristic, but a few verses are sufficient:
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and
the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free
man, hid themselves in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the
mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that
sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb (Rev. 6:15-16).
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the
dead, that they should be judged and that thou ... shouldest destroy them
which destroy the earth (Rev. 11:18).
Thirdly, it will be a period of persecution of Israel.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:
and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.... And except
those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved (Matt. 24:9,
22a).
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the
remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ (Rev. 12:17).
Fourthly, it will be a period of salvation. It is usually charged that
premillennialism teaches that all who enter the tribulation period are
irrevocably lost. This is not true, for the Scripture says:
pp143
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were
sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the
children of Israel (Rev. 7:4).
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could
number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before
the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in
their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God
which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.... These are they which
came out of the great tribulation (Rev. 7:9, 14b).
The Holy Spirit, though withdrawn in a special way at the rapture of
the Church, will nevertheless have a ministry in the world during the
tribulation much the same as He had in Old Testament times.
This is not purported to be a complete list of the characteristics of
the tribulation, but it in general describes the nature of the tribulation.
The relation of the Church to the tribulation. It has already been
made clear that the belief of the author is that the Church will not go
through the tribulation. Christ will meet His Church in the air before the
seventieth week of Daniel or the tribulation begins, and the Church will be
with Him in heaven until they both return together at His Second Coming
after the tribulation. During this time the Church will be judged (2 Cor.
5:10), rewarded (1 Cor. 3:14), and married (Rev. 19:7-9). Some
premillennialists believe that the rapture of the Church will occur either
in the middle of the tribulation or at the end of it. It is not necessary
to go into all the arguments for each of these views, for premillennialism
as a system is not dependent on one's view of the rapture. However, for the
sake of completeness
pp144
some reasons will be mentioned why the pretribulation rapture view is the
most consistent one.
(1) If the Church is a mystery, as has been shown, she must be removed
before the tribulation, for the tribulation is not a mystery but was the
subject of Old Testament revelation.
(2) If the restrainer, the Holy Spirit, is to be removed before the
tribulation (2 Thess. 2:1-10) then the Church also must be taken out of the
world.
(3) The promise of Revelation 3:10 is that the whole Church will be
taken away before the hour of temptation begins. This does not mean that
she will be kept through the trial, for as Thiessen observes, "when it
would have been so easy to write _en _te _ora, if the writer had meant
preservation in that hour, why should he write _ek _tes _oras as he
did?"--Bibliotheca Sacra, XCII, 203.
(4) If the church had no part in the first sixty-nine weeks of
Daniel's prophecy, how can it be a part of the future seventieth week?
(5) The twenty-four elders, which picture the Church, are seen in
heaven before the tribulation begins. That they represent the Church is
seen from their own declaration that they represent a crowned throng that
is there only through the virtue of the redeeming blood of Christ.
(6) The exhortations concerning the rapture indicate that the Church
will not go through the tribulation. The rapture is called a comforting
hope (1 Thess. 4:18); a purifying hope (1 John 3:3); and a blessed hope
(Tit. 2:13). None of these would be true if the church had seven years in
which to prepare to meet her Lord. In addition, believers are told to look
pp145
(Tit. 2:13), watch (1 Thess. 5:6), and wait (1 Cor. 3:7) for their Saviour.
All the evidence points to the fact that the rapture will occur before
the tribulation. Let it be said again that one's attitude toward the
tribulation or the rapture is not a decisive factor in premillennialism.
The end of the tribulation. Feinberg has given a good summary of the
important events which will occur at the end of the tribulation which
summary is included that the picture might be complete.
First of all, Israel is regathered from all the ends of the earth
whither they have been scattered. They are judged by the Lord in the
wilderness according to the prophecy of Ezekiel, and restored in blessing
to their own land, there to be a blessing to all the nations of the earth.
Second, many Gentiles are saved out of the Great Tribulation.... Third,
Satan is conquered and bound and consigned to the bottomless pit. Fourth,
the beast and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire. Fifth, the
battle of Armageddon marks the end of all war on earth.... Sixth, Christ
Jesus ... comes in visible glory with His angels ... as king of kings and
lord of lords. Finally, when He sits on the throne of His glory, the
nations are brought before Him to be judged as to the treatment of His
brethren, the remnant of Israel during the Great Tribulation.--op. Cit.,
pp. 135-36.
