So how do we know if an interpretation of prophecy…our OWN or someone else’s…is valid ?
Scripture says the Spirit ALONE, Who authors prophecy, is able to interpret its meaning:
“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter
of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of
human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (I Peter 1:20,21)
Jesus gives us these guidelines for recognizing if an interpretation of prophecy is from the Spirit:
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth…
and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me…” (John 16:13-14a)
If an interpretation of prophecy is untrue, it is not from the Spirit. (Under Moses' Law, the penalty was death for saying God prophesied something was going to happen, and it didn’t: Deuteronomy 18:20-22. Such a law would certainly thin the ranks of today’s “interpreters of Biblical prophecy.")
Likewise, if an interpretation of prophecy glorifies man, man’s thoughts, man’s ways, or man’s works, it is not from the Spirit. The Spirit will glorify Jesus: He will emphatically NOT glorify any “interpreter of Biblical prophecy.” Nor will He glorify any nation of men, doctrine of men, culture of men, or political faction of men.
Many of today’s self-proclaimed “interpreters” tell us that Biblical prophecy says the “culture war” doctrines of a current political faction are the only way to “save” America. The book I noted a few months ago, Letter to the American Church (authored by a “conservative”-media celebrity) is a prime example.
Let me say here, forcefully and firmly, that no such “interpretation” of prophecy is from the Spirit of God.
Amen, and amen !!
