Prophecy: Biblical
Interpretation and Biblical Prophecy
Principles
of Biblical Interpretation of Prophecy
There are many excellent books on the topic of Bible
interpretation. In fact, this subject is so broad that it has its own technical
name: Hermeneutics. The word hermeneutics comes from the Greek hermeneo,
which means ‘to translate’ or ‘ to interpret.’ For a general purpose book
about principles of Bible interpretation we recommend “Living by the Book” by
Howard Hendricks.
Interpretation of Bible prophecy
takes special care, and there are books written just about prophecy
hermeneutics. But, for the sake of simplicity, we submit this list of
rules for your consideration. Please feel free to comment on these
guidelines and suggest additions or modifications.
1 – Understand that all true
Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable to every believer.
- Since a large part of the Bible is prophecy, that portion of God’s Word should not be ignored or minimized. The literal fulfillment of prophecies about the first coming of Jesus Christ are the greatest proof that the Bible is inspired, and sets the standard for a literal interpretation of End Times events.
- No portion of Scripture should be set aside as unimportant or irrelevant. All Scripture is worthy of sincere study and application.
- · 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 – Understand
progressive revelation.
- Part of God’s plan for the human race was introduced in Genesis, but later Scripture added additional information and understand culminating with the Gospels, and the rest of the New Testament. Later inspiration often added to previously revealed knowledge, but never negated what was already given.
Though God does guide us as
individuals in various ways, any true revelation of that sort will never
conflict with or supersede the written and generally accepted canon of the 66
books of the Bible.
·
Hebrews 1:1-2; Ephesians 3:1-11
3 – Understand the
language and culture of the time of the writing.
- The original biblical languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) are full of ancient root meanings, idioms, and grammatical nuances that require intense study, and for most of us, dependence on reliable scholarship.
- Cultural factors must be considered in order to grasp the impact and meaning of any portion of Scripture. In other words, how would the people of that time understand the plain meaning of the event, story, or teaching?
- · 1 Corinthians 8 – Eating meat offered to idols
4 – Understand the
necessity of studying any Bible portion in the context of the passage in which
it is found, and by comparing it with other passages of Scripture before trying
to determine the truth about the matter.
- Let the Bible interpret itself wherever possible. Otherwise, as has often been said, “The Bible can be used to prove anything.”
- · 2 Timothy 2:15
5 – Understand that
every passage of Scripture has a literal meaning, though it may also use
symbolic language and have additional applications.
- The Bible contains much symbolism, including figurative language, similes, metaphors, parables, dreams and visions of beasts and other objects. But when any symbol is properly interpreted, often by another passage of Scripture, it has one literal meaning. This concept is also called the grammatical-historical method of interpretation.
- · Genesis 49· Revelation 12:3; 13:1 with Revelation 17: 9-14
6 – Understand the
value of prayerful study, brotherhood and discussion in applying the Scripture
to current times.
- Jesus taught that when the Holy Spirit came He would give enlightenment to the Disciples. Even the best of teachers can be mistaken, but as it says in Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (NKJV)
- · Acts 17:11
7 – Understand that it
is unwise to be dogmatic about one’s own point of view in regard to future
developments.
As seen in the Gospels, some facts
about the life and work of Jesus Christ could have been described in advance by
knowledge of Old Testament prophecies, but others could only be seen in
retrospect.
The Bible requires belief in the
eventual return of Christ in power and glory, but the timing of various events
(including the Rapture) should not be a test of fellowship among orthodox
Christians.
8 – Understand the
differences between Israel and the Church.
- The Bible can not be understood if one does not see the many distinctions between Israel and the Church.
9 – Understand the
cultural influence of later historical periods in the interpretation of
Scripture.
- Commentators differ widely in their interpretation of prophecy, depending, in part, on their place in history. Their views were influenced by world affairs of their time and are often contradictory. They must constantly be held up to the higher standard of the Word of God itself. Here are some examples of these historical periods.
- The strengths and weaknesses of various periods of Church history are given in short messages to the Seven Churches in Revelation 2 & 3.
