Why is Prophecy Seldom Taught or Studied?

Written by J.R.Hall

Introduction

It is often the case where modern day pastors and teachers will skip the subject of bible prophecy due to the fact that it can be controversial. I have heard sermons where a few sparse verses of Revelation are used in sermons. But never a full sermon dedicated to the events that await us in the real of futurist prophecy. What then perhaps are the reasons that people choose not to look more closely at the subject of biblical prophecy as it pertains to future things to come? Why is it that Christian teachers and pastors avoid a section of the word of God that not only encourages Christians to live Holy lives, but also fulfills Christ’s words of “watch, and be ready”.

Too Hard to Understand: Many people view prophecy as something that is too hard to understand. As prophecy does not really effect or have any real direct correlation to one’s salvation and it doesn’t immediately seem to impact a person’s Christian living, many may ignore those passages simply to avoid the ‘apparent’ difficulty in comprehension. It’s a fascinating book. I admit there are symbolisms, but when the bible is digested as a complete volume, we find that these seemingly hard to understand concepts are explained years earlier in the prophets of the old Testament.
Publicized Faulty Interpretations: Perhaps our memories of erroneous past so-called prophets and prophecy experts are to blame. These past date setters, or their previous attempts at Identifying the Antichrist and/or reckless speculation of end times events, may be to blame for our lack of interest in the future events. It is interesting to note that many of the cult groups that have formed over the last century are usually started by someone who claims to be a prophet of God, and as history has shown far too often, the end results of such cult movements are usually tragic. On our online forum board, we at least monthly have someone trying to pinpoint the identiy of the anti-christ, or provide some ‘revelation’ through their studies of how and where the rapture is to occur. The media crucifies these date setters. Through this public exposure, it provides the world with a false sense of the fact that Christians don’t really seem to know what is going to happen. Through these few ‘rash’ and impatient few, the rest of us who earnestly study eschatology are given a bad name. In the eyes of the public, we perhaps are the next ‘nutjob’ they’ll see next week on the evening news proclaiming doom and gloom and that the ‘end is near’.
Too Controversial: Compounding these two items is the frustration many people feel when wading through all the different views of the end times. There are so many different views as to how the end times are to be played out that the average Christian becomes overwhelmed and unwilling to take the plunge into the information at hand. After all… if the experts can’t agree, what chance does someone like you or I have?

Throughout this website you will find articles discussing some of these end times ideas, and go through the relevant verses in the bible. Together maybe, using only our bibles, discussion and guidance from the Holy Spirit, perhaps we can make ‘heads or tails’ of this and other end times questions.

I wish to concentrate on the first item in the above list. The other two are more easily explained or understood without much additional discussion. However the first item is something of an 'old wives tale' that I wish to dismiss here and now.

Is Prophecy (or the bible) Too Hard to Understand?

Many people have become either discouraged or disinterested in studying the Bible because they have been told "there are so many different interpretations of the Bible that no one can possibly understand it." But the truth of the matter is there is only one true interpretation of the Bible and anyone can understand it. The purpose of this study is not to teach a particular point of view, but to give some guidelines on how to arrive at the correct interpretation.

Well what does the bible tell us about our ability to learn from and understand the Word of God.

But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. - 1 John 2:26-27

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. - John 16:13

But there is a God in Heaven who reveals secrets and makes known … what shall be in the latter days. - Daniel 2:28

God promises that he will make His ways known to those that seek it. Christians are promised understanding as they read the word, because the Holy Spirit ministers directly to those who earnestly seek God's truth. We'll talk more on this later.

Another interesting verse worth discussing is this one:

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end. - Daniel 12:4

This verse has prophetic significance to us. It suggests that as the time of the end approaches, the 'secrets' or those things that were unknown would become known by those who seek.

Should we not study the word then because we think it is too hard to understand? No. Rather we should pray for spiritual guidance and read the Word of God and let Him reveal Himself to us as He Himself Promised.

The same goes for Prophecy. It can be found that prophecy makes up approximately 27% of the bible, so with that in mind, let’s look again at 2 Peter 3:16

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: - 2 Peter 3:16

The verse above states “All Scripture.” God must also have been talking of prophecy as being part of that scripture; Therefore we can clearly state that "The study of prophecy is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness."

Christ also gave the command to teach 'ALL' things (all includes prophecy) as found in Matthew 28:20.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.- Matthew 28:20

That should remove any hesitation we have in attempting to read it; now what about some of the interpretation difficulties.

In my own personal study I have found that by implementing the following list of Interpretation Aids, are invaluable helps when reading and studying the scriptures.

