Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 14:2 (Summer 1971)
Article: Is Prophecy Being Fulfilled Today?
Author: Rolland D. McCune

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CenQ 14:2 (Summer 1971) p. 27

Is Prophecy Being Fulfilled Today?

Rolland D. McCune

Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Minneapolis

Quite frequently one hears that Bible prophecies on various subjects are being fulfilled in our time, before our very eyes. This usually produces an initial thrill that the Word of God is being “confirmed” by objective reality and is thus all the more trustworthy for our faith.

This was especially true when Israel again became a political state in 1948, and also during and after the Israeli—Arab war of 1967. The former allegedly fulfilled the prophecies of Israel’s regathering and the budding of the fig tree, while the latter gave further confirmation on the same, plus the added factor that Israel was put in possession of the coveted Temple area on Mount Moriah.

Israel was expected to rebuild the temple and to shortly begin offering sacrifices therein. Indeed, a report was widespread that a limestone company in Bedford, Indiana, was supposedly shipping limestone by the multiplied tons to build the temple in Israel. Although this rumor has since been discredited, there is still a general feeling that prophecy has been fulfilled in recent years and that therefore the second coming of Christ must occur within the present generation.

The Bible clearly teaches that Christ will come back for the Church prior to the time of wrath known as the seven-year tribulation period. This is the “Blessed Hope” taught by Paul (Tit. 2:13) and cherished by multitudes of Christians of the past and present. Can we say, however, that Bible prophecy, especially regarding Israel, is being fulfilled in the present age? It does not appear that such is the case for a number of reasons. These reasons will be set forth and explained in the remainder of this study.

The Imminency of the Rapture of the Church. A working definition of imminency is that the return of Christ could be any-moment; there are no prophesied intervening events between the believer and the coming of his

CenQ 14:2 (Summer 1971) p. 28

Lord. This doctrine is taught in such passages that speak of the Day of the Lord (which begins with the Rapture) as coming as a “thief in the night” (I Thess. 5:2) and the consequent necessity to “watch,” “look,” “wait,” and be prepared for that event (I Thess. 5:6; Tit. 2:13; I Cor. 1:7; I Jn. 2:28).

The implication of the teaching of present-day...

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