II. THE MILLENNIUM
The millennium is the period of a thousand years of the visible,
earthly reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, who, after His return from heaven,
will fulfill during that period the promises
pp146
contained in the Abrahamic, Davidic, and new covenants to Israel, will
bring the whole world to a knowledge of God, and will lift the curse from
the whole creation.
Its literal character. That the millennium is a literal period of time
is practically only a conclusion of all that has been said before. The
question of literal interpretation has been discussed at length. The last
book of the Bible, which is an unveiling, not a veiling, plainly teaches
that there will be a kingdom rule of Christ on earth for a thousand years
(Rev. 20). Let the amillennialist notice carefully that this is the first
mention in this entire book of this chapter which has been called the
keystone of premillennialism. This passage must be taken as literally as
the rest of Scripture. Alford, the great Greek scholar, rightly says:
I cannot consent to distort words from their plain sense and
chronological place in the prophecy, on account of any risk of abuses which
the doctrine of the millennium may bring with it. Those who lived next to
the Apostles, and the whole Church for 300 years, understood them in the
plain literal sense: and it is a strange sight in these days to see
expositors who are among the first in reverence of antiquity, complacently
casting aside the most cogent instance of consensus which primitive
antiquity presents. As regards the text itself, no legitimate treatment of
it will extort what is known as the spiritual interpretation now in
fashion.--The Greek Testament, IV, 732.
The literal millennium is made necessary, then, not merely by one
passage in the Revelation, but by all that has been cited before by way of
Scriptural evidence for the kingdom age. Revelation 20 simply gives the
duration of that period.
Its importance. A literal millennium is the natural result of
pp147
all that has been said concerning literal interpretation, the fulfillment
of the Abrahamic, Davidic, and new covenants. When the millennium is
spiritualized, then these promises of the Word of God must also be
spiritualized.
Its designations. The millennium is called by different descriptive
titles in the Scriptures, and these will be listed without comment. It is
called the kingdom of heaven (in real form, Matt. 6:10); the kingdom of God
(in real form, Luke 19:11); the kingdom of Christ (Rev. 11:15); the
regeneration (Matt. 19:28); the times of restitution (Acts 3:18-24); the
times of refreshing (Acts 3:19); the fulness of times (Eph. 1:10); and the
world to come (Heb. 2:5).
Its earthly character. The kingdom will be established on the earth.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth
shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea
(Isa. 11:9).
And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there
be one Lord, and his name one (Zech. 14:9). (Cf. Psa. 2:8; Isa. 42:4; Jer.
23:5; Dan. 2:35, 44, 45; 7:24-27; Lk. 1:31-33).
There will be certain physical changes in the earth during the
millennium. There will be a cleavage in the Mount of Olives when Christ
comes:
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which
is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in
the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a
very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north,
and half of it toward the south (Zech. 14:4, cf. Matt. 24:3; Acts 1:11-12).
pp148
There will be a river of living water flowing from Jerusalem, which
statement may be taken literally:
And it shall be in that day that living waters shall go out from
Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the
hinder sea: in summer and winter shall it be (Zech. 14:8, cf. Ezek. 47:1;
Joel 3:18).
Jerusalem will be exalted (Zech. 14:10), and there is no reason to
doubt but that this will be literal and that the city by means of certain
physical changes shall be exalted above the surrounding hills. In addition
there will be longevity of life during the millennium, for "the child shall
die an hundred years old" (Isa. 65:20; cf. Psa. 90:10). Furthermore, animal
nature will be radically changed, for "they shall not hurt nor destroy in
all my holy mountain, saith the Lord" (Isa. 65:25; cf. Isa. 11:6-9; Hosea
2:18). The whole of nature will be newly productive:
The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the
desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.... Then shall the lame man
leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness
shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground
shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the
habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes
(Isa. 35:1, 6, 7; cf. 41:17-20; 55:12-13; Rom. 8:22 ff.).
