By definition, “hermeneutics is the branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary texts”. (Google). At first glance this sounds complicated! For anyone wishing to understand prophecy and The Revelation, one is immediately cast into the deep end of thinking one has to learn Greek to understand The Bible. The child of God however, sees this very simply in the light of a verse of Scripture which declares men do NOT interpret Scripture! 2 Peter 1:20. In short, it is Scripture that interprets Scripture with its own interpreting verses! In essence, this is the message of 2 Peter 1:19 to 21.
Through the prophet Ezekiel, God has provided “the day for a year principal“, Ezekiel 4:6, with which sense is made of Daniel’s prophecy of seventy weeks. Daniel 9:24. The 2300, Daniel 8:14, the 1290, Daniel 12:11, and the 1335 days, Daniel 12:12, predictions are also understood with the “day for a year” principle. Peter records the interpreting verse to understand the “Sign of the prophet Jonas”, Matthew 12:40, that “one day with God is as a 1000 years“, 2 Peter 3:8, and it is expedient to mention in prophetic studies, this statement is by no means idiomatic! In prophecy, this means what it says, hence Peter prefixing his statement saying, “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with The Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
To be brief as possible, both the prophetic study principles aforementioned concern the Kingdom of God, or Millenial Dispensation! Also known as “The 1000 year reign of saints on earth” with our Lord Jesus Christ as KING, understanding these prophecies is extremely important! If we are to know the times and the seasons, 1 Thessalonians 5:1, we must STUDY Scripture with Scripture’s interpretation mechanism, and AVOID complicated, great swelling words, 2 Peter 2:18, and contrived viewoints! If we wish to see and declare the wonderful works of God in the future, we do not want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time! When God’s judgment finally falls, we truly will want to have prepared and be ready. We do not want to be as the five foolish virgins who had not made preparation. 1 Thessalonians 5:1 to 4.
Hermeneutical studies around the culture of the people at the time the individual books of Scripture were penned, is certainly useful to translators. For instance understanding the militant attitude of Israel clearly discernable in Scripture with the first advent of our Lord, is EASIER knowing each manchild under the age of two years in Bethany, was put to death because it was reported Messiah had been born! Such knowledge helps to understand Rome was not popular!
Built on the foundation of knowledge that The Kingdom of God comes to its fullness to overspread the entire Earth, Isaiah 66:23, further precepts in the study of Scripture are that Scripture agrees with Scripture, Scripture does NOT contradict Scripture, and Scripture supports Scripture in Scripture’s message! Approached with these very basic discernable academic facts, Scripture becomes so simple children readily understand, and receive God’s truth from The Word, without studying hermeneutics!
In conclusion, if we are going to learn the cultures of the people in order to to understand The Word, then there is very much study that may be done on the subject of hermeneutics. Be this as this indeed is, if the content this brief study provides is excluded, it will be worthless. For, “we have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye TAKE HEED, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your HEARTS: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:19 to 21.
Honestly viewed, private means personal! We can therefore ONLY conclude men have no right to interpret Scripture, simply, as THIS, is what Scripture teaches! If therefore we have no right to apply our own private interpretation, “the branch of knowledge” relating to interpretation, becomes superflous. Unless our knowledge from diligent STUDY embraces the interpreting texts of THE WORD, with the knowledge of how these verses RELATE with rest of Scripture, the simplicity of The Holy Spirit’s message, is lost!
If you wish to know and understand the true prophetic message of The Word, stay with the studies this website offers. Start from the beginning of the discipleship sessions, and you will find God’s Holy Truth, and the Kingdom of God!
May God bless your endeavours to learn of Him, THE RESURRECTION and THE LIFE, THE TRUTH, and LIGHT of the world! Amen.
Lester Oliver Thomas Flock © 2023