From the Pen of Paul

Helps in Studying the Bible (2)

Last week we suggested four rules that will greatly aid you in your study and understanding of the Scriptures: (1) Don't jump to conclusions; (2) Leave a passage in its proper setting—do not lift it out of its context; (3) Allow the Bible to interpret itself; and (4) Recognize matters of emphasis. In this article we want to look at a couple of additional things which you need to do if you wish to profit from your reading and study of the Book of all books.

(5) Remember that every passage in the Book is not written in literal language. We must recognize figures of speech when they are used. We must also realize that much of the prophetical books are written in symbolic language. Much of the confusion in studying the book of Revelation can be cleared up when we understand that it was not written, for the most part, in literal language. In the very first statement in the book we are told, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he went and signified it by his angel unto his servant John" (Rev. 1:1). The word signify indicates that the things given to John would be symbolic; they would be given in signs. Thus we understand that the golden candlesticks of chapter one were not intended to be understood as being literal golden candlesticks; they were symbolic or standing for something else. In this case we are not even left to try and figure it out. Jesus tells us plainly in verse 29, "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." Thus we realize that in the Revelation stars aren't literal stars, candlesticks aren't literal candlesticks, horses aren't literal horses, a seven-headed beast with ten horns is not a literal beast with seven heads and ten horns, etc. The same thing is true of numbers and time in the book; they are symbolic and not literal. When one tries to make the 144,000 of Revelation 14:1 an exact literal number, he errs greatly and completely fails to understand what is said. The various time periods that are mentioned are symbolic; they are not literal time periods. This completely destroys the millennialist's doctrine of a thousand-year reign of Christ on earth based on a symbolic passage in Revelation 20. This thousand-year period is no more literal than the horses, the stars, the candlesticks, the jewels, the beasts, etc. We also need to remember that no major doctrine, which we need to get from earth to heaven, has ever been concealed in symbolic language and left for us to figure it out. The simple message of the book of Revelation is victory for the people of God. No matter what persecution comes our way, we will gain the victory if we only stay true and faithful to our blessed Lord until this life is over.

There are other passages that are written in figurative language. Jesus called Herod an "old fox" in Luke 13:32. This is a figure of speech; he meant that Herod was sly and crafty. In Matthew 7:15 Jesus said that "wolves" would come to us in "sheep's clothing." These figures of speech simply mean that false teachers and evil men will try to disguise their evil deeds. Paul mentions this also in II Corinthians 11:11-15. There are a number of figures of speech used for Christ Himself. He is said to be the "way," "truth," "life," "bright and morning star," and many, many more. These figures of speech simply denote some aspect of his character or his dealings with men. Learning to distinguish these figures of speech and symbolic language will make understanding of the Book easier.

(6) Study and pray. We are back at the start. No one will ever learn nor understand this great Book unless he is willing to spend some time in the Book. It takes mental perspiration to learn any subject; this is true of God's Book as well. That is why the wise man said, "much study is a weariness of the flesh" (Ecc. 12:12). James tells us to pray for wisdom (James 1:5). And Paul prayed that the Colossians "might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col. 1:9). Some today would deny that God aids us in gaining knowledge, but I believe I will take Paul's word on the matter. If it was alright for Paul to pray for the church at Colosse to be filled with knowledge, then I believe it is alright for Christians today to pray the same prayer. Of course, knowledge is not just floated down to us; we must get in the Book and study. Let me close these articles by suggesting that perhaps the three greatest rules for understanding God's great Book are (1) Study! (2) Study! (3) Study!
—Paul Wilmoth

From the Preacher's Viewpoint. . .

The Gentile Sect of the Pharisees

The Pharisees were a thorn in the flesh to Jesus. They did all they could to bring misery to His life. They were full of envy and hate to all outside their circle. Their envy of Jesus took Him to the cross (Matt. 27:18).

The Pharisees were an interesting people. They were a sect of the Jews (Acts 15:5). They made up their doctrine and teaching which was mostly of men (Matt. 15:9). Their doctrine had teaching about the resurrection (Acts 23:6-8). They had no association with publicans and sinners (Matt. 9:11-13). Their fasting was done to be seen of men (Matt. 9:14; Luke 18:12). They placed great emphasis on washing their hands before they ate bread (Matt. 15:1-3; Mark 7:1-15). They made excuses for what they did not want to do (Matt. 15:1-9). They were strong on their view of Sabbath-keeping (Matt. 12:2-8). There were no greater hypocrites than were the Pharisees (Matt. 3:7-10). Jesus reproved them for their hypocrisy (Matt. 6:2-8; 16:1-12; 21:33-46; 23:2-33). They rejected the preaching of John (Luke 7:30). They rejected the preaching of Christ (Matt. 12:38; 15:12; John 7:48). They were constantly trying to find fault with Jesus (Matt. 19:3; 22:15-22). They were green-eyed monsters ever going about trying to get others to join them not for the better but for the worst because numbers were great in their eyes (Matt. 23:15; Gal. 6:13).

To sum up the Pharisees, we can say they were full of rottenness even though they were religious. Their way was the only way even though it was a manmade way. One must do things their way and talk as they talked. The Pharisees drew the line of fellowship where they wanted it to be no matter what the Bible had to say. When one disagreed with them they did all within their power to destroy that individual. They had some true teaching and they had some bad teaching.

Today we do not have a Jewish sect of Pharisees within the body of Christ but we do have a Gentile sect or version of them. The Gentile sect of Pharisees within the church is very similar to the Jewish sect of Pharisees of old. The Gentile Pharisees of today within the church will have nothing to do with you unless you agree with them in their doctrine—some of which is manmade. You must see it as they see it and call it by the words they call it. If you disagree with them, they will tell things as they see them and twist things the way they want them to be no matter if it destroys an innocent and good person. They are dishonest when they want to be and when you disagree with them they will do all within their power to destroy you and your influence. They are blind as bats to what they do not want to see and are so religiously political it is deplorable. We are convinced that Phariseeism is here to stay until the end of time so let us all get used to it. Rebuke it as you can and live above as best you can.
—Malcolm L. Hill