HOW TO READ THE BIBLE
Hermeneutics is the science or method of interpreting the Bible. When you read your Bible there are some basic rules that you must follow in order to understand it properly. Remember, you have access to the same Bible that theologians and pastors do. They do not have any special insight that you do not have. As a Christian you have the privilege and obligation to go to God's Word for yourself. You would be amazed at how little pastors and theologians really know.
1. The Bible is Literature
The Bible is literature. The Bible is history. It is the infallible Word of God, but it is also literature. It uses poetic, apocalyptic, symbolic, and literal language. It is imperative to determine the literary genre of each passage in order to understand the true meaning. The Bible cannot be read like a newspaper.
2. The Bible is a Covenantal Book.
Remember that the Bible is a covenantal book from Genesis to Revelation. It is not concerned about the physical and literal so much as it is with the spiritual and covenantal. The creation and prophetic portions of scripture are primarily covenantal, not literal.
3. Scripture Interprets Scripture.
Compare Scripture with Scripture. This helps us to determine if language is literal or symbolic. For example, we can know that the sun, moon, and stars language in Matthew 24 is symbolic because it is used symbolically in other parts of the Bible. This rule allows the Bible to define itself.
4. Audience Relevance.
None of the Bible was written to us. It was written for us, but not to us. For example, when John wrote Revelation, he was writing to seven historical churches that existed at that time. He was not addressing Christians in America in the 21st century. When we read the New Testament epistles we are literally reading somebody else's mail. How did the original audience view that particular book in the Bible? What did it mean to them? We must read the Bible through an Ancient Near East viewpoint, not a modern 21 century Western culture viewpoint. The Bible must be read through a covenantal mind, rather than a scientific mind.
5. Subject Context.
What is the subject being discussed in the text? Keep every verse in context.
6. Historical Context.
When was the book written? To whom was it written? Why was it written? Under what circumstances? If someone 2,000 years from now got a hold of a newspaper from our time and saw cartoons with elephants and donkeys, they would not understand the true meaning of those cartoons if they tried to take them literally. They would have to understand that the elephant and donkey were symbols for the political parties. Such is the case when we read the Bible. If we try to take the images given in Revelation literally, we completely miss the point.
7. Chapter Divisions
There are no chapter divisions in the original manuscripts. Therefore the subject does not necessarily change just because the chapter changes.
8. Bible Translations
Most Bible translators are biased and interpret the Bible according to their own views. They paraphrase instead of translating. The Young's Literal Translation is one of the most accurate translations in English. The King James Version is also pretty good, but not without error. If uncertain, find a good Greek or Aramaic (not Hebrew) lexicon.
Hermeneutics is the science or method of interpreting the Bible. When you read your Bible there are some basic rules that you must follow in order to understand it properly. Remember, you have access to the same Bible that theologians and pastors do. They do not have any special insight that you do not have. As a Christian you have the privilege and obligation to go to God's Word for yourself. You would be amazed at how little pastors and theologians really know.
1. The Bible is Literature
The Bible is literature. The Bible is history. It is the infallible Word of God, but it is also literature. It uses poetic, apocalyptic, symbolic, and literal language. It is imperative to determine the literary genre of each passage in order to understand the true meaning. The Bible cannot be read like a newspaper.
2. The Bible is a Covenantal Book.
Remember that the Bible is a covenantal book from Genesis to Revelation. It is not concerned about the physical and literal so much as it is with the spiritual and covenantal. The creation and prophetic portions of scripture are primarily covenantal, not literal.
3. Scripture Interprets Scripture.
Compare Scripture with Scripture. This helps us to determine if language is literal or symbolic. For example, we can know that the sun, moon, and stars language in Matthew 24 is symbolic because it is used symbolically in other parts of the Bible. This rule allows the Bible to define itself.
4. Audience Relevance.
None of the Bible was written to us. It was written for us, but not to us. For example, when John wrote Revelation, he was writing to seven historical churches that existed at that time. He was not addressing Christians in America in the 21st century. When we read the New Testament epistles we are literally reading somebody else's mail. How did the original audience view that particular book in the Bible? What did it mean to them? We must read the Bible through an Ancient Near East viewpoint, not a modern 21 century Western culture viewpoint. The Bible must be read through a covenantal mind, rather than a scientific mind.
5. Subject Context.
What is the subject being discussed in the text? Keep every verse in context.
6. Historical Context.
When was the book written? To whom was it written? Why was it written? Under what circumstances? If someone 2,000 years from now got a hold of a newspaper from our time and saw cartoons with elephants and donkeys, they would not understand the true meaning of those cartoons if they tried to take them literally. They would have to understand that the elephant and donkey were symbols for the political parties. Such is the case when we read the Bible. If we try to take the images given in Revelation literally, we completely miss the point.
7. Chapter Divisions
There are no chapter divisions in the original manuscripts. Therefore the subject does not necessarily change just because the chapter changes.
8. Bible Translations
Most Bible translators are biased and interpret the Bible according to their own views. They paraphrase instead of translating. The Young's Literal Translation is one of the most accurate translations in English. The King James Version is also pretty good, but not without error. If uncertain, find a good Greek or Aramaic (not Hebrew) lexicon.
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Did you know that at Passover in 66 AD, a heifer gave birth to a lamb in the midst of the temple as it was being led to the altar?
Not only was it a sign of the impending wrath of God, but it was also a reminder that just 37 years earlier, the final sacrifice, the only begotten Lamb of God was crucified by this same wicked generation of jews, in Jerusalem, at Passover.
"At the same festival also, a heifer, as she was led by the high priest to be sacrificed, brought forth a lamb in the midst of the temple." - Josephus, Wars, 6.5.3-4
Not only was it a sign of the impending wrath of God, but it was also a reminder that just 37 years earlier, the final sacrifice, the only begotten Lamb of God was crucified by this same wicked generation of jews, in Jerusalem, at Passover.
"At the same festival also, a heifer, as she was led by the high priest to be sacrificed, brought forth a lamb in the midst of the temple." - Josephus, Wars, 6.5.3-4
Forwarded from Dan Free
The Last Days Identified - Don K Preston (optimized 2).pdf
47.4 MB
In an older comment I talked about this book but had it only in german at that time. here it is in english now. let me know what you think about.
70 A.D.
Restoration of Israel - Don K. Preston
Did you know that Caiaphas not only prophesied the death of Jesus, but also the restoration of Israel that same year?
And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. (John 11:49-52)
And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. (John 11:49-52)
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:10-11, 16
FYI: The jewish talmud (jewish law) condones pedophilia:
"If a grown man has intercourse with a little girl, it is nothing. Having intercourse with a girl less than three years old is like putting a finger in the eye. It sheds a few tears but soon heals." - Kethubot 11b
And homosexuality:
"Israel is above suspicion of sodomy or bestiality," says the Talmud and, hence, a man may properly be alone together with another man, even sleep under the same blanket." (D. Feldman, Kiddushin 82a)
Who do you think is promoting this filth within your nation?
"Beware the leaven of the Pharisees."
"A little leaven leavens the whole lump."
FYI: The jewish talmud (jewish law) condones pedophilia:
"If a grown man has intercourse with a little girl, it is nothing. Having intercourse with a girl less than three years old is like putting a finger in the eye. It sheds a few tears but soon heals." - Kethubot 11b
And homosexuality:
"Israel is above suspicion of sodomy or bestiality," says the Talmud and, hence, a man may properly be alone together with another man, even sleep under the same blanket." (D. Feldman, Kiddushin 82a)
Who do you think is promoting this filth within your nation?
"Beware the leaven of the Pharisees."
"A little leaven leavens the whole lump."
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