Simple Hermeneutics Are "Gone With The Wind"
By Ray Gano
Last week I sent out an article clearly showing that Isaiah 17 is actually part of the Day of The Lord, when you read scripture in context.
I am afraid that for the past 200 years we as Christians have become dependent on others to interpret for us when it comes to God's Word. It seems that all we really know is the key verses that make up our favorite flavor of bible prophecy and theology. But when push comes to shove, we have no idea WHY, we know what we know and just parrot what we have been told. That is because much of what we know has been spoon fed to us instead of us doing the due diligence ourselves and actually cracking open the Bible.
No longer do we lean on sound hermeneutics, also known as the proper rules for interpretation. Instead we get some wild idea in our head and then whip out our favorite bible software program and start "backwards engineering" some outlandish theory that has nothing to do with scripture what so ever.
The Example I gave last week was Isaiah 17:1, the destruction of Damascus. Someone within the bible prophecy arena, in what I can trace in the last 50 years or so read Isaiah 17:1 and came up with some scenario about Israel destroying Damascus. They read that Damascus will be made a ruinous heap.
Just so that we know what we are addressing, here is the verse…
Isaiah 17:1 (KJV) The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
I put out a fun survey that was about the famous movie " Gone With The Wind."
As of me writing this article, here are the questions with the results.
In this survey I asked what is the most famous line in the movie, and 97% of those who answered got the question correct. "Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn."
I then asked, "When the famous line was given, what color dress did Scarlett O'Hara have on?"
43% of those asked said .. "RED"
followed by 21% saying "GREEN & WHITE"
and 20% saying "BLACK"
and finally 15% saying "YELLOW AND WHITE"
What Scarlett was wearing when the famous line was given was a black dress adorned with a white broach at the neckline.
I then asked, "Where was Scarlett & Rhett standing when the famous line was uttered?"
There was a tie of 41% of those who answered said "At the bottom of the stairs" and " At the front door." "At the top of the stairs" got 6% and "on the eve between the door and the stairs" got 12%.
The famous line was uttered at the front door. I find it interesting that half of those who answered got it correct. I must have some die hard Gone With The Wind fans here.
When I was in marketing, I used to ask people about the famous Gone with the Wind scene to show how people's selective memory came into play.
I would ask what the famous line was, which everyone knows. After that it usually changes from there. People believed that Scarlet was wearing a red dress, standing at the bottom of the stairs and Rhett would kiss Scarlett in defiant " I don’t give a damn" manhood.
When I tell people what actually took place, people would out and out argue with me saying they were correct.
I would then play a clip for them from the movie and usually their jaws would drop.
They would often ask themselves " How could they be so wrong?" They KNEW that Scarlett was wearing that Red dress and her and Rhett were standing at the bottom of the stairs locked in a passionate kiss.
I asked if they saw the movie and they would say yes and some even said they have seen it multiple times.
I heard stories about how they would talk about that famous scene with their friends at work, or with their spouse, everyone agreed. They saw that beautiful red dress in their mind with Rhett uttering that famous line, how could they be wrong?
So how often have you talked about the destruction of Damascus?
June 6th 2007 Ezra HaLevi who writes for Arutz SHeva (Isreal National News) reported that "IDF Holds Exercise Simulating War With Syria"
"The IDF held a large-scale exercise Tuesday simulating the invasion of Syria in the context of a war with the hostile Arab country to Israel’s north.
Syria Confirms: Planning For War
Syrian MP Muhammad Habash told Al-Jazeera Arabic world news satellite television network Tuesday that Syria is indeed actively preparing for war with Israel, and that Syria expects the war will start this summer. He claimed it was Israel’s government, however, that wants the war, in order to survive politically."
It is interesting how stories get spun. In late September 2007 Jane's Defense weekly came out with a report confirming the story about a number of Iranian Engineers and Syrian workers who were killed in an explosion in Syria.
Jane’s reported that while these men were loading a chemical warhead into a Scud-C-Missile, an accidental explosion occurred. They were loading the deadly nerve agents VX and Sarin Gas, as well as Mustard Gas.
The bible prophecy arena was a blur with articles and stories about the soon coming destruction of Damascus. I have to admit that I even wrote about it.
I look back on what I wrote, and I was just as guilty of what I call "hunt and peck/ cherry picking" theology, taking scripture out of context to fit a preconceived idea that I have been taught by others before me.
Here is what I said…
We know through history that Damascus has been a thorn in Israel’s side for a long time. Isaiah even speaks about it in regards to Israel’s future
Isaiah 17:4 (KJV) And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean."
In all that is taking place, Israel gets tired of Damascus. Damascus pushes and pushes, taunts and harasses Israel. Finally Israel takes action…
Isaiah 17:14 (KJV) "And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us."
Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible breaks the verse down as follows…
Isaiah 17:14 -
At evening-tide trouble - In the time of evening - that is, in the night.
Before the morning he is not - That is, he is destroyed.
This is the portion of them that spoil us - Of those who would plunder us. This is a “general” declaration in regard to the enemies of the Jewish people. This is the lot, the end, the destiny of all who attempt to destroy them. That is, the people of God shall be safe whoever rises up against them; and whatever may be the number, or the power of their foes, they shall be overthrown.
What Albert Barnes is saying In simple words, is an overnight destruction of Damascus.
What can destroy a city overnight?
Yep you guessed it… nukes.
The Burden of Damascus - by Ray Gano
Folks, I am wrong here. In fact do you see how I built my case cherry picking out of context? It sure looks good and sounds good, but it isn't what scripture presents. I am guilty of perpetuating a lie because I did not do my due diligence.
Sad thing is that I was not the only one and this idea still perpetuates today. Don’t believe me, just Google how many in the bible prophecy arena have written on the topic, and come to the same conclusion, some even selling books, DVDS and CDs all on an idea that is not what is contained in scripture but based upon traditions of men.
People are selling the red dress at the bottom of the stairs without even looking into the facts for themselves. And there are still many who believe that Scarlett is wearing the Red dress standing at the bottom of the stairs kissing Rhett because that is what they were spoon fed themselves.
Do you see what I am trying to convey here? We are parroting what we have been taught, and we never read the chapter in full context for ourselves. We have been spoon fed false facts and seldom do we take the time to find out if we are wrong or what is being taught to us is wrong.
As I pointed out, Isaiah 17 references the Day of The Lord four times in that short chapter of 14 verses. In fact the book of Isaiah makes reference to the day of the Lord 46 times, 43 of those between chapters 2 - 35. When you read those chapters, you clearly see it is Christ taking his vengeance out upon the nations who were Israel's enemies and the primary theme is The Day of The Lord.
Now if you do not believe me, I encourage you to read it for yourself, in fact, don’t believe me, READ IT and be a good Berean. In Acts 17:10-11 Paul admonished the Bereans for not believing what Paul stated and went to scripture itself to see if what he said was in fact true.
We have got to stop allowing ourselves to be spoon fed and start returning to being that good Berean. The sad thing is that we have become so lazy in our own study, that we have no idea what is fact and what is false anymore because we are so weak when it comes to God's Word.
We get overwhelmed by facts, footnotes and sources that we instantly disarm our own critical thinking and go into a daze of being mind numb robots believing everything that is being told to us by folks who we deem " should know" and look to as authority.
Folks, we have got to stop this. We need to get back into God's Word and know it for ourselves.
The other day I got an email from another ministry refuting an article I sent out…
No, Islam will be all but destroyed just prior to or shortly after the Rapture.
Israel's 'near enemies', namely Hamas, Hezbollah and the Palestinian Authority, all based in Damascus, will initiate a pre-emptive strike on Israel, fulfilling Psalm 83. Israel's retaliation will destroy Damascus, fulfilling Isaiah 17:1. This will infuriate Israel's 'far enemies', provoking an attack by Gog/Magog, fulfilling Ezekiel 38-39 in which Islam will be ultimately destroyed, fulfilling Ezekiel 39:2.
This is what I am trying to show. Here this person equates the timing of the rapture to this series of events. This in and of itself is unbiblical. Then they parrot this rather recently introduced teaching of Psalms 83 followed by Isaiah 17:1 as a victory by Israel and the IDF. This is where I want to address outrageous idea of Psalm 83 and Israel / the IDF destroying her enemies.
The idea has been put out there that the alliance of 10 enemies mentioned in Psalm 83 will be wiped out by Israel's IDF. Soon after that Israel will then destroy Damascus via nukes or strategic bombings.
In fact there are even those who are calling it the next prophetic war and actually naming it " The War of Extermination."
Here is what one teacher has written…
The psalm states that the immediate neighbors of Israel will launch a war for the purpose of "wiping out Israel as a nation" (verse 4). The nations described as being a part of this nefarious effort are those with a common border with Israel today (verses 6-8). The rest of the psalm is a prayer for the victory of Israel (verses 9-18).
The outcome of the war is not stated, but we know from other scriptures that Israel will be victorious. For example, in Zechariah 12:6 we are told that in the end times Israel will be like "a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples..." Also, in Amos 9:15 we are told that once the Jews are re-established in their land, "they will not again be rooted out from their land."
Sounds great, but nowhere in Psalm 83 is man the tool of destruction as those who promote this theory, instead it is God Himself that does the destroying.
