Helpful Rules for Interpreting the Bible

Isaiah likens prophecy and fulfillment to husband and wife. Where there is prophecy, there will be fulfillment. "None shall lack its mate." No divorces here.

When Jesus explained the parable of the sower, every aspect of the parable had a symbolic meaning: sower, birds, thorns, shallow roots, good soil. There was nothing added just to take up space or add cosmetic appeal.

Jesus said of the law--we might say the "Bible"--that not one jot or tittle in it would pass until all was fulfilled. Evidently every letter must hold its place and not be neglected. Jesus said there was an "end" to the prophecies about Himself. The word "end" is a translation of the Greek telos, which means goal or fulfillment. Jesus is letting us know that rule number four is established by Him: all Scripture has a purpose.

This rule, while seemingly so obvious that it does not need to be mentioned, is not a "hard and fast" rule. The New Testament writers seem often not to follow it. For instance, Matthew quotes from Jeremiah to give a Biblical context to the massacre ordered by King Herod of the baby boys in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. The problem here is that the context of the section of Jeremiah he quotes from seems to have nothing to do with the Bethlehem event:

Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.

So Jeremiah provides an exception to this rule. And how could it be otherwise. The Bible is a spiritual book. Its meaning is not limited to the context of each section. Often prophets did not understand the messages they were given. God who at the same time dwells in and beyond time, is never limited to a specific context.

Nonetheless, there should be good reason for exceptions. The interpretation of any text should start with the context and only with proper cause find a meaning outside that context. The prophecies of Scripture are always to be interpreted according to the rules of right reason:

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith Yahweh."

"And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures."

In other words, right human reasoning is necessary when comparing and interpreting Scripture. It is reasonable to expect any Scripture to be understood in its context except if there is good reason otherwise.

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Paul tells us here very plainly that the prophets were writing for us. It is amazing the extent to which this simple rule is lost in the "historical critical" method of analysis characterizing the seminaries of our day. As long as the "historical critical method" is enthroned, the professors are king. When rule six here is invoked the Bible is placed back into the hands of the "people."

This simple truth gave the "Man of Sorrows" one of His rare moments of rejoicing in the New Testament record:

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

"Babes," that is, simple, honest, humble believers can understand these things. Sometimes the wisdom of the "wise" is so smart that its stupid.

Paul also tells us that the stories of the Old Testament are meant for us:

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Jesus used Scripture written by Isaiah 700 years before His time to refer to thing happening in His days on earth:

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

It seems evident, then, that the Old Testament stories and prophecies can and should apply to modern situations.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The word of God is "living." It grows. (Not so much that it grows, but that our understanding of it grows!) When a small plant puts out a leaf and later a bloom and later a flower, the presence of the flower does not mean that the leaf was wrong. In its time the leaf was the most prominent feature of the plant, but later the flower became the most prominent. So it is with the word of God.

When Peter quoted from the prophecies of Joel on the Day of Pentecost, he said Joel’s words were being fulfilled. But Joel’s words about God’s Spirit being poured out on all flesh refers most fully to the final church at the end when Jesus’ coming is imminent. That doesn’t mean Peter was incorrect when he quoted Joel.

Another prophecy with obvious multiple fulfillments is that of Matthew 24. Many scholars say it was fulfilled in 70 A.D. when the Romans demolished Jerusalem. While much of that prophecy was fulfilled at the destruction of Jerusalem, it will have its complete fulfillment at the end of time before Jesus’ return. Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 24 in response to the question of His disciples, "What shall be the sign of Thy coming and the end of the world?" Surely we can expect that the words Jesus spoke were meant to answer that question, and thus we can be sure that its words apply most completely to the end.

That a prophecy can have several fulfillments does not mean that prophecy can mean anything. Should it surprise us that history repeats itself? The same powers of good and evil--Satan’s angels and God’s angels--have been engaged in a great controversy that has extended for thousands of years, with the passing of hundreds of generations. Similar historical conflicts arise with similar results. Prophecy is often written in a diffuse, general way as to allow it to have fulfillments in many different eras.

This is a more specific application of rule six, that Old Testament prophecy can speak to us in modern situations. Most prophecies were given in a specific literal geographical context. They were written before the era of mass communication which has made us a global village. So it is helpful to try to understand the literal geographic and historical context. Most spiritual truths in the Bible have a literal reference point. "First the natural, then the spiritual."

Paul teaches this principle forcibly when he chastises the Corinthians for not understanding the resurrection better because of the physical nature of stars and animals!

A major class of examples of this rule revolve around the nation of Israel from the Old Testament. Tremendous promises were made to her, promises of fame, power, wealth, influence. But these did not materialize. Israel failed. Yet the promises are still written in the Bible.

They are fulfilled by the spiritual Israel, the true believers in Christ. Thus the fulfillment is worldwide, for there are believers everywhere. It is spiritual, not physical, because the believers do not make up a specific, visible group. It is future because the true Israel of God has not yet fully received their glorious kingdom (except by faith!)

The nature of chiasm has already been discussed in rule number three dealing with taking all the Scripture on a given topic and then assessing it, but it is listed as a separate rule here because of its power to those who have seen it.

Both modern and ancient studies have shown the remarkable patterns of organization characterizing many parts of the Bible. The God who invented DNA and the diversity of perfect, intricate, symmetrical design in nature has brought this same talent into His creation of His word.

Holy Spirit authorship should give assurance that there will be remarkable structures of organization in the words of the Bible.

Below is an abridged summary of Revelation 12:

In this one example of chiastic structure, taken from scores of others that have been found, is a barometer of the wealth of meaning God can place within the structure of a verse or chapter. It is almost certain that John the Revelator was not aware of this structure when he wrote. This is an area where the Bible explorer can find precious treasure.

Daniel fasted and prayed to understand Scripture and was rewarded by Heaven. The Bible says that the things revealed "belong to us." When a new car belongs to us we take pretty good care of it. We know it inside and out. That is God’s longing for us and our relationship to Scripture. By faith, the meaning of all things revealed awaits the diligent, persevering student. The heavenly treasures await our demand and reception:

'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

No good thing will the Lord withhold from one who is seeking. Let us be honest, eager, sacrificial students that the reward of Heavenly revelation will be ours.