Thursday, May 28, 2009

5-28 Prophetic Symbolism

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Our Internet service went out at our house. That means it was time to
call the wireless company. Rick answered the phone, “What do you want!?”
He has caller ID! There is something wrong with our receiver. Rick and I
set an appointment for lunch at Karen’s while Nick came out to work on our
problem. We talked about the economy. Our prognosis? It’s not good.
Fortunately for Rick, his business is one of a few recession proof
companies. People are turning to the internet for job searches & many
other things. We talked about family. Rick is a grandparent again! He
just had his 6th! He’s two ahead of me! We talked about the church and
people he knows here. What’s it going to take to see the people of this
world turn to Christ? Maybe they need to see some genuine, heartfelt,
serious business between us and God.

Today's Scripture reading is 1 Samuel 30; Amos 2; Mark 9:1-29
To Listen to Today’s Reading http://timewithgod.podbean.com - Archives can
be found at http://timewithgod.mypodcast.com

Today’s thought comes from Hosea 12:10 I have also spoken by the
prophets, And have multiplied visions; I have given symbols through the
witness of the prophets."

The book of Hosea is all about the “harlotry” of the nation of Israel.
They had become wayward and departed from the Lord, thus the need for a
prophet. The one thing you can be sure of, during recession or prosperity
there will always be a need for the prophetic message, “repent, for the
kingdom of God is at hand!” As long as there are sinners straying from
God, there is the need for prophetic preaching. Often God communicated to
the prophet in a vision. He multiplies visions when there is a need for
urgency. Get the message out! Yet forty days and Nineveh will be
destroyed! Sometimes the prophets spoke plainly and straight to the point
and other times they used “symbols.” It is important for us to understand
symbols, types and allegories if we are to understand prophecy because
they are the stock and trade of prophetic language. And the very first
thing we MUST understand about them is that “Scripture interprets
Scripture.” Too many people try to read things into the Bible that are
not there instead of letting God speak for Himself. There is a stern
warning about this practice… “Add not to His Word lest He reprove you and
you be found a liar!” (Prov 30:6). When trying to understand prophetic
imagery the place to begin is rest of the Bible. Find another passage
that uses similar imagery. Let one Scripture explain the other.
Occasionally the Bible uses Allegories. The word Allegory means “a
similar argument.” In an Allegory one thing or person represents another
thing or person. Eg… a mountain represents a covenant (Gal 4:24).
Sometimes the Bible uses Types. For example, Adam was a “type” of Christ
(or should we say antitype – meaning opposite). Adam brought sin to all,
Christ brought salvation to all (Romans 5:14). A type is a loose
illustration of a future person or thing. And often the Bible uses
symbols. A symbol is a way of using figurative language to describe
something else. In prophetic language you have dragons and locusts and
lions and clay feet among the many colorful pictures that are painted.
But the Bible has the right to determine what is symbolic and what is not.
How do you know? Most often there are one or two little words that give
the interpreter the key; the words “as” or “like.” His eyes were “like” a
flame! (Rev 19:12). The skies receded “as” a scroll. These are catch
words that indicate a symbol is used. If they are not used? Assume that
the words mean what they say unless the prophet gives you a reason to
think otherwise. I have discovered that it is always best to take God at
His Word. Nineveh did and they were good! Pharaoh did not and he was
toast!

Dear Father. I believe Your Word is Truth. I will take it at face value
and I will not try to second guess what You are saying. Help me gain a
good understanding of Your Truth so that I can follow you more clearly!

God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their
God, and they shall be My people."

Posted by Dennis Kreiss at 8:44 AM |  MAKE A COMMENT  

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