TOOLS FOR INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE PART 3

Jude Chapter 1













Today we are walking in: Tools For Interpreting Scripture Part 3










Today we look to the word-DECEIVE-H5377 nasha'-- to beguile, deceive to be beguiled









The Torah testifies...............




Genesis 3:13




And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, H5377 and I did eat.







The prophets proclaim..................





Jeremiah 9:5




And they will deceive H5377 every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.






The writings bear witness...........................





2 Kings 18:29




Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive H5377 you: for he shall not be able to deliver you out of his hand:






Interpreting the Scriptures for Ourselves

One might ask, "Why is it important to correctly interpret the Scriptures for ourselves?"




The answer to this lies in the fact that our understanding of Scripture is dependent upon our interpretation of Scripture!




When we misunderstand the Scriptures, it becomes easy to embrace man-made substitutes instead. When we practice the man-made 'Religious Traditions' and 'Commandments and precepts of Men,' rather than what the Scriptures actually say, we create stumbling-blocks for ourselves.




When put into practice, these Religious Traditions actually cause us to deny Messiah; that is, they turn us away from practicing the Truth — for they cause us to deny the obedience of Messiah Himself, who lives within us! (See Titus 1:14, 16).




Let us recall from Scripture, that if we have been Born-Again, Messiah Yahushua now lives within our fleshly body, in our spirit. And He desires to walk in the same obedience today, living within our fleshly body, that He did when He lived in His own fleshly body, two thousand years ago!




Our walk [Messiah's walk while living in us] is to be a walk of Righteousness, a walk of obedience to all of Scripture. But there are many stumbling-blocks that prevent us from walking of obedience to all of Scripture!




In Scripture, these stumbling-blocks are shown to originate from the Religious Traditions and Doctrines of Men. These stumbling-blocks come as a result of holding on to a false understanding of Scripture, which comes from Bible teachers having a non-Biblical interpretation of Scripture.




Both Paul and Jude warn us of these stumbling-blocks, and of the teachers who have crept in to our assemblies unawares, bringing false doctrines based on a false understanding of Scripture (Romans 16:17; Jude 1:3-4)




These false understandings of Scripture may come from many sources. Today false teachers, false prophets, and deception abound. Likewise there are many sincere Bible teachers, who unknowingly pass along truth mixed with error. But whatever the source, these false teachings come from mixing the Truth of Scripture with the Religious Doctrines of Men.




The end result is that many Citizens today unknowingly hold to error, and continue to practice a vast collection of man-made, religious traditions that have been built up over the centuries, and passed down as truth.




Those Citizens who do not study the Scriptures for themselves have simply entrusted their eternal destiny, and their eternal, Great Reward of inheritance, into the hands of their Religious Leaders. Many of these Religious Leaders, however, are spiritually blind, and they are leading multitudes astray.




And so we can now see the great importance of studying the Scriptures for ourselves, and of correctly interpreting the Scriptures for ourselves.




If the Reader will adhere strictly to the Bible-based Study principles, he will be more likely to correctly interpret the Scriptures, and to become a "DO-er" of Scripture, thus avoiding deception. He will then be able to identify and remove the many stumbling-blocks that prevent us from walking in THE WAY!




Today The Most High is restoring the Bible-based Study principles to His people. He is calling all His people to return to the Bible-based Study principles, so that they may correctly interpret the Scriptures. Only then will His people be able to let go of the many stumbling-blocks they have embraced in their ignorance, the religious baggage they have carried for centuries.

If we are to closely follow Messiah, we must correctly interpret and understand the Scriptures!




But how do we find the correct interpretation, so that we might avoid deception?




Interpretation: What Does it Mean? - Avoiding Deception




Perhaps the most important item to examine is the issue of interpretation. For any given Scripture passage, the question arises: "What does it mean?"




We might ask further, "What is the correct interpretation?" and most importantly, "What does this Scripture passage mean for me — how does this apply for me today?"




This last question is the very center of the battlefield of deception today. This question is where many are being led astray by Religious Tradition and Doctrines of Men, which all give false answers to this question.




