The Bible Interprets Itself
Back to The Bible's Difficult Scriptures Explained!
During Herbert W. Armstrong’s ministry, many people said they admired his “interpretation” of the Bible or of prophecy. But he would adamantly respond that he had no private interpretation, but always let the Bible interpret itself.
Consider one example where men have blatantly misinterpreted the plain meaning of the Bible—the title of the book of Revelation.
Worldly Christians believe that the book of Revelation was “The Revelation of Saint John the Divine.” However, the real title is found in the first verse of the text.
Revelation 1:1 states, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to show unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John:”
So, the real title of the book is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” It originated from God the Father and was given to Jesus Christ. Then Christ signified it by His angel, who revealed it to John. Men credit John, ignoring God and Christ—typical of interpretations by false Christians.
Note two types of symbols used in the first chapter of Revelation. One is mentioned in Rev 1:12, where John saw seven golden candlesticks. In Rev 1:16, he saw seven stars in the hand of the Son of Man.
How can we understand their meaning? By continuing to read within the context. Notice the explanation found in Rev 1:20: “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels [Greek: angels or messengers] of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which you saw are the seven churches.” The Bible has interpreted itself!
Another good example of letting the Bible interpret itself is found in Revelation 17:1 states, “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come here; I will show unto you the judgment of the great whore that sits upon many waters.”
What does the Bible mean by the term “many waters”? Is this talking about some woman “sailing the seven seas”? Is it the Queen Mary on a round-the-world voyage? Or is it, as many conclude, “something you just can’t know”?
However if we read on, fourteen verses later, the term “many waters” is explained: “And he said unto me, The waters which you saw, where the whore sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Rev 17:15). So then this is a “woman”—understanding the identity of this religious entity is another subject—with authority or influence over large masses of people.
In this case, the term is not immediately explained. But it is explained later in the chapter.
Again, the Bible interpreted itself!
Rule #9: Start with Clear Scriptures