The kingdom, as promised, will be on the earth, though the earth will
be changed in the ways that have been named.
Its government. The Head of the government in the millennium is the
King, Christ Jesus.
pp149
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a
righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute
judgment and justice in the earth (Jer. 23:5; cf. Lk. 1:31-33; Rev. 11:15;
19:6).
Concerning the character of Christ's reign, the Scriptures teach that
it will be in the plenitude of the Spirit (Isa. 11:2-5), that it will be in
equity and justice (Jer. 23:5-6), that sin will be punished (Psa. 2:9;
72:1-4; Isa. 65:20; Zech. 14:16-21), that it will be prosperous and
glorious (Jer. 23:5; Isa. 24:23), and that it will be a reign of peace
(Isa. 2:4; 11:5-9; 65:25; Mic. 4:3).
The center of government in the millennium will be Jerusalem. "For out
of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem"
(Isa. 2:3). Even Hamilton admits that if interpreted literally the
Scripture teaches this fact. (op. cit., p. 46.) Jerusalem will be a holy
place (Isa. 4:3-5); a place of great glory (Isa. 24:23); the site of the
future temple (Isa. 33:20); a praise in the earth (Isa. 62:1-7); rebuilt
(Jer. 31:38-40); the spiritual center for the whole earth (Zech. 8:20-23);
the city to which Christ returns (Zech 14:4); and the joy of the whole
earth (Psa. 48:2).
Three groups of people will be related to the millennial government.
Israel, regathered and turned to the Lord in salvation, will be exalted,
blessed, and favored throughout the period. Sufficient has already been
said about this. The nations will be subjects of the King during the
millennium. "Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall
serve him" (Psa. 72:11; cf. 86:9; Dan. 7:13-14; Mic. 4:2; Zech. 8:22). In
addition, the Church will reign with Christ, not as a subject
pp150
of the King, but as one who rightfully shares the rule (2 Tim. 2:12; Rev.
5:10; 20:6).
Its spiritual character. There are three questions which are related
to this problem. First, there is the question of the unsaved in the
millennium. It seems clear from Isaiah 65:20, Zechariah 14:16-18, and
Revelation 20:7-8 that there will be unsaved people in the millennium.
Involved in this question is the judgment of the nations (Matt. 25:31-46),
for if the judgment is individual, then it seems that no unredeemed person
will enter the kingdom age; but if the judgment is of national groups, then
conceivably some unsaved people will enter the kingdom. However, there is
no evidence that those who enter the kingdom as a result of this judgment
will have redeemed bodies so that children may be born during the
millennial period who may or may not come to a personal saving knowledge of
the Lord. In any case anyone who is saved will be saved by the blood of
Christ, for that is the only way that anyone in any age can be saved (Zech.
13:1). Obviously, this question does not make or break the entire
premillennial system.
Secondly, there is the question of Christian ordinances in the
millennium. Again, this is not a determining question, but it seems to
follow from the distinctive character of the Church in this age that
Christian ordinances will be terminated at the beginning of the millennium.
The Lord Himself placed the terminus of the great commission as the end of
the age (Matt. 28:20), and it seems as though the making and baptizing of
disciples will also terminate then. The Lord's Supper also was to be
observed "till He come" (1 Cor. 11:26) and will not be observed during the
millennium.
Thirdly, there is the more difficult question of the offerings
pp151
in the millennium. This is always seized upon by amillennialists as
manifesting an irreparable weakness in the premillennial system. It
involves these Scripture passages: Ezekiel 43:18-46:24; Zechariah 14:16;
and Hebrews 10:4, 14. The Ezekiel passage is usually interpreted in one of
three ways: (1) the description is of the actual temple that was built in
history by the remnant when they returned from Babylon; (2) the description
is symbolic of the Christian church; (3) the temple is yet to be built and
the sacrificial system reestablished during the millennium.
