Summary
Anyone who reads the scriptures can squeeze into verses of prophecy events taking place today and deduce that the world is near its end. Translating the scriptures based on western culture, thought and linguistics is problematic, and can lead to error and potentially unbelief. We are to focus on right living, and being a witness for Jesus until he returns.
Folly of Perceived Prophecy or Eschatology
This post is not going to be lengthily for the eschatological argument being made concerning interpretations of scriptures from a weak grasp of Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek linguistics, and the cultural understanding of the time they were written. I do not want to give the impression that I am attempting to downplay what others write and understand—I am trying to grasp the idea that our western understanding of the scriptures may be weak and lacking.
There are many unsettling happenings around the world today. Anyone who reads the scriptures (Bible) can squeeze into verses of prophecy events taking place today and deduce that the world is near its end.
There is a verse in Matthew 24:14 where Jesus pointedly states: “And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for the testimony of all the nations and then the end will come.” I do not believe that preaching the gospel of the kingdom has been preached throughout the entire earth yet. I do believe that the gospel being preached throughout the entire earth is close to completion and that may be why we see an escalation of things which appear to be fulfillment of prophecy. It is still vitally important that a correct understanding of the scriptures is needed before making any claims that these signs point to either the great tribulation or the end of the age. We are to prepare and be prepared. We are not to focus of world events or events that frustrate us; we are to trust in the Lord and continue to share the gospel of the kingdom to all we are led to speak with.
There is a need to warn people that everything is in alignment in accordance with what is written in the scriptures. I feel that those who diligently study the scriptures but do not appreciate the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek linguistics, and the eastern culture the scriptures were written in are coming up short in comprehending the literal meanings. It is impossible to overlay eastern culture and eastern thought with a western mindset—that will not work; enormous errors will be common, and those errors will be tolerated as accurate.
Here are a few examples of how wrongheaded many of us have been in understanding what was and has been translated or transliterated into western linguistics and thought.
One example has to do with the word commandment that we have assumed to mean which is different from its original meaning. Click here to read the article.
Another example is the Parable of the unjust steward.
Another example is interpreting Acts 2 from a Hebrew perspective. Click here to read the article.
I urge everyone to take the time to read the referenced material—there is no doubt eyes will be open and understanding enhanced.
In closing: Translating the scriptures based on western culture, thought and linguistics is problematic, and can lead to error and potentially unbelief. We are to focus on right living, and being a witness for Jesus until he returns, or we visit him.
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