Comparing Scripture with Scripture
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Many Christians avoid the book of Revelation like the plagues it contains. They find the imagery overwhelming and beyond understanding. Others dive right in and come out confused and frustrated. But the Scriptures always explain themselves, we need only look, and for the explaination of Revelation we must look to the prophets of the Old Testament for guidance.
The Word of GOD, through HIS Holy Prophets, has never changed. Each man had the same word from GOD though their telling of it may vary. To understand we must look at all the Prophets together. If we do this we see that John's Revelation is the completion of the Prophets of old. Unlike the Prophets of old, who dreamed dreams and saw visions, John was taken on high and shown the end times first hand. Many of the things that are said to be 'sealed up until the end' are explained to John in Revelation. Revelation is called The Revelation of Jesus Christ,( Jesus is the WORD ) it is truly the revealing of GOD's Word to his people.
Through the diligent comparing of Scripture we can gain a true understanding of GOD's Word for us. We can also bring to light long held misconceptions about the end times that are not truly Scriptural. We cannot take single verses and expect to understand the whole. Here i will be constrained by space to only give examples, but i strongly urge you to go to your Bible and read more. Compare Scripture with Scripture, not just verse with verse but book with book, Old Testament with New.
This does not just apply to Prophecy but the whole Word of GOD. In all things we must compare Scripture with Scripture. This is the path to true understanding.