This book is presentation of this study of prophecy as it relates to the church has certain presuppositions. The Bible is considered to be the final court of appeal and its words are regarded as infallibly inspired of God. In the interpretation of prophecy, the same general principles of exposition of the Word of God are followed as in other areas of theology, namely, the normal or literal meaning of the words is assumed unless good ground is discovered for another meaning. The church is regarded as the body of believers of the present age as distinguished from the saints of the Old Testament, the nation Israel, or saints of future ages.
Two major aspects of the church are distinguished, namely, the body of Christ composed of all true believers in the present age, and the professing church or Christendom, formed by all who are included in the organized church in its largest dimension. Their respective prophetic programs, though largely parallel, now have a sharply different consummation. The view is defended that the hope of the church is vital to any true believer in Christ, being important theologically and practically, as well as eschatologically. Ours is indeed “that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
