Here is a statement from the SOP to back this up:

"The Testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages given as Scripture explains Scripture." 1 S.M.42. Is this not an excellent method of interpretation? And is it not the Lord Himself who is speaking, the Wonderful Counsellor?

A good example of that from the Bible: Jesus said that "The kingdom of God in within you." Luke 17:21. To know what this kingdom is, we go to Romans 14:17 which says, "The kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." And then we read that "God has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son." Col.1:13. Therefore, when we read the words of Jesus saying, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," (Matt.6:33) we may know that what He means by kingdom is Himself. "Seek ye first Christ and His righteousness..."

An example with the SOP: "Clothed with the righteousness of Christ, we shall have no relish for sin." 1 S.M.360. What is the righteousness of Christ? "Righteousness is love and love is the light and the life of God." "The life of God in the soul is man's only hope." M.H.115. "The life of Christ that gives life to the world is in His Word." D.A.390. M.B.18.

"Righteousness is right doing." C.O.L. 312. "Christ's righteousness accomplishes everything." F.W.27. The love of God works wonders. Therefore, the righteousness of faith is the faith that works by love, by the life of God in the soul! Gal.5:6.

[ December 08, 2001: Message edited by: adventbeliever ]

"As yet, most excellent Spalatin," Luther replied, "you have only asked me things that were in my power. But to direct you in the study of the Holy Scriptures is beyond my ability. If, however, you absolutlely wish to know my method, I will not conceal it from you.

"It is very certain that we cannot attain to the understanding of Scripture either by study or by intellect. Your first duty is to begin with prayer. Entreat the Lord to grant you of His great mercy, the true understanding of His Word. There is no other interpreter of the Word of God, than the Author of this Word, as He Himself has said: 'They shall be all taught of God.' Hope for nothing from your own labours, from your own understanding; trust solely in God, and in the influence of His Spirit. Believe this on the word of a man who has had experience." Martin Luther, D'Aubigne's History of the Reformation, p.106.

[ December 08, 2001: Message edited by: adventbeliever ]

(Technical skill) What God says becomes the bench mark. You build upon what is revealed and is plain.

Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

(Technical skill) Conversion & Biblical wisdom are built during Bible study.

Psalms 78:5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:

(Technical skill) Accurate Bible study results in truths that are teachable to others, and agree with prior Biblical benchmarks.

Isaiah 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.

(Technical skill) Discipleship opens the mind to absorb Biblical truths accuratly and without making the Bible contradict it's self by your conclusions. It is a process, the more you practice the better you get.

Isaiah 8:
19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

(Technical skill) If a conclusion is found to disagree with Biblical statements, the conclusion is in error. The student needs to start from the beginning and compare every assumption with Bible statements. Once erronous assumptions are weeded out, then adjust the conclusion to agree with the Bible's actual statements.

1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

(Technical skill) God does not give "new light" to conflict with actual Bible statements. If "new light" does conflict with actual Bible statements, it is not "light" but error.

James 1:
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

John 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

(Technical skill) The Bible often gives two or more direct statements upon a subject, as well as indirect statements upon that subject. Compile all the direct and indirect Bible statements upon a subject. Then use the best SOP data base / search engine available to you. After all Who knows the mind of the Father & Son better than the Holy Ghost ? Use Amos 3:7 to your advantage. While you might approch a topic from one or maybe two directions, SOP might approch that topic from several directions that you had not thought of. Use it to your advantage, that's what it's for.

2 Peter 1:
19 ¶ 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:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 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.

1 Corinthians 14:
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Isaiah 28:
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
14 ¶ Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.
21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.
23 ¶ Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.

(Technical skill) It's better to listen to God's whole revealed council before getting committed to a conclusion on a topic, than having to backtrack.

Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

(Technical skill) Human assumptions sometimes are built upon human traditions. Before useing assumptions as a basis of establishing a direction of thought, to prepare a topic, check out if the assumption is built upon the Bible's & SOP's revealed statements or human tradition. It could save years of struggle.