Fortunately, the Scriptures themselves give us the correct answer to this question. Finding the correct answer, however, requires that each one dig deeply into the Scriptures for himself, to search out the Truth — as if searching for gold, jewels, and hidden treasure!




To find the correct Bible Interpretation, there is only one General Rule to be followed:




The Scriptures alone must interpret the Scriptures!




Within the confines of this one General Rule, there are many additional and important considerations. Although secondary to the Biblical Guidelines of what the Scriptures actually say, there are topics such as context, word definition, historical background, and many others that must be considered.




In this teaching, we will codify and present only the Biblical guidelines of Biblical Interpretation. Hidden in plain sight in the Scriptures, these Biblical guidelines are of greatest importance, yet virtually unknown in the Religious world.




Today the Biblical Guidelines — what the Scriptures themselves actually give as Guidelines for correct Scripture interpretation — are now being restored!




The Scriptures themselves tell us what these Guidelines are. They tell us what the Scriptures consist of, how they are to be divided, and how they are to be seen as a unified message. And of greatest importance, these Guidelines tell us how we are to 'apply' the Scriptures to our lives today!




We begin with an overview of what the Bible says about the Scriptures themselves.

THE KINGDOM AND THE GREAT COMMISSION

Matthew chapter 28













Today we are walking in: The Kingdom And The Great Commission












Today we look to the word-NATION- H1471 gowy--nation, people; of descendants of Abraham; of Israel






The Torah testifies...............


Genesis 15:14

And also that nation, H1471 whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.


Genesis 17:5

Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations H1471 have I made thee.


Genesis 18:18

Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, H1471 and all the nations H1471 of the earth shall be blessed in him?





The prophets proclaim..................



Isaiah 2:2

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations H1471 shall flow unto it.


Isaiah 25:7

And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. H1471


Jeremiah 3:17

At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations H1471 shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.




The writings bear witness...........................



Psalm 9:17

The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations H1471 that forget God.


Psalm 9:20

Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations H1471 may know themselves to be but men. Selah.