Aids for Biblical Interpretation

Utilize more than one translation. The King James Version is a very accurate translation, but many people find it very hard to read due to the use of the King's English. The neat thing about the King James is that when compared to the actual Hebrew or Greek it many times appears very accurate to the original written Word. As a guideline however I would recommend having more than just the King James Version. Many times other versions give some additional insight that I find quite rewarding. When I study I typically have the King James, The NIV, and various other editions in front of me.
Either Learn Hebrew and Greek or get yourself a Strong’s Reference book for the Hebrew and Greek. I study from a King James Bible that lists all of the Strong’s numbers and references. These references provide dictionary type descriptors of the words in the orignal hebrew and greek. You can either purchase a Strong's Reference book, or there are many other fantastic online references to this regard. Many of them completely free for download and personal use. One such tool I use is a software package called E-sword available for download at http://www.e-sword.net/ . I would encourage anyone looking for a valuable study tool to have a look at this wonderful software package available at no charge. Within the base software package is the KJV of the bible complete with a Strong’s reference.
Try to familiarize yourself with the Customs of the Day. This will help in understanding some language uses or analogies or parables discussed. I have a friend of mine who is very familiar with many Jewish customs and traditions. She provides me with much clarification through her bible studies that she completes. She is able to relate things to the time and place of the events that make the passages of scriptures come to life in a new and completely relevant way.
The Bible NEVER Contradicts Itself. If you develop, read, or discover a new theory, doctrine or idea about anything in the bible - it MUST, No Matter What - align with all scripture. If it doesn’t, that is, if you can find a verse or passage in the bible that contradicts or conflicts with the idea being presented, you are left with only one conclusion - you have a problem with the interpretation.

This last item is very important in trying to wade through all of the differing ideas of the End times. Too many times people try to shoehorn their ideas into the bible, without objectively and honestly verifying their ideas with the bible.

For myself and many, we use what is called the Golden Rule of Biblical Interpretation.

Golden Rule of Biblical Interpretation

“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense, but take every word at its primary, literal meaning, unless the facts of the immediate context clearly indicate otherwise.”

The key is that it is not as hard as we think. Many times we try to overcomplicate the bible and most of the time if we simply keep in mind the above ‘Golden Rule', it all makes perfect sense.

Now please note that I don't deny that symbols and symbolisms are sometimes used in scripture, because it can be seen many times that God uses a metaphor, parable or some form of symbolism to represent and idea or a message. However, the more we study we find that the scriptures also immediately explain the symbolism in some way for our clarification. Or other parts of scripture interpret the symbolism or bring clarity and understanding to the passages.

When we read the bible with the ‘Golden Rule’, we recognize that with any scripture, God knew we would be able do understand it with the tools and words he has given us.

The bible promises this very thing as we looked at before. It is worthy for remembrance so bare with me as we look at it again.

These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. - 1 John 2:26-27

If you are a Christian, this verse promises that you can understand the scriptures. God’s promise to us is that the Holy Spirit will teach us all we need to know as we read and study the Word of God. From this we can clearly see then why it is so very important that before we read our bibles, before we study from the word of God, we should always ask the Spirit to be with us as we do so. If we do, the promise of 1 John 2:26-27 and the following verse of John 16:13 will become true to us.

Now immediately here I know what you are thinking.

"Ok Mr. Prophecy, if all this is true, why then are there so many different interpretations and so much controversy over issues in the bible?"

GOOD QUESTION! And not an easy one to answer, but I'll try to with an analogy.

The analogy is that of the Holy Spirit compared to a Radio Station.

The Holy Spirit broadcasts a signal to all Christians much like the radio station signal. Some places you can receive the signal crystal clear and some places that SAME signal contains static. Various things get it the way of the radio signal. Sometimes buildings impede the signal, sometimes trees, hills, valleys, rocks or mountains. The key is that the signal is all the same, but that our reception is based entirely on our positions and surroundings.

Much like in our own Christian walk, the more we immerse ourselves in the world, that is, the farther we drift away from the ‘true’ signal, the more distorted our reception becomes. However, the more we continually seek God for relationship, direction, and worship, the more clear the reception becomes. It becomes more clear because as we draw closer to the source of the signal.

It seems like a simple concept, but it is that simplicity that makes it valid for consideration.

Conclusion

With the Holy Spirit as our guide a Christian should have no hesitation in wanting to study God's word. As prophecy makes up at least one quarter of God's word, a Christian then should take the same approach. The approach that we are promised understanding if we seek the truth, and ask God for guidance, and the promise that all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness as it states in 2 Peter 3:16 so clearly.

We can also clearly see that their is no real excuse for not reading, studying, nor teaching the subject of prophecy. It is as much of being a Christian as anything. It's God's Word, we are told to study it, learn it, and hide it in our hearts.

May we all remember Christ's words...

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. --Rev 22:7

-- J.R.Hall

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