1st Corinthians 2:
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

(Technical skill) Use what God specifically says to accuratly discover what the doctrine is, and identify correct and incorrect assumptions.

(Technical skill) Check out
1. The plan of redemption as the big picture.
2. Word definitions where available.
3. Context shows the appropriate definition to be used for the word or words in question.
4. Context in the passage & context across the Bible's comprehensive treatment of a subject give the accurate direction to take in forming assumptions and conclusions.

[ December 10, 2001: Message edited by: Edward F Sutton ]

The reason why there are so many different churches and beliefs among Christians today is because many do not follow sound rules for Biblical interpretation. The following are the rules of Biblical interpretation that I have discovered in my studies. I’ve also found that following these rules will lead one to rich mines of truth in God’s Word. Here they are:

1. With a good concordance, search out EVERYTHING the Bible says on the subject before coming to a conclusion. “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Isaiah 28:10. It is possible to pull out a Bible text to prove just about anything, but when one first looks at ALL the Bible texts on a certain subject, then a pattern of truth will emerge.

2. All conclusions should be based upon the weight of evidence and must make logical sense. God created us with minds to think and He appeals to our intellect. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 1:18.

3. Each passage of Scripture should be carefully considered in its context. What does the Bible say before and after the passage? First we must consider the immediate passage, then the chapter, book, other books by the same author, and finally other writers of the Bible.

4. A literal interpretation of the Bible should be given unless the context clearly shows that it is symbolic. When the interpretation is symbolic, the Bible will tell us the meaning of the symbol either in that passage or elsewhere. The Bible must ALWAYS interpret itself. “The language of the Bible should be explained according to its OBVIOUS meaning, unless a symbol or figure is employed…If men would but take the Bible AS IT READS, if there were no false teachers to mislead and confuse their minds, a work would be accomplished that would make angels glad and that would bring into the fold of Christ thousand upon thousands who are now wandering in error.” Great Controversy p. 598-599. (Read the whole chapter this quote in taken from to learn even more.)

5. One text of the Bible must not undo another text. The Bible NEVER conflicts with itself. “One saying of the Saviour must NOT be made to destroy another.” Great Controversy p. 371. Sometimes Bible texts, at first glance, can appear to contradict with other texts, but upon a deeper study, the contradiction will disappear. For instance, one can find Bible texts that appear to support works in order to obtain salvation. Elsewhere, the Bible states that faith obtains salvation. On the surface this appears to be a contradiction, but upon deeper study one finds that works and faith are the flip side of the same coin. Without one the other does not exist. Sometimes the Bible will give us a harmonizing text and sometimes it won’t—leaving us to do the harmonizing. Here is a harmonizing text. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” James 2:18.

6. All words should be accurately defined and understood. A good dictionary and concordance will aid in this.

7. We cannot conclude more or less than the evidence allows. “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” Deuteronomy 4:2. “If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:19. These are serious words not to be taken lightly.

8. Consider the words of the text in the original languages. We don’t need to waste our time studying Greek and Hebrew in order to do this. Using Strong’s Concordance one can easily find the original meaning of a word. As in English, sometimes a word in Greek or Hebrew has multiple meanings. Sometimes a contradictions can appear because the wrong definition of the word was used. However, by carefully considering ALL texts on a subject, one can figure out the correct definition. For instance, in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:24 we read, “Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed.” Elsewhere in the Bible God is portrayed as a loving master. At first glance, one could say that the Bible is contradicting itself. However, Strong’s Concordance gives several definitions for the word “knew” in this verse. One definition is the word “perceive.” The word “perceive” should have been used by the translator because the text then says that this servant is stating his definition of what he thinks or perceives God’s character to be like, which, according to other Bible verses, is not true.

9. Each prophecy in the Bible has a beginning and ending point in time and the elements within this prophecy occur in the order in which they are given. Daniel 2 gives us a model of this. In this chapter the head of the image, which represents Babylon, comes before the chest which represents Medo-Persia, which comes before the belly which represents Greece, etc. All prophecies have the events within them occurring in chronological order.

10. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide your mind before beginning to study because without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to obtain truth. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” We need to pray for this spiritual discernment. “There are deep mysteries in the word of God, which will never be discovered by minds that are unaided by the Spirit of God.” 4T p. 444. “God can do more in one moment to convict people than we can do in a lifetime.” Signs of the Times November 7, 1900.

quote:

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Originally posted by Jean Miller:
RULES OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

9. Each prophecy in the Bible has a beginning and ending point in time and the elements within this prophecy occur in the order in which they are given. Daniel 2 gives us a model of this. In this chapter the head of the image, which represents Babylon, comes before the chest which represents Medo-Persia, which comes before the belly which represents Greece, etc. All prophecies have the events within them occurring in chronological order.

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I agree with all you posted except for the one you stated above as not all prophecies are time prophecies, therefore, I would amend the above to say:

9. Each time prophecy in the Bible has a beginning and ending point in time and the elements within this prophecy occur in the order in which they are given. Daniel 2 gives us a model of this. In this chapter the head of the image, which represents Babylon, comes before the chest which represents Medo-Persia, which comes before the belly which represents Greece, etc. All prophecies have the events within them occurring in chronological order.

Take Revelation chapters 11 & 12 for example.

Chapter 11

1 ¶ And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 ¶ And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 ¶ The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

Chapter 12
1 ¶ And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 ¶ Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Ch-11 Research how SOP puts these verses into human history
verse 1 (time of the gentiles)
verses 2-14 (rise of Papacy & Dark Ages & rise of Bible Societies)
verses 15-19 (1843 & 1844 especially)

Ch 12 Verses 1 & 2 (Early Church)
Verse 3 (Satan - brought up various times)
Verse 4 (Satan at the time of the war in Heaven - before Earth was created, then the verse suddenly moves ahead to the time of Harod the great)
Verse 5 jumps from aprox 4BC to AD 31 & the assention.
Verse 6 The pure Church (The good woman) flees in 538 AD & suffers in hideing for 1260 years till 1798 AD.
Verse 7 - 10
Jumps backwards in time to the reason why the good woman has to flee & why the new born man child is nearly eaten by the dragon. The war in Heaven is shown and Satan the main protagonist. This is not linear chronological progression - or in other words this is not telling events just as they happen according to the time they happen in history. It is telling them according to the content and reasons that are occuring in sacred History. It is not operating as a time line calender.

Verses 11-12 rejoicing for those who live in the Heavens & a lament for folks on Earth.

Verses 13 (The process that started in Eden)
Verses 14 - 17 ( A forward time chronology resumes and moves from 538 AD to the present.)

My point is that unless the Bible specifically creates a time line that moves in one direction (either forward or backward), content and the parts of the Bible or Bible stories refered to, help define the actual time frame of history or future prophecy. In some cases context simply shows that it was either fulfilled already, was conditional & never got fulfilled to the ones spoken to, or is still future.

We do not dictate to the Bible, It explains it's self, the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, and the Bible dictates and mandates to us. Private interpretation is not Scriptural, because the context of calling something a private interpretation is in contrast with declaring that Scripture is the more sure word of prophecy. And not an individuals opinion. (A lot of phoney Apostles in Paul & Timothy's time.)Scripture was cross referenced and students used the known to assist in explaining the unknown.

“There is no excuse for any one in taking the position that there is no more truth to be revealed, and that all our expositions of Scripture are without an error. The fact that certain doctrines have been held as truth for many years by our people, is not a proof that our ideas are infallible. Age will not make error into truth, and truth can afford to be fair. No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation. We are living in perilous times, and it does not become us to accept everything claimed to be truth without examining it thoroughly; neither can we afford to reject anything that bears the fruits of the Spirit of God; but we should be teachable, meek and lowly of heart. There are those who oppose everything that is not in accordance with their own ideas, and by so doing they endanger their eternal interest as verily as did the Jewish nation in their rejection of Christ. The Lord designs that our opinions shall be put to the test, that we may see the necessity of closely examining the living oracles to see whether or not we
are in the faith. Many who claim to believe the truth have settled down at their ease, saying, "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing." But Jesus says to these self-complacent ones, Thou "knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Let us individually inquire, Do these words describe my case? If so, the True Witness counsels us, saying, "Buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see." Advent Review & Sabbath Herald, December 20, 1892.

