Christian eschatology and prophecy are interwoven in the teachings of the Bible to such an extent that the knowledge of the first is limited to the extent that we comprehend the second. Every doctrine of the Christian faith has its conclusion or culmination in that future which is the burden of Biblical prophecy. An ignorance of this prophecy, or any perversion of it, seriously affects one’s concept of the pure faith. It is for this reason, therefore, that a clear Biblical expression concerning prophecy is necessary. Especially is it needed because confusion is increasing among Christians with regard to trustworthy teaching of prophecy, leading, as is usual in such cases, to lessened certainty in testimony and to decreased evangelistic zeal in winning the lost to Christ.
With a view to rendering service to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church, a group of believers, assisted or counselled by many well-known and trusted Bible teachers, decided to call a conference on the Christian faith in its relation to prophecy. Because of its wide capacity organizationally, its peculiar fitness to promote such a conference, and its ability to distribute benefits derived therefrom, the sponsorship rested with the American Board of Missions to the Jews. Under the direction of its energetic and capable secretary, Dr. Joseph Hoffman Cohn, the program for a Congress on Prophecy was carefully arranged and it was carried out in the Calvary Baptist Church, New York City, November 1-8, 1942.