The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

VIII. Consensus of Reformation Writer Conviction

1. COVERAGE OF TABULAR CHARTS

A summarizing view of the leading positions of the principal Reformation writers on prophecy is presented here. Beginning with Luther in the sixteenth century, it is extended to include the first Catholic Futur its and Preterist counterinterpreters and their earliest Protestant followers. The same general plan of tabulation is here followed as was pursued with the pre Reformation interpreters (pages 156, 157), only now an increasing number of areas are included in the widening scope of study. (The post Reformation expositors appear in similar form in a concluding summary at the close of the volume.) PFF2 528.1

Two tabular charts are now needed, one to cover the book of Daniel and the other the book of Revelation. The leading features found in Daniel 2, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12, including their respective time periods, are listed in sequence. Similarly, the principal teachings of these expositors are given on the seven churches of Revelation 2 and 3, then the seven seals (Revelation 6, 7), the seven trumpets (Revelation 8, 9), the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11), the woman and the dragon (Revelation 12), the two beasts and the number (Rev elation 13), the angels and the mark (Revelation 14), the seven vials (Revelation 16), the scarlet woman, Babylon, and the beast (Revelation 17), the thousand years of the millennium (Revelation 20), and the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21 and 22. Their strikingly similar teaching on Antichrist, the Abomination of Desolation, and the Man of Sin, set forth by Christ, Paul, and John, also appear in separate columns. PFF2 528.2

The expositors serially listed on the two charts are not always identical, as some interpret Daniel but not the Revelation, or vice versa. Lesser lights, who merely reiterate, are omitted because of space limitations. They only serve to intensify the predominant positions. The broadened scope of interest and interpretation in this era is apparent. Reading horizontally, we obtain a comprehensive summary of the teachings of these principal writers; but reading down vertically, we get at a glance the collective convictions of the Reformation and Counter Reformation writers on these major points. This method is indispensable to reaching sound and fair conclusions. The main teachings of the era may thus be deduced. PFF2 529.1

2. SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS

The most marked characteristic of the Reformation period is the virtually unanimous belief that the Papacy is assuredly the predicted Antichrist, variantly called the Little Horn of Daniel 8, the Abomination of Desolation, the Man of Sin, the Beast, Babylon, and the Harlot of Old and New Testament prophecy. The four empires of prophecy, followed by the division of the Roman fourth, are taken as axiomatic. It is similarly the majority view that the Little Horn of Daniel 7 and the willful king of Daniel 11 also indicate the Papacy. There are some variations on these two symbols as referring to the Papacy, but never on the Papacy as the preeminent Antichrist. Every Reformer holds that steadfastly. PFF2 529.2

Picture 4: REFORMATION ERA LEADING POSITIONS OF PRINCIPAL EXPOSITORS ON REVELATION
(For Daniel, See Preceding Opening)
Page 530

Until the Jesuit Counter Reformation writers made their appearance, at the close of the period, the Historical School view of prophetic interpretation prevailed. There were virtually no exceptions. Then the Jesuits, coming to the aid of the Papacy, adroitly introduced the diverting, though conflicting, Futurist and Preterist schemes. PFF2 530.1

The same Protestant unanimity is true of the application of the year day principle for most prophetic time periods, which principle forms an inseparable part of the Historical School thesis. Not until the appearance of these same Jesuit counterinterpreters do we find any serious challenge to this uniform principle among Protestants, and even Catholics, though the precise timing of the periods was a matter of slow perception and gradual correction over a period of centuries. The 2300 days, it will be observed, were the least understood of all, and the last to be placed and to be included under the year day principle. PFF2 530.2

These features may well be compared and contrasted with the pre-Reformation writers (pages 156, 157) and the post-Reformation expositors (pages 784787). Likewise with the Jewish expositors, on page 194. A technical table of leading writers on the seventy weeks appears on page 430. Similar tables for the earlier centuries occur periodically in Volume I, and for sub sequent centuries in Volumes III and IV. PFF2 530.3

We repeat, for emphasis, that the primary principle established in the minds of the Reformation writers was that the Roman Papacy was in verity the predicted Antichrist, disclosed under an impressive series of symbolic names, so as to make the identification full, rounded, and inescapable. Antichrist was at first held back from early development by the dominant Roman Empire, the breakup of Rome opening the way for its development. Furthermore, it was declared to be an ecclesiastical system, not an individual. Its seat was in seven-hilled Rome, not in Jerusalem. It was primarily the apostasy within the Christian church, not simply the antagonism of Mohammedanism outside of and against the church. The Mohammedan Turks were clearly sensed in the sixth trumpet and the sixth vial. Further, the 1260 prophetic days were years, the same as the forty two prophetic months, and the three and a half prophetic times, or years. These refer to different aspects of the same common power and its various manifestations. And the Reformers sensed that they were well along in that designated period. PFF2 531.1

The prophecies covering the Christian Erawere looked upon as picturing the conflict between Christ and Antichrist, though involving the nations in which the battle was to be staged. The end of the warfare was drawing near, they were persuaded, and the judgments of God upon the impenitent would erelong be poured out, at the approaching end of the age, when both the Papacy and the Turk would come to their des tined end. These expositors knew approximately where they were in the grand outline. Practically all the way through the Reformation period, however, the Augustinian view of the thousand years, or millennium of Revelation 20 still held Christendom in its grip, though in modified Protestant form. Only as we come to the close of the Reformation and enter upon the seventeenth century expositors, is this great misconception rectified. PFF2 531.2