Allegorizing Israel - J.C. Ryle

Here's a very good quote from J.C. Ryle, protesting against the habit of some Christians to allegorize Old Testament prophecies and plain sayings concerning the future history of the nation of Israel.

“What I protest against is the habit of allegorizing plain sayings of the Word of God concerning the future history of the nation of Israel and explaining away the fullness of their contents in order to accomodate them to the gentile church.”

Ryle held to premillennialism and to a distinction between Israel and the Church, strongly criticizing the views that would seek to allegorize the Scriptures to say that the Church is the 'new Israel' or that this present age is the kingdom of Christ (amillennialism).

I highly recommend reading Ryle's book 'Coming Events and Present Duties', especially the chapter 'Scattered Israel to be Gathered' for a more detailed exposition on the matter.

The book is available for free online:
http://futureisraelministries.org/j_c_ryle.html