Module 12: Interpretation of Prophecy
The Interpretation of Prophecy
A. Confusion of Terminology
1. Literal Interpretation - philological sense, the use of the words themselves. Regarding prophecy there is a hint of somthing more in the language. The language is symbolic and figuritive. The literal points to something deeper.
2. Spiritualizing vs. allegorical - when does it become allegorical? Or is there something more. The key is whether the speech is intended to be spiritual and esoteric as placed there by God or is it simple speech that is forced to be spiritual thereby becoming allegorical.
Remember: Allegory in the realm of hermeneutics is not good. It embodies all that we are trying to avoid. The following are methods whereby the spiritual can be identified where it has been intended.
B. Principles for the interp. of prophecy-
1. Fundamentals
a. Avoid interp. in the light of our millennial views. That would be eisegesis wouldn't it?
b. Give careful attention to the language of the prophecy. Search other places, events, geography, names etc. It may need more context before understanding the symbology.
c. We must determine the historical background of the prophet and prophecy.
Who were they writing to?
What was taking place at the time of the prophecy? Historical sense.
d. Pay diligent attention to the context and flow of the disussion in the interp. of prophecy.
- Look beyond chpt. and verse divisions
e. Prophecies are not systematic- Revelation from God, not necessarily organized, sequence may not be clear. Book of Jeremiah is an example. In other words, it may not be chronological.
f. Search the entire Bible for parallel prophetic scripture.
The day of the Lord, regathering of Israel, shaking of the Nations, judgment of the earth, outpouring of His Spirit to name just a few.
2. The interpreter must determine the distinct essence of the passage of the prophetic Scripture.
What is its innermost characteristics?
a. Is it predictive (future events) or didactic (teaching a lesson.) ?
Is is foretelling or does it deal with moral, ethical or theological truth.
b. Is it conditional or unconditional? Duet. 28
c. Is it fulfilled or unfulfilled? This is very interesting. Note the following possibilities:
(1). Prophecy in the OT was fulfilled in the OT
(2). Prophecy in the OT was fulfilled in the NT
(3). Prophecy in the OT was not yet fulfilled in either testament.
(4). Prophecy in the NT fulfilled in our time.
(5). Prophecy in the NT not yet fulfilled.
(6). Prophecy fulfilled in OT AND yet to be fulfilled in our time.
I looked at the above prophetic option and remembered that there are examples of this. Prophecy can have rippling effect fulfillment. Let's see if you can find some. I will make this extra credit.
3. The problem of fulfillment of prophecy.
a. If prophecy is fulfilled we should gather all historical information and research as to how it was fulfilled - proceed with caution. Not all agree certain prophecies have been fulfilled.
We gain valuable insight from such information.
b. If the prophecy is unfulfilled we must take the lesson gleaned from the previous point-precede with caution.
1. Determine if it is to be fulfilled before or after the 2nd advent of Christ.
2. Determine what is local, temporal, cultural in prophecy. Not every detail in Ps. 22 or Is. 53 is about Christ.
c. There is a possibility of multiple fulfillment. see Cyrus in the book of Isaiah.
The interpreter should take the literal meaning of a prophetic passage as his limiting or controlling guide.
“To the Jew, Zion was Zion and Canaan was Canaan.” But do not go to the extreme of hyperliteralism such as dispensationalism. In other words, they see no spiritual Canaan or spiritual Zion when clearly Paul spiritualizes both in his writings.
My thoughts on Prophecy:
1. Prophecy is one of the most wonderful parts of the word of God. It's characteristics are difficult to mechanically understand. Prophecy can essentially be used in any way God chooses to use it.
2. Because this is true, then prophecy's foremost benefit to us is to note the awesome, mysterious, and unsearchable knowledge of God. We, more often then not, are awestruck after we see the fulifillment of such words. Case in Point: Even the wisest Jews could not figure out how Jesus was the Messiah until after Jesus was gone and saw how clearly it applied. Too bad most still do not see it.
3. Prophecy is God's way of giving us a hint of a his moving, but not giving us the full ability to foretell how he will fullfill it.
4. We should make note of the supernatural aspect of prophecy, but be carefull with its interpretation. Conjecture is the best we can offer. Sorry Hal Lindsey and Jack VanImpe.
5. Prophecy ultimately gives us hope. We know that God and His people will triumph in the end. How it happens will be mysterious and likely very different than any of us imagined.
6. Regarding personal prophecy: The gift is still in use today although not for new revelation added to the scriptures. It appears that its use is more for encouragement and hope in the same way that Biblical prophecy ultimately helps us. We should never live our lives according to personal prophecy as given to us by modern prophets. It is to used more as a guide that we look back on and say "Wow, God was really in charge of all of this! I joke (not irreverantly) that I have had so many personal words, that I could do anything and still be in the will of God.
All joking aside, prophecy is important. It does help to "confirm" what God has spoken to you. It helps to "warn" us from making mistakes. It helps to "encourage" us in knowing that God sees us and is involved in every aspect of our lives.
My move to Roanoke Rapids was very prophetic from Day One. But ultimately it was the still small voice from God to my heart, counsel from my brothers, witness of my wife, and circumstances that determined the final move.
Lecture Question:
Is the prophecy fulfilled or unfulfilled? See the list of 6 possibilities above. Give me examples of all six. No need to give to much detail. Just give a one liner of how the prophecy was fulfilled or yet to be fulfilled. (Some Bibles have a section of Messianic Prophecy. Check that out for help.)