She also identifies prophecies as being one of the areas in which we don't have everything straight.

"Many will stand in our pulpits with the torch of
false prophecy in their hands, kindled from the hellish torch of Satan." Last Day Events p. 179

She also explains how William Miller figured out prophecy and he must have been doing it correctly because she says that angels guided him.

"Angels of heaven were guiding his mind and opening the Scriptures to his understanding. Taking the manner in which the prohecies had been fulfilled in teh past as a criterion by which to judge of the fulfillment of those which were still future..." GC p. 321

The prophecy I cited in Daniel 2 about the image is a great example because we are living at the end of that prophecy and so we can see how it has been fulfilled. It has been fulfilled in EXACT chronolical order in which it was presented.

If God presents prohecies all jumbled up in sequence then it is IMPOSSIBLE for us to figure out the sequence before the prophecy is fulfilled.

God says in Isaiah 1:18, Come now, and let us REASON together, saith the Lord." God is saying here that He is reasonable and we are to reason with Him. Mixing the prohecies up so they are not presented in correct sequence is pretty bad reasoning. I don't think we should accuse God of that.

Look also at what an orderly Person God is. Everything in this universe moves in EXACT precision--which is why astronomers are able to predict things like solar eclipses hundreds of years in advance. Look also at how God had the children of Israel camp in such order--with each tribe having their own special place around the Sanctuary. When they traveled they even moved in a certain order. If God pays that much attention to detail and order, why would He present prophecies with the sequence jumbled up? It doesn't fit His character.

Using the same reason as did Willliam Miller, which was looking at how past prohecies have been fulfilled, then we can expect that God will present prophecies in correct chronological order since He did in the Daniel 2 prophecy.

I believe that when it "appears" that a prophecy is presented in incorrect order that our understanding is wrong OR that a new prophecy is being started and we are trying to lump together two prophecies as one that are really two separate prophecies.

About Revelation 11 presented in the past post--it is in correct chronological order as Edward stated, "Ch-11 Research how SOP puts these verses into human history
verse 1 (time of the gentiles)
verses 2-14 (rise of Papacy & Dark Ages & rise of Bible Societies)
verses 15-19 (1843 & 1844 especially"

The time of the Gentiles began when the gospel went to the Gentiles in AD 34, then the papacy arose, the Dark Ages arrived, and then 1843 and 1844 occurred.

I believe that Revelation 12 is a separate prophecy from Revelation 11. On the surface it "appears" as if the sequence is out of order--until one remembers that there have been two separate times that Satan was kicked out of heaven. The first was after he rebelled, when he was no longer permitted to live in heaven. However, according to EGW, he was still allowed to visit heaven, and his visits were terminated at the cross. Since then the good angels have to present a golden card to get into heaven--preventing evil angels from sneaking in.

Keeping these two times that Satan was kicked out in mind, then Revelation 12, to me, is presented in chronological order. Yes, sometimes a prophecy goes back and re-explains a certain part, but the sequence is still not difficult to figure out.

Yes, I believe that God is a God of reason and He wants us to be able to figure prohecy out IN ADVANCE which we would be unable to do if the sequences were jumbled up.

Methods of Bible Study

Bible Study: Presuppositions, Principles, and Methods

1. Preamble

This statement is addressed to all members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with the purpose of providing guidelines on how to study the Bible, both the trained biblical scholar and others.

Seventh-day Adventists recognize and appreciate the contributions of those biblical scholars throughout history who have developed useful and reliable methods of Bible study consistent with the claims and teachings of Scripture. Adventists are committed to the acceptance of biblical truth and are willing to follow it, using all methods of interpretation consistent with what Scripture says of itself. These are outlined in the presuppositions detailed below.

