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A SIMPLE, FACE VALUE UNDERSTANDING OF PROPHETIC SCRIPTURES
(B)
(3) The third principle, equally important as the first two, is that of comparing Scripture with Scripture. A word, phrase, or concept should first be studied in the context of the passage under consideration and then in light of its use in other passages of Scripture. When a given text is not explicit about a truth, no conclusion should be drawn about that truth until all relevant passages have been studied.
Of course, some passages are not as clear as others and some truths are more implicit than explicit. When this is the case, those truths that are more implicit always need to be understood in light of those that are more explicit, never the reverse. Likewise, the more important a truth is, the more carefully related truths should be compared and examined. Because Scripture is always its own best interpreter, careful comparison always adds depth and clarity to our understanding.
(4) The fourth principle concerns figures of speech. The importance of this principle cannot be overstated. Prophetic and apocalyptic literature utilizes figures of speech to a great degree. A student of Scripture must be thoroughly familiar with this special category of hermeneutics. Figures of speech employ language that is highly suggestive, but have a literal reference. The interpreter must determine the literal reference. A figure of speech is "any deviation either in thought or expression, from the ordinary and simple method of speaking…form of speech artfully varied from common usage." [fn. 1] A figure of speech will normally employ a comparison, a substitution, or amplification as a means of "artfully varying" from what we think of as common use, to better clarify the passage.
The Lord declared, "I am the good shepherd…" (John 10:11). This is obviously a figure of speech. The Lord never dealt with literal sheep. Left without clarification, the Lord would intend for the reader to understand that everything a shepherd is to sheep, He is to those who follow Him. However, in John 10:11, the Lord adds the following sentence, "the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." Now we understand the literal reference. Jesus is the good shepherd because He "la[id] down His life for" people. This is the meaning of the figure of speech. Each time a figure of speech is encountered, it must be dealt with in this fashion. First, determine what type of figure of speech is used. Second, determine the significance of such usage. Third, identify the intended meaning for the particular passage under study.
(5) A fifth and final principle, which relates to prophetic and apocalyptic literature specifically is to recognize that many prophetic predictions, in both Testaments, have a unique characteristic--both near and far implications and applications. In other words, prophecy can operate on multiple levels of fulfillment. On one level, there is a divinely revealed "near" prediction relating to a soon-coming event. However, there can be corresponding "far" aspects that will be fulfilled later, or in the events of the end times.
This particular characteristic of the prophetic Scriptures has been called by several names. W. J. Beecher calls it generic fulfillment. He writes,
A generic prediction is one which regards an event as occurring in a series of parts, separated by intervals, and expresses itself in language that may apply indifferently to the nearest part, or to the remoter parts or to the whole—in other words, a prediction which, in applying to the whole of a complex event, also applies to some of its parts. [fn. 2]
D. L. Bock, in referring to this same matter, uses typological prophetic fulfillment to describe this phenomenon. He states that typological prophetic fulfillment
refers to a pattern and promise present in an Old Testament text so that a short-term event pictures and mirrors an ultimate and unique fulfillment in the New Testament. [fn. 3]
The failure to recognize and apply this principle has caused immeasurable confusion among even the most godly and scholarly students of Scripture. Obviously, misuse of this principle, as with any other, will also cause confusion and misunderstanding. For a near/far interpretation to be valid, it must clearly be allowed by the context and by the specific wording of the text itself, as well as be consistent with the rest of Scripture speaking to the same issue. Whenever such prophecies are dealt with in this commentary, their near/far aspects will be established as carefully and as fully as possible.
Several general comments on the basic issue of hermeneutics need to be made. In relation to a given prophetic event or issue, careful study of various texts in the Old and New Testaments will reveal that the different terminology and styles of the writers will describe the same event or issue with equal and consistent truthfulness, though often not in the same detail or from the same perspective as the other. Many examples will be seen in our study of end-time events as Scripture is compared with Scripture. One needs only to look at the first coming of Christ to see the principle in operation.
Psalm 22, written by David, gives the reader one perspective of the crucifixion of Christ; Isaiah 53 gives another perspective of exactly the same event; while Daniel 9:26 simply says, "Messiah will be cut off and have nothing."
Either the context or the similarity of the events described must be present for the student of prophecy to make the connection between the passages in question. But where a genuine connection exists, the different perspectives found in various passages bring a more complete understanding of the same event.
Our understanding of the end times will increase as history continues to unfold and verify biblical prophecy. Many of the prophetic passages of the Old Testament were unclear to those who first heard or read them. God's people were not certain whether a given prophetic message related to their own times or to the future. As with near/far prophecies, the biblical language clarified some of the uncertainties. In regard to many passages, the modern student of prophecy has the great advantage of looking back and learning from the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, as revealed in the New Testament or as recognized in subsequent history.
Daniel was told to "conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time . . . for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time" (Dan. 12:4, 9). When the end times actually do come, the church will have had a long historical base from which to gain understanding of the many prophetic passages that hitherto were a mystery. History has been, and will continue to be, a source of prophetic insight for those who carefully study God's Word. Since Israel gained possession and control of her homeland in 1948, for instance, we have a perspective on prophecy that could only have been understood after that momentous event occurred.
In summary, when clear biblical truth is found, as A.W. Tozer would say, "never do we dare to stand in judgment of that truth; rather, that truth always stands in judgment of us!" There can be no exceptions, no spiritualizing, no allegorizing, and no rationalizing. God says what He means and means what He says! Our only response should be to bow in acceptance of His truth, however reassuring or unsettling we may find it to be.
fn. 1 - Instit. Orat. IX, I. 11, cited by Edward P.J. Corbett, Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student (New York: Oxford Press, 1971), 640.
fn. 2 - W.J. Beecher, The Prophets and the Promise (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1975), 130.
fn. 3 - D.L. Bock, Proclamation from Prophecy and Pattern (awaiting publisher information), 49-50.
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