KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING AND INTREPRETING BIBLE PROPHECIES

The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Revelation 12.9

It is very difficult for God’s people to be unified in our day and age. One of the reasons for this is that many of God’s people are deceived. Until we begin to let the Bible interpret itself, God’s people will continue to be deceived. We cannot have unity until we recognize the truth. We must learn to let the Bible interpret itself. We need to study in a “lawyerly” manner and make sure we understand what the word is saying based on a preponderance of evidence. Until then there will be many who are deceived and a few who understand the truth.

1. GOD CONTROLS THE FUTURE
 

Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Isaiah 46.9-10

God is in control and only He truly knows the future. He is working out His plans on the earth. God reveals His future plans to us through the prophetic books of the Bible. The Bible is the only accurate source of the future to come. One third of the Bible is prophecy. It is a sure word…2 Peter 1.19-21

2. THE TRUE CHURCH IS FOUNDED ON PROPHECY

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1.20-21

God’s Bible prophecy is taught by His servants. We should not read our own personal interpretation into Bible prophecies. We are to search the scriptures in order to understand our foundation…Ephesians 2.20

3. PROPHECY WAS WRITTEN FOR OUR DAY

Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Daniel 12.8-9

Many professing Christians believe the Old Testament prophecies are irrelevant today. God tells us that our foundation is built on the prophets, with Jesus as the cornerstone. Daniel did not understand what was given him but he wrote it down because God wanted a future generation to understand it. We are living in the time of the end.

4. PROPHCY IS DUAL

“Let them bring forth and show us what will happen; let them show the former things, what they were, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare to us things to come. Isaiah 41.22

And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a life-giving Spirit. Howbeit the spiritual is not first, but the natural; and afterward, that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord of heaven. 1 Corinthians 15.45-47

The theme of duality runs throughout the Bible. There is an earthly Jerusalem and a new Jerusalem (Heb 12.22/Rev 21.2). There is an Old Covenant and a New Covenant. Understand that duality is the key to understanding prophecy and the Bible comes alive.

We need to be students of history. Understanding Biblical history unlocks the purposes of God for humanity…1 Corinthians 10.11

5. THE BIBLE INTERPRETS ITSELF

The mystery of the seven stars which thou saw in my right hand and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven congregations, and the seven lampstands which thou saw are the seven congregations Rev 1.20

As we can see above, the Bible interprets it’s own symbols. God uses symbols, analogies, metaphors, and allegories to describe future events. We need to understand what is literal and what is symbolic. God interprets the symbols to us if we take the time to do word study and interpret scripture in the proper context.

6. UNDERSTAND BIBLE SYMBOLS

And there appeared another sign in the heaven; and, behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads…And the great dragon was cast out, the serpent of old, who is called Devil and the Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Rev 12:3, 9

Examples:
A serpent or dragon = Satan. Gen 3.1; Rev 12.3; 9

Beasts = symbols of Gentile nations. Daniel 7.3-5, 17; Rev 13.1-11

Mountains = symbols of large nations or governments. Isaiah 2.2; Jeremiah 51.24-25; Dan 2.35

Floods = symbols of armies. Jeremiah 46.8; 47.2; Dan 11.22; Rev 12.15-16

7. PROPHETIC TIME INTERVALS

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to preach good tidings unto those who are cast down; to bind up the wounds of the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those that are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to order in Zion those that mourn, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61.1-3

Understanding time intervals is very important to understand Isaiah, Daniel, and Revelation. When Jesus read the scripture quoted above he stopped just before “vengeance of our God” because that part did not apply to His first coming which He was fulfilling at that time. The rest of that scripture will be fulfilled at His second coming. This is a time interval of more than 2,000 years! Many prophecies have time intervals--we need to understand this.

8. THE RIGHTEOUS UNDERSTAND PROPHECY

Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:10

If you want God to reveal His truth to you it is important to be living a righteous lifestyle (see post: The Un-noticed Wages of Sin). God reveals things to those who willing obey His commands. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Ps 111.10). If you are diligent in seeking God’s path for your life you will be able to understand the Word of God. He will begin to teach you how to let the Bible, His WORD, interpret itself.