Interpreting the Apocalyptic Literature - Paul M. Williams

Knowing the Bible for Yourself (Pt. 14)

When one holds the Bible in their hand, one ought to have an immediate sense of feel for what he/she is reading.  The Book of Proverbs for instance, is immediately recognisable as being literature of wisdom. The Book of Psalms as poetry.  The Gospels as historical and biographical; the epistles as written letters.  The thundering “Thus saith the LORD’s” mark out the books of prophecy and the “Thou shalt not’s”, the books of Law.  Just as these books have distinguishing factors that serve to identify their type, so it is also when it comes to the Apocalyptic Books - they are instantly recognisable. 

Imagery and symbolism pervade the books and the visions and dreams found within, concern themselves with the rise of fall of future empires, not least penultimately, the coming kingdom of the antichrist and the overthrow of this kingdom in the final coming kingdom of Messiah. 

In this teaching, we endeavour to equip the student of Scripture with some helpful hints and tips that we trust will enable them to begin the process of interpreting these books. If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying and by the grace of God, light shall be shone into obscurity.        

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