R. H. Boll Suggestions on Interpretation of Prophecy (1914)

 

 

SUGGESTIONS ON INTERPRE-
TATION OF PROPHECY

BY R. H. BOLL

      1. Interpret Literally.--The first presumption is always that God meant just what he said. The prophecies that were fulfilled were fulfilled literally and exactly.

      2. As to Figurative Language.--Make the same allowance for figures of speech in prophetic writings as in all other scripture and literature. But consider nothing as figurative without perfectly valid reason.

      3. Symbolic Prophecy.--Symbols can not be understood except as the scripture itself explains them. But regard nothing as symbolic without clear reason. Be also sure that the "explanation" is true and scriptural before you adopt it and rely on it. Avoid guessing.

      4. Double and Manifold Fulfillments.--Prophetic predictions had frequently a near fulfillment, and perhaps several subsequently, all of which were typical, limited, and incomplete. A fulfillment is not necessarily the fulfillment. If any prediction has not been completely fulfilled, God will yet fulfill it and redeem every word of His.

      5. General Suggestions.--The understanding of God's word is granted to humble, honest, God-fearing hearts. Be poor in spirit. Let God teach. Do not force the Word to agree with your own previous ideas. Do not nullify or cripple one passage to make it harmonize with another. Do not be arbitrary in your interpretations. Where God has not spoken, or left things unexplained, let us remember Deut. 29:29 and Psalms 131.

THE GREAT THEMES OF PROPHETIC
PREDICTION

      1. Israel.--The sufferings, captivity, dispersion, regathering, and restoration of the chosen people. Incidentally the future of their land and city.

      2. The Messiah.--His coming, humiliation, sufferings, greatness, and reign in His glorious kingdom, over Israel and all nations.

      3. The Day of the Lord.--The day of vengeance and judgment and the great tribulation upon the people and all the earth.

      4. In the New Testament Principally.--The Return of the Lord, with what precedes and follows.

 

 

[SOIOP 1]

ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC EDITION

      The electronic version of R. H. Boll's Suggestions on Interpretation of Prophecy ([New Orleans, LA: Word and Work, 1914.]) has been produced from a copy of the tract in a contributor's collection. The essay was first published in The Word and Work 7 (February 1914): 29-30.

      Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained. The following apparatus details the differences in the text from its first serial appearance to its being issued as a separate publication.

   WW  / SOIOP    Serial Publication [ Separate Publication
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 29 / p. 1:    1. Interpret literally. [ 1. Interpret Literally.--
                  2. As to figurative [ 2. As to Figurative
                  language: [ Language.--
                  good reason. [ valid reason.
                  3. Symbolic Prophecy: [ 3. Symbolic Prophecy.--
                  cannot be understood [ can not be understood
                  Scripture itself [ scripture itself
                  Be sure that [ Be also sure that
                  Manifold Fulfillments. [ Manifold Fulfillments.--
                  several subsequently, [ several subsequently,
                  A fulfillment is [ A fulfillment is
                  5. General Suggestions: [ 5. General Suggestions.--
                  in you interpretations. [ in your interpretations.
 p. 30 /          Psalms 131. [ Psa. 131.
                  1. Israel. [ 1. Israel.--
                  and resttoration [ and restoration
                  Incidentally the future [ Incidentally, the future
                  2. The Messiah. [ 2. The Messiah.--
                  3. The Day of the Lord. [ 3. The Day of the Lord.--
                  The Day of vengeance [ The day of vengeance
                  Great Tribulation [ great tribulation
                  upon the People [ upon the people
                  Testament principally. [ Testament Principally.--
                  The Return of the Lord, [ The return of the Lord,
                  follows.--Louisville, Ky. [ follows.

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 4 February 2002.
Updated 20 June 2003.

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