In recent decades the most prominent method in biblical studies has been known as the historical-critical method. Scholars who use this method, as classically formulated, operate on the basis of presuppositions which, prior to studying the biblical text, reject the reliability of accounts of miracles and other supernatural events narrated in the Bible. Even a modified use of this method that retains the principle of criticism which subordinates the Bible to human reason is unacceptable to Adventists.

The historical-critical method minimizes the need for faith in God and obedience to His commandments. In addition, because such a method de-emphasizes the divine element in the Bible as an inspired book (including its resultant unity) and depreciates or misunderstands apocalyptic prophecy and the eschatological portions of the Bible, we urge Adventist Bible students to avoid relying on the use of the presuppositions and the resultant deductions associated with the historical-critical method.

In contrast with the historical-critical method and presuppositions, we believe it to be helpful to set forth the principles of Bible study that are consistent with the teachings of the Scriptures themselves, that preserve their unity, and are based upon the premise that the Bible is the Word of God. Such an approach will lead us into a satisfying and rewarding experience with God.

2. Presuppositions Arising From the Claims of Scripture

a. Origin

(1) The Bible is the Word of God and is the primary and authoritative means by which He reveals Himself to human beings.

(2) The Holy Spirit inspired the Bible writers with thoughts, ideas, and objective information; in turn they expressed these in their own words. Therefore the Scriptures are an indivisible union of human and divine elements, neither of which should be emphasized to the neglect of the other (2Peter 1:21; cf. The Great Controversy, v, vi).

(3) All Scripture is inspired by God and came through the work of the Holy Spirit. However, it did not come in a continuous chain of unbroken revelations. As the Holy Spirit communicated truth to the Bible writer, each wrote as he was moved by the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the aspect of the truth which he was led to stress. For this reason the student of the Bible will gain a rounded comprehension on any subject by recognizing that the Bible is its own best interpreter and when studied as a whole it depicts a consistent, harmonious truth (2Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:1, 2; cf. Selected Messages, Book 1, 19, 20; The Great Controversy, v, vi).

(4) Although it was given to those who lived in an ancient Near Eastern/Mediterranean context, the Bible transcends its cultural backgrounds to serve as God's Word for all cultural, racial, and situational contexts in all ages.

b. Authority

(1) The sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments are the clear, infallible revelation of God's will and His salvation. The Bible is the Word of God, and it alone is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested (2Tim. 3:15, 17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 2Thess. 3:14; Heb. 4:12).

(2) Scripture is an authentic, reliable record of history and God's acts in history. It provides the normative theological interpretation of those acts. The supernatural acts revealed in Scripture are historically true. For example, chapters 1-11 of Genesis are a factual account of historical events.

(3) The Bible is not like other books. It is an indivisible blend of the divine and the human. Its record of many details of secular history is integral to its overall purpose to convey salvation history. While at times there may be parallel procedures employed by Bible students to determine historical data, the usual techniques of historical research, based as they are on human presuppositions and focused on the human element, are inadequate for interpreting the Scriptures, which are a blend of the divine and human. Only a method that fully recognizes the indivisible nature of the Scriptures can avoid a distortion of its message.

(4) Human reason is subject to the Bible, not equal to or above it. Presuppositions regarding the Scriptures must be in harmony with the claims of the Scriptures and subject to correction by them (1Cor. 2:1-6). God intends that human reason be used to its fullest extent, but within the context and under the authority of His Word rather than independent of it.

(5) The revelation of God in all nature, when properly understood, is in harmony with the written Word, and is to be interpreted in the light of Scripture.

