Romans 3:21 : But now apart from law, a righteous-ness of God bath been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. (American Bible Union Version.) In Paul's language, the term "the law" refers to the law of Moses. The American Standard Version has "apart from the law," but there is no "the" in this phrase in the Greek. This righteous-ness was "apart from law," any law, whether the law of Moses or the law under which Gentiles lived. The "now" is emphatic--now, in the present case, or in the present dispensation, a plan of righteousness has been manifested, made known, or brought to light. This plan is distinct from law. And yet the Jew should not have been astonished at the inauguration of this new plan of righteousness, for both the law and the prophets had borne witness concerning this plan of righteousness "being witnessed by the law and the prophets." "Being borne witness to.” It was not a new doctrine; it was found in the Old Testament. The apostle makes this observation with special reference to the Jews. He does not declare any new thing, but that which was fully declared in their own sacred writings." (Barnes' "Notes on the Epistle to the Romans.") Barnes was a Presbyterian, and usually fairly clear-headed but it is impossible for a person who does not comprehend God's plan of human redemption to see clearly some points. Paul does not say that this plan of righteousness was taught and developed by the law and the prophets, but that they bore witness, gave their testimony, concerning this plan of righteousness which was now, apart from the law, brought to light. But how witnessed by the law and the prophets? The tabernacle, with its various services and offerings, was a type of the better things to come. In speaking of these things, Paul adds this explanatory clause, "Which is a figure for the time present," or for the present time (Hebrews 9:9). In this way, and also in God's promise to Abraham, the law testified, or gave witness, concerning this plan of righteousness. And the prophets also gave their testimony concerning this plan of salvation through Christ, this plan that has now been manifested, or brought into view. Dislocating or Perverting Prophecy--A future-kingdom advocate makes this bold statement: "But the Old Testament knows nothing whatever of Chris-tianity!" That is, there is not a prophecy in the Old Testament concerning the gospel plan of salvation! Can you believe it? Yet that expresses boldly what is generally believed by the future-kingdom folks. But, in saying that the prophets gave witness concerning this plan of righteousness now made known, Paul flatly contradicts such assertions. In such teaching, these folks are not speculating about unfulfilled prophecies, so much as they are dislocating prophecies. They are taking prophecies that have been fulfilled, and prophecies that are now in the process of fulfillment, and setting them forward as prophecies that are yet unfulfilled. If they did no more than speculate about unfulfilled prophecies, their talk would not be worth considering. I deplore the fact that brethren have given them a decided advantage by referring to their theories as "speculation about unfulfilled prophecy." When they say that the land of promise to Abraham has not been fulfilled; that the prophecies concerning the restoration of the Jews have not been fulfilled; hat the prophecy of Dan 2:44 is not fulfilled in the church; that the prophecy that Christ would sit on David's throne has not been fulfilled and then you say, "Oh, yes; more speculation about unfulfilled prophecy," have you not conceded every point they claim? They say that these prophecies have not been fulfilled, and you agree with them by referring to their perversions as "speculations about unfulfilled prophecy." And when they say that none of the prophecies of the Old Testament refer to this gospel plan of salvation through Christ, why yield that point to them by calling such talk "speculation about unfulfilled prophecy?" I know of no greater perversion of Scripture than to say that none of the prophecies of the Old Testament refer to this present dispensation! Paul said the gospel to which he had been separated had been promised afore through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures (Romans 1:1). Jesus said that it had been written in the prophets that repentance and re-mission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:45-48). But why multiply Scriptures? The idea that the prophets said nothing of this "church age" was never heard of till some became wiser in their own minds than the apostles and Jesus Christ! And I have been astounded beyond expression to hear brethren continually refer to such perversions of Scripture as "speculation about unfulfilled prophecy"!