Learning to Read Prophecy



Submitted by JStaller on Thu, 2008-09-18 02:43.

The Book of Revelation stands at the end of a very long line of prophetic books. To understand the Revelator's message, it is very handy to understand the patterns and styles he is deliberately following.

These are some brief lessons that will help you orientate yourself in the world of apocalyptic prophecy. These lessons barely touch directly on the actual content of Revelation, but I highly recommend taking a look at the listed scriptures, just to get an idea of some ways the Spirit of God inspires prophecy.

Not everyone will want or need to read these posts, but if you take even just a few moments to skim the brief lessons, you will be well-prepared when we start in with the direct study.

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A SUMMARY OF FOUR METHODS

Submitted by JStaller on Thu, 2008-09-18 02:54.

Note that the four major methods of interpretations listed all have good points that should be part of our interpretation, though parts we may also reject.

  • Like the preterist school of interpretation, we should recognize that many of symbols in Revelation were first applied to Rome—when Christians first read Revelation, Rome was the oppressor and opponent of the Church, one enemy among many; but no one had any doubts when John wrote about “seven hills.”
  • Like the idealist school of interpretation, we should recognize that the battle between good and evil—which isn’t nearly as much a struggle as human beings tend to think—has been raging for millennia. Just as the Church has been concerned with bigger issues than Roman oppression, we also should recognize that we today are not wrestling just against current issues, like abortion or the definition of marriage; we are wrestling with an enemy deeper and darker than we can imagine.
  • Like the historicist, we shouldn’t be afraid to acknowledge the prophetic power of Christ. In a world that denies the supernatural and disparages the holy, Christians serve a God that holds all of reality in his hand, who knows the past and present and future, and who still speaks to His people.
  • Like the futurist, we should live with the expectation that Christ will one day reappear. Whatever symbolism John uses in Revelation, other authors—Matthew, Mark, Luke, Peter, Paul, James, and Jude—speak in detail about the Lord’s return, about the resurrection, about heaven and hell. The Bible makes it exceedingly clear, in no uncertain terms, that there is indeed an eternity to consider, a heaven to gain and a hell to shun. We should prepare our hearts and our lives for this time.

Justin Staller - Moderator
justinstaller@yahoo.com

Search the scriptures--for in them ye think ye have eternal life:
They are they which testify of me--and ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
John 5.39-40

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