Wednesday 14 January 2015

Analogy about Fulfilled Prophecy

Dispensationalism doesn't account for the fulfilment of prophecy. But neither does Replacement Theology, if i understand the terms correctly. 

I think it's like sending a Christmas package by FedEx addressed to your relatives. Inside the package are lots of smaller gifts, with a letter explaining that your relatives are to distribute them. 

The distribution of the gifts can only happen if there is first a delivery of the package to the relative's address. One can't happen without the other; one is not complete without the other - but the two events are not precisely the same.

Similarly I'm saying that there are some things in Bible-Prophecy which could only have been fulfilled in Israel (like the delivery of the package); meanwhile there are other passages which described Gentiles (like the distribution of the gifts); and there are passages which refer equally to both recipients.

But they are not all one and the same. There was a historical distinction and interdependence between the two events before the new, joint identity could come into existence.


So while any promise given to Israel can be applied spiritually today by the Church to itself, it would be a mistake to think all of the details in such prophecies didn't happen in Israel and for Israel.

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