Basically, the question is one of literal versus allegorical
interpretation. If literal interpretation is accepted, only the third view
is possible; therefore, it must be accepted if we are going to be
consistent with the principles of interpretation set forth herein. It is
admitted that the question is not an easy one, but it is not one on which
the entire premillennial system either stands or falls. Viewed in proper
perspective it is merely a detail of the kingdom age. The existence or
nonexistence of the kingdom itself certainly does not depend on the
question of offerings.
The issue also involves the question of whether or not the temple will
be rebuilt. The plain sense of the chapters in Ezekiel teach that it will
be rebuilt, and this New Testament verse seems to clinch the argument:
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or
that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing
himself that he is God (2 Thess. 2:4).
This verse teaches that during the tribulation period the temple will
be in existence, and that sacrifices will be offered there
pp152
(Dan. 9:27). Therefore, the temple will be there, but will offerings be
continued after Christ returns and is personally reigning?
Premillennialists in general answer in the affirmative. We agree with this,
but, in order to keep the discussion within proper bounds, will only defend
this against the most commonly urged arguments against literal offerings in
the millennium.
The first argument against literal sacrifices is that the dimensions
of the temple as given by Ezekiel are far too large to fit into the
topography of the land. This is easily answered by referring to the
physical changes in the land which will occur during the millennium (Zech.
14:4-5; Isa. 29:6). These will allow for the literal temple, and:
If there is going to be such a temple, and we believe that there is,
what would be the use and purpose of the same if it were not to be used for
worship and that worship to be conducted in the manner as explained by
Ezekiel in the same passage? That would be by animal sacrifices.--John L.
Mitchell, Animal Sacrifices in the Millennium, p. 42.
The second objection often raised is that such offerings would be a
retrogression in the program of God, according to Hebrews 9 and 10 which
teach that sacrifices came to an end with Christ's death. Mitchell gives a
sane answer to this question which, though lengthy, is quoted in full:
To answer this objection, let us step back and look at God's entire
program from a distance. Throughout the Old Testament, the Jews were
worshiping God in their tabernacle and temple through animal sacrifices.
They were looking forward to a day of peace and prosperity, a kingdom over
which their Messiah would be their King. Their Messiah came, but they
refused to accept Him as such and continued with their sacrifices. In the
meantime, He was crucified as the one great Sacrifice sufficient
pp153
for all. Outside of the small circle of believers of that day, this meant
nothing to the vast majority except that an imposter had been put to death.
Now then, the Epistle to the Hebrews was written not to the Jewish
people in general, but especially to them who had professed faith in Christ
as the one great and final Sacrifice but since then had either continued in
or gone back to their animal sacrifices.... They were warned not to return
to their sacrifices since Christ had set them free. The context is
concerning animal sacrifices during the day of grace. The subject before us
is that of animal sacrifices in the millennium day.
The Church will be taken out of the earth at the rapture at which time
God's program for the Jew will be resumed and continue from where it was at
the time of Christ's death.... [The millennium] will simply be a
continuation of the old order, this time with Christ accepted as and
reigning as King. The Jews will continue their animal sacrifices in worship
as they did before Christ died. It is true that these sacrifices will be
types and symbols of their faith in Christ's death, but that does not make
them nonetheless real. There will probably be mingled sorrow and joy in
these sacrifices as they recall how their fathers refused to accept this
Christ as their Messiah and how now they have the privilege of seeing it
all so clearly.--Ibid., pp. 43-44.
We conclude, then, that animal sacrifices will be offered in the
millennium.
Its end. At the end of the millennium certain events take place.
First, Satan will be loosed for a little season, and he will attempt a last
revolt (Rev. 20:7-10). This will demonstrate that even the very best
environment in the world will not change the corruptness of the
unregenerated heart. Satan will then meet his final doom by being cast into
the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10). After this a stupendous event about which
there is little revealed will occur--the passing away of the present heaven
and earth (Isa. 65:17; 66:22; Heb. 1:10-12; 2 Pet. 3:3-13;
pp154
Rev. 20:11; 21:1). Next follows the resurrection and judgment at the great
white throne of all the unsaved dead and their commitment to the lake of
fire forever (Rev. 20:12-15; 21:8; 22:10-15). The final work of God is the
creation of the new heaven and the new earth (Rev. 21:1) and the ushering
in of the eternal state.
