This Law or Rule was formulated by Henry Alford (1810-1871) as a rule of biblical interpretation. It appeared in his monumental multi-volume work completed in 1861, The Greek Testament, which is still consulted today.

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Alford presented the rule as follows with specific reference to the first resurrection in Rev. 20:4–6: George Eldon Ladd refers to this “law” and cites the quote above in support of his position on Historic Premillennialism and the interpretation of the Book of Revelation chapter 20. Ladd writes: The brief form of the quote from Alford above may also be found in works by Alva J. McClain, Joseph Seiss, and J. Barton Payne. A lengthier citation including the statement above is found in the works of William Eugene Blackstone, and George N. H. Peters: Wayne Grudem cites the rule only to discredit it: John Piper has been cited concerning Alford as follows: