How To Interpret Prophecy (8)

By: Pak Hendrik Wieland

Similarly in the Old Testament, when we read that men will "beat swords into plowshares,'' do we restrict the meaning to swords and plows, or do we update it technologically to include all instruments of warfare and productivity?

In this case, the specific item (a sword) seems to refers to a general subject (violence); the same may be true with other details of prophecy.

One word may stand for something else.
What about people? Malachi 4:5-6 predicted an Elijah.

But it wasn't literally Elijah; Jesus said that John the Baptist fulfilled that role.

And when Elijah comes again, will it be a resurrected Elijah, or someone in his role?

What about the prophecies of a future David?

In many cases, "David'' may be a reference to his son and successor, Christ.

And if Christ fulfills the prediction, it isn't necessary that David himself will also.

When we read that Christ will sit on the throne of David, should we expect the same physical throne, or is it a figure of speech depicting rulership of Israel?

Will we all sit on the one throne of God (Revelation 3:21) while the apostles sit on other thrones (Matthew 19:28)?