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 good reason.

      3. Symbolic Prophecy: Symbols cannot be understood except as the Scripture itself explains them. But regard nothing as symbolic without clear reason. Be 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 [29] 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.

      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.--Louisville, Ky.

["Suggestions on Interpretation of Prophecy." Word and Work 7 (February 1914): 29-30.]

      The electronic version of R. H. Boll's "Suggestions on Interpretation of Prophecy" has been produced from microfilm of Word and Work for 1914.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Emendations are as follows:

            Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 30:     in you interpretations. [ in your interpretations.
            resttoration [ restoration
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Ernie Stefanik
Derry, PA

Created 11 December 2001.
Updated 21 June 2003.