When studying the Bible, it is important to let the Bible explain the Bible. This is especially true when studying prophecy. Many, if not all, of the symbols and signs within Bible prophecy can be explained from within the Bible. This is important because unfortunately there are many people that explain Bible prophecy or other Bible texts with their own erroneous interpretations when the correct answers are already in the Bible.
2 Peter 1:20-21, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Here are some examples of the Bible explaining the Bible:
In Revelation 12:17 it says, “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Well, what is the “testimony of Jesus Christ”? The answer can be found in Revelation 19:10 which says, “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” So here an angel is speaking to the Apostle John and explains that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. The Bible explains the Bible.
Here’s another example.
In Revelation 17:1 it says, “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:”
What does it mean to “sitteth upon many waters”? Revelation 17:15 it says, “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” So waters in prophecy normally represents populated areas of multiple nations and multiple languages.
The last example.
In Genesis 3:1 it says, “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
The serpent was an actual serpent but who was speaking through the serpent? Revelation 12:9 says, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” So the Bible clearly shows that the serpent is Satan.
There are many, many other examples in the Bible. The Amazing Facts Ministry provides a list of Bible symbols with explanations and Bible texts (click here). It’s a great list to enhance your own personal Bible study.
If you want to watch the Most Amazing Prophecies series of videos they are available for free here.
If you want to go through the Amazing Facts Bible Study Guides for free they are here. Just scroll down to see all of the guides and then click on the one you want to read (but we recommend starting with the first one and working your way through all of them).