A final word is necessary concerning the duration of Christ's reign.
It has seemed incongruous to some that the reign of Christ is referred to
as a thousand years and as eternal. One passage--1 Corinthians
15:24-28--seems to teach that Christ yields up the kingdom at the end of
the millennium, but Chafer rightly points out that:
The statement is meant to signify that, when all is subdued and divine
authority is restored in full, the Son, who has ruled by the authority of
the Father throughout the thousand years and has put down all enemies, will
go on ruling under that same authority of the Father's as subject as ever
to the First Person. This more clarified meaning of the text removes the
suggestion of conflict between an everlasting reign and a supposed limited
reign of Christ. He will, as so fully assured elsewhere, reign on the
throne of David forever.--Op. Cit., V, 374.
This concludes the relation of premillennialism to eschatology.
Premillennialism is the only system which presents an eschatology
consistent with the principles of interpretation and the plain teaching of
the Word of God. We have dealt with some eschatological problems and tried
to indicate the solutions, but because in the over-all picture they are not
major problems, premillennialism, in eschatology, rests on a solid basis.
pp155
Chapter 9
Conclusion
The purpose of this book has been to examine in a positive way the
basis of the premillennial faith. Of necessity, reference has been made to
opponents' claims as they challenged the very basis on which
premillennialism rests, but in general the aim was not critical or
negative. All the details of prophecy were not examined, nor was it claimed
that premillennialists agree on every detail. But disagreement on details
does not constitute a major problem to the system as a whole, and while
many of these problems were discussed and solutions which seemed most
consistent to the premillennial system were offered, it is evident that
they do not affect the basis of the faith.
We have traced the history of premillennialism giving special emphasis
to the subapostolic age. It was clearly shown that the premillennial faith
is not a modern invention. From the study of the principles of
interpretation it was demonstrated that premillennialism alone is
consistent with the principle of literal interpretation as it extends to
all fields of Biblical interpretation including eschatology. Literal
interpretation is the only safe method of interpretation, and on this
principle premillennialism rests.
The main burden of the work was the relation of the Abrahamic,
Davidic, and new covenants to premillennialism. The
pp156
main question resolved itself to this: will the unfulfilled provisions of
these covenants be fulfilled? In answering this it was necessary to examine
one particular New Testament problem under each covenant. Under the
Abrahamic covenant the Church and Israel were carefully distinguished
proving that the Church does not fulfill the yet unfulfilled provisions of
that covenant. Under the Davidic covenant the problem of the New Testament
teaching concerning the kingdom was discussed, including the offer,
postponement, and future fulfillment of the kingdom promises. That the
kingdom is now in mystery form is one of the major proofs that the promises
to David have not been abrogated. Further, the New Testament clearly
teaches that Israel will yet fulfill the promises of the new covenant
during the millennium. Thus, premillennialism is the only system of
interpretation which can properly make place for the covenants of God.
Certain aspects of the doctrine of ecclesiology were discussed,
chiefly the distinctiveness of the Church as the body of saints in this age
only. This means that there is no overlapping on either side of the age of
God's program for His people Israel. The teachings of eschatology were
merely a natural result of all that had been said before. The space devoted
to this chapter should show that premillennialism is far more than a system
of eschatology.
Each of these factors--the historical evidence, the science of
hermeneutics, the Abrahamic covenant, the Davidic covenant, the new
covenant, the teachings of ecclesiology, and the teachings of
eschatology--is like a plank in the platform of premillennialism.
