Why Interpretation Matters
At the heart of understanding biblical prophecy is the matter of interpretation. The Bible has been called many things: a fable, a tool of control, a confused book of contradictions, or the inerrant Word of God. Yet the existence of so many interpretive frameworks—some contradictory—proves the need to establish not only what we believe, but why we believe it. If we start with assumptions rather than truth, we are likely to walk in darkness.
Jesus warned that many will be deceived. False doctrines emerge when people assume their presuppositions are correct and then read them into the Bible. This is dangerous. Therefore, in this chapter, we establish the interpretive method by which the remainder of this book—and all prophecy—should be approached.
A Trustworthy
Authority
What makes the Bible trustworthy? Some believe only the King James Version is inerrant. Others believe only the original autographs were inspired. Still others selectively accept parts of the Bible—Moses, Jesus, or Paul—as authoritative.
We must ask: What does the Bible say about itself? Isaiah wrote, “If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20). Jesus said that not even a jot or tittle of the Law—the Ten Commandments—would pass away (Matthew 5:17–18). Paul affirmed, “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). But even here, the Greek suggests: “Every Scripture God-breathed is profitable...” implying some discernment is needed.
The gold standard? Jesus Himself. He said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me” (John 5:39). If Scripture does not lead us to Jesus, it is being misused or misunderstood.
Bibliolatry vs. the Living Word
Some commit the sin of
bibliolatry—idolizing the Bible itself. The written word is a witness, not the
source of life. Jesus is the Living Word (John 1:1; Revelation 19:13). Hebrews
4:12 speaks of the “Word of God” as discerning the thoughts of the heart. But
the next verse identifies this Word as a Person: “Nothing in all creation is
hidden from His sight” (v.13).
Scripture is only alive when it leads to the living Lord of lords and King of Kings, Lord Jesus Christ. Otherwise, it becomes a dead letter (2 Corinthians 3:6). Every text must be tested against the question: Does this lead me to Jesus and to truth?
Investigative Judgment: A Case Study in False Interpretation
The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) doctrine of the Investigative Judgment began as a response to William Miller’s failed prophecy that Jesus would return in 1844. The SDA reinterpretation claimed Jesus moved into the Most Holy Place in Heaven in 1844 to begin judging believers.
This is based on Daniel 8:14, where the KJV says, “unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” But the Hebrew says 2300 evenings and mornings—not 2300 days or years. The SDA misinterpretation builds an entire doctrine on a mistranslation.
Moreover, there is no biblical or historical event confirming this judgment began in 1844. Instead, judgment began with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1–11; 1 Peter 4:17; John 16:7–11).
Got Questions’ Imaginary Fourth Passover
GotQuestions.org is a popular Christian resource, yet even it succumbs to faulty assumptions. In discussing the length of Jesus’ ministry, it admits the Bible records three Passovers—implying a minimum two-year ministry. Yet it adds a hypothetical fourth Passover, based on what “many scholars believe,” to force a 3.5-year duration.[i]
This violates sound exegesis. It adds to Scripture without warrant. The Bible plainly shows:
1.
John
2:13 — First Passover
2.
John
6:4 — Second Passover
3. John 11:55 — Final Passover (crucifixion)
Three Passovers = Two years. Adding a fourth that isn’t in Scripture, simply to fit tradition, is dishonest and violates the principle in Revelation 22:18–19 not to add or subtract from God’s Word.
Eschatological Frameworks: Sorting the Views
Christians disagree on how end-times prophecy will unfold. These views are shaped by how one interprets Scripture:
1. Amillennialism
·
Claims
the “millennium” is symbolic.
·
Jesus
is reigning spiritually now through the Church.
·
Popular
in Catholic and Reformed traditions.
2. Postmillennialism
·
Believes
the world will be Christianized before Christ returns.
·
Christ
returns after the millennium.
·
Emphasizes
cultural victory of the gospel.
3. Premillennialism
·
Christ
returns before a literal 1000-year reign on earth.
· Most consistent with Revelation 20.
