One of the characteristics of Western thought is that we like to organize and classify things into neat categories. Westerners like to systematize everything including our theology. We may even attempt to dissect the living Word of God as if it is a frog in a high school science lab. As such, when attempting to interpret and understand the Bible, we often attempt to define each verse or passage as if it is speaking of either the historical or the future fulfillment, as if it must be one or the other. But we need to understand that the Bible is an Eastern book and is not necessarily written with a Western mindset. And so, almost as if to drive Westerners crazy, we frequently find in the Scriptures passages which simply intermingle the historical and the future into one seamless passage. Consider for example the following classic passage:

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. —Isaiah 9:6-7

This passage speaks as if the primary purpose of this child, this son, is to vindicate Israel over and against her enemies. Consider what the child brings about: Israel’s boundaries will be expanded, the yoke that burdens the Jewish people will be shattered, warriors’ boots and blood will be a thing of the past. This child will bring in everlasting Peace. Yet the child has come, but the remainder of the prophecy has not yet been fulfilled. Israel is still oppressed. Wars continue. Within this passage there is a two thousand year pause or gap. Yet a face value reading of this passage gives no real indication of this. In one seamless passage, we have both the historical (the child was born) and the future fulfillment (He will rule, and shatter the rod of oppression and bring in everlasting peace). As much as we in the West like to approach a passage and divide it up into neat categories of historical or future, oftentimes, both elements are intertwined. Sometimes a passage may be partially historical with shadows of futuristic prophecies. Other times a prophet may be speaking almost entirely of the future with only a slight shade of historical emphasis. Other times yet, a passage may be entirely futuristic or historical.

How then are we to understand such passages? The answer lies in understanding the big story that all of the prophets are telling and identifying the commonly repeated themes which make up this big story. - Joel Richardson