This summary explains an objectively orientated interpretation of the Bible.
Subjectivity (personal interpretation) is not capable of tailoring truth found in the Bible since it comes to us “As Is”. See 1 Corinthians 2:11-16 and 2 Peter 1:20-21.
Truth is objective. It came from God to apostles & prophets by divine revelation.
Our free will or determination cannot extract truth from within since our hearts are depraved (Mark 7:21-23). His spirit comes from outside of us into our hearts so we can know truth. See Romans 8:5-9.
God does not change (Malachi 3:6). His truth never changes or needs to be adapted because it is perfect (James 1:17).
We should not make an interpretation fit our preconceived notions or cultural tendencies.
Whether a Bible passage contains literal or figurative language, there must be an objectively true meaning. For example, the “heart” is a figurative term, but it refers to the reality of our innermost being as we are connected to the spiritual realm (Romans 5:5).
Figurative language in the Bible often speaks of events that take place in the heavenly realm or spiritual realm, so they “literally” occur even though we need metaphors to describe the unseen.
There is a physical realm (seen) and a heavenly realm (unseen).
The two realms meet in the spirit realm. For example, we on earth have a relationship with our heavenly Father because His Spirit dwells within us (Ephesians 2:18-22).
This leaves us with six possibilities for interpretation of any passage:
- Literal language speaking of the physical realm
- Literal language speaking of the heavenly realm
- Literal language speaking of dual-realm interaction (spirit realm)
- Figurative language speaking of the physical realm
- Figurative language speaking of the heavenly realm
- Figurative language speaking of dual-realm interaction (spirit realm)
The realms interrelate in this fashion:
The Father resides in the heavenly realm where the Son is now located.
The Son was located in the earthly realm during His first advent.
The Spirit “proceeds” from the Father and the Son in a dual-realm interaction (where heaven and earth meet). See Galatians 4:6 for an example of all realms interacting.
Following his resurrection, the Son is at the “right hand” of the Father in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 1:20). He is the first dual-realm being, referred to in the Bible as the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45).
The earth and all believers will become part of this dual-realm merger after Christ’s second coming. Ephesians 1:9-10 describes this event at the end of the age.
With this background from Ephesians, we can better understand God’s truth through symbols like New Jerusalem coming to the restored earth (Revelation 21:1-2). The unseen will be seen at the merger of Heaven and earth.
This example shows how the Book of Revelation can be interpreted by other passages in the Bible. The Bible gives us faith to believe and understand through the work of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:2-6).
Another set of examples from the Old and New Testaments display repeated language that states God “pours out his Spirit.” The same God that poured his Spirit upon the Old Testament saints reveals His truth to us through His word:
“If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.”
—Proverbs 1:23
“God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
—Romans 5:5
“[God] has also put his seal on us and put his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
—2 Corinthians 1:22
Joel 2:28 is repeated in Acts 2:17: “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.”