Within pre-millennialism are three rapture views:
|
View |
Description |
Tribulation
Duration |
Rapture
Timing |
|
Pre-Trib |
Mistaken rapture 7 yrs before Second
Coming of Christ |
7 years Larkin model |
Before any Tribulation |
|
Mid-Trib |
Beginning of 3.5 yr Tribulation |
3.5 yrs (biblical) |
45 days after revealing Antichrist |
|
Post-Trib |
Rapture end of Tribulation |
3.5 yrs (biblical) |
At Second Coming |
Important clarification: The Bible only refers to a 3.5-year tribulation (42 months or 1260 days), not seven years. The “seven-year tribulation” is inferred from a misreading of Daniel 9:27, which speaks of one “week” (7 years), half of which involves abomination. There is no direct text teaching a full seven-year Great Tribulation.
The Post-Tribulation view is biblical in that being caught up into the clouds will continue until the last day of the Great Tribulation. This occurs as individuals are taken because they heed the warnings being preached during those days and refuse the mark of the beast, for “two men will be in a field... two women in a mill; one will be taken and one will be left” (Matthew 24:40-41). Otherwise it is not.
Inductive
vs. Deductive Reasoning
Deductive reasoning starts with assumptions (e.g., 'We believe...') and interprets Scripture by ignoring contradicting texts while seeking supporting texts to justify claims.
Inductive reasoning starts with the text and draws conclusions based on what is written.
Inductive method:
· Observe what the Bible says.
· Compare Scripture with Scripture.
· Draw conclusions consistent with the whole counsel of God.
Example:
· Observation: Three Passovers are mentioned.
· Conclusion: Jesus’ ministry lasted just over two years (after return from 40 days wilderness experience).
Letting
Scripture Speak
We must interpret prophecy honestly:
· Let the text say what it says.
· Avoid inserting unmentioned events (like a fourth Passover).
· Recognize the conditionality in some prophecies.
· Test all interpretations by their witness to Jesus Christ.
Interpretation is not about defending our assumptions. It’s about seeking truth. The Bible is a spiritual book. Without the Holy Spirit, it will not be rightly understood. Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth... He will glorify Me” (John 16:13–14).
A Firm Foundation
Interpretation matters. Starting with assumptions leads to deception. Beginning with Christ leads to truth. All Scripture that leads us to the person and purpose of God in Lord Jesus Christ is inspired. All interpretation that exalts Him is sound. No one without the Holy Spirit can truly say “Jesus is Lord” (1 Cor. 12:3)
Let us abandon the sand of presumption and build on the Rock of Revelation. Let the Bible interpret the Bible. Let the Spirit lead. Let Jesus be the focus.
For only then will prophecy become clear—and true understanding begin.
In the next chapter, we will consider the very key to understanding prophecy: Lord Jesus Christ Himself, the Rock of revelation, and the Cornerstone of the foundation.
[i] “According to John’s Gospel, Jesus attended at least three annual Feasts of Passover during His ministry: one in John 2:13, another in 6:4, and the Passover of His crucifixion in 11:55–57. Based on this information, Jesus’ ministry lasted at least 2 years. Many scholars believe there was another Passover, not mentioned in the Gospels, between the Passovers of John 2 and John 6, which would extend His ministry to at least 3 years. Additionally, prior to the first Passover in John 2 (in the spring of 27), Jesus had already traveled from the Jordan area to Cana, Capernaum, and Jerusalem. He had been baptized by John (Matthew 3:13–17), tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–2), begun His preaching ministry (Matthew 4:17), called His first disciples (John 1:35–51), performed His first miracle (John 2:1–11), and made a trip to Capernaum with His family (John 2:12). All of this would have taken several months. Adding the 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and His ascension (Acts 1:3), we estimate the total length of Jesus’ earthly ministry to be approximately 3½ years, from His baptism in the late summer of AD 26 to His ascension in the spring of AD 30.” Source: “How long was Jesus’ ministry?” GotQuestions.org. Accessed May 27, 2025. https://www.gotquestions.org/length-Jesus-ministry.html.
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