Psalm 22:28

For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations. H1471







THE KINGDOM AND THE GREAT COMMISSION


This afternoon we are going to be talking about the kingdom and the great commission of us as kingdom citizens. What are you supposed to be sharing at your job? What's the message you’re supposed to be sharing as a school teacher in the classroom? What are you supposed to be telling your colleagues in your construction job? What are you supposed to be saying to people? Not about your religion, don't talk about even your church. Talk about the kingdom. That's what they want. Why? Because the kingdom of The Most High Yah deals with the issue of the original purpose of The Most High Yah. What is The Most High Yah's original purpose? You can write these down as we move quickly through them. Number one principle is that the original purpose of The Most High Yah and plan of The Most High Yah was the extension of his heavenly kingdom on earth through mankind. That's what The Most High Yah always wanted. Number two the original purpose of The Most High Yah was that the destiny of mankind was for The Most High Yah to have a family of sons who would dominate the earth for him. That's what The Most High Yah wanted. Number three The Most High Yah's original plan was to have dominion over the earth. So when man fell he did not fall really from heaven, he fell from Dominion. When Adam sinned he lost effectual dominion over the earth. Number four, the purpose and the goal of The Most High Yah's Redemption of his entire redemptive work is to restore man back not to heaven but to what man fell from. What was that? Dominion. So the goal of The Most High Yah has got to get us not to heaven but to get us back in charge of Earth. That is why he will bring us back to earth eventually because that's his original plan and The Most High Yah's purposes never change. His plans may change but not his purpose. What The Most High Yah intended he will always get. Now I'm gonna move quickly so you have to stay with me. Let's talk then about the kingdom assignment of kingdom citizens. How kingdom citizens are supposed to be fulfilling a purpose that The Most High Yah originally intended. The Most High Yah's purpose for kingdom citizens is the same purpose he had for himself and that is to restore man back to rulership and dominion of the earth. Genesis chapter 1 verse 26 is very clear as to why The Most High Yah created man. In his own image, in his own likeness, that he may have dominion over the fish, the birds of the sea and all the earth. In Matthew chapter 24 verse 14 it says and when this cause of the kingdom is preached into all the world as a testimony for all men and all nations then the end will come. In the Book of Luke Yahusha states to us his purpose. Here's the mission of Yahusha in a simple statement that he made in Luke 4:43 it says, I must preach the good news of what? The kingdom of The Most High Yah to other towns also. Why? Because that is why I was sent. He tells us why he was sent. He wasn't sent to start a religion, he wasn’t sent to start some traditions, he didn't come to create some religious order, he didn't come to even begin some religious grouping. Hamachiach didn't come to start a competition with polytheism or atheism or communism. He came to do something that we missed. Matter of fact he didn't even come to start choirs and worship songs and prayer meetings. He came really to do something that he states. What did he come to do? To preach the good news of the kingdom of The Most High Yah to every town and every person. In the book of Matthew chapter 10 verse 6 it says as you go, and he's talking to us now, you also preach what? The kingdom of heaven is near. In the book of Matthew chapter 24 verse 14 it says and this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony and then the end will come. Every instruction is to preach the kingdom of The Most High Yah. Why am I reminding you of this? Because the church has been preaching some stuff that they are not supposed to be preaching. They've been preaching Calvary. I know that Calvary sounds good, Calvary is important, Calvary is critical, Calvary is necessary but it is not the good news. The good news is the kingdom of The Most High Yah. Calvary is a means to an end. Calvary is The Most High Yah's program to get us to the good news. The good news is that the kingdom of heaven has returned to earth and you can become a part of it again. The church has been preaching all kinds of interesting things that sound good but it's not been fulfilling what The Most High Yah intended. Let me take you to the Great Commission. Let's see what it says. Matthew 28 verse 18 is a great Commission. Here is the Commission he gave to us. We call it the Great Commission. The last words of Yahusha instructing his disciples in Matthew 28:18, he says what? Then Yahusha came to them and said all authority in heaven and earth has been given unto me, therefore you go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in my name, the Father, Son and Ruach HaQadesh. Then he says and teach them what? To obey everything that I have commanded you or taught you. In other words, you teach what I taught. What did he teach? Well if you read the four Gospels he had one message. Yahusha never preached on prosperity, he never preached on tongues, he never preached on the baptism of the Ruach HaQadesh as his message to the public. He never preached on Calvary, he never preached really on the things that we've been preaching. He never preached on the things that we've been focusing on as doctrine. He preached the kingdom of The Most High Yah, the kingdom of heaven and on every page he keeps repeating himself in a thousand different parables, I have come to preach the kingdom of heaven has arrived. He only told Calvary to his private disciples in secret. He spoke about his blood and his death to his private group, the disciples. He never taught the public about those things because the message that the public is looking for is not blood and cross. They're looking for Dominion again, control over life. That's what man wants and that's what the kingdom of The Most High Yah is all about. Your number-one problem right now is that you don't control your circumstances. Am i right? Yes! You can’t control your house, the bank owns it. You don't control your car, the bank owns that. You don't control your body, the doctors own that. You don't control even your teeth, the dentist owns that. Your problem is you have no control over your environment. You don't control your job, you can get fired in the morning. It seems as if your whole life has been victimized by the world. That's why Hamachiach came back to tell us the good news. What's the good news? You can control your life again, you can control circumstances, you can do what Adam was supposed to do. What is that? To have dominion over fish and birds and cattle and the ground and the earth on the entire environment that's what The Most High Yah intended for us. My frustration in all my life is the things I can't control. You get a head cold, you take everything and it's still there. You can't control it. So you're mad at the fever that won't go away. Yahusha came to take care of that. Matter of fact, that's why Hamachiach never taught about healing. He just healed. When did he heal? It says he healed them after he preached the kingdom to them. The kingdom brings with it the healing that you need so healing is really not an objective it's a by-product of the kingdom experience in your life. Healing is simply taking dominion over sickness. Hamachiach says that the poor need the kingdom preached to them, which means the poor don't need money. The poor need a revelation of Dominion. Take charge of your environment. Prosperity is a byproduct of the kingdom