Chapter 1 - How to Understand the Bible Flashcards
PRINCIPLE #1
After much patient study one gradually learns to absorb facts as the mind adjusts itself to them.
PRINCIPLE #2
The prophecies of the Bible contain marvellous light for the lover of God who delves deeply into the Scriptures, but they are not to be understood by casual readers.
PRINCIPLE #3
As the writers of the prophecies were “moved by the Holy Ghost” in making their predictions, it is very evident that in order to understand them we, too, must be “moved by the Holy Ghost.”
PRINCIPLE #4
Jesus informs us that the work of the Spirit in guiding us into “all truth” is to show us “things to come.”
PRINCIPLE #5
In order to receive the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our study of the prophetic portions of the Scriptures we must first be obedient to God.
Notice Acts 5:32: “The Holy Ghost, Whom God hath given to them that obey Him.”
PRINCIPLE #6
If we desire to obtain light on the prophecies in order to know and to do God’s will better,
then we shall be taught of God. But if we study these holy utterances only to satisfy our curiosity
regarding the future so that events are like passing mileposts of material interest along the highway of life, and if we do not live a life of obedience to God, we will never grasp the deeper, spiritual depths which are reserved for those who fear the Lord.
Jesus declared: “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.” John 7:17.
PRINCIPLE #7
It should be regarded as certain that interpretations of prophecies which do not set forth in clearer light the gospel of Christ are not God-inspired. Interpretations of prophecies which do not find their center in Jesus as the Saviour, or as the Destroyer of evil, are wrong applications of Scripture.
PRINCIPLE #8
Said Jesus to the Jewish leaders: “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39, 46.
PRINCIPLE #9
The New Testament shows how Jesus brought fulfilment to the Old Testament predictions.
PRINCIPLE #10
Failing to read the prophecies in the light of Christ’s work of salvation caused the Jews to misunderstand the prophecies they knew so well. Unless our interpretations of the prophecies reveal Christ we, too, will fail to grasp their true meaning.
PRINCIPLE #11
By inspiration Paul wrote that men unenlightened by God can never understand the Scriptures. He said: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1Cor. 2:14.
PRINCIPLE #12
It is by prayer and the study of the Bible that we obtain power to resist evil; to go contrary to our natural inclinations. As we bend our energies to submit our wills to God’s commands our characters grow in strength, and spiritual discernment increases as character develops. Those who refuse to feed the carnal desires and who lay hold on to the power of Christ to transform the life, will know more of the things of the spiritual realm explained in the Bible than those who endeavour to serve both God and the world. Jesus declared:, “If thine eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light.”Matt 6:22.
PRINCIPLE #13
The Bible should never be studied without prayer.
PRINCIPLE #14
Only those who love and fear God can understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.
Concerning the understanding of last-day prophecies, the prophecy and the promise is given: “None of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Dan. 12:10.
