Learning to Read Prophecy
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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.
Reply: Methods of Interpretation
The scriptures themselves speak about 'The' method of interpretion, not only about Revelation but the entire bible. In general, no matter what kind of sub-method, there's a way to weed out the more "imaginative" interpretations.
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knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,Where does the interpretation originate from?
"for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (2Pe 1:20,21)
Isaiah (by the Holy Spirit) gives another insight about relevant instruction about biblical messages, "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.".
Basically the bible is capable of interpreting itself, a starting precept leads to the next and so on. But not without pitfalls.
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But the word of the Lord was to them, "Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little," That they might go and fall backward, and be broken And snared and caught.(Isa 28:10,13)However both verses in Isaiah do eliminate that one major thing, the "imaginative" approach. There has to be a substantial amount of relevant scriptures.
But having written that; what is rather interesting to look at are premise statements. When a large body of scripturally supported, well reasoned concepts were preceeded by a rather dubious, but foundational idea. That body becomes more of a smoke screen (so to speak) than anything else. A good looking song and dance that will blind the audience towards a false yet unintentional conclusion.
Whatever conclusion may be posted, by whatever method, the possiblity of a correct one is the hopeful idea of learning.
Just one more interesting thing...
I believe there is one more sub-method, perhaps better described as an entire approach or philosphy about the bible itself. I've encountered, expressed by some, that the book is just a collection of the wise; well intended good men, preserved for us to help us find direction in our lives.
To which (given the statement in 2Pe 1:21) makes Peter someone who does not hold the same opinion as theirs.