WE MARK our 200th episode this week by reflecting on one of the most remarkable things we’ve learned about Bible prophecy over the last four years.
The so-called “silent centuries” between the books of Malachi and Matthew were not silent after all. Chapters 37–71 of the Book of 1 Enoch, called the Book of Parables by scholars, contain teachings not found in any Jewish writings, including the Old Testament, before the end of the 1st century BC. Specifically, the notion that forgiveness would come through repentance rather than ritual and a prophesied deliverer called “the Son of Man” who would come to Earth as the agent of God’s judgment first appear in the Book of Parables, which was written near the Sea of Galilee and completed just before the births of John and Jesus.