The teacher even threw out Zech 12:6 and Amos 9:15 as his "proof" verses showing that Israel will be victorious over her enemies.
Here is what Zech 12:6 says…
Zechariah 12:6 (KJV) In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.
Folks, the chapter of Zech 12's context is Day of the Lord. In fact last week's survey I asked the following…
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. ~ PICK THE MOST APPROPREATE ANSWER
- Birth of Israel
- Foretelling of the Messiah /life of Christ
- Rebirth of Israel
- Day of the Lord / Second Coming
How did people answer?
Birth of Israel (3) 1%
Foretelling of the Messiah /life of Christ (6) 1%
Rebirth of Israel (102) 19%
Day of the Lord / Second Coming (415) 79%
What verse is that talking about? The very well known verse, Zech 12:3.
So I have to ask, how does one go from a major Day of the Lord event in verse 3 and jump to Israel's IDF being victorious in verse 6 as many believe and teach in this fairy tale idea of Psalms 83?
It is quite simple…they make this jump by taking scripture out of context to meet their own ideas and private prophecies. It is called "cherry picking verses" or what I like to call "hunt and peck theology."
Please take the time to read Amos 9 and you will see that the theme / context is also The day of the Lord there as well.
So how do they get the IDF in Psalm 83? You would not believe it. They use Ezekiel 37:10, and in fact they don’t even use the whole verse… just three words… Exceedingly Great Army.
Ezekiel 37:10 (KJV) So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
If one reads in context Ezekiel 37 we clearly see that the chapter is talking about the rebirth of Israel as a nation. The chapter is told as an allegory.
In chapter 37 we see the valley of dry bones and slowly the bones come together, then God's breath enters the dry bones and they are living again. Where was once a valley of dry bones now is an exceedingly great army of people.
People who stand on this IDF Psalm 83 idea are breaking one of the primary rules of interpretation. You do not take the literal and make it allegory and you do not take the allegory and make it literal.
Allegory for allegory and literal for literal.
Ezekiel 37 is an allegory of the nation of Israel coming back into existence. This prophecy was fulfilled on May 14th 1948. Overnight Israel was made a nation. God breathed into the dry bones and Israel and her people once again occupy the land.
Do we understand why knowing the context as well as what is going on in scripture is so important?
If we do not know our Bibles, then we are ignorant of scripture. When we are ignorant of scripture we can be told just about anything and out of our laziness we believe every word that is being told to us. All one needs to do is whip out a few verses as "proof" and we believe people we set up in authority.
Just because some book has 22 pages or so of footnotes does not make it correct. There is an old saying "The Devil is in the details." But in today's world, we see all those footnotes and think "wow.. this guy must have done his homework, look at all the footnotes he is referencing."
I challenge you to start reading scripture for yourself and stop allowing it to be spoon fed to you. I also encourage you to stand up to those who are teaching these incorrect interpretations and ask them WHY they are teaching these things when they do not stand according to scripture.
We are living in the last days of the last days and we need to be bold, defending what is right in God's Word and stop these fairytales from turning into overnight doctrine because people won't open the bible and study it for themselves.
When you hear someone talk about Isaiah 17:1 in Israel destroying Damascus , challenge them and ask them why chapter 17 references The Day of the Lord four times, thus making The Day of the Lord the theme in context and Christ the one who destroys Damascus; not the IDF, Israel or nukes.
When you hear people promoting Psalm 83 and the IDF / man being victorious instead of the proper credit going to God Himself, ask them to show you the IDF or man in Psalms 83 destroying the enemy.
When they try to bring out Ezekiel 37:10 as their proof verse, ask them why they are taking three words out of context and building an entire doctrine on such poor foundation.
Ask them why they are trying to take an allegory and making it a literal interpretation and vice versa.
Ask why they are taking the rebirth of Israel completely out of context and making Ezekiel 37 a military force versus the prophetic rebuilding of the nation of Israel.
And most of all, in both of these cases Isaiah 17 and Psalms 83, why are they taking the glorious victory away from our Lord Jesus Christ in His triumphant return and instead giving this victory to mere men and the IDF?
In fact out of all of this, it is the robbery of Christ's victory of the Day of The Lord that burns me with righteous indignation more than anything.
Please forgive me of not being a good Berean and just parroting what others before me have taught me. For the past several years I have been working hard to present scripture in light of scripture and not supporting private interpretations and fairytales.
We are living in the last days of the last days, we must know God's Word. But more than that, we need to know WHY we know what we know and then be able to articulate it when the situation arises.
Here is what scripture says…
1 Peter 3:15 (KJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
We must be ready always to give an answer to every man who asks.
How ready are you? Can you speak with authority because you know God's Word or are you just going to regurgitate what you have been spoon fed?