The MAJOR & MINOR Prophets - The 16 Writing Prophets Of The Hebrew Canon

1. A Literal Interpretation: what is described will actually, literally take place on earth: i.e., an actual temple and city will be built in Israel. 2. A Figurative Interpretation: the things described are symbolical or spiritual in meaning and application. My personal approach is the figurative approach . This cannot be an in-depth discussion of the subject, but I will raise some questions and make some statements that show why it would be difficult or impossible for me to accept the literal position, unless given good answers. A first principle of Bible exegesis is to examine the text and determine if there is any serious objection to a literal interpretation. ‘’œȱ Šž‘˜›ȱ ŽŽ•œȱ ‘Ž›Žȱ Š›Žȱ œŽ›’˜žœȱ ˜‹“ŽŒ’˜—œȱ ˜ȱ ˜ž›ȱ Š”’—ȱ £Ž”’Ž•Ȃœȱ descriptions in chapters 40-48 literally. Remem ‹Ž›’—ȱ‘Šȱ £Ž”’Ž•Ȃœȱ‹˜˜”ȱ™›ŽœŽ—œȱ–Š—¢ȱœ’—œȱŠ—ȱ symbols which do have significant meaning but are not literal, we humbly address the questions and statements that require serious attention. 1. All believers look for the city of God. Hebrews 11:16 (emphasis added): ȃ žȱ—˜ they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them ǯȄ Men will not build this city! 2. In spite of all the elaborate measurements in Ezekiel, nowhere does it say that the temple described is to be built, especially by man. ‘’œȱ ’œȱ ’—ȱ Œ˜—›Šœȱ ˜ȱ ˜œŽœȂȱ Š‹Ž›—ŠŒ•Žǰȱ ˜•˜–˜—Ȃœȱ Ž–™•ŽȱŠ—ȱ Ž›ž‹‹Š‹Ž•Ȃœȱ Ž–™•Žȱ ‘Ž›ŽȱŽŠŒ‘ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱœ›žŒž›Žœȱ ŠœȱŒ˜––Š—Žȱ˜ȱ‹Žȱ‹ž’•ȱȮ particularly that they were to be built according to specifications. 3. Is it really necessary to believe in a rebuilt temple on the earth during the 1,000 year Millennium mentioned in Revelation 20? No! The Millennium will not need the old Jerusalem, a man- –ŠŽȱŽ–™•Žȱ˜›ȱ‘Žȱ›Žœ˜›Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ‘Žȱ Ž ’œ‘ȱœ¢œŽ–ǯȱȱ ‘’œȱȃ–’••Ž——’Š•ȱŠŽȄȱ˜›ȱ ȃ ’—˜–ȱŠŽȄȱ’œȱ˜›ȱŠ••ȱ‘ŽȱŠ’‘ž•ȱ ‘˜ȱ‘ŠŸŽȱ Š•”Žȱ’—ȱ ˜Ȃœȱ Š¢œǰȱ‹˜‘ȱ Ž œȱŠ—ȱ Gentiles. It will be introduced at the glorious return of Jesus Christ. Quoting from my book, The Final Triumph: The inhabitants will be the redeemed of all ages, their original physical bodies changed and glorified in the first resurrection. They will live lives dedicated fully to God and His glorification. The resurrection introduces th ’œȱŒ˜–’—ȱŠŽǰȱ‘Žȱ ’••Ž——’ž–ǰȱŠ—ȱŒ‘Š—Žœȱ ˜Ȃœȱ™Ž˜™•Žȱ˜ȱ‘Ž’›ȱ•˜›’’Žȱ œŠŽǯȱȱ Ž›ȱ‘Žȱ›Žœž››ŽŒ’˜—ǰȱŠŒŒ˜›’—ȱ˜ȱ Žœžœǰȱȁ‘Ž¢ȱ—Ž’‘Ž›ȱ–Š››¢ nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in h ŽŠŸŽ—Ȃȱǻ Š‘Ž ȱŘŘDZřŖǼǯȱȱ ‘Žȱ’–Žȱ˜ȱŒ‘’•‹ŽŠ›’—ȱŠ—ȱ–Š››’ŠŽȱ ’••ȱ‹Žȱ™ŠœǰȱŠœȱ well as that of trying to convert the unsaved. The lifestyle that formerly characterized planet earth will ‹Žȱ˜ŸŽ›ǯȱȱȁ •Žœ‘ȱŠ—ȱ‹•˜˜ȱŒŠ——˜ȱ’—‘Ž›’ȱ‘Žȱ”’—˜–ȱ˜ȱ ˜Dzȱ—˜›ȱ˜ŽœȱŒ˜››ž™’˜—ȱ’—‘Ž›’ȱ’—Œ˜››ž™’˜—Ȃȱ (1 Corinthians 15:50). The earth and the people of God will enjoy their Sabbath rest. 26 Questions that Invalidate the Literal Interpretation

26 Ernest Gentile, The Final Triumph (Grand Rapids: Chosen Books, 2001), p. 248-249. Available from .

140