3. Principles for Approaching the Interpretation of Scripture

a. The Spirit enables the believer to accept, understand, and apply the Bible to one's own life as he seeks divine power to render obedience to all scriptural requirements and to appropriate personally all Bible promises. Only those following the light already received can hope to receive further illumination of the Spirit (John 16:13, 14; 1Cor. 2:10-14).

b. Scripture cannot be correctly interpreted without the aid of the Holy Spirit, for it is the Spirit who enables the believer to understand and apply Scripture. Therefore, any study of the Word should commence with a request for the Spirit's guidance and illumination.

c. Those who come to the study of the Word must do so with faith, in the humble spirit of a learner who seeks to hear what the Bible is saying. They must be willing to submit all presuppositions, opinions, and the conclusions of reason to the judgment and correction of the Word itself. With this attitude the Bible student may come directly to the Word, and with careful study may come to an understanding of the essentials of salvation apart from any human explanations, however helpful. The biblical message becomes meaningful to such a person.

d. The investigation of Scripture must be characterized by a sincere desire to discover and obey God's will and word rather than to seek support or evidence for preconceived ideas.

4. Methods of Bible Study

a. Select a Bible version for study that is faithful to the meaning contained in languages in which the Bible originally was written, giving preference to translations done by a broad group of scholars and published by a general publisher above translations sponsored by a particular denomination or narrowly focused group.

Exercise care not to build major doctrinal points on one Bible translation or version. Trained biblical scholars will use the Greek and Hebrew texts, enabling them to examine variant readings of ancient Bible manuscripts as well.

b. Choose a definite plan of study, avoiding haphazard and aimless approaches. Study plans such as the following are suggested:

(1) Book-by-book analysis of the message

(2) Verse-by-verse method

(3) Study that seeks a biblical solution to a specific life problem, biblical satisfaction for a specific need, or a biblical answer to a specific question

(4) Topical study (faith, love, second coming, and others)

(5) Word study

(6) Biographical study

c. Seek to grasp the simple, most obvious meaning of the biblical passage being studied.

d. Seek to discover the underlying major themes of Scripture as found in individual texts, passages, and books. Two basic, related themes run throughout Scripture: (1)The person and work of Jesus Christ; and (2)the great controversy perspective involving the authority of God's Word, the fall of man, the first and second advents of Christ, the exoneration of God and His law, and the restoration of the divine plan for the universe. These themes are to be drawn from the totality of Scripture and not imposed on it.

e. Recognize that the Bible is its own interpreter and that the meaning of words, texts, and passages is best determined by diligently comparing scripture with scripture.

f. Study the context of the passage under consideration by relating it to the sentences and paragraphs immediately preceding and following it. Try to relate the ideas of the passage to the line of thought of the entire Bible book.

g. As far as possible ascertain the historical circumstances in which the passage was written by the biblical writers under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

h. Determine the literary type the author is using. Some biblical material is composed of parables, proverbs, allegories, psalms, and apocalyptic prophecies. Since many biblical writers presented much of their material as poetry, it is helpful to use a version of the Bible that presents this material in poetic style, for passages employing imagery are not to be interpreted in the same manner as prose.

I. Recognize that a given biblical text may not conform in every detail to present-day literary categories. Be cautious not to force these categories in interpreting the meaning of the biblical text. It is a human tendency to find what one is looking for, even when the author did not intend such.

j. Take note of grammar and sentence construction in order to discover the author's meaning. Study the key words of the passage by comparing their use in other parts of the Bible by means of a concordance and with the help of biblical lexicons and dictionaries.

k. In connection with the study of the biblical text, explore the historical and cultural factors. Archaeology, anthropology, and history may contribute to understanding the meaning of the text.

l. Seventh-day Adventists believe that God inspired Ellen G. White. Therefore, her expositions on any given Bible passage offer an inspired guide to the meaning of texts without exhausting their meaning or preempting the task of exegesis (for example, see Evangelism, 256; The Great Controversy, 193, 595; Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 665, 682, 707-708; Counsels to Writers and Editors, 33-35).

m. After studying as outlined above, turn to various commentaries and secondary helps such as scholarly works to see how others have dealt with the passage. Then carefully evaluate the different viewpoints expressed from the standpoint of Scripture as a whole.

n. In interpreting prophecy keep in mind that:

(1) The Bible claims God's power to predict the future (Isa 46:10).

