I won't have too much time to reply the rest of the week: grading, commencement, etc. However, I want to get this started. In prophetic interpretation there is something called the Christological principle. Here are a couple of scholars about that:
Paul Lee Tan wrote in his irreplaceable book on interpreting prophecy, “Christ is the central figure and focus of all history and prophecy. The apostle Peter tells the household of Cornelius that all the prophets witnessed of Jesus (Acts 10:43). The angel tells John the Seer that ‘the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’ (Rev. 19:10). Christ Himself, on the road to Emmaus, explains to the two disciples ‘in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself’ (Luke 24:27). The centrality of Christ in prophecy is therefore an indispensable element in prophetic interpretation. Since Christ is the theme of prophecy and history, the interpreter must interpret prophecy Christologically” (The Interpretation of Prophecy, 1974, p. 104.)
According to theologian Bernard Ramm in his classic work on hermeneutics, “The centrality of Jesus Christ must be kept in mind in all prophetic interpretation [italics in original]. Millennialism degenerates into cultism whenever prophetic interpretation ceases to be dominantly Christological” (Protestant Biblical Interpretation, 1956 p. 248).
Concerning Christ being glorified in prophecy, especially in the millennium, but including in the tribulation period (with a pretrib view), I believe He is glorified much more in premillennialism. In the postmil position, we humans (with God's help, I suppose) bring in the kingdom, not Christ. In the amil view, there is no kingdom; Christ just shows up without a kingdom unless you want to stick the Kingdom of God as a spiritual-only entity into your theology. In the preterist position, especially the full preterist position, there is no need for Christ even to show up. But if He does come it already happened, and it was spiritual and not physical.
In the premil position, Christ comes back in power and glory to rule 1000 years. His kingdom, both spiritual and physical, is one of perfect righteousness and justice. The millennial reign of Christ proves that only He can govern this wicked old earth. Only the Lamb is worthy to judge and to rule! Thus, the Christological principle of prophecy is fully engaged in the premil position. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" (Rev. 5:12).
Paul Lee Tan wrote in his irreplaceable book on interpreting prophecy, “Christ is the central figure and focus of all history and prophecy. The apostle Peter tells the household of Cornelius that all the prophets witnessed of Jesus (Acts 10:43). The angel tells John the Seer that ‘the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’ (Rev. 19:10). Christ Himself, on the road to Emmaus, explains to the two disciples ‘in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself’ (Luke 24:27). The centrality of Christ in prophecy is therefore an indispensable element in prophetic interpretation. Since Christ is the theme of prophecy and history, the interpreter must interpret prophecy Christologically” (The Interpretation of Prophecy, 1974, p. 104.)
According to theologian Bernard Ramm in his classic work on hermeneutics, “The centrality of Jesus Christ must be kept in mind in all prophetic interpretation [italics in original]. Millennialism degenerates into cultism whenever prophetic interpretation ceases to be dominantly Christological” (Protestant Biblical Interpretation, 1956 p. 248).
Concerning Christ being glorified in prophecy, especially in the millennium, but including in the tribulation period (with a pretrib view), I believe He is glorified much more in premillennialism. In the postmil position, we humans (with God's help, I suppose) bring in the kingdom, not Christ. In the amil view, there is no kingdom; Christ just shows up without a kingdom unless you want to stick the Kingdom of God as a spiritual-only entity into your theology. In the preterist position, especially the full preterist position, there is no need for Christ even to show up. But if He does come it already happened, and it was spiritual and not physical.
In the premil position, Christ comes back in power and glory to rule 1000 years. His kingdom, both spiritual and physical, is one of perfect righteousness and justice. The millennial reign of Christ proves that only He can govern this wicked old earth. Only the Lamb is worthy to judge and to rule! Thus, the Christological principle of prophecy is fully engaged in the premil position. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" (Rev. 5:12).
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