אבנימ

SYS 501 – Hermeneutics – Lecture 14 – Interpretation of Prophecy

I. Grammatico-historical principles, as for all Scripture.

II. Special Principles of Interpretation for prophetic passages.

A. Pay careful attention to details of passage.

1. Proper names.
2. Events.
3. Geographical references.
4. Cultural customs.
5. Flora and Fauna.
6. Weather.

B. Discern all uses of figurative and symbolic language.
C. Understand historical background of prophet and prophecy.
D. Pay diligent attention to contextual flow of prophetic passage.
E. Be mindful of non-systematic nature of prophetic writings.
F. Search for parallel prophecies, and references thereto.
G. Determine the distinct essence or theme of the prophet.
H. Determine whether passage is predictive and/or didactic.
I. Identify, if possible, whether prophecy is conditional or unconditional.
J. Study to determine whether prophecy is fulfilled or yet to be fulfilled, e.g. Acts 2.

1. Understanding of “Last days” cf. Heb. 1.
2. Explicitly stated that prophecy is being then fulfilled.

K. Take the literal meaning of passage should as the limiting guide.
L. Keep in view the centrality of Christ.
M. Understand the chronology of Scripture and revelation.