(2) Prophecy has a moral purpose. It was not written merely to satisfy curiosity about the future. Some of the purposes of prophecy are to strengthen faith (John 14:29) and to promote holy living and readiness for the Advent (Matt 24:44; Rev 22:7, 10, 11).

(3) The focus of much prophecy is on Christ (both His first and second advents), the church, and the end-time.

(4) The norms for interpreting prophecy are found within the Bible itself: The Bible notes time prophecies and their historical fulfillments; the New Testament cites specific fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah; and the Old Testament itself presents individuals and events as types of the Messiah.

(5) In the New Testament application of Old Testament prophecies, some literal names become spiritual: for example, Israel represents the church, Babylon apostate religion, etc.

(6) There are two general types of prophetic writings: nonapocalyptic prophecy as found in Isaiah and Jeremiah, and apocalyptic prophecy as found in Daniel and the Revelation. These differing types have different characteristics:

(a) Nonapocalyptic prophecy addresses God's people; apocalyptic is more universal in scope.

(b) Nonapocalyptic prophecy often is conditional in nature, setting forth to God's people the alternatives of blessing for obedience and curses for disobedience; apocalyptic emphasizes the sovereignty of God and His control over history.

(c) Nonapocalyptic prophecy often leaps from the local crisis to the end-time day of the Lord; apocalyptic prophecy presents the course of history from the time of the prophet to the end of the world.

(d) Time prophecies in nonapocalyptic prophecy generally are long, for example, 400 years of Israel's servitude (Gen. 15:13) and 70 years of Babylonian captivity (Jer. 25:12). Time prophecies in apocalyptic prophecy generally are phrased in short terms, for example, 10 days (Rev. 2:10) or 42 months (Rev. 13:5). Apocalyptic time periods stand symbolically for longer periods of actual time.

(7) Apocalyptic prophecy is highly symbolic and should be interpreted accordingly. In interpreting symbols, the following methods may be used:

(a) Look for interpretations (explicit or implicit) within the passage itself (for example, Dan. 8:20, 21; Rev. 1:20).

(b) Look for interpretations elsewhere in the book or in other writings by the same author.

(c) Using a concordance, study the use of symbols in other parts of Scripture.

(d) A study of ancient Near Eastern documents may throw light on the meaning of symbols, although scriptural use may alter those meanings.

(8) The literary structure of a book often is an aid to interpreting it. The parallel nature of Daniel's prophecies is an example.

o. Parallel accounts in Scripture sometimes present differences in detail and emphasis (for example, cf. Matt 21:33, 34; Mark 12:1-11; and Luke 20:9-18; or 2Kings 18-20 with 2Chron. 32). When studying such passages, first examine them carefully to be sure that the parallels actually are referring to the same historical event. For example, many of Jesus' parables may have been given on different occasions to different audiences and with different wording.

In cases where there appear to be differences in parallel accounts, one should recognize that the total message of the Bible is the synthesis of all of its parts. Each book or writer communicates that which the Spirit has led him to write. Each makes his own special contribution to the richness, diversity, and variety of Scripture (The Great Controversy, v, vi). The reader must allow each Bible writer to emerge and be heard while at the same time recognizing the basic unity of the divine self-disclosure.

When parallel passages seem to indicate discrepancy or contradiction, look for the underlying harmony. Keep in mind that dissimilarities may be due to minor errors of copyists (Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 16), or may be the result of differing emphases and choice of materials of various authors who wrote under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit for different audiences under different circumstances (Selected Messages, Book 1, pp. 21, 22; The Great Controversy, vi).

It may prove impossible to reconcile minor dissimilarities in detail which may be irrelevant to the main and clear message of the passage. In some cases judgment may have to be suspended until more information and better evidence are available to resolve a seeming discrepancy.

p. The Scriptures were written for the practical purpose of revealing the will of God to the human family. However, in order not to misconstrue certain kinds of statements, it is important to recognize that they were addressed to peoples of Eastern cultures and expressed in their thought patterns.

