Bible Interpretation, Student Workbook, SW05

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B I B L E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

1. The testimony of Jesus is the very spirit (i.e., inner motive and rationale) for all prophetic interpretation, Rev. 19.10.

2. Christ is the center of biblical interpretation, and therefore historical foretellings (i.e., prophecy as applied to historical future events) find their ultimate integrating point in him (cf. Luke 24.27, 44-48).

3. Three-fold sense of historical prophetic fulfillment (Walter Kaiser, An Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics )

a. The predicted word that proceeds the event referred to

b. The historic means by which God kept that predicted word alive for succeeding generations (i.e., the down payments that connects the first announcement with its climatic fulfillment)

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c. The ultimate fulfillment in the NT of the prophetic prediction given in the OT referred to either in the First or Second Advent of Jesus Christ.

B. Principle Two: Refer prophetic messages to the call to the Kingdom – adopt a kingdom lifestyle in the face of future coming events .

1. New resolve to prepare and make ready for Christ’s return, 1 Pet. 1.10-13

2. Absolute certain assurance of the events yet to come, 2 Pet. 1.19-21