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BY THE AUTHOR
Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.
Philadelphia College of Bible
1970

Edited by Dr. Clarence E. Mason, Jr.

SECTION: Addendum 2
The Prophetic Story

1. Prophecy must be divided into that which is fulfilled and that which is unfulfilled.
   1. Fulfilled prophecy has been fulfilled exactly and literally, thus establishing the divine method of the fulfilment of prophecy.
   2. Unfulfilled prophecy will follow the same method. It is unreasonable to say prophecy has been fulfilled up to a certain point in one way, and will be fulfilled from that point on in a different way. Cp, Isa. 61:1-3.
2. Prophecy of the O.T. should be distinguished from that of the N.T.
   1. SEVEN MAJOR THEMES OF PROPHECY IN THE O.T.
      1. Concerning the Gentiles
         1. The allotment of the portion of the sons of Noah, Gen. 9:26-27
         2. The judgments upon the nations surrounding Israel, Isa. 13-23; Jer. 46-49
         3. The four world-ruling monarchies, Daniel 2 and 7
         4. Final judgment of the Gentile nations, Joel 3; Zeph. 3:8
         5. Promise of great blessing for Gentiles, Isa. 11:10; 42:1, 6; 49:6; 22; 60:3; 62:2
      2. Concerning Israel's Early History
         Covers the period of Abraham's life and Israel's bondage in Egypt.
         1. Egyptian bondage and release, Gen. 15:13-14
         2. Character and destiny of Israel's sons. Gen. 49
         3. Israel in the land after the Egyptian bondage, Dt. 28:62-67
      3. Concerning the Nation Israel
         Begins with Abrahamic Covenant and continues through whole O.T.
         1. National entity, Jer. 31:36
         2. A king, Jer. 33:21
         3. A kingdom, Dan. 7:14
         4. A land, Gen. 13:15
         5. A throne, 2 Sam. 7:16; Ps. 89:36
      4. Concerning the Last Dispersion and Regathering of Israel
         The Assyrian captivity of the Northern Kingdom and Babylonian captivity of the Southern Kingdom, followed by dispersion at hands of Rome, were national punishments for sin. The whole of Israel was thus taken from off the land and scattered among nations of the earth. But the Scriptures make clear that Israel will finally be regathered. Lev. 26:32-39; Dt. 28:63-68; Neh. 1:8; Jer. 9:16; 18:15-17; Ezek. 12:14-15; 20:33; 22:15
      5. Concerning the Two Advents of Messiah
         From 1 Pet. 1:10-11 we see the prophets did not distinguish between the two advents of Messiah. Thus, He is seen as a Lamb (Isa. 53) and as a Lion (Isa. 11:1-12; Jer. 33:5-6). Cp. Isa. 61:1-2, where the two views are united.
         
         Prophecy said Christ must:
         1. Be of the tribe of Judah Gen. 49:10
         2. Be of the house of David Isa. 11:1; Jer. 33:21
         3. Be born in a supernatural way Isa. 7:14
         4. Be born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2
         5. Die a sacrificial death Isa. 53
         6. Die by crucifixion Ps. 22
         7. Rise from the dead Ps. 16:8-11
         8. Come to earth the second time Zech. 14:3-4 on the clouds of heaven Dan. 7:13
             
      6. Concerning the Tribulation and the Day of the LORD
         A time of tribulation related to the present age-long chastisement of Israel is seen. Dt. 4:29-30; Ps. 2:5; Isa. 24:16-20; Jer. 30:4-7; Dan. 12:1. This is enlarged in the N.T., but the O.T. indicates the one essential feature of the tribulation period--it is the "time of Jacob's trouble." Jer. 30:4-7
      7. Concerning the Messianic Kingdom and the Day of the Lord
         No theme of prophecy involves so much Scripture. Vision of this kingdom given to all the prophets. As Israel was literally removed from the land in chastening, so certainly will she be brought back in blessing. Isa. 11:1-16; 12:1-6; 24:22-27-13; 35:1-10; 54:1-55:13; Isa. 59:20-66:24; Jer. 23:3-8; 31:1-40; 32:37-41; 33:1-26; Ezek. 34:11-31; 36:32-38; 37:1-28; 40:1-48:35; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:14; Hos. 3:4-5; 13:9-14:9; Joel 2:28-3:21; Amos 9:11-15; Zeph. 3:14-20; Zech. 8:1-23; Zech. 14:9-21. There are more than fifty extended passages in all which deal with this.
          
   2. NINE MAJOR THEMES OF N.T. PROPHECY
      1. The New Age: not announced in O.T. but now revealed
         A "mystery" or one of the sacred secrets hidden in the counsels of God until the appointed time of its revelation. The following predictions are made concerning the new age:
         1. Said to be evil, Gal. 1:4
         2. Course characterized by the parallel development of good and evil, Mt. 13:24-30,36-43
         3. Its last days set forth in extended prophecies:
            2 Thes. 2:1-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Jas. 5:1-10; 2 Pet. 2:1-3:8; Jude 1-24; Rev. 3:14-22
            (d) No prediction of a converted earth, Mt. 13:1-50; 24:38-39; 2 Tim. 3:16
      2. The New Divine Purpose: Jew and Gentile united in Christ as co-equals
         In addition to the two 0. T. divisions into Jew and Gentile, a third is now added--the Church. Into this group during this age Jews and Gentiles both are gathered and united. They are related to Christ as His sheep, John 10:6-16; the branch in the vine, John 15:1-5; the stones in a building, Eph. 2:18-22; a kingdom of priests, 1 Pet. 2:5; Heb. 8:1; the new creation, 2 Cor. 5:17; the body, Eph. 1:22-23; 3:6; and will be related as His bride in heaven. Rev. 19:7; 12:9.
         