life. Let's take a look at the purpose for kingdom citizens. I'm going to go to this part very fast. I want you to follow me. kingdom citizens are to be The Most High Yah's agency on earth. This is important to remember. Number two, kingdom citizens exist not for heaven but for the nation. Kingdom citizens exist not for heaven but for the nation. Number three, We as kingdom citizens are not to establish a religion but a governing influence in the nation. I'm giving you the original purpose for the us as Yah’s people. We are The Most High Yah's agency on earth. I like the word agency because it is an organism through which The Most High Yah wants to administrate from heaven on earth. He wants to do it through us. I'm not talking about an organization. I'm not talking about the Baptist. I'm talking about us as Yah’s children. Number four we are to be the training program for reigning. We were Kings over the earth in Genesis 1 and 2 and we fell from reigning and now we become slaves for over 6,000 years. If you've been under oppression for 6,000 years it takes a while to get your mentality back. So our job is to retrain others to think like a king again. So we as kingdom citizens are The Most High Yah's program of training for reigning. Number five, we are designed to to lead in our area of gifting. You are to take charge of your area of expertise for which The Most High Yah gave you. Every human, 6.7 billion of us were born with a gift. Some of us were born with a few of them, but everyone is carrying something and that gift is the area of your domain. Kingdom Citizens are an important part of The Most High Yah's program. Let's see if this is true. Look at Ephesians chapter 4 verse 11 it says it was he Yahusha who gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Why? Look at the next verse. He gave you apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers verse 12 says, to prepare or to train The Most High Yah's people for the work of ministry, so that the body of Hamachiach might be built up, Built up means to be matured, until they all come to the unity of the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of The Most High Yah and become mature attaining to the whole measure of the full image of Hamachiach. You were made in whose image? In The Most High Yah's image. Apparently The Most High Yah knows you don't look like that at the moment. That image is in you but it's smothered by your oppressive spirit, under sin and even though you're born again there's layers of garbage over that image. The job of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher is to keep peeling away all the corrupt thinking, small thinking, low self-esteem, low self-concept, poor self estimation, to get rid all that slave thinking, to reveal once again the real you, which is the image of The Most High Yah. You don't need to go to heaven to act like heaven. Yahusha looked like heaven under Roman domination. He was in charge even though he was under the oppression of the Roman Empire. He was born under colonization, he was born under slavery, but yet he never was under the circumstances. He was always in charge of his circumstances. Even in charge of storms and water and trees obeyed his words. He's so powerful he spoke to fish and they came into the net. In other words, he was never oppressed even though he was under oppression. That's the same way The Most High Yah wants you to become. He wants you to become the image of The Most High Yah right in your job. He wants you to look and act just like The Most High Yah, in the earth now, not later. The job of all of us is to prepare for our works of service, to train to discover service ministry and to get in that ministry. Now please notice something important in this verse. Where is heaven in the verse? Heaven does not exist in the verse. Why did The Most High Yah give you a pastor? See the pastor on the list? Why did The Most High Yah give you an Apostle, Evangelist? The Evangelist job is not to get you to heaven. The pastor's job is not to train you to go to heaven. The objective of the apostle and prophet and evangelist and pastor, my work is not to get you in heaven but to keep you on earth, serving your gift. If that gift is media, if it's carpentry, if it's banking, if it's investment, if it's building a ministry or building a restaurant or owning a hotel or becoming an investor. Whatever it is, that's your gift. My job is to help you find that gift and flourish in that gift until it looks like Yahusha is doing it. One thing with Yahusha, he never fails. You will succeed in your gift. If it is a teacher, if it's a doctor, a dentist, a carpenter or fisherman. If you are gifted in that area, my job is to help you find that gift, refine that gift, develop that gift, maximize that gift and bless the earth with that gift. Heaven is not The Most High Yah's goal for you, earth is his goal for you. To train the saints for the work of the ministry. Look at this next one here. The role of Kingdom citizens in the world. I think this is very important to correct. Acts 1:7 says this, but you shall receive power when the Ruach HaQadesh comes upon you, Yahusha is speaking, and you will be witnesses unto me or of me, first in Jerusalem, then Judea and Samaria in the uttermost parts of the ends of the earth. Please underline the words, “you'll be my witness.” Witness doesn't mean testimony. Let me just correct that. Witness doesn't mean handing out tracks. The church has really done a job on these words. The word witness that Yahusha used is the same word that is used in a courtroom when somebody's on trial. When you want to test if somebody is telling the truth, you bring witnesses to prove that. Hello! That's the word Yahusha uses. It was a legal word. He says look, I will give you the power. You see the power the Ruach HaQadesh is not for you to fall out. It's for you to go to work on Monday, and do some stuff they can't believe. That is what the power is for. The powers are for you to walk into a situation where everybody is in chaos, and when you arrived you said let me fix it. The power he's talking about is where you walk into a boardroom and they are trying to solve a problem and as soon as you come, you say I got the answer and you blow their minds. The power is for you when you are a doctor and you walk into the medical environment and there's some case that they can’t solve and they don't know what to do and they are trying to use their expertise and you say listen, let me just pray for the person and The Most High Yah heals them. The power is to show that the kingdom is in the operating room through a doctor who also knows medicine. That is what the power is for. The power is for a teacher who walks into a classroom of misfits, where they say this is the worst class in the whole school, and you say give them to me. You walk in there with the power of the Ruach HaQadesh and you bring order and peace to those kids and they become the best class in the school. It blows everybody's mind. Why? You have a power that they don't have access to. That's what it means by the witness, which is the somebody who comes on the stand to prove someone else's words. Hamachiach says the kingdom of The Most High Yah is here and he said I'm going to give you power to prove it to the world. That is why your success is important to The Most High Yah. The Most High Yah needs you to succeed this week to show his kingdom is present. Everything you touch this week because you are here today and you heard this word, I prophesy everything you touch this week, every problem, every situation, every decision you have to make will be correct and it will prosper because The Most High Yah needs you to succeed. You belong to a kingdom that cannot fail. It is in The Most High Yah's best interest for you to succeed. Give Him praise!!!

