Lecture for 17 June: Prophecy and its Interpretation

Plenary view of Scripture:

In general (2 Tim 3:16)/Prophecy specifically (2 Pet 1:19-21), w/Literal-Historical-Grammatical Hermeneutic

Leads to literal (vs. allegorical) interpretation of biblical prophecy of Eschatology

Corresponds to interpreting biblical prophecy:

• literally, historically, grammatically,

• contextually, authorially, & exegetically,

• allowing for use of parables, metaphors, figures of

speech, poetry, and symbols to elucidate meaning

Prophecy divided in two:

• forthtelling (present/near

future)

• foretelling (future)

Further divided:

• prophecy (this world

events)

• apocalyptic (other world

events/ final solutions)

• Apocalyptic Books in Bible:

Daniel and Revelation

Plenary view of Scripture:

Biblical prophecy characteristics: 1) OT understanding - 2 periods:

• present age• age to come

2) OT telescopic view of future

3) OT possibly dual fulfillment

4) NT focuses prophecy on BOTH COMINGS OF

JESUS

5) Some prophecies are conditional on God’s

relationship with His people

Methods of Prophetic Revelation:

1) Types (of Jesus Christ):• the prophet like Moses (Deut) • 4th man in the fiery furnace

(Dan)• the Son of Man (Dan)

2) Symbols (of the Holy Spirit):• pillar of cloud by day/fire by

night, • the wind/breath of life, • the dove

Methods of Prophetic Revelation:

3) Parables• the Wheat and the Weeds is

about the true Gospel/false gospel

coexisting until the end of the age

4) Dreams/Visions • Ezekiel’s vision in Ezek 1• Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Dan 2• John’s vision in Rev

General Interpretation Principles:

1.Use original language meaning for key words

2.Maintain context of scripture

3.Maintain historical/cultural setting

4.Use grammatical rules for both original language/English

5.Be careful when addressing figurative language

stay w/literal/historical meaning until it makes no sense, then look for other examples of same

wording in same genre of Scripture (& then Scripture in general)

maintain historical, cultural, social context

R

ules for Interpreting Prophecy:

1.

Interpret literally

2.

Interpret in accordance w/the harmony of all

prophecy

(full counsel of Scripture)

3.O

bserve perspective/time relationships of

prophecy

4.I

nterpret historically, culturally, socially,

&

grammatically

5.I

nterpret w/view toward double reference;

6.

Interpret consistently

Methods of Interpreting the Book of Revelation:

1.Preterist • based on Hebrew preterit – past-perfect tense of Latin

praeteritus – “gone by/past”

• believes all events of Rev occurred in the past

• e.g., Destruction of Jerusalem/Temple in AD 70

2.Idealist Completely spiritual/symbolic

view of Revelation

Battle of good vs. evil/Kingdom

of God vs. kingdom of Satan

M

ethods of Interpreting the Book of Revelation:

3. Historical Revelation is symbolic of the entire history of the Church till

Parousia/end of the Age

e.g., Roman papacy is Beast

4. Futurist Believes Revelation is

depicting future events that

occur surrounding the Parousia,

using literal interpretation

Read Hebert, sections:• 1.2.3, • 1.2.4, • 4.1.1, • 4.2(pp. 1-7)

Study for devotion tomorrow:• Gen 1• Ps 90:2-4• Dan 2 & 9• 2 Pet 3:8• Rev 1-3