Takes more irrationalism to believe in Scofield

On Revelation 2: "These messages are just plain letters to the seven churches with their consequent lessons to all churches in all places and times. Some extravagant notions have been entertained in regard to these messages. Dr. C.I. Scofield says : 'The messages to the seven churches have a prophetic application, as disclosing seven phases of the spiritual history of the church from, say, A.D. 96 to the end. It is incredible that in a prophecy covering the church period ther...e should be no such foreview. These messages must contain that foreview if it is in the book at all; for no church is mentioned after 3:22. These messages do present an exact foreview of the spiritual history of the church and in this precise order. Ephesus gives the general state at the date of the writing; Smyrna, the period of the great persecution; Pergamos, the church settled down in the world 'where Satan's throne is,' after the conversion of Constantine, say A.D. 316.Thyatira is the Papacy, 500 to 1500 A.D. Sardis is the Protestant Reformation whose works were not 'fulfilled.' Philadelphia is whatever bears clear testimony to the Word and Name in the time of self satisfied profession represented by Laudicea.' . . .
If Dr. Scofield finds such a scheme in these chapters, he must have use of a miscroscope that ordinary men do not possess. This is all sheer invention. By these methods one can prove anything; and find anything in the Scriptures whether it is there or no. Such interpretations are almost as rationalistic as the rationalism they condemn. A recent writer gives us an example in his reference to Joseph: Joseph is a type of Christ; He marries Asenath, a type of the Gentile church. This occurs before Joseph's brethren arrive in Egypt and become reconciled to him; thus the conversion of the Gentiles must precede the conversion of the Jews which will occur only when they meet Christ at his second advent. To make such farfetched arguments, is the extreme of allegorical interpretation. We might proceed with this kind of argument and say that since Joseph died and left his brethren in bondage, therefore the conversion of the Jews will result in their servitude to Satan; - a reduction and absurdum, but quite as legitimate." - David S. Clark, The Message From Patmos