TOOLS TO INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE PART 2

2 Peter Chapter 3



















Today we are walking in: Tools To Interpreting Scripture










Today we look to the word-KNOWLEDGE- H847 da'ath--knowledge, perception, skill, discernment







The Torah testifies.....................




Exodus 31:3




And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom,and in understanding, and in knowledge, H1847 andin all manner of workmanship,






The prophets proclaim..................




Isaiah 33:6




And wisdom and knowledge H1847 shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.









The writings bear witness.............



Job 34:2




Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.






Studying the Scriptures for Ourselves




Why should we study the Scriptures for ourselves?




Most Citizens today have heard Evangelists, Ministers, Pastors, Teachers, and Spiritual Leaders, faithfully teaching the Scriptures. Many would ask, "Are these teachings not sufficient?" Some would even say, "We have heard enough to be Born-Again, and we are now saved. What more is needed?"




Fiveamprayer, there are some Scriptural reasons for studying the Scriptures, that we have not understood!




We are called to walk as Messiah walked, and to live our lives as He did (1 John 2:6). But to do this, we must remove the stumbling-blocks.




Removal of Stumbling-Blocks




As Citizens, and as Followers of Yahushua, we are called to live our lives according to the Scriptures.




But before one may live a life according to the Scriptures, a great number of obstacles ['stumbling-blocks'] must first be removed. Stumbling-blocks are those things that prevent us from walking 'upright' in The Way, while yoked with Messiah. These stumbling-blocks are 'Religious Doctrines' which Scripture calls 'Traditions' and 'Commandments of Men.'




The terms 'traditions of Men,' 'Commandments of Men,' and 'Doctrines of Men' are the Bible's terminology for the collection of man-made teachings and traditions that men have heard and accumulated over the years.




These teachings and traditions are man-made Bible doctrines that have twisted the true meaning of Scripture, changing a Bible passage to say something it does not really say. This twisting creates a false paradigm — a false perspective or way of understanding of the true meaning of a Scripture passage, and results in blinding a person to the true meaning of the passage.




This twisting occurs when men see the Scriptures through the lenses of their own Doctrinal Statements [mostly based on decrees of Rome], or through a faulty interpretation based on their own understanding. That is, they read their own meaning into a Bible passage [called 'eisegesis'], rather than reading from the Bible passage what it actually says [called 'exegesis'].




