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WHEN WRONG INTERPRETATION OF BIBLE PROPHECY CAUSES PEOPLE TO LOSE FAITH

Recently, one of the world’s most listened to Bible teachers received a question from a listener about Christ’s failure to return “soon”. It’s actually a great question and is frequently responded to with answers from most popular Bible teachers that actually portrays the Bible as nonsensical! How this question is answered depends on the method we use to interpret any Scripture passage. Yet, using the principles of sound Bible interpretation is the very reason why such Bible prophecies about Christ’s “soon” return are a problem for the thoughtful Bible reader.

The Book of Revelation explained

The opening chapters of the Book of Revelation describe the coming of Christ as “at hand”, “soon”, “this hour”. Since Christ has not returned soon, many commentators have assumed illogical and unbiblical notions of such terms meaning the very opposite of what they mean in ordinary usage.

Sound hermeneutics demands that we begin by exegeting a text rather than eisegeting a text. That is, the first step to proper Bible interpretation is that we determine what the Scripture says (exegesis) rather than what we think it says or what we believe it says (eisegesis). Thus, the first thing to notice about each of these time-frame prophecies about the return of Christ is that none of them contain the word: return! In fact, while it might seem like a small point of distinction, the word most commonly used with these time-frame references is: coming. In English, this word has been eisegetically made to mean: return. But it doesn’t! It means coming – and it is most commonly used of God coming in judgment.

¶ An oracle concerning Egypt. Behold, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them.
Isaiah 19:1

before the LORD, for He comes, for He comes to judge the earth.
Psalm 96:13

By exegeting those passages describing the soon coming of Christ we can see that they generally refer not to His return, but to His coming in judgment to bring the Old Covenant to an end and to hold Jerusalem to account in judgment. This and other commonly misunderstood facts about Bible prophecy can be seen in my eBook on the Book of Revelation available from Amazon or here.

Andrew Corbett

And when it comes to teaching on some of the most difficult subjects, such as End Times, discover why thousands of pastors from around world have found the eBook, THE MOST EMBARRASSING BOOK IN THE BIBLE so helpful for them to understand what the Church’s role in this world should be amidst the shrill of so many Bible-Prophecy ministries which forecast doom and gloom. Check it out and you’ll see why. PREVIEW

What The Bible Teaches About Alcohol

by Andrew Corbett | 26 February, 2008 | Ethics | 1 Comment

In discussing the issue of alcohol I want to avoid two dangerous extremes. Firstly, man-made legalism which teaches that the salvation Christ purchased through His blood shed on the cross, and received by putting our faith in Him, is in doubt if we break a man-made rule. Secondly, antinomianism (a license to sin) where a person is under no obligations whatsoever to walk worthy of the salvation that Christ offers. In relation to alcohol, I want to stress that their various opinions among Christians that are worthy of respect. Throughout history there have been some very godly and influential Christians who have drunk alcohol (for example, Martin Luther used to brew and drink his own beer, Charles Spurgeon also drank hard liquor), and other equally great and influential Christians who were temperate (non-drinkers).

Is Preterism Biblical?

by Andrew Corbett | 12 March, 2017 | Eschatology | 0 Comments

Preterism comes the Latin word “praeter” which means “past”. When it comes to understanding Bible prophecy all Christians are Preterists to one degree or another. It is only logical and reasonable to examine the past to see if a prophecy has already been fulfilled. Most Christians would acknowledge that Isaiah 7:14 describing a virgin giving birth has been fulfilled in the past. But not all Christians would agree about the nature of prophecies relating to Christ’s “second coming”. Preterists argue that all of the prophecies relating to Christ’s return (as described in Matthew 24) have already been fulfilled. This contrasts with two other schools of prophecy interpretation.

Essentially there are then three general schools of eschatology:

How should we understand ‘every eye shall see Him’?

by Andrew Corbett | 18 March, 2017 | Book of Revelation | 0 Comments

It is absurd for Futurists to claim that “even those who pierced Him” refers to modern Israel. Futurists pride themselves for being “literalists” when it comes to interpretting the Book of Revelation. But which interpretation of Revelation 1:7 is more literal? I am proposing the most literal interpretation of this verse by saying that when the text says “even those who pierced Him” that is precisely what it means. “Every eye shall see” refers to the qualifying statement identifying this audience as the people responsible for Christ’s death. Again, when Futurists claim that this text prophesies the invention of satellite TV which will televise the return of Christ live around the world, they can barely warrant their appeal as literalists!

What The Bible Says About The Sabbath

by Andrew Corbett | 27 February, 2016 | Theology, Topical | 5 Comments

THE RELEVANCE OF THE SABBATH FOR TODAY God's Word tells us that from the beginning He established a "week" and set aside one day out of this seven day cycle to be for rest and reflection - the Sabbath. On that day the people were to respect and honor God by resting from regular activity (such as work activities) and participating in public worship. This was done as a...

Is Israel God’s Unfinished Business?

by Andrew Corbett | 27 February, 2008 | Eschatology | 0 Comments

It’s become a multi-billion dollar industry. There’s a lot at stake! God help anyone who dares challenge this belief. It is a belief that is promoted by powerful Washington lobbyists, very prominent journalists, the most powerful TV preachers. Anyone who even questions this program is labelled as an Anti-Semitist or worst still- a heretic. It comes in various forms (or extremes) but nearly all of its proponents deride their opponents as promoting “Replacement” Theology. But what if those who promote the preeminence of Israel and the validity of the Old Covenant being “their” covenant for today are actually the true promoters of “Replacement” theology? Is Israel really God’s unfinished business?

Disagreeing Well

by Andrew Corbett | 26 November, 2016 | Pastoral | 0 Comments

One of the facets of being an adult is learning how to get along with those you don’t always agree with. Many of my ministry friends have different perspectives on Scripture, politics, and church. For the most part, I have found that I do not need to ‘de-friend’ these colleagues over these sorts of issues. This doesn’t mean that I don’t have strong opinions about these matters – opinions which I am happy to share where appropriate, even with those who disagree.

When Terrorism Is Not Nice

by Andrew Corbett | 1 August, 2016 | Topical | 0 Comments

The truck-driving terrorist attack in Nice, France, raises some critical questions about how the West responds to such attacks.

Will Jesus Come Back This Year?

by Andrew Corbett | 22 February, 2016 | Book of Revelation | 0 Comments

At the start of every new year there are always hopeful believers who claim that this is the year that Christ will come back. Some of these believers move beyond hope and practice unhelpful distortion of Scriptures to arrive at their wild guesses. Is there are genuine Biblical basis for believing that this will be year that the Lord will come back?