Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 27:1 (Spring 2023)
Article: An Exegetical And Biblical-Theological Case For Prophetic Foreshortening Between Daniel 9:26 And 9:27
Author: John J. Yeo

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An Exegetical And Biblical-Theological Case For Prophetic Foreshortening Between Daniel 9:26 And 9:27

John J. Yeo1

Key Words: Apotelesmatic, Athnach, Eschatology, Hermeneutics, Prophetic Foreshortening

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Introduction

The notion of a parenthesis between Daniel 9:26 and 9:27 has been perennially denied and even mocked among evangelicals. For instance, Michael Horton states, “In classical Dispensationalism, God’s ultimate program involves the nation Israel. The Church is a ‘parenthesis’ (Chafer), a sort of footnote or sidetrack in contrast to God’s main mission to save ethnic, national Israel. We believe that this position gravely misunderstands the plan of God and the clear teaching of the Scriptures.”2 Yet the notion of a parenthesis—especially in prophetic texts—is an established hermeneutical feature known as “prophetic foreshortening.” Robert Plummer defines it in the following manner: “The technical term for a variety of future events being viewed together (without strict chronological sequencing) is prophetic foreshortening.”3 He further notes, “It has been pointed out that the first and second comings of Jesus are described in the Old Testament with prophetic foreshortening. That is, only with the completion of the first coming of Jesus are we able to see clearly that the Messiah’s

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visible and universal reign (the consummated kingdom) will come after a gap of time.”4 As an example, Plummer uses the “virgin prophecy” of Isaiah 7:14, where he interprets the prophesied child “to be applied to the setting in his own day [Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz], as well as to some other promised child in the distant future [Christ].”5 Plummer then employs the illustration of the two mountain peaks:

It is possible that Isaiah had a prophetic vision of two children in much the same way that we see two mountains from a distance. Viewed from far away, the two mountains appear side by side as one monolithic structure. One cannot tell how far apart they are or even if they are distinct formations. Only as we draw closer to the initial mountain do we see that the other mountain is actually separated from it by some distance. Similarly, it has been argued, some ancient prophets had visions of multiple forthcoming ...