Most Bible Schools and Seminaries practice their own forms of eisegesis, in order to conform to the particular Doctrinal positions of their founders and sponsors. And because many Pastors, Ministers, and spiritual Leaders are produced from these schools, these twisted meanings based on non-Biblical paradigms become propagated and transmitted from one generation to the next. They become widely taught in many congregations, and today these man-made teachings and traditions are widely practised by most Citizens.




These many non-Biblical paradigms then become mixed with Biblical truths, and the result is pictured in Scripture to a confluence of two rivers or streams — one of pure water, and one of polluted water. This merging of two streams produces a mixture, and the result of this mixture is confusion. As we shall see, the Bible has a name for this system of confusing doctrinal mixture: "Mystery Babylon."




Today Citizens are being called out of the confusion of Mystery Babylon, and are being called to return to the pure waters of Scripture alone.




And so our goal is to properly exegete, or draw out from the Scripture passage, what it actually says, even if it goes against all we currently understand! Our goal, however, is not to properly understand the Bible merely for the sake of understanding or 'head' knowledge — but for the sake of becoming a "DO-er" of what it says!




When The Most High's Covenant people do not correctly understand the Scriptures, they are not able to walk as He walked, in accordance with the Scriptures. And so the vital importance of correct Scripture understanding can now be seen.

And so we must ask again, "Why is it important for all Citizens to study the Scriptures carefully for themselves?"




The tragic truth is, that most Citizens today continue to believe and embrace teachings from their Pastors, Ministers, or Spiritual Leaders, without question. Many Citizens today are not as the Bereans — they do not search the Scriptures for themselves, to see whether these teachings are true, or not!




The Bible however, calls all Citizens not to believe everything they hear, but to diligently study the Scriptures on their own:

The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. (Proverbs 14:15)




Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)




I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Revelation 3:18)




Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness [actions] of saints. (Revelation 19:7-8)




The reasons we are called to study the Scriptures for ourselves can be seen the above passages. Notice the warning, telling us we are to study, in order to avoid the shame of nakedness, of being found without our 'clothing' of righteousness. Messiah living within us is our Righteousness, but the clothing speaks of something that is outwardly seen.




We are then told that we must learn to handle the Word as a 'sword,' able to rightly divide the Words of Scripture, as a sword cutting accurately and steadily.




We are also called to make ourselves ready, as a bride preparing for a wedding, so that we may be clothed in the fine linen of Righteousness. We are then told (Rev 19:8), that this Righteousness consists of our actions of obedience to the Scriptures. This last step requires that we have an understanding of what actions we are to do — and what actions we are not to do — and this requires much study of the Scriptures!




We must first understand how Messiah living within us is our Righteousness. We must then understand how Messiah in us produces the fruit [outward works] of Righteousness in us.




The key to understanding how Messiah produces our Righteousness, can be seen as we study the Hebrew word for Righteousness in the Bible. This can be seen in Isaiah 45:8, and is explained in Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:3-9, Luke 8:5-8, Hebrews 5:13 and Philippians 1:11.




Many Citizens today are not preparing themselves with this fine linen of Righteousness, as a bride preparing for the wedding to the Bridegroom. They are not being taught what the Scriptures tell us about Biblical Righteousness, but are being given the milk of the Word, mixed with many man-made doctrines and other foolishness.




And so our first Scripture reason for studying for ourselves can be seen in this Scripture passage:




The simple ['foolish, gullible, deceived'] believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. (Proverbs 14:15)




The word for 'simple' in the above passage comes from a root word meaning foolish and deceived. If we do not study the Scriptures for ourselves, we will surely be deceived. The deceived Citizens will be found among the Foolish Virgins. They will not enter in with the Bridegroom.




Another important reason for studying the Scriptures for ourselves can be seen, as we realise that it was THE WORD of The Most High, the person of Messiah Yahushua Himself, who spoke the words to Abraham, Moses, and all the Prophets! (See Genesis 15:1; Num 3:16; Num 15:31; Jer 18:5; Zep 1:1; Zec 1:1; John 1:1, 14).