A. Confusion of Terminology
1. Literal Interpretation - philological sense, the use of the words themselves. Regarding prophecy there is a hint of somthing more in the language. The language is symbolic and figuritive. The literal points to something deeper.
2. Spiritualizing vs. allegorical - when does it become allegorical? Or is there something more. The key is whether the speech is intended to be spiritual and esoteric as placed there by God or is it simple speech that is forced to be spiritual thereby becoming allegorical.
Remember: Allegory in the realm of hermeneutics is not good. It embodies all that we are trying to avoid. The following are methods whereby the spiritual can be identified where it has been intended.
B. Principles for the interp. of prophecy-
1. Fundamentals
a. Avoid interp. in the light of our millennial views. That would be eisegesis wouldn't it?
b. Give careful attention to the language of the prophecy. Search other places, events, geography, names etc. It may need more context before understanding the symbology.
c. We must determine the historical background of the prophet and prophecy.
Who were they writing to?
What was taking place at the time of the prophecy? Historical sense.
d. Pay diligent attention to the context and flow of the disussion in the interp. of prophecy.
- Look beyond chpt. and verse divisions
e. Prophecies are not systematic- Revelation from God, not necessarily organized, sequence may not be clear. Book of Jeremiah is an example. In other words, it may not be chronological.
f. Search the entire Bible for parallel prophetic scripture.
The day of the Lord, regathering of Israel, shaking of the Nations, judgment of the earth, outpouring of His Spirit to name just a few.
2. The interpreter must determine the distinct essence of the passage of the prophetic Scripture.
What is its innermost characteristics?
a. Is it predictive (future events) or didactic (teaching a lesson.) ?
Is is foretelling or does it deal with moral, ethical or theological truth.
b. Is it conditional or unconditional? Duet. 28
c. Is it fulfilled or unfulfilled? This is very interesting. Note the following possibilities:
(1). Prophecy in the OT was fulfilled in the OT
(2). Prophecy in the OT was fulfilled in the NT
(3). Prophecy in the OT was not yet fulfilled in either testament.
(4). Prophecy in the NT fulfilled in our time.
(5). Prophecy in the NT not yet fulfilled.
(6). Prophecy fulfilled in OT AND yet to be fulfilled in our time.
I looked at the above prophetic option and remembered that there are examples of this. Prophecy can have rippling effect fulfillment. Let's see if you can find some. I will make this extra credit.
3. The problem of fulfillment of prophecy.
a. If prophecy is fulfilled we should gather all historical information and research as to how it was fulfilled - proceed with caution. Not all agree certain prophecies have been fulfilled.
We gain valuable insight from such information.
b. If the prophecy is unfulfilled we must take the lesson gleaned from the previous point-precede with caution.
1. Determine if it is to be fulfilled before or after the 2nd advent of Christ.
2. Determine what is local, temporal, cultural in prophecy. Not every detail in Ps. 22 or Is. 53 is about Christ.
c. There is a possibility of multiple fulfillment. see Cyrus in the book of Isaiah.
The interpreter should take the literal meaning of a prophetic passage as his limiting or controlling guide.
“To the Jew, Zion was Zion and Canaan was Canaan.” But do not go to the extreme of hyperliteralism such as dispensationalism. In other words, they see no spiritual Canaan or spiritual Zion when clearly Paul spiritualizes both in his writings.
My thoughts on Prophecy:
1. Prophecy is one of the most wonderful parts of the word of God. It's characteristics are difficult to mechanically understand. Prophecy can essentially be used in any way God chooses to use it.
2. Because this is true, then prophecy's foremost benefit to us is to note the awesome, mysterious, and unsearchable knowledge of God. We, more often then not, are awestruck after we see the fulifillment of such words. Case in Point: Even the wisest Jews could not figure out how Jesus was the Messiah until after Jesus was gone and saw how clearly it applied. Too bad most still do not see it.
3. Prophecy is God's way of giving us a hint of a his moving, but not giving us the full ability to foretell how he will fullfill it.
4. We should make note of the supernatural aspect of prophecy, but be carefull with its interpretation. Conjecture is the best we can offer. Sorry Hal Lindsey and Jack VanImpe.
5. Prophecy ultimately gives us hope. We know that God and His people will triumph in the end. How it happens will be mysterious and likely very different than any of us imagined.
6. Regarding personal prophecy: The gift is still in use today although not for new revelation added to the scriptures. It appears that its use is more for encouragement and hope in the same way that Biblical prophecy ultimately helps us. We should never live our lives according to personal prophecy as given to us by modern prophets. It is to used more as a guide that we look back on and say "Wow, God was really in charge of all of this! I joke (not irreverantly) that I have had so many personal words, that I could do anything and still be in the will of God.
All joking aside, prophecy is important. It does help to "confirm" what God has spoken to you. It helps to "warn" us from making mistakes. It helps to "encourage" us in knowing that God sees us and is involved in every aspect of our lives.
My move to Roanoke Rapids was very prophetic from Day One. But ultimately it was the still small voice from God to my heart, counsel from my brothers, witness of my wife, and circumstances that determined the final move.
Lecture Question:
Is the prophecy fulfilled or unfulfilled? See the list of 6 possibilities above. Give me examples of all six. No need to give to much detail. Just give a one liner of how the prophecy was fulfilled or yet to be fulfilled. (Some Bibles have a section of Messianic Prophecy. Check that out for help.)
posted by dschmaltz | 8:55 AM
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