The Study of Prophecy

At the beginning of January we began a study of the book of Daniel at Oakland Baptist Church. Daniel is a remarkable book, teaching doctrine and aspects of Godly, sacrificial living that have excellent application to us today. But Daniel is best known for it's prophecies regarding "latter days," as it paints an allegorical picture of things that will yet unfold on planet earth. But the teaching of prophecy can be a confusing thing. So how should we best go about it?

Their are many so-called prophecy teachers in Christendom today. Many are out and out charlatans. They apply personal opinion and and the world to the bible, instead of applying the bible to their opinion and the world. The result is an amalgamation of views that can be thoroughly misleading. But their are basic principles in interpreting prophecy that can help us avoid all of the confusion.

Allegory is when God uses symbols to communicate a message. Some famous symbols in prophecy are a "woman" riding a "beast" from Revelation 17 and in the book of Daniel, the image that appears to King Nebuchadnezzar in a dream in Daniel chapter 2. So how are we to know what these symbols represent? Well, in many cases God will interpret the symbolism for us. In Daniel 2 Daniel reveals to the king that he is the head of gold on the image, representing the kingdom of Babylon. The kingdoms that are represented by the rest of the image are revealed to us by history, except for the feet of iron and clay which has yet to come. God also gives us the interpretation of Revelation 17 in the text of that chapter. This is an important lesson. Their is only one tool that is essential to interpreting biblical prophecy, and that is the bible. We must let the bible interpret itself for us.

The bible will do this as the symbols will remain consistent. If a certain symbol means one thing in one place of scripture, it will mean the same thing in another place in scripture. Leaven is always a picture of sin and false doctrine when used in allegory. Birds, other than eagles and doves, are a picture of evil and Satan. A woman is a picture of a religious system. If we use this consistent mode of interpretation it reveals exactly what God is trying to reveal to us through the word pictures He is giving us.

One of the best examples of this occurs in Revelation 12 and Genesis 37. In Revelation 12 we see a woman cloaked in the sun, the moon and the stars. Some claim that this woman represents Mary, mother of Jesus. Some cult leaders have claimed that it has represented themselves. But what does the bible say? Well we see the image of the sun, moon and stars in only one other place in scripture, Genesis 37:9. And in Genesis 37 it is Jacob himself who interprets this for us in verse 10, where he says the sun represents Rachel, the moon himself and the stars the brothers of Joseph, which will later become the tribes of Israel. Since we know a woman represents a religious system, and in Revelation 12 she is giving birth to a child(Messiah), this picture in Revelation 12 can only be Israel, who as a nation Jesus comes forth from.

Only the bible can interpret the bible accurately, and we must allow God to tell us what certain symbols mean instead of trying to make them mean what we desire them to mean. Many prophecy teachers are guilty of teaching on things that have yet to occur dogmatically, stating that such things as the European Union is the reformed Roman empire we see pictured by the feet and toes of Daniel chapter 2 and Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Could the EU be this? Yes, it could. But until it happens we cannot be sure. And to state as fact a minute detail that has yet to occur is yet another way some prophecy teachers mislead people. God gives us a general outline in prophecy of things that will occur. He does not go in to minute detail. This is why it is so important to allow Him to tell us what He has chosen too, and not state as fact an opinion we may hold that at the moment may fit the prophecy. We can state it as opinion, but not as fact. Only God truly knows exactly how His plan will eventually take shape.

The study of prophecy is a much needed thing in the church today. It reveals to us through fulfilled prophecy that the bible is the only true word of God, as only God can predict the future without error. It allows us to share with others the fate that awaits those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior. But we must stay true to what the bible tells us, and not engage in rampant speculation stated as fact. If we will honor God's word and let it tell it's story, we'll find the study of prophecy an exciting journey in our faith. If we do not, we'll wind up confused and disappointed when things we may have heard or believed simply do not transpire. When studying prophecy, let God tell us what He will; apply the bible to the world and not vice versa; and when stating opinion make sure it's known as opinion. If we do that, God's word will speak to us in a revealing and amazing way!