Expressions such as "the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh" (Ex. 9:12) or "an evil spirit from God..." (1Sam 16:15), the imprecatory psalms, or the "three days and three nights" of Jonah as compared with Christ's death (Matt. 12:40), commonly are misunderstood because they are interpreted today from a different viewpoint.

A background knowledge of Near Eastern culture is indispensable for understanding such expressions. For example, Hebrew culture attributed responsibility to an individual for acts he did not commit but that he allowed to happen. Therefore the inspired writers of the Scriptures commonly credit God with doing actively that which in Western thought we would say He permits or does not prevent from happening, for example, the hardening of Pharaoh's heart.

Another aspect of Scripture that troubles the modern mind is the divine command to Israel to engage in war and execute entire nations. Israel originally was organized as a theocracy, a civil government through which God ruled directly (Gen. 18:25). Such a theocratic state was unique. It no longer exists and cannot be regarded as a direct model for Christian practice.

The Scriptures record that God accepted persons whose experiences and statements were not in harmony with the spiritual principles of the Bible as a whole. For example, we may cite incidents relating to the use of alcohol, polygamy, divorce, and slavery. Although condemnation of such deeply ingrained social customs is not explicit, God did not necessarily endorse or approve all that He permitted and bore with in the lives of the patriarchs and in Israel. Jesus made this clear in His statement with regard to divorce (Matt 19:4-6, 8).

The spirit of the Scriptures is one of restoration. God works patiently to elevate fallen humanity from the depths of sin to the divine ideal. Consequently, we must not accept as models the actions of sinful men as recorded in the Bible.

The Scriptures represent the unfolding of God's revelation to man. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, for example, enlarges and expands certain Old Testament concepts. Christ Himself is the ultimate revelation of God's character to humanity (Heb. 1:1-3).

While there is an overarching unity in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and while all Scripture is equally inspired, God chose to reveal Himself to and through human individuals and to meet them where they were in terms of spiritual and intellectual endowments. God Himself does not change, but He progressively unfolded His revelation to men as they were able to grasp it (John 16:12; The SDA Bible Commentary, vol .7, p. 945; Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 21). Every experience or statement of Scripture is a divinely inspired record, but not every statement or experience is necessarily normative for Christian behavior today. Both the spirit and the letter of Scripture must be understood (1Cor. 10:6-13; The Desire of Ages, 150; Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 10-12).

q. As the final goal, make application of the text. Ask such questions as, "What is the message and purpose God intends to convey through Scripture?" "What meaning does this text have for me?" "How does it apply to my situation and circumstances today?" In doing so, recognize that although many biblical passages had local significance, nonetheless they contain timeless principles applicable to every age and culture.

5. Conclusion

In the "Introduction" to The Great Controversy Ellen G. White wrote:

The Bible, with its God-given truths expressed in the language of men, presents a union of the divine and the human. Such a union existed in the nature of Christ, who was the Son of God and the Son of man. Thus it is true of the Bible, as it was of Christ, that "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us." John 1:14. (p. vi)

As it is impossible for those who do not accept Christ's divinity to understand the purpose of His incarnation, it is also impossible for those who see the Bible merely as a human book to understand its message, however careful and rigorous their methods.

Even Christian scholars who accept the divine-human nature of Scripture, but whose methodological approaches cause them to dwell largely on its human aspects, risk emptying the biblical message of its power by relegating it to the background while concentrating on the medium. They forget that medium and message are inseparable and that the medium without the message is as an empty shell that cannot address the vital spiritual needs of humankind.

A committed Christian will use only those methods that are able to do full justice to the dual, inseparable nature of Scripture, enhance his ability to understand and apply its message, and strengthen faith.

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This statement was approved and voted by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Executive Committee at the Annual Council Session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 12, 1986

[ December 16, 2001: Message edited by: Edward F Sutton ]