The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 1

CHAPTER SIX: Prophetic Peak Reached in Apostolic Age

Only by an adequate understanding of the prophecy-expounding apostolic church can one see how the strong post-Apostolic prophetic interpretation impulse grew out of the teachings of Christ and the apostles, and persisted for centuries. The major Scripture prophecies, be it noted, point to either the first or second advent of Christ, or embrace both, as their climax. The New Testament is replete with declared fulfillments, in the life and death of Christ, of Old Testament prophecies concerning His first coming. ¹ And it also contains many predictive portions pointing to the transcendent second advent or to the related outline prophecies leading to that glorious consummation and the events connected therewith. PFF1 135.1

It should be borne in mind that when, perhaps twenty years after Christ’s ascension, the New Testament writings began to be sent out, first as epistles, and later as collections in general circulation, they were first written for specific churches and specific situations, and definitely presuppose an earlier oral teaching. They were sent initially to the churches concerned for their immediate guidance and help. And the prophetic portions were more fully understood at the time than some may have realized, as will become increasingly apparent. PFF1 135.2