Altogether they form an harmonious whole and
pp157
an unshakeable basis upon which premillennialism rests. And underlying it
all is the very nature of God Himself in that what He has plainly spoken He
will do, and what He has assuredly promised He will perform. This is the
basis of the premillennial faith.
pp158
INDEX OF SCRIPTURE TEXTS
GENESIS: 3:14-19 118; 12:1-3 49; 13:2 50; 13:8 50; 13:14-17 50,54;
13:15 74; 13:18 50; 14:12-16 51; 14:18-20 51; 14:22-23 50; 15:1-7 54; 15:4
50; 15:7 50; 15:9,10,12,17 55; 15:13-16 74; 15:18 60; 15:18-21 73,74;
17:1-8 55; 17:6 50; 17:7 50,53; 17:8 50; 17:9-14 56; 17:13 53; 17:19 53,57;
18:23-33 50; 20:2-18 51; 21:2 52,57; 21:22 51; 21:22-34 51;
22:5,8,10,12,16-18 51; 23:1-20 51; 24:34-35 50; 26:2-4 57; 28:13-15 58
LEVITICUS: 23 129-130; 26:46 109
DEUTERONOMY: 4:8 109; 28:1-30:20 59; 30:3 74; 30:7 51
1 SAMUEL: 2:30 60
2 SAMUEL:: 7:12-16 77
1 KINGS: 4:21 60
1 CHRONICLES: 16:16-17 53
2 CHRONICLES: 6:14-16 82
PSALMS: 2:8 147; 2:9 149; 22:1-27 129 34:12-16 129; 45 84; 48:2 149;
72:1-4 149; 72:11 149; 86:9 149; 89 85; 90:10 148; 105:9-10 53; 110:1 129;
122:6 42
ISAIAH: 2:2 103; 2:3 149; 2:4 114,149; 4:3-5 149; 9:6-7 85; 9:6-8 45;
11 86; 11:2-5 149; 11:5-9 149; 11:6-9 112,148; 11:9 147; 11:10 103;
11:11-12 74; 11:12 74; 14:1-2 51; 18:3-7 130; 24 86; 24:23 149; 25 86;
27:12-13 130; 29:6 152; 33:20 149; 35:1,6,7 148; 40:5 103; 41:17-20 148;
42:4 147; 46:11 15; 54 86; 54:5 133; 55:3 110; 55:12-13 148; 59:20-21
108,110; 59:21 113; 60 86; 61 86; 61:1-2 45; 61:2 113; 61:2-3 128; 61:8
114; 61:8-9 108; 61:9 113; 62:1-7 149; 65:17 153; 65:20 148,149,150; 65:25
148,149; 66:22 153; 66:23 103
JEREMIAH: 22:30 80; 23:5 147,149; 23:5-6 86,149; 30:7 141; 30:8-9 86;
31:15 45; 31:31-34 108,112,113,120,121,122; 31:31 105,108; 31:33 109,113;
31:34 111,112,113,118,123; 31:35-37 58,113; 31:35-40 109,110; 31:38-40 149;
32:37-40 108; 32:37,40-41 110,111; 32:41 114; 33:14-17,20-21 87; 33:17 81;
33:17-26 82; 34:18 56; 36:30 80; 50:4-5 108
EZEKIEL: 16:60,62 110,112; 16:60-63 108; 20:37 110; 34:5 112; 34:25-26
108,110; 34:25-27 114;; 36:27 113; 37:21-28 108; 37:21 74;; 37:24-25 87;
37:26 113; 37:26-27 114; 43:18-46:24 151-154; 47:1 148
DANIEL: 2 128; 2:18,19,27-30,47 131; 2:35, 44,45 147; 7:13-14 87,149;
7:23-24 129; 7:24-27 147; 7:25 141; 8:22-23 129; 9:24-27
45,128,133,140-142,144,152; 11:35-36 129; 12:1 141; 12:7 141
HOSEA: 2:18 114,148; 2:18-20 110; 2:19-20 113; 3:4-5 88,129; 5:15-6:5
129
JOEL: 3:1-8 51; 3:18 148
AMOS: 9:11 88,102; 9:15 74
JONAH: 3 59-60
MICAH: 4:2 149; 4:3 149
