Hermeneutics - Bible Interpretation 101

Bible Interpretation 101:

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17

   I recently watched an outstanding teaching by Mondo Gonzales from Prophecy Watchers entitled "Walking into the Antichrist's Trap." While I listened, I noticed a consistent pattern of Hermeneutics concerning Israel, the future covenant and the role of antichrist in the end days. He flawlessly weaved prophecy together in harmony with scripture; intertwining Daniel with Revelation in unity. This is how interpretive scripture works.

   I had done an independent study on the 'principles of Hermeneutics' eons ago, so I dug out those old notes, and walked down memory lane. These principles had guided my studies of prophecy, which has been ongoing for nearly four decades. I investigate, analyze and scrutinize prophetic scripture, always have, always will. The most amazing thing with this method of interpretation is, the more you analyze and scrutinize, the more the Bible reveals. 

   When studying prophecy, “I think" or, "I believe" is a great way to begin a brainstorming session or, in-depth study in a group setting, but, they are not proper biblical hermeneutical principles.

  Hermeneutics is a big word for a simple principle; it is the theory and methodology of interpretation; the 'how' of interpretation. It is based upon scripture and methodical interpretation; not assumptions or, general beliefs that lack proof or scriptural support - scripture interprets scripture. 

Seed of the Serpent Genesis 3:15

And, I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it (the seed) shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15.

   Year's ago, Pentecostal minister, William Branham took this verse and added to it, falsely teaching that Satan had impregnated Eve with the seed of Cain. Though it has no biblical basis, it began a series of Bible awareness surrounding the seed of Satan. 

   The mention of the serpents seed is in Genesis 3:15, suggests that there are two seeds; a good seed, and a bad seed. Enmity is placed between the woman's seed and the bad seed, purposely causing a divide. Enmity is a deep seated hatred or hostility, between individuals or people groups, centered around the sovereignty of God, and the light of Christ Jesus. This represents an age old conflict between good and evil; a spiritual battle of sin and rebellion, and obedience to God. 

   In the Bible we find a stark contrast between two kingdoms; the kingdom of God (light) and the kingdom of Satan (darkness)  This spiritual division wrestles for the soul of man.  The seed of man is the soul; and every seed has its own body. The seed defines the division between the two kingdoms.

Simplified Overview Revelation 13 - Rise of the Beast Kingdom

    Revelation 13 can be broken down into four distinct characters, the red dragon, the beast kingdom, the little horn (antichrist), the beast out of the earth, aka: the false prophet: the  magician or sorcerer.

    Mesopotamian kingdoms had a slew of false prophets: magicians, sorcerers, star gazers,  necromancers, mediums with familiar spirits, wise men, and dream interpreters in the kings court. This is what the false prophet represents, a master magician who rules in the kings court, in service to the king and his kingdom. 

The Simplified Overview:  

Rise of the beast kingdom. Revelation 13:1-4

Rise of the little horn or antichrist: Revelation 13:5 - 10 

Rise of the false prophet: Revelation 13:11-16 

Rise of the dragons power: Revelation 13:2b, 5b 

   Of the four, the rise of the beast is the most complicated as it is the most complex. What makes it so complex is the amount of detail involved in his genetic makeup. The beast has many parts and pieces, which work together as a collective whole. There are three previous beast kingdoms, ten horns with crowns, and seven heads; and, one of his heads was slain and mortally wounded. But, when John saw the beast rise from the sea, the mortal wound was healed. There is also a bit of Biblical and historical knowledge needed to navigate the rise of previous 'beast' kingdoms and, their geographical locations. 

   Middle eastern kingdoms simply absorbed the conquered ones, expanding their territorial boundaries. These ancient territorial markers set the boundaries for the antichrist kingdom. 

That Great City: Revelation 17:18

   But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days: 2 Timothy 3:1.

   Revelation: Greek  ἀποκάλυψις - Apokalypsis - to uncover or unveil.  

   Revelation presents a series of events which occur before the second coming of Christ Jesus. This time period is most often referred to as: the 7-year tribulation, the time of Jacob's trouble, the 70th week, the last days, the latter days, the end of days or the end times. 

   The end of days will be a time of great tribulation, unlike anything the world has ever seen: a conversion of war, famine, pestilence, natural catastrophes, cosmic disturbances, plagues and divine judgements. The end of days also includes the construction of the third temple, making Jerusalem a cup of drunken trembling for the nations: Zechariah 12:2-3, and, two  witnesses will rise to prophesize for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. But, these are only a few of the things, that mark the time of the end. 