         When this out-calling is completed:
         1. Christ will come to receive His own John 14:1-3
         2. Those who have died will be raised 1 Cor. 15:23
         3. Those then living will be translated 1 Cor. 15:51; 1 Thes. 4:13-17
         4. All, whether by resurrection or translation, will receive a new body like His glorious body Phil. 3:10
             
      3. The Nation Israel: blinded in part but yet to repent and be restored
         Israel in N.T. prophecy is taken up where O.T. prophecy leaves them, scattered and disorganized. Judgments are pronounced on all; blessings on a repentant remnant.
         1. Dispensationally, they are set aside Rom. 3:9; 11:19-22
         2. The wrath of God will fall on them 1 Thes. 2:16
         3. Their beloved city would fall Luke 21:20-34
         4. Sorrows of the tribulation predicted Mt. 24:8-22
         5. Sifting judgments preparatory to their Mt. 24:44-25:30 entrance into the kingdom Ezek. 20:33-44
         6. His own occupancy of the throne of David Mt. 25:31
         7. Blessings under the Davidic Covenant Lk. 1:31-33; Rev. 5:5; 11:15
         8. Israel's place in the tribulation Rev. 7:4-17; 12:13-17
            
            Israel through this age will be rebellious (Lk. 19:14); partially blind (Rom. 11:25); broken off (Rom. 11:17); without national center (Lk. 21:24); scattered (Mt. 10:6); in tribulation will be hated (Mt. 24:9); and in the Kingdom will be regathered (Mt. 24:31), and saved (Rom. 11:27).
             
      4. The Gentiles: "Times of Gentiles" run through age and conclude at Christ's return
         1. The "times of the Gentiles, " begun in the scattering of Judah by Babylon 600 years before Christ, and marked by a succession of world empires (Dan. 2 and 7), continue their course through the present dispensation, and are ended by the coming of Christ to earth, Dan. 2:44.
         2. Christ comes in the "fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God"
            (Rev. 19:15) as the "smiting stone" (Dan. 2:36-45), and conquers the nations of the earth in the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 19:llff.).
         3. The divine purpose in this age is to have the Gospel preached to Gentiles as well as Jews, to call out His Church (Acts 15:14).
             
      5. The Tribulation; more detail added in N.T., including apostate Christendom's doom The O.T. Predictions are continued with more detail.
         1. Christ speaks of that time in relation to Israel Mt. 24:8-31
         2. Paul writes of it in relation to the forces of evil 2 Thes. 2:1-12
         3. John writes of the divine program which will be enacted in those days Rev. 6:1-19:6
            Divine judgments are accomplished, forces of evil are released then terminated, and ecclesiastical and political "Babylon" are destroyed.
             
      6. Satan and Forces of Evil: expanding "mystery of evil" reaches its climax
         1. Prophecy concerning Satan which began in Ezek. 28:11-19 and Isaiah 14:12-17 is continued, revealing
            1. His expulsion from heaven to earth Rev. 12:7-12
            2. His binding and confinement Rev. 20:1-3
            3. His temporary release and deception of the nations
               Rev. 20:7-9
            4. His final doom in the lake of fire Rev. 20:10
         2. Paralleling this is the prophecy of the Man of Sin, begun in Ezek. 28:1-10; Dan. 7:8; 9:24-27; 11:36-45
            1. Is continued by Christ whose coming is a sign to Israel Mt. 24:15
            2. Seen as the object of worship in the restored temple by Paul 2 Thes. 2:1-12; Rev. 13:11-18
            3. Seen by John in his governmental power Rev. 13:3-10
            4. And in his final doom Rev. 19:20; 20:10
                
      7. Second Coming of Christ to^ Air and to Earth: distinguished as two steps
         1. Predicted by Christ, Mt. 24:37-25:46; Mk. 13:1-37; Lk. 21:3-38
         2. Predicted by Paul, Rom. 11:26; 1 Thes. 3:13; 5:1-4; 2 Thes. 1:7-2:12
         3. Predicted by James, Jas. 5:1-8
         4. Predicted by Peter, 2 Pet. 21:1-3:17
         5. Predicted by Jude, Jude 14-15
         6. Predicted by John throughout the Revelation
            Subject of first prediction by a prophet, Jude 14-15, and the last message of the Bible, Rev. 22:20.
             
      8. Messianic Kingdom: its government, requirements, and exact length
         The character of the Kingdom, its government and requirements are presented in the Synoptics, and its duration told by John in Rev. 20:4-6.
          
      9. The Eternal State: N. T. gives only detail in Bible on this area of truth While the O.T. says little of the future state, Christ and the apostles reveal much about it. Jesus said more about eternal punishment in three years than all the prophets had said in 3000 years, Mt. 25:46; John 14:1-3; Rev. 20:14-15; 21:1-22:15.
          

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