Why are there so many of us that feel the Bible applies largely to the past, or the future, that it doesn’t apply to us today?
Have you heard of the futurist view? Futurism is a way to interpret some portions of the Book of Revelation and Daniel as future events. Then there is the preterists, who believe that the events in the prophecies have already happened. These views are held by many today.
When I began to study the books of Daniel and Revelation and worked progressively through its sequential prophecies, I saw a continuous historical flow. I have come to conclude that the reason many are unable to understand the prophecies comes down to the ideas advocated by futurism and preterism.
In my studies I will be using historicism as my method of interpretation.
I will also be reading from a King James version of the Bible simply because I find this translation to be the most reliable as it was translated from traditional Hebrew and Greek texts.
Can We Really Understand Prophecy?
Another misconception roaming around is that these prophetic books have been sealed. Essentially that the book of Daniel and Revelation have been closed to human understanding. Others will go as far as teaching that the Bible can’t be understood. However, if this were true, then why would God call the title of the book — Revelation?
In 1 Corinthians 14:6 Paul gives us a glimpse at what Revelation is…
“…if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?”
In other words, how would I be of any benefit to you if I came here speaking a language you could not understand. Except I speak to you either by
- Knowledge – science and
- Revelation – meaning “disclosure,” or “manifestation”
- Prophesying – meaning, a prediction
- or, by doctrine – which means “instruction”
The apostle was taught the gospel, by the Revelation of Jesus Christ. You can find this in Galatians 1:12.
God commanded for the book not to be sealed.
Let’s read an excerpt from the Book of Daniel, we’ll turn our Bibles to Daniel 2:28-29.
Here Daniel provides a beautiful definition of what a revelation is. He says:
“…there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days…”
The word “revealeth” in the pictograph is a picture of the eye which represents knowledge and experience. I find it fascinating that Nebuchadnezzar understood God’s position as the One with the power to reveal secrets and is quoted in Daniel 2:47 saying :
…your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer ( H1541) of secrets…
With this in mind, we must, as did Daniel, conclude that it is
“…He that reveals the deep and secret things: he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him…”
Daniel 2:22
”And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.”
Revelation 22:10
The command to the writer not to seal the prophecy of the book of Revelation.