Was Old Testament prophecy about Israel or the Church?
Old Testament prophecy was directed to the nation of Israel, not the Church. The Old Testament gives no indication of the Church as such; not a word describes this Church Age comprised of Gentile believers. The prophets saw Messiah’s two advents as one, expecting Israel’s King and Kingdom, while the Church Age remained unrevealed.
Les explains that all prophecy was directed to the nation of Israel, and no prophecy gives any indication of the Church as such. Not a word is breathed throughout the Old Testament about this Church Age comprised of Gentile believers. The Old Testament prophets understood there was something between His first advent and His coming in power and glory, but they viewed the two advents like mountain ranges seen from a distance—they looked like one range with no discernible valley between. According to prophecy it would go beyond the cross, and Israel would have her King and the Kingdom and enter the Kingdom Age. But it did not end that way because Israel rejected it, and unknown to the Old Testament writers, the whole period of time called the Church Age was opened up and parenthesized.