PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION
(1) The prophecies of Scripture are always to be interpreted according to the rules of right reason: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith Yahweh." In other words, sound reasoning must be applied to rightly understand. "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures." (2) There can be no foundation whatever for a spiritual meaning to anything that has not first of all a literal fulfilment; for if God's promises are not literally true, neither can they be spiritually true. First the natural, then the spiritual: This, though spoken by Paul of flesh-body and spirit-body, is also true also of speech, world, Jew, Christ, temple, Jerusalem, Babylon, and so forth.(1Cor.15:46)
(3) All principles must be laid down by the Scriptures. The Almighty does not consult with the traditions of men in establishing His ordinances. "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding."
(4) All doctrines should be based upon the positive language of the Scripture. "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost."
(5) No two truths can be antagonistic. Truth necessarily excludes error and contradiction. "The words of Yahweh are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."
(6) The right heart must be exhibited for truth to be unlocked. Those who read the Bible looking for errors cannot understand rightly it for their mind is already made up-they are simply looking for excuses- "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." On the other hand, those who read the Bible like a novel or comic book will have a faith that cannot endure the fiery trials of life- "And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away."
(7) Never set limits to what The Most High has revealed. "Surely Adonai Yahweh will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."
GUIDELINES FOR SEARCHING A CHAPTER OR ENACTED PARABLE
(1) Read the entire account to get the overall theme.(2) The theme of the Bible is the nature of God, the nature of man, and the means of reconciliation between them. Look at the account with Christ in mind. Many times it deals with one of his appearances and his work.
(3) If the teaching is similar to another account compare and contrast the two.
(4) Always use your knowledge of symbols. The Scriptures always define the symbol somewhere else.
(5) Examine every word by:
o Searching its meaning and origin using your concordance
o Seeing where else it is used
o Seeing how it is used elsewhere
o The number of times it is used in the account and outside the account
o The numerical value of the word.
(6) Keep in mind:
o Who is speaking
o To whom it is being spoken
o What is the Relationship or Occupation of characters (ex. widow, brothers, king, etc.)
o What is the Position of the characters (ex. over on the other side, standing, running, etc.)
o Time (ex. of the day, month, year of reign, evening, the number of days, feast, epoch of Israel's history, etc.)
o Numbers -- any number mentioned (ex. age, time, characters present, etc.)
o Place -- where are the characters, where did they go, from whence did they come (*Remember to see what the names of the places and people mean!)
o Action -- of the characters -- who is doing what
o The Order of the events -- what comes first, second or last
o Names -- If a character has more than one name why was that particular one used (ex. Lord of hosts, Ephraim, etc.)
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