Just WHAT Are the Guidelines To Interpreting biblical Prophecy By?

My method as a total layman, is to take God at His word as written (literally) UNLESS the scripture itself and/or the context makes a non-literal meaning the way to go.

Just because you can't fully "understand" a particular verse, does not mean you have to make it mean something "hidden" - it's just that you don't understand it.

For instance we're told that at the 2nd coming the whole world will see Him. Go back 100 years and get someone to explain how the entire earth could see Him at one time!!!

Well, unless the readers assumed that He makes Himself visible in however many manifestations needed at His coming (90 degrees latitude, 0 deg. longitude; 0 deg lat, 0 deg long; etc, etc, etc) so that every facet of earth could see one of the manifestations, then they would say that this is impossible.

However fast forward to today, and the 24 hr news channels, satellite transmitters, instant television - anyone, anywhere, has the capability to see Him as He returns.

So it is with any scripture that you don't grasp; just believe that God can and will do as He states, and you'll "understand it better by and by"!!

But please do not try to explain Gods meaning to suit some modern liberal mish-mash of doctrine by claiming that "science says -----", or "A loving God would never ----" or some such heresy.

Once you decide that "God really meant-----", you are getting in deep water with both arms in a cast, cause you are now judging what God has written - and none of us are that smart.:BangHead: This is getting awfully close to satan asking Eve, "Did God really say--?"

 

Excellent answer. The greatest factor in understanding any scripture is believeing it, and asking God to help you understand it.

Jam 5:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

So first, you must have a humble spirit and realize you lack wisdom, God resisteth the proud. You must realize your dependence upon God and ask for his help. But you must ask in faith, believeing God will keep his promise to give wisdom to those that ask him. If you do not have faith, you cannot expect to receive anything from God.

Also as JWP said, you have to accept God's word as literal, unless it is completely obvious that figurative or symbolic language is being used. If the scripture makes common sense, accept the common sense.

As for prophecy, I used to listen to J. Vernon McGee, he was very good at explaining prophecy. He once said the secret of understanding NT prophecy was to have a thorough knowledge of OT prophecy, this was the key to understanding it. I have found this advice very helpful.

But never interpret scripture to fit your presuppositions. Read it for simply what it says. You will be amazed at how often the scriptures are very straightforward and simple. Men often over complicate the scriptures to feed pride.

 

Winman sez:

A great big AMEN to this.

This is a classic example of an UNDERSTATEMENT!!!:smilewinkgrin: