Page 500 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

PROPHECY

Prophecy is an apologetic. Bible prophecy is intended to be method. Everyone agrees that great literatures properly
an apologetic. Fulfilled prophecy proves the divine origin use both figurative and nonfigurative languages. ... The
of the Bible to unbelievers and increases the faith of presence of figures in Scripture, however, does not
believers. Thus, prophecy must be studied, understood, militate against literal interpretation. As George N.H.
and taught by Christians both to believers and to Peters explains: ‘When employing the word literal, we
unbelievers. Also we must note that to be an effective are to be comprehended as also fully acknowledging the
evidence, prophecy must be fulfilled and interpreted figurative sense, the beautiful ornaments of language;
literally. (8) Prophecy is a reality. To say the least, we cordially accept all that is natural to language itself,
Christians have a part in the things promised in Bible its naked strength and its charming adornments, but
prophecy. It is true that the O.T. prophecies are not object to additionally forcing on it a foreign element,
fulfilled directly in the church age but it is also true that and enclosing it in a garb that hides its just proportions.’
the Christian will enjoy the blessings spoken of in O.T. Although the Scriptures contain figurative language, the
prophecy, including the millennial glory of Christ (Col. interpreter must be careful not to identify as a figure
3:4; Re. 2:26-27; 3:21) and the renewed creation (Ro. that which is actual. This is true especially of prophecy.
8:18-25). There are also hundreds of prophecies directly The statement ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem’ (Ps.
related to the Christian’s future (Jn. 14:1-3; 1 Co. 15; 122:6) is a request concerning the earthly city of
Col. 3:1-4; 1 Th. 4; etc.). Jerusalem, not figurative of praying for the Christian
The Interpretation of Prophecy church” (Tan, The Interpretation of Prophecy).
In contrast to the allegorical method of interpreting What about Application and Devotional Use of
prophecy, “the literal method is a true and honest Scripture? “The literal method of interpretation is
method. It is based on the assumption that the words of concerned with interpretation, not with application.
Scripture can be trusted. It assumes that since God Applications are fair to the Bible when they are based
intends His revelation to be understood, divine on that which has been literally interpreted. To base
revelation must be written based on regular rules of interpretations of the Bible on applications is erroneous
human communication. To interpret literally means to and will end in chaos. ... The literal interpreter, by
explain the original sense of the speaker or writer insisting on the literal sense of Scripture, does not imply
according to the normal, customary, and proper usages that the Bible has no depth or latent riches. God’s Word
of words and language. In order to determine the contains truths, principles, and applications which every
normal and customary usages of Bible language, it is interpreter must fathom. Some of these are latent,
necessary to consider the accepted rules of grammar inward, and hidden; others are patent, outward, and
and rhetoric, as well as the factual historical and obvious. ... The correlation of both the simple and the
cultural data of Bible times. It is proper for a word to profound in God’s Word is wonderful to behold. But this
have various meanings and senses. However, when a licenses neither a mystical approach nor a forced search
word is used in a given situation, it should normally for some superadded ‘spiritual’ sense. There is nothing
possess but one intended sense or meaning. This is the clandestine about Christianity. The proper approach to
regular law of linguistic exchange among sensible God’s Word is the reverent one of accepting what it says
people. Music lovers seek to understand music and then making applications to life” (Tan, The
composers, not by out-thinking and out-sensing the Interpretation of Prophecy). [See Allegorical, Types.]
composers, but by following the latter’s choice and use Prophecies of Christ’s First Coming
of precise musical notes. Students of Music Appreciation One of the greatest evidences that Bible prophecy
courses do not go about trying to listen for something must be interpreted literally is the fact that prophecy
which is not there, but attempt rather to know the which has been fulfilled has always been fulfilled
intended meaning and mood of a given composer exactly and literally. The prophecies of the first coming
through his use of the notes. Otherwise what the of Christ illustrate this:
composer is trying to say is ignored and what the 1. His birth was foretold: The time (Da. 9:25). The
interpreter wants to say becomes the important factor. place (Mi. 5:2). The miracle (Is. 7:14).
Literal interpreters believe that Scriptural revelation is
given to be understood by man. It believes the Bible to 2. His life was foretold: Preaching (Is. 61:1). Healing
be revelation, not riddle” (Paul Lee Tan, The (Is. 61:1). Rejection (Is. 53:2-3). Entering Jerusalem
Interpretation of Prophecy). (Ze. 9:9).
What about Figurative Language? “The word literal 3. His death was foretold: His betrayal by a friend
is often taken to mean that which is nonfigurative. (Ps. 41:9; Mt. 26:14-36; 47-49). The perversion of
Interpreters often set the literal over against the justice (Is. 53:7-8; Mt. 26:57-60; 27:11-14). The
figurative. This is a serious misapprehension of the crucifixion (Ps. 22:14-16; Jn. 19:16-18). The words

500 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity