Quote:
Originally Posted by Matt Anderson
End Times Prophecy
1. I have learned that answers to difficult questions come by revelation from God. In addition to His revelation, I have to use a sober/healthy mind to test what I believe has been revealed using several "tools".
2. I have to do this in a relationship that is completely dependent upon God for this revelation. I cannot force God to show me anything and I will only know what He wants me to know when He wants me to know it.
3. Until He does this, I can know the things He has presented in Scripture as "knowledge without full understanding". This is what I call "seeing darkly as in a mirror" or seeing a "shadowy picture which is not in focus". I can only see more clearly when He reveals it. Many times this happens progressively. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
I cannot emphasize enough the dependent approach to learning. I am not driving the conversation or setting the subjects. I express my curiousity and interest in certain things, but I recognize that He has to reveal it. For me, it has been through this approach that I have come to understand more about End Times prophecy than I ever thought possible.
4. I am an active listener in receipt of things which I believe the Lord has shown me and I do not presume that I immediately have an accurate interpretation of something that He has shown me. I am responsible to test with the "tools" and training God has given me over the years.
In summary, there are many things about End Times prophecy that I do not understand. ...
Matt
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These 4 topics stood out to me:
1. Answers to difficult questions...by revelation from God.
Because of curiosity to "know things", I have a tendency to try to figure things out by research, reading what others have said, pro and con, on what I think the answer might be. Another method we employ, as Christians, is to rely on our understanding of Scripture. "The Bible doesn't say that" or "The Bible says this..." I also rely on what I have been taught by a child, not because I tested what I believe by asking for God's clarity.
2. A particularly ear tickling question might cause me/us to come to a conclusion based on something that God has not revealed, but something research has uncovered.
3. Knowledge without understanding. Wow!
4.
Listen to God's answer then test to be sure you heard Him correctly.
Be willing to admit that you/I/we don't know everything.
Knowing God is more important than knowing stuff about prophecy and/or the Bible. Unless He's talking to you via revelation, what you/we/I have may be "knowledge without understanding."
Nell