Knowing this first, that no prophesy of scripture at all is becoming its own explanation. For not by the will of man was prophesy carried on at any time, but, being carried on by holy spirit, holy men of God speak
Peter to the Dispersion (2) 1: 20=21, Concordant New Testament
Has anyone ever been involved in a conversation that they cannot seem to win? I know that I have. Recently one of my gym friends has taken to describing any notion of scripture that is different from his own as someone taking the scripture out of context. Now, this is an easy defense for someone who chooses not to accept someone's opinion of how the scripture is to be translated. This is why I rarely engage in discussions of scripture with someone who seems to have an agenda outside of the Father. Come to think of it, this is a defense which I once used to defend my own interpretation of the scriptures back in my church days. The apostle Peter speaks to the truth that "No prophesy of scripture at all is becoming it's own explanation." The New King James version makes this more clear, that "No prophesy of scripture comes from someone's own interpretation" {Peter to the Dispersion (2) 1:20-21}. My same friend who accuses me of taking the scriptures out of context cringes at the thought that someone might have a different interpretation than he does. In his eyes, he has the final say in what the scriptures are telling us. I believe that this is the very reason by which the apostle John speaks to the truth that one must "Test the spirits to see if they are of God" {First Epistle of John 4:1}. Yes, we may come across different interpretations of the word, but we also must do our diligence when contemplating these passages. What makes our task that much more difficult is the countless versions and interpretations of the scriptures that we have out there. Every so often, I'll see one more version pop up which claims to be the "Closest interpretation" to the original texts. While this might be true, it is still the Fathers spirit within us that speaks to us as we read these words.
I recall back in my church days that there was produced a Hawaiian native version of the New Testament which drew the interest of more than a few people. This "Pidgeon bible" spoke the word in the native dialect of the Hawaiian islands. In my posts, I often reference the Concordant interpretation because I have found that it closely resembles the original Greek language of the time. Others choose to use another interpretation. But I have done my diligence, I have tested the spirits when it comes to this version of the scriptures. I can refer to the passages which I have given to memory in my discussions with others. But at the end of the day, it's not about my interpretation of the scriptures, but on what the Father within me is speaking to me through the word He has given us. In my opinion, the voice of the Father within us can never be taken out of context. This is something I have mentioned to my friend, without much success. There is a reason that so many people stay out of discussions which involve religion. In these discussions, nobody comes out a winner. When we keep man created religion out of the conversation and focus our attention on Christ Jesus, nothing can be taken out of context. For it is the scriptures which tell the story of Jesus.
And therefore we are also thanking God unintermittingly that, in accepting the word heard from us, from God you receive, not the word of men, but, according as it truly is, the word of God, which is operating also in you who are believing
Paul to the Thessalonians (1) 2: 13, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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