Isreal and Church

The prophecy found in Daniel 9:24-27 is a key to understanding the parenthetical nature of this present age. Israel's history from the rebuilding of Jerusalem to the second coming of Messiah is incorporated in the 70 Week prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27. We know that Messiah was cut off (referring to His violent death) after the 69th week, and we know from the book of Revelation and other Scripture passages that the 70th week is yet future and represents the final seven years before the Messiah returns to the earth. Between the 69th and 70th weeks is a "gap" of nearly 2000 years, during which time God has been building His Church (Matthew 16:18) and "visiting the nations to take out of them a people for His Name" (Acts 15:14).

It is highly significant that this 70-Week prophecy of Daniel, while detailing the history of God's people--"seventy weeks are determined upon thy people" (Dan. 9:24)--has nothing to say about a period of history which is now known to consist of nearly two millennia. When this remarkable "gap" or "parenthesis" is integrated with Daniel's great chronological prophecy, the interpreter is forced to distinguish two histories: 1) the stated history of Israel (490 years); 2) the unstated, parenthetical history of the Church (already nearly 2000 years). God has a distinct history or program for Israel as well as a distinct history or program for His Church. The two programs harmonize perfectly but do not interfere one with the other, nor do they overlap in time. The Church age in its entirety falls in the period of time after the conclusion of the 69th week and before the beginning of the 70th week.

Vital Distinctions Between Israel and the Church

Dispensationalists are distinguished from non-Dispensationalists in that they recognize clear Biblical distinctions between Israel and the Church. The following distinctions, illustrated in chart form, are based on the clear teachings of the Scriptures when interpreted in their plain, normal, literal sense. For example, non-Dispensationalists are horrified at the thought that animal sacrifices will be observed in the future Messianic kingdom, but this is what the Old Testament prophets predicted. [For further study, see The Millennial Temple of Ezekiel 40-48 by Dr. John Whitcomb (An Exercise