The Great Prophecies Concerning the Gentiles, the Jews, and the Church of God

Today’s prophecy students continue to benefit from the insightful and biblical writings of 19th-century theologian George H. Pember. Though “Earth’s Earliest Ages and their Connection with Modern Spiritualism and Theosophy” is Pember’s most well-known work, this work, “The Great Prophecies Concerning the Gentiles, the Jews, and the Church of God,” is just as edifying. Pember wrote of the purpose of his book when stated, “…for we do not propose to speak, in the present volume, of the Last Week, the Millennial Age, and the Final Judgment. We have considered the great Gentile and Jewish prophecies in order that we might better understand the times of the Church, and we have traced the career of the latter, until we left her in heaven with her Lord.” Pember begins with a study of the sign of the times, the seven dispensations, three lines of prophecy, and the three prophetic periods. He then turns his attention towards exegeting the relevant Old and New Testament passages to show how God revealed the rise and fall of nations through prophecy. In the second half of the book, he turns his attention towards the teachings and parables of Christ in the gospels concerning the end times. The book concludes with an in-depth study of the seven churches in Revelation and the rapture. God’s love and everlasting covenant is a thread that runs throughout the book. Decades before Israel became a nation, Pember spoke with confidence about the restoration of the Jews to the land promised them by God. While authors of more recent books have the benefit of hindsight, a study of Pember’s work reminds the reader that God has made clear his plan in scripture. More so, the reader will be encouraged to to recognize that He is faithful and sure to carry out His will in every age and circumstance.