Many Bible teachers today deny this truth of Messiah's identity, by their teachings and by their actions (Titus 1:16). As a result, many Citizens today are walking in partial disobedience and partial deception, and do not yet 'know' Messiah.




But in order to understand how deception takes hold, we must take careful note of this one fact. The Most High has purposely spoken His Words in such a way that His enemies, as well as those not in covenant with Him, will not see nor understand the true meaning of His Words. Instead, they will take them incorrectly! (Isaiah 6:9-10; Isaiah 29:10; Mark 4:11-12).




Thus it is only after Messiah opens our eyes to see — to know Him, and to understand His Word — that we receive the correct meaning of the words! (Luke 24:16,31; Eph 1:17-18).




In contrast, when Pastors or Spiritual Leaders have received the meaning of the words from a Bible School or seminary, rather than from the Ruach HaQadesh, they open themselves to receiving error passed down from man-made doctrines. It is the Ruach HaQadesh alone, who will guide us into Truth (John 16:13; 1 John 2:27)].




Those who hear and follow these seminary-trained Leaders must therefore study for themselves (2 Tim 2:15), lest they too receive the same errors!




Let us now look at a Biblical example of how this studying is to be done.




When Paul and Silas went to Berea, they spoke and taught the Gospel [the Good News] of Messiah Yahushua and His kingdom. But notice what these Bereans did:




And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:10-11)




First we note that the Bereans were open to hearing the word of the Gospel, but they did not automatically believe everything they heard. Instead, they "searched the scriptures daily," to see whether or not the words of Paul and Silas were true!




Fiveamprayer, we are to do likewise! We should not simply believe everything we hear from the pulpit — but we are to be 'more noble,' just as the Bereans, and study the Scriptures, to see whether those things are true!




Perhaps the Bereans were told, "Wow! The apostle Paul will be speaking and teaching in our congregation today!"

Fiveamprayer, it does not matter who speaks or teaches! We are called to Beware!




It is significant that the words 'take heed' or 'beware' or 'warn' appear more than 40 times in the New Testament writings. Most of these passages warn us of the many kinds of error that could lead us astray. A few of these passages can be seen in 1 Co 10:12; Col 2:8; 1 Tim 4:16; 2 Tim 4:15; Heb 3:12; 2 Pet 3:17.




Fiveamprayer, if it were not possible for Citizens in Messiah to be led astray, there would be no need for the many New Testament warnings!




Let the Citizens Beware!




In the same way that we are to study the Scriptures for ourselves, we are likewise expected to interpret the Scriptures for ourselves!

TOOLS TO INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE

Acts chapter 17
















Today we are walking in: Tools To Interpreting Scripture










Today we look to the word-SEEK-H1245 baqash--to seek, require, desire, exact, request, to find, to seek to secure, to seek the face, to desire, demand














The Torah testifies...............




Genesis 37:15




And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest H1245 thou?










The prophets proclaim..................




Zephaniah 2:3




Seek H1245 ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek H1245 righteousness, seek H1245 meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.









The writings bear witness..........................




Ruth 3:1




Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek H1245 rest for thee, that it may be well with thee?






Seven Biblical Guidelines for Studying the Bible How to Use Scripture to Interpret the Scriptures




"...So how can we avoid deception, even from sincere, but misguided Bible Teachers? ...The Bible itself gives us some built-in guidelines to follow, that when used, will help us to study for ourselves, and to correctly understand, the true Bible message!"




Many today are being awakened from their spiritual slumber, and are surprised to find that some of the 'Bible' teachings they have been given are not according to the Scriptures!




Today there are multitudes of Bible teachers, Pastors, Ministers, religious Leaders, and would-be Prophets, all clamoring to put forth a 'Bible message.' Some of these teachings are genuine and valid. But as Yahushua warned His Disciples, deception would be widespread immediately prior to His return, and multitudes of Citizens will become deceived.




Because of the great importance of the Bible message, we must make sure we are receiving the correct message, and not a counterfeit; the pure message, and not one mixed with man-made ideas; the full message, not only a small part.

So how can we avoid deception, even from sincere, but misguided Bible Teachers? How can we begin to understand the Bible for ourselves, so that we may obtain the True Bible message?




