In recent years, many Christians have become fascinated with trying to match current events to biblical prophecies about the end times. While it’s natural to wonder how today’s headlines might relate to Scripture, there are serious dangers in reading our own interpretations into the Bible rather than carefully studying what it actually says. This practice, known as eisegesis, can lead believers astray and cause unnecessary fear and confusion.
What is Eisegesis?
Eisegesis means reading our own ideas or biases into the biblical text, rather than drawing out the original meaning intended by the authors. It’s the opposite of proper exegesis, which seeks to understand Scripture in its original context. With eisegesis, we start with our own preconceived notions and then look for Bible verses that seem to support them. This approach can easily lead us to misinterpret God’s Word.
Common Examples of Prophetic Eisegesis
Linking Current Events to Revelation
Many popular Bible teachers today try to connect specific modern events or figures to prophecies in Revelation. For example, some claim that COVID-19 vaccines are the “mark of the beast” described in Revelation 13. Others point to technology like barcodes or microchips as fulfilling this prophecy.
However, these interpretations ignore the original context of Revelation. The book was written to encourage persecuted Christians in the first century, not to give a detailed timeline of 21st century events. We should be very cautious about confidently declaring that any current technology or policy is the literal fulfillment of these ancient prophecies.
Predicting Dates for the Rapture
Another common form of eisegesis is trying to calculate the date of the rapture based on current events or biblical numerology. Many sincere believers have fallen into this trap throughout history, only to be disappointed when their predictions fail. Jesus clearly stated that no one knows the day or hour of His return (Matthew 24:36). We should heed His words and avoid speculation.
Identifying Modern Nations in Prophecy
Some teachers claim they can identify specific modern countries like Russia or Iran in biblical prophecies about the end times. While these ideas may seem exciting, they often involve reading our geopolitical assumptions back into ancient texts. We need to be careful not to force our interpretations onto Scripture.
Why is Prophetic Eisegesis Dangerous?
It Leads to Fear and Anxiety
When we become overly focused on trying to match current events to end-time prophecies, we can create unnecessary fear and anxiety. We may start to see potential fulfillments of Revelation around every corner, leading to constant worry about the future. This is not the peace and hope Scripture is meant to give us.
It Distracts from the Gospel
Obsession with end-times speculation can distract us from the core message of the gospel and our mission to share it. As Dr. Andy Woods notes, “The whole focus of the epistles is we’re looking for and we’re waiting for Jesus who’s not coming soon but he’s coming what he’s coming next.” Our primary focus should be on living for Christ and sharing His love, not trying to decipher prophetic timelines.
It Can Damage Our Witness
When Christians confidently proclaim that certain current events are fulfilling prophecy, only to be proven wrong, it damages our credibility. Non-believers may see this as evidence that the Bible is unreliable. We must be humble in our approach to prophecy and avoid dogmatic claims about its modern fulfillment.
How to Approach Prophecy Wisely
Focus on the Clear Teachings
Rather than getting caught up in speculative interpretations, we should focus on the clear teachings of Scripture about the end times. These include:
- Jesus will return physically to earth (Acts 1:11)
- There will be a final judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)
- God will create a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1)
These truths give us hope without requiring us to match current events to specific prophecies.
Study Scripture in Context
To avoid eisegesis, we must carefully study the historical and literary context of prophetic passages. This includes understanding the original audience, the genre of literature, and how the text fits into the overall message of Scripture. Good commentaries and study Bibles can be helpful tools for this.
Be Humble and Cautious
We should approach end-times prophecy with humility, recognizing that godly Christians have disagreed on the details throughout church history. It’s okay to hold our interpretations loosely and admit when we’re not sure about something. As Dr. Woods advises, “You don’t evaluate ideas based on how popular they are; you evaluate ideas based on whether they’re found in the biblical text.”
Look for the Big Picture
Instead of getting bogged down in identifying specific modern fulfillments, we should look for the big-picture message of biblical prophecy. This includes themes like God’s sovereignty, the ultimate triumph of good over evil, and the hope of Christ’s return. These truths can encourage us without requiring speculative interpretation.
The Importance of Sound Hermeneutics
To avoid the pitfalls of eisegesis, we need to develop sound principles of biblical interpretation (hermeneutics). This includes:
- Interpreting Scripture with Scripture
- Understanding the historical and cultural context
- Recognizing different genres of literature in the Bible
- Allowing clear passages to interpret less clear ones
As we grow in our ability to handle God’s Word properly, we’ll be less likely to fall into speculative interpretations of prophecy.
The Role of Progressive Illumination
It’s important to note that our understanding of prophecy may grow clearer as we get closer to its fulfillment. This concept, known as progressive illumination, is based on passages like Daniel 12:4, which suggests that certain prophecies will become more understandable as the time of their fulfillment approaches.
However, this doesn’t mean we should engage in wild speculation. As Dr. Woods explains, “What I’m talking about progressive illumination I’m not talking about progressive revelation. Revelation is shut, revelation is closed” . We may gain deeper insights into existing Scripture, but we shouldn’t expect new revelations or definitive interpretations of every detail.
A Call for Biblical Discernment
In an age of sensationalistic prophecy teaching, we need to cultivate biblical discernment. This means:
- Testing everything against Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
- Being wary of teachers who claim to have secret knowledge or new revelations
- Focusing on growing in Christ-likeness rather than end times speculation
As we develop this discernment, we’ll be better equipped to navigate the complex world of biblical prophecy without falling into eisegesis.
Embracing the Hope of Christ’s Return
While we should avoid speculative interpretations, we shouldn’t neglect the study of biblical prophecy altogether. The promise of Christ’s return is meant to give us hope and motivate us to godly living. As we eagerly await His coming, let’s focus on the clear teachings of Scripture and trust in God’s sovereign plan for the future.
By avoiding eisegesis and approaching prophecy with wisdom and humility, we can find genuine encouragement in God’s prophetic word without being led astray by unfounded speculation. May we always keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2), as we navigate these challenging times.
