- Prophecy is an Essential Part of the Bible.
Some of the seemingly bizarre verses we just talked about have to do with
prophecy. Which is why they can seem perplexing. But God has many reasons for communicating with humanity through prophecy.
God has historically selected
certain individuals to reveal divine details to their people group. Sometimes it’s to warn them about potential enemies or about behavior that will ultimately lead to destruction. Sometimes God’s prophets would provide healing, or acknowledge a radical act of faith.
And in many places you’ll find extensive prophecies about the future.
Some prophecies are fulfilled later in the Bible, such as the prophecy that
Jesus Christ would come to Earth as a baby, born in a stable. Some prophecies were fulfilled after the Bible was written…and some are yet to be completed.
The
symbolism used by the authors to describe these prophecies is vibrant, dramatic, and can often be unsettling. Keep in mind that there was—and is—a purpose to each prophecy. Diving into their meanings can be absolutely fascinating.
- Scripture often relies on symbolism to provide clarity.
In the same way symbolism is used in countless other works of literature, in the Bible it’s used to describe something to the reader they have never seen before. Readers have no existing frame of reference on the topic yet, so it makes sense to compare this new concept to something readers are already familiar with.
As for the Holy Scriptures, they exist to describe an
infinite God to finite minds. Often the only way to do that is through various forms of symbolism, such as metaphors, similes, parables, allegory, and more.
You’ll notice this colorful symbolism throughout the whole Bible, regardless of the author or type of writing—though you’ll see
a lot of it in those prophecies of the distant future.
While it can feel overwhelming at first, take it slow. Some of the imagery might make you feel like you’re reading a fantasy novel, but it’s meant to ultimately make things clearer. Even the most complicated symbolism can be broken down into its fundamentals to be studied in-depth.
What’s more, you’ll soon find that even the wildest and weirdest of the Bible’s symbolism ultimately illustrates that no matter how mixed up and evil things can get, God will always prevail. You can always have hope in Him.
When encountering parts of the Bible heavy with symbolism, this is where taking notes, sketching a picture of what is being described, or referencing history books or Bible commentaries can also be helpful.
- It’s OK to Say “I Don’t Know.”
Throughout your study, you will come across things that don’t yet make sense. That’s OK.
The Bible is a huge book about…everything. Reading something like this will naturally be a lot to take in.
If you come across a passage you’re not sure how to process, or even a whole book you don’t know what to do with, don’t let it stop you. Take notes. Write down what you found confusing and why.
Remember, the Bible isn’t compiled chronologically. To keep your study moving forward, it’s alright to save things for later.
You may find clarification later on, as you continue reading.
You may also want to share your notes with someone else like your study buddy, pastor etc.
- Prayer is the key to effective Bible study.
Again, before you begin your study each day, a quiet moment in
prayer helps get your head in the game. We recommend finding a quiet, solitary place where you’re least likely to encounter distractions. By intentionally turning your mind toward God, you’re inviting His
Holy Spirit to guide your study of the Scriptures.
While it’s absolutely true that the Bible’s words were written for everyone, studying them still requires care, respect, and guidance. And the best guide you could ever hope for is God Himself, who sends us his Holy Spirit to help us understand His profound, infinite truths (see
John 14:26, Acts 2:39, 2 Timothy 1:14).
Rest assured that even if you’ve never prayed before, God hears you. He
wants you to get to know Him, and the best way to begin that relationship is through His Word—the Holy Bible. Simply acknowledging that you want to get to know Him can begin this process.
Your prayer can be as simple and straightforward as this:
Dear God, I want to believe in You. I want to get to know Who You are. I pray for Your guidance as I start studying the Bible. Amen.
Yes, that’s all it takes to
begin a relationship with God. He recognizes your decision to get into the nitty gritty of the Bible and learn more about Him. Even if it feels awkward or unfamiliar at first, remember that trying anything new can feel strange until it becomes a habit.
As far as habits go, putting these two things together is indeed the healthiest habit you can ever develop.
Link.