Principles, keys rules and tools in understanding bible prophecy

Principle #1 God shows the end from the beginning

Isaiah 41:22

“Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.”

Isiah 46:9-10

9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Ecclesiastes 1:9

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”

 

Principle #2 First the Natural then the Spiritual

1Corinthians 15: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

1Corinthians 10:11

11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Principle #3  On the testimony of two a thing is establish

Hebrews 10:28He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

2 Corinthians 13:1

1This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Matthew 18 :16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Example Geneses 41:15-32  Visions and dreams.

 Principle #4  Scripture must explain its (own Expositor)

Isaiah 28:9-11 9Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

10For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

11For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

 

1Corinthians 2 : 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

 

Principle #5 God does not withhold anything necessary for our understanding or salvation.

2 Timothy 3: 16-176All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

Deuteronomy 29:29The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

 John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Principle #6 symbols vs literal meanings

Symbols always have a symbolic meaning and are use to represent real things like times, events, kingdoms etc..

Example .  Days , years leaopard,water,flood , harlot etc..

Principle #7

To learn the true meaning of figures / symbols, trace your figurative word through the Bible, and,where you find it explained, put it on your figure, and if it makes good sense, you need look no further; if not, look again.

Principle #8

To know whether we have the true historical event for the fulfillment of a prophecy. If you find every word of the prophecy (after the figures are understood) is literally fulfilled, then you may know that your history is the true event. But if one word lacks a fulfillment, then you must look for another event, or wait its future development. For God takes care that history and prophecy doth agree, so that the true, believing children of God may never be ashamed (Psalm 21:5; Isaiah 14:17-19; 1 Peter 2:6; Revelation 17:17;

Principle #9 You must have faith 

Hebrews 11:6  

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.