ZECHARIAH; 8:20-23 149; 8:22 149; 9:11 114; 12:10-14 130; 13:1
130,150; 14:4 88,147,149; 14:4-5 152; 14:8 148; 14:9 88,147; 14:9-11 110;
14:10 148; 14:16 151; 14:16-18 150; 14:16-21 149
MATTHEW: 1:7 80; 1:21 91; 2:2 91; 2:18 45; 3:1-2 91; 4:17 91,99; 4:23
91; 4:25 92; 5-7 92-93; 5:20 92; 6:10 147; 9:35 91; 10:5-7 92; 10:7 99;
11:2,19 93; 11:11 99; 11:20-21 93; 11:28 93; 12 93; 13 94-99; 13:11 99;
13:31 99; 14:13 41; 16:13-14 94; 16:18 136-137; 19:28 147; 20:20 90; 21 94;
21:43 70; 22:1-10 97; 24-25 100; 24:3 147; 24:9,22 142; 24:21 141; 24:22
139; 25:1-13 99-100; 25:31-46 100-101,150; 25:40-45 51; 26:28 116,116,117;
27:37 94; 28:20 150
MARK: 1:15 99; 4:11 99; 4:20 99; 4:30-32 98; 14:24 116,116,117
LUKE: 1:31-33 35,78,101,147,149; 1:71 90; 3:31 77,80; 4:16-19 128;
7:19 90; 7:28 99; 8:10 99; 9:2 99; 10:18 14; 19:11 147; 19:17 90; 22:20
115,116,117; 24:21 90
JOHN: 1:11 41; 3:3 71,98; 5:25 14; 6:15 90
ACTS: 1:5 134; 1:11-12 147; 2:4 134; 3:12 63; 3:18-24 147; 3:19 147;
4:8 63; 7:38 137; 8:1,3 137; 11:15-16 134; 11:22 137; 12:1 137; 15 130;
15:14-17 101,102; 19:39 137; 20:27 15; 21:28 63
ROMANS: 2:14 108; 6:14 109; 8:22 ff 148; 9:3 64,69; 9:4-5 63; 9:6 67;
10:1 63; 11 63-64,123,124,130; 11:25-26 123; 11:26 71; 11:26-27 72,110,119;
11:27 116,116,116,123; 16:16 137; 16:25 131
FIRST CORINTHIANS: 1:2 137; 3:7 145; 3:14 143; 10:18 69; 10:32
63,65,66; 11:25 115,116,117; 11:26 150; 12:11 41; 12:13 134,137; 15:24-28
154; 15:51-52 133
SECOND CORINTHIANS: 3:6 115,117; 3:7-11 109; 4:17 16; 5:10 143
GALATIANS: 1:13 137; 3:6 68; 3:7-9 62; 3:7 62; 3:15 54; 3:24-25 109;
4:24-26 43; 6:15-16 68-70
EPHESIANS: 1:10 147; 1:22-23 134; 2:12-15 64; 2:12 65; 2:15 132;
3:1-12 132; 3:5 131,131; 5:22-32 132
COLOSSIANS: 1:24-27 132; 1:26 131; 2:10-19 132; 3:4,11 132
FIRST THESSALONIANS: 1:1 137; 4:13-18 16,133-134; 4:18 144; 5:6 145
SECOND THESSALONIANS: 2:1-10 144; 2:1-12 135; 2:4 151
SECOND TIMOTHY: 2:12 150
TITUS: 2:13 144,145
HEBREWS: 1:10-12 153; 2:5 147; 2:12 137; 6:13-16 61; 6:17-18 61; 8
26,122,125; 8:6 120; 8:6-13 119; 8:7-13 122; 8:8 115,117; 8:10 116,116,116;
9:15 116,117; 10:4,14 151; 10:13 116; 10:16-17 119,121; 12:24 116,117
FIRST PETER: 3:10-12 129
SECOND PETER: 1:20 41; 3:3-13 154
FIRST JOHN: 3:2 16; 3:3 144
REVELATION: 3:10 144; 3:21 81; 5:10 150; 6--19 141-142; 6:15-16 142;
7:4 143; 7:9,14 143; 11:2 141; 11:3 141; 11:15 147,149; 11:18 142; 12:5 81;
12:6 141; 12:14 141; 12:17 142; 13:5 141; 18:2 97; 19:6 149; 19:7-9
133,143; 20 146; 20:1-6 14; 20:2-3 12; 20:6 150; 20:7-8 150; 20:7-10 153;
20:11 154; 20:12-15 154; 21:1 154; 21:8 154; 22:10-15 154