The Work Of Christ: Past, Present and Future

In Short

This book presents a theological framework defining the work of Jesus Christ through a threefold lens: His past work as the sin-bearing Savior, His present work as the High Priest and Advocate for believers, and His future work as the sovereign King. By weaving together Old Testament prophecy, New Testament doctrine, and apocalyptic vision, the author constructs a linear history of redemption. It remains a foundational text for those interested in dispensational theology, valued for its rigorous attempt to categorize the various offices of Christ and their unfolding impact on both the church and Israel.

The Story

The narrative of redemption begins at the dawn of creation, where all things are formed by and for the Son of God. When sin enters the world, it brings not only human ruin but a cosmic bondage of corruption. The author posits that this catastrophe necessitated a singular response: the incarnation of the Creator Himself. This act—the Son of God appearing in human form—is the essential precursor to His mission, yet the author is careful to clarify that the incarnation alone could not accomplish the work of atonement. It brought God to man, but it could not bridge the chasm created by sin. That required the cross.

The story progresses to the "Holy of Holies" of the divine plan: the crucifixion. Here, the author details the threefold nature of Christ’s suffering: physical agony inflicted by men, spiritual warfare waged by the devil, and the profound, mysterious judgment of a holy God. Unlike human accounts that focus on the physical brutality of the Romans, the author insists that the spiritual weight of atonement—the bearing of sin and the endurance of divine wrath—is the true center of the event. With the cry "It is finished," Christ concludes His past work, a victory confirmed by the physical resurrection, which serves as God’s "Amen" to the completed sacrifice.

Following the resurrection, the arc shifts to the present. Christ ascends to the highest heaven, where He does not remain idle. He serves as a High Priest, interceding for His people and acting as their Advocate against the accusations of the adversary. This phase is characterized by His active care for the church, which He guides, purges, and sustains through the Holy Spirit. The author emphasizes that this present work is just as vital as the past; it is the force that keeps the believer secure, transforming the life of faith into a state of permanent grace.

The final movement of the book looks toward the future. The author argues that Christ’s kingly rule remains an unfulfilled promise on the earth. This period will commence with the return of Christ, involving a series of judgments—first upon the church, then upon apostate Christendom, and finally upon the living nations. Through the Great Tribulation, a remnant of Israel will be restored, and the gospel will be spread to the nations. Ultimately, Christ will establish a kingdom of righteousness on earth, fulfilling the ancient prophecies of David’s throne. The arc concludes with the final defeat of death, the surrender of the kingdom to the Father, and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth, where the divine purpose reaches its absolute, eternal resolution.

How It Unfolds

The necessity of redemption The author begins by establishing the necessity of the incarnation, arguing that because the creation was ruined by sin, only the Creator possessed the capacity to initiate a redemptive work. This phase serves as the foundation for all subsequent roles Christ assumes.

The sacrificial shadow The text then moves to the Old Testament, where institutions like the levitical priesthood and events such as the Passover are presented as "foreshadowings." These rituals are treated as a vast, divinely orchestrated rehearsal for the events at Calvary.

The mystery of atonement The argument shifts to the crucifixion, framing it as the central act of human history. The author distinguishes between the physical suffering of the victim and the deeper, atoning judgment enacted by God.

The active present Once the resurrection is confirmed, the book explores Christ’s current role as High Priest and Advocate. The author emphasizes that this work is continuous and essential for the security of those who believe.

The future kingdom The final section addresses the unfulfilled prophetic promises of a literal, earthly kingdom. The author differentiates between the current age of the church and the coming era of judgment and restoration, concluding with the transition to an eternal state where God is "all in all."

The People

The book is centered on the Son of God, whom the author describes as a "Being which cannot be classified," existing simultaneously as the eternal God and the man born in Bethlehem. His desire is to restore a ruined creation through the sacrifice of Himself, an act that requires Him to navigate the malice of Satan and the demands of divine justice. He ends His role as the suffering servant and enters into His glory as the King of kings.

Satan acts as the primary antagonist, a cunning adversary whose goal is to prevent the work of the cross and to accuse the followers of Christ before God. He is a persistent force of corruption, yet the author maintains that he is ultimately subject to the sovereign timing of the Messiah, eventually to be cast down.

The Church consists of those who have accepted the finished work of the cross. Their role is to live in the security of Christ’s present advocacy, trusting in His intercession rather than their own merit. The author portrays them as being in a state of "divine carelessness," encouraged to release all anxiety because they are under the watchful eye of the Shepherd.

Israel occupies a special place in the narrative as the earthly people of God. Throughout history, they remain under His preservation, and in the future, a "remnant" of them will play a crucial role in heralding the gospel of the kingdom during the period of tribulation.

In Its Own Voice

"The child born in Bethlehem alone could speak thus."

This line appears in a discussion about how the prophetic psalms reveal a depth of divine consciousness that no ordinary human child could possess.

"The incarnation was necessary in anticipation of His work as the Priest of His people."

The author connects the act of becoming human to the subsequent role of Christ as a merciful intercessor.

"Then we have a perfect acceptance and standing before God; perfect nearness and access to God."

This quote summarizes the author's argument regarding the secure, definitive status of the believer following the completed work of the cross.

What It's Really About

The central argument is that the work of Christ is an objective, historical, and prophetic reality that functions independently of human effort. The author contends that salvation is not a process managed by the individual, but a finished legal and spiritual act—a "perfect justification"—that the believer simply inherits. Beneath the theological technicality lies a profound concern with security: the fear that human sinfulness might jeopardize one’s standing before God. By anchoring the believer’s peace in the unchanging, priestly work of Christ in heaven, the book attempts to resolve the tension between the reality of persistent human failure and the promise of divine permanence.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate traditional, systematic theology will find this book a clear and dedicated roadmap of a specific interpretive tradition. The author’s voice is earnest and firm, reflecting a time when theological debate was conducted with a high degree of gravity and certainty.

However, the modern reader should be aware of the book’s age and its distinct, early 20th-century theological environment. The prose is dense, occasionally repetitive, and assumes a reader who is already well-versed in the specific terminology of the King James Bible. The author’s dismissive tone toward other religious systems—such as Unitarianism or Christian Science—is a byproduct of the period’s polemical style and may feel jarring or narrow to a contemporary audience.

You should pick this up if you are curious about the mechanics of "dispensationalism," a system of biblical interpretation that separates history into distinct eras. It is not a book for a casual or skeptical reader; it is written for someone seeking to understand a specific, structured view of how the divine mission to earth was planned, executed, and will eventually be brought to its final, cosmic conclusion. What stays with the reader is the intensity of the author's conviction that everything—from the smallest detail of the Old Testament tabernacle to the future of the nations—is held within a singular, divine gaze.