The First Apology

But when the Spirit of prophecy speaks of things that are about to happen as if they have already taken place—as can be seen even in the passages I have already mentioned—this should not be used as an excuse by readers to misinterpret them. We will make this clear as well. The things that the Spirit absolutely knows will happen, He predicts as if they have already occurred. You will understand that the statements should be received this way if you pay attention to them. The words cited earlier were spoken by David 1500 years before Christ became a man and was crucified; and none of those who lived before Him, nor any of His contemporaries, brought joy to the Gentiles by being crucified. But our Jesus Christ, being crucified and dead, rose again, and having ascended to heaven, reigned; and because of the things that were proclaimed in His name among all nations by the apostles, there is joy for those who expect the immortality promised by Him.