Don't Miss the Point

How we approach the Scripture matters. And when it comes to prophetic literature, so often filled with symbolic language and wild pictures, it's critical that we restrain ourselves from jumping to conclusions. It’s essential that we slow down and look closely at the text as it really is. We also have to beware of abuses we can commit by fidgeting with the text, tweaking it, forcing it into our mold, or trying to fill in the blanks where the Bible is silent. Here are some common abuses to avoid:

• Forcing a system, agenda, or doctrine on the text instead of deriving doctrine from the text

• Assigning arbitrary meaning to symbols (Symbolic language still has a literal meaning which the author intends to communicate. For example: raining cats and dogs, a green thumb, I am the vine, sons of thunder.)

• Not reading the Bible in context like we would with other writings (We must take into account the author, audience, historical setting and circumstances, grammar, etc.)

• Refusing to learn about prophecy because there is so much disagreement about it among good Christians (“It will all pan out in the end so I don't need to bother knowing this stuff.”)

• Love of secret knowledge (seeing the Bible as a code to crack, or coming up with Christian-ish conspiracy theories)

• Majoring on controversy

• Seeking novel (new) interpretations, something people have never seen before

• Being preoccupied with "End Times"

• Overemphasizing the less important and minimizing the main point

• Headline eschatology (study of the end times)—trying to stuff current events back into prophecy

• Failing to let the promised future affect how you live today

• Refusing to allow others to point out weaknesses of your position

• Trying to know the day or the hour of Jesus' return (Mk 13:32)

• Seeking interpretations for your dreams as if God is trying to communicate to you like he did with Joseph, Pharaoh, Daniel, and Nebuchadnezzar (God has spoken directly to you in his word!)

These are all ways that we can major in missing the point.

Instead, let’s train ourselves to observe the text, in its context, for what it actually says (realizing that it doesn't always tell us everything we wish we knew), and let’s zero in on its clear point (what it means). Only then will we glean appropriate applications from God's word. The focus of all prophecy, predictions, and their fulfillment is Jesus Christ. "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him" (2 Co 1:20a).

May the grace of God focus us on the glory of his Son as he leads us by his Spirit.