Chapter 3
INTERPRETATION OF PROPHECY
By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze
NECESSITY OF INTERPRETATION
There is the need for interpretation because prophecy has its own language, symbols and meanings. In everyday life, a tree means simply itself; but in prophecy, a tree means a human being. Nebuchadnezzar dreamt of a lofty tree that touched the sky. He did not know that he was dreaming about himself, until Daniel interpreted it for him.
There are simple and clear prophecies which the ordinary man can understand or interpret. There are also hard prophecies which only those who are spiritually endowed can interpret. And it is not everyone who has the spirit to interpret. In the absence of talented interpreters, prophetic messages seem useless or misleading.
“Now to each the manifestation of the spirit is given for the common good. The one there is given through the spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the Same spirit,… and still to another the interpretation of tongues”
1 Corinthians 12:7-10
Without the right interpretation, people will be misled or confused. They will not know when to go right or move to the left.
TYPES OF INTERPRETATION
There are two basic types of interpretation: True interpretation and False interpretation. True interpretation has two kinds: Empirical Method and Seasoned Approach.
- True Interpretation
This is the right explanation of a prophetic message, whether the message is a proverb, parable or otherwise. The true interpretation may be emperical or seasoned.
- Empirical Method
This is dependent on the knowledge of prophetic language. It involves the use of wisdom and experience. It is used mainly by ministers who are not gifted prophets. This method, to a large extent, is very good.
- Seasoned Approach
This is the approach of gifted prophets. They can tell you the interpretation of a prophetic message before ever you narrate the message to them. In the process of interpretation, they prophesy more and explain further. This method is the best. The prophets are able to tune up their spirit, on the spur of the moment, and obtain full, clear and extra explanations of prophecy
- False Interpretation
This is the explanation of a prophetic message in the wrong form, such that people are misled from the truth.
PROPHETIC LANGUAGE
The language of prophecy is a different one. It is different from ordinary human language, though prophecy uses human language. In some cases, the prophetic message is easy and explicit (clear). In some others, it is proverbial and has to be explained. For example, it was not easy for Nebuchadnezzar to understand his dream, until Daniel explained it to him. The same was true of Pharaoh, whom Joseph guided with dream interpretation.
As a fact, prophetic language makes use of words and symbols. Some of the words and symbols have more than one meaning.
THE NEED FOR SECRECY
Spirituality is like a school with different classes. Everybody is best suited for one class, and not to a lower or higher class. The person’s present level is best for him. The person in a lower class cannot feel comfortable, if he is untimely moved into a higher class. The same is true of a person in a higher class, if he is moved to a lower level.
The spirit uses parables, proverbs and secrecy, so that while those who are ripe for knowledge may understand, appreciate and utilize it, those for whom it is not meant will keep their peace.
Jesus spoke in parables because many of the people who heard him were not yet ripe and ready for the message of salvation. In privacy, He explained all the parables to His disciples because they were ready and hungry for the kingdom.
In spirituality, there is a law: the law of attraction and repulsion. Everybody is affected according to his own belief. Thus, Jesus healed so many at Peter’s house because they believed; in some other places, he did not heal because of their unbelief. Some prove disrespectful, stubborn and violent when things they do not believe in are told or forced on them. Therefore, secrecy is appropriate for the sake of peace.
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"
11 He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
'Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not perceive;
15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.'
Matthew 13:10-15
It is not every message that a person receives that he will make known. The purpose of some messages is just to teach the receiver. Accordingly, Daniel was warned to seal up a part of the messages he received until the appointed time
9 And he said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12:9-10
Also, Apostle John was warned not to seal up the messages in the Book of Revelation – “Do not seal up the words of prophecy of this book, because the time is near.” Rev. 22:10. The secret of God is for only those who fear (love) Him.
12 Who is the man that fears the LORD?
Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.
13 He himself shall dwell in prosperity,
And his descendants shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant.
Psalms 25:12-14
PROPHETIC TIME
Prophetic time is not usually as man counts time. A day in prophecy can represent a thousand years, a long or short period. Some times, people are baffled that “the very soon” indicated by God in a message turns into months or years. God explained that “actually, to Himself, the time is indeed very short; but to man, the same time is long.”
LIGHT OF THE DAY
Light of the day is a Bible quotation got at the beginning of an activity. It is got by casting (opening) the Bible and pointing the right index finger at any portion of the Bible, without bias. The casting is done at the end of the opening prayer.
The light of the day has two major functions. One is to reveal the state of relationship between God and the persons concerned. It makes clear whether the relationship is good or bad; whether there is peace with God or not. Secondly, it does the work of directing the attention of the persons, so that they act in line with the will of God. The light of the day is an inquiry from God. It ascertains the will of God for His people. It may inform, teach, remind, correct, rebuke, comfort, bless or warn.
It is commendable, and indeed a law, to inquire from God before doing anything. In this way, due respect and honour is given to the Most High. Furthermore, He is invited and allowed to lead. That is how to make His kingdom come and manifest.
Apart from casting the Bible, God may be requested to make revelation through visions, trances and oracles, especially if there are God’s anointed mediums present. Past, but relevant, dreams may be narrated. Any prophet, who is present, may be inspired to speak.
It is the spirit that gives the light of the day. Also, it is the spirit that explains it. Therefore, we should not worry ourselves as to how to explain the quotation or message. The spirit will put the right explanation in the mouth of whoever is asked to explain. Supporting Bible reference is Matthew. 10:19-20. “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to day it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the spirit of your Father speaking through you.” God confirmed this in the Book of Isaiah.
“As for me”, this is my covenant with them”, says the Lord. “My spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants.” Isaiah 59:21
“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the son of man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” He asked, “Who do you day I am?”
Simon peter answered, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven …..”
Matthew 16:13-20
Often, you observe presiding officials who read a light of the day over to themselves, before announcing it to those present. Some do so only to know the content. Some do so in order to prepare themselves for the explanation. The second practice is good, but it is not the approach of masters. The meaning of a light of the day comes in a moment, like a flash of lightening, before the reading is completed. You will know the explanation because it makes itself clear and convincing. For a good interpretation, attention should be paid to the spirit within, which speaks as a “still small voice.” This is inspiration.