“THE CHURCH AGE AS A PARENTHESIS: One of the important questions raised by the amillenarians is whether the present age is predicted in the Old Testament. This they confidently affirm and find the kingdom promises fulfilled in the present church age. Premillenarians have not always given a clear answer to the amillennial position. While dispensationalists have regarded the present age as a parenthesis unexpected and without specific prediction in the Old Testament, some premillenarians have tended to strike a compromise interpretation in which part of the Old Testament predictions are fulfilled now and part in the future. In some cases they have conceded so much to the amillenarians that for all practical purposes they have surrendered premillennialism as well. It is the purpose of the present investigation to show the reasonableness and Scriptural support of the parenthesis concept.”
- The Millennial Kingdom: A Basic Text in Premillennial Theology, John F. Walvoord, p 227, 1983 AD
"Nothing could be plainer to one reading the O.T. than the foreview herein proved did NOT PREDICT a period of time between the two advents”
- The Millennial Kingdom: A Basic Text in Premillennial Theology, John F. Walvoord, p 228, 1983 AD
“The prophetic foreview of Daniel 2 in Nebuchadnezzar’s image and the fourth beast of Daniel 7:23-27 likewise ignores the present age. ”
- The Millennial Kingdom: A Basic Text in Premillennial Theology, John F. Walvoord, p 228, 1983 AD
“The ultimate proof of the teaching that the present age is a parenthesis is in the positive revelation concerning the church as the body of Christ, the study of which will be undertaken next. The evidence for a parenthesis in the present age interrupting God’s predicted program for Jew and Gentile as revealed in the Old Testament is extensive, however. The evidence if interpreted literally leads inevitably to the parenthesis doctrine. The kingdom predictions of the Old Testament do not conform to the pattern of this present age. … Those among the premillennial group who see clearly the issues involved would do well to divorce themselves from the amillennial method in dealing with the prophetic word, and interpret the prophecies of the Old Testament in relation to the millennium rather than the present age. ”
- The Millennial Kingdom: A Basic Text in Premillennial Theology, John F. Walvoord, p 230, 1983 AD
FANTASY
FOLLY
CHILDISH
NOT CHRISTIANITY
- The Millennial Kingdom: A Basic Text in Premillennial Theology, John F. Walvoord, p 227, 1983 AD
"Nothing could be plainer to one reading the O.T. than the foreview herein proved did NOT PREDICT a period of time between the two advents”
- The Millennial Kingdom: A Basic Text in Premillennial Theology, John F. Walvoord, p 228, 1983 AD
“The prophetic foreview of Daniel 2 in Nebuchadnezzar’s image and the fourth beast of Daniel 7:23-27 likewise ignores the present age. ”
- The Millennial Kingdom: A Basic Text in Premillennial Theology, John F. Walvoord, p 228, 1983 AD
“The ultimate proof of the teaching that the present age is a parenthesis is in the positive revelation concerning the church as the body of Christ, the study of which will be undertaken next. The evidence for a parenthesis in the present age interrupting God’s predicted program for Jew and Gentile as revealed in the Old Testament is extensive, however. The evidence if interpreted literally leads inevitably to the parenthesis doctrine. The kingdom predictions of the Old Testament do not conform to the pattern of this present age. … Those among the premillennial group who see clearly the issues involved would do well to divorce themselves from the amillennial method in dealing with the prophetic word, and interpret the prophecies of the Old Testament in relation to the millennium rather than the present age. ”
- The Millennial Kingdom: A Basic Text in Premillennial Theology, John F. Walvoord, p 230, 1983 AD
FANTASY
FOLLY
CHILDISH
NOT CHRISTIANITY
What is a "mystery"? What is a "secret"?
1 Cor. 2:7,8 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery (secret), the hidden, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Ephesians 3:3-6,9 How by revelation he made known unto me the mystery (secret); (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 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; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 9) And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Colossians 1:25-27 Whereof I was made a minister according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you to fulfil the word of God; the mystery (secret) which hath been hid from ages and from generations BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST TO HIS SAINTS: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery (secret) among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you the hope of glory
This mystery is the new birth, salvation by grace through faith included the Gentiles but also to whosoever believes. This mystery, the new birth - Christ in you - was ordained by God before the world unto our glory, was not made known in other ages, has been hid in God from the beginning of the world, has been hid from ages and from generations is NOW MADE MANIFEST TO HIS SAINTS. What and who makes up the 'church'? Those that have been born again - Christ dwells in them - they are the body of Christ - ALL of this was a mystery (secret).