My Approach to Prophecy:

by Harley Pinon

 1.      Accept statements as literally as possible.

 2.      Interpret things figuratively when that is the only way that will make sense.

 3.      Let prophecy interpret prophecy.

 4.      Compare scriptures that are apparently talking about the same event and let one shed light on the other.

 5.     Approach the study from the point of view: What would my conclusions be if I had no commentary or pre‑conceived ideas.

 6.      Not to force an interpretation upon a passage to make it fit a pre‑conceived idea.

 7.     Use the context to help explain a verse.

 8.      Understand that God is timeless. Prophecy may apply directly to the ones to whom it is spoken, or its fulfillment may be hundreds or thousands of years later.

 9.     Many prophecies have double meanings, or fulfillments, and both make completely good sense.

 10. Understand that prophecy is like the rest of scripture in most respects:

 •       It is God given.

•       He had a purpose for giving it.

•       No scripture should be dealt with lightly.

              While we may not all agree with each other, that also means we cannot all be correct.

We need to avoid making it more specific than it really is.

We also need to avoid making it so global that it really says very little to give additional enlightenment

 Examples of the above

#1.  Accept statements as literally as possible.

The fall of Jerusalem.

 (Matthew 24:2 NKJV) And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you., not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

#2.  Use figurative interpretation when apparent.

The beasts in Daniel obviously have a meaning of something other than animals. (Daniel 7:2‑7 NKJV)

(Dan 7:2-7 NKJV) Daniel spoke, saying, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. {3} "And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. {4} "The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man's heart was given to it. {5} "And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: 'Arise, devour much flesh!' {6} "After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. {7} "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
 

#3  Let Prophecy Interpret Prophecy.

      (Sometimes this is done very clearly.)

(Revelation 1:20 NKJV)  "The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

#4 Compare scriptures that are apparently talking about the same event and let one shed light on the other.

Let’s compare Revelation 6:4 with Matthew 24:6-7

(Rev 6:4 NKJV)  Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

(Mat 24:6-7 NKJV)  "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. {7} "For nation¹ will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

I believe that the four horsemen parallel the events in Matthew 24, but I will not do the other three horsemen here.  I've done that in my study of Matthew 24, and Revelation 6.

# 9.     Many prophecies have double meanings, or fulfillments, and both make completely good sense.

(Hosea 11:1 NKJV) "When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.

This was true with regard to God calling Israel out of Egyptian bondage.  It was also a prophecy of Christ being called out of Egypt.

(Mat 2:15 NKJV) and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son."

The rest of my notes and illustrations are used as I begin notes on a study of Matthew 24.  You may click here if you'd like to continue "My approach to prophecy."  Matthew 24 part I

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