DISPENSATIONAL TRUTH

Parenthesis

Parenthesis. The recognition of a parenthesis is important when translating the Scriptures; two instances already given may bear repetition here.

2 Peter 1:19 as it stands favours the idea that the Second Coming is not personal, but occurs when one receives the Saviour in the heart.

Ephesians 6:12 as it stands teaches that there, even where Christ sits in "heavenly places" war is still being waged. The truth in each passage is revealed by the observance of the parenthesis.

"Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed	as unto a light . . . until the day star arise	in your hearts"
"For we wrestle not with flesh and blood	But with principalities . . . of this world	In heavenly places".

In each case the central portion of the sentence can be omitted, leaving the simple sentence:

"Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed in your hearts."

"For we wrestle not with flesh and blood in heavenly places."

We are, however, not so concerned here with a grammatical parenthesis as to make sure that the reader understands a remark that occurs more than once in our articles, namely that the present dispensation is parenthetical. The idea is that the promise made to Abraham and the fulfilment in the age to come, can be likened to the two outside positions of the sentence shown above, while the Mystery finds its place between the break which occurred at Acts twenty-eight and the resumption of the promise to the Fathers that will mark the close of the present dispensation. We give a drawing above of a method often adopted to exhibit this feature.

An Alphabetical Analysis