GUIDELINES FOR INTERPRETING PROPHECY

Different types of prophecies:

1.  Dual.  Many prophecies are dual in fulfillment. 

2.  Continual.  Some prophecies are continual or on-going. 

3.  Time lapse (gap).  Some prophecies have time lapses or gaps. 

4.  Day for a year.  Some prophecies are one day = one year in fulfillment. 

5.  Intermittent .  Some prophecies start and stop at intervals. 

6.  Telescoping.  Some prophecies intensify or magnify over time. 

7.  Symbolic.  Some prophecies use prophetic symbols. 

a)  The symbol may be used differently in different Biblical passages. 

b)  The symbol may be figurative in one verse and meant to be taken literally in another. 

c)  Some symbols are not interpreted elsewhere in the Bible. 

8.  Type and antitype.  Some prophecies involve types and antitypes. 

The type is the original symbol. 

The antitype is the person or thing represented or foreshadowed later in time by the earlier symbol. 

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Important reminders with respect to prophecy:

1)  Christ is the Revelator. 

He adds to our understanding as we need to know. 

2)  Study the prophecies of your Bible. 

Have your eyes and ears open and look at current events through the lens of Bible prophecy. 

3)  Seek understanding through God’s Spirit.  2 Pet. 1:19-21. 

4)  Look to the Church for guidance in prophetic matters.  1 Tim. 3:15. 

5)  Be patient.  God will reveal the identity of the two witnesses in His due time. 

Rev. 1:1.  Jesus is the Revelator! 

Look to God, the Bible, and the Church for guidance in interpreting the prophecies of the Bible.