   Knowledge of these future events, help to identify these end time markers as they become visible. The most compelling future event is the prophecy found in Revelation 13  - the rise of the beast out of the sea - the tribulation kingdom of antichrist. The beast out of the sea is a vicious and brutal kingdom which has seven heads (seven kingdoms) and ten horns (ten kings): R 13:1-4. There is also a second beast which rises from the earth: R 13:11, which has two horns 'like a lamb' and speaks the words of the red dragon. This Beast out of the earth (clay) is the religious system of the first beast - the beast out of the sea (iron). 

English Back to Greek Revelation 17:3

English Back to Greek Revelation 17:3

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness; and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 

   The most interesting area of study of Revelation 17 and 18 are translating the English  interpretations back into the original Greek and breaking down the meaning behind those words. Some of the English translations were poorly chosen. 

   John chose his words very carefully when drafting his account, detailing specifics that are not found in the English translations. Studying the Greek which John used gives us a clearer picture of what John was witnessing while in the spirit. 

   In verse 7 the angel tells John that he will tell him the mystery of the woman and the beast that carries her. The angel begins to explain a succession of events surrounding the beast who carries the woman upon his seven heads. The angel begins with the beast in verse 8, but does not give John much more information concerning the woman  until the very last verse,  Here, the angel tells John that the woman which he saw was that great (μεγας) city (πολις) which reigns over the kings of the earth. Revelation 17:18. This verse transitions chapter 17 into chapter 18.

   In the Greek, μεγας, mega translates into English as great, huge, enormous by volume, overtly large by physical size. 

   πολις or, polis for city is defined in the Greek as a walled city, mother city, magistrate city of many, that dominates well defined territory: Babylon the Great.

   So now we know that the woman is a metaphor for a extremely large city. 

Seven Heads of the Beast Revelation 13

   1) "And I stood on the sand of the sea, and saw a beast (kingdom) rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2) And the beast that I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat (throne) and great authority. 3) And I saw one of his heads as it were (slain) wounded to death,(εσφαγμενην), and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." 

   John is instructed to document and record a series of events: the things which he had seen, the things that are, and the things which shall be hereafter. (Revelation 1:19). After the seven letters to the seven churches, John is shown a door in heaven and is taken in the spirit. The large majority of the things recorded in Revelation consists of futuristic events, that extended far beyond John's world, to the end of the age. These events transpire during the last seven years of human history and move the reader forward, into the the time of the end. 

  We are told that Revelation is full of prophetic symbolic imagery and it's hard to understand so, we expect to be confounded and confused. We were told how scripture should be interpreted and now, we hold onto centuries-old interpretations for dear life and pass them on, conditioning future generations. One of these ancient interpretations is the theory, that the seven heads of the beast, are the seven hills of Rome, moving the beast back in time. 

   The majority of Revelation consists of the witness statement written by John; the  documented account of the events he viewed 'which shall be hereafter,' These events were witnessed and recorded while John was in the spirit on the Lords day. Much of his witness statement is contested by bible students and scholars who don't quite agree with the timing or, the imagery that John saw and documented. Most of the symbology and imagery is found in the prophetic books of the old testament and, Revelation can be viewed from a biblical perspective based upon these ancient writings. 

   Many religious sects add more to scripture then what is detailed by John. It's important to read scripture as written and avoid the additional inflections that may add or, take away from the words that John had written: Revelation 22:18-19. 

English Back to Greek Revelation 17:1

   And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither, I will show you the judgment of the great whore πόρνης that sits upon many waters. Revelation 17:1

   The most interesting area of study of Revelation 17 and 18 are translating the English  interpretations back into the original Greek and breaking down the meaning behind those words. Some of the English translations (in my opinion) were poorly chosen. 

   John chose his words very carefully when drafting his account detailing specifics that are not found in the English translations. Studying the Greek which John used offers a clearer picture of what John was witnessing, while in the spirit. 

   For example the Greek word translated into the English as great (megas) 'prostitute' is  πόρνης which means commercially corrupt one, to export or sell products or commodities immorally for profit or gain. This is generally defined or translated into English by its root πόρνη which is simply pornēs, prostitute or prostitution. This is where the term harlot, wh0re or, prostitute originated from, the root of πόρνης.