The answer is not found within man-made doctrines, nor in man's 'own understanding' of how to study the Bible. The answer is found only in what the Bible actually says about how to study and interpret the Scriptures, and how to understand its content!




And so in this writing, we will look at what the Bible itself says about how to properly study its contents, and how to correctly understand its message. The Bible itself gives us some built-in guidelines to follow, that when used, will help us to study for ourselves, and to correctly understand, the true Bible message!
Introduction

The Bible itself actually tells us, in great detail, how we are to properly interpret and understand the Scriptures. The Bible reveals how Scripture itself can interpret the Scriptures for us!




According to the very words of the Bible, it is the Scriptures themselves that define the Bible's own content, and they also tell us exactly how the Scriptures are to be understood. The Scripture Guidelines presented in this writing are certain Scripture passages that tell us exactly how the written Scriptures alone are able to correctly interpret Scripture, through the leading and enlightenment of the Ruach HaQadesh.




In this study we will observe the direct, primary principles found in Scripture, as well as some modern-day examples that illustrate common violations of these Biblical principles. We will then look at some important considerations as illustrated by Scripture examples.




In the first section of this study, we will see in detail the Biblical method of Bible study that the Bereans used. We recall that the Bereans (Acts 17:11) were considered to be more noble, because with readiness of mind, they searched the Scriptures daily, to see if what the apostle Paul said was true. And because of their use of the Biblical principles of study, the Bereans became an example for us to follow.




When we follow the Biblical study principles, coupled with a softness of heart and readiness of mind, we too will see the same results.




We will finish this study by echoing a few New Testament caveats or warnings, that we as Citizens would be well to follow, in view of the great degree of deception today.
A Few Common-Sense Basics

Before we look at the Biblical principles, we must first mention a few common-sense, basic rules of reading comprehension that must be applied.




First and foremost, reading the Bible is not like reading a novel! The Scriptures are not to be read speedily, but slowly, in order to study each word and its meaning!




The true 'seekers' are those who will read the Scriptures slowly and deliberately, to draw out the nourishment.




The hurried and impatient Readers, in contrast, are those who read the Scriptures rapidly, skimming over the surface. Those in a hurry will not find the nourishment they need to overcome, and will likely end up being deceived!




The complete sentence must be understood, not only in relation to its immediate context, but in its global context of all of Scripture. Only within its proper context, can a Scripture passage be applied correctly. The subject of Bible context is so significant, and is of such great importance to proper application, that it will appear in a separate writing.




Along with context, the proper understanding of a Scripture passage is then found when it is in full agreement with all the Biblical Guidelines given within the Scriptures themselves.




And finally, we must keep in mind our goal of reading and studying the Scriptures for ourselves: to become cleansed by the washing of the water of the Word, by becoming "DO-ers" of what we read. Only in this way can our lives become adjusted and conformed to Messiah's image; and only in this way are we able to truly love one another (Eph 5:26; James 1:22; Romans 8:29; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Peter 1:22).




Here are two of these passages showing the goal of studying the Scriptures for ourselves:




"...that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word..." (Ephesians 5:26)




Seeing ye have purified ['cleansed'] your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure ['cleansed'] heart fervently: (1 Peter 1:22)




Notice in the passage that we do not become purified [cleansed] by knowing the Truth, but by obeying the Truth — by becoming "DO-ers" of Truth.




We become "DO-ers" of Truth, when we obey the sayings, the Words of Scripture spoken by Him who is the Truth!




But in order to obey the truth, we must study the Scriptures diligently, to find how we are to apply the Truth to us personally.




Only in this way can we live our lives as He calls us to do, in a manner that is pleasing to our heavenly Father (John 8:29; Col 1:9-10; 2 Tim 2:4; 1 John 3:22).




Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? (Ezekiel 33:10)




Fiveamprayer, the Scriptures ask us, "How should we then live?"




We are called to understand the Scriptures, so that we may then understand how we should then live!

But in order to understand the Scriptures, we must study the Scriptures for ourselves!




And so we begin our study with a look at the great importance of studying and interpreting the Scriptures for ourselves.