how to read the bible

[a.baker]

O.k. new thread, this is driving me nuts, raises new question! How is the bible supposed to be read specifically? When how where who what when... I won't go into details of my frustration for now.

[CoreIssue]

Good question on how to read. You read it fully literally unless there is a contextual, grammatical or linquistic demand to read figuratively. Then you look for where the Bible gives a literal definition to the terms used and apply them back or it is recognized form of ancient speech that has a literal meaning.

Satan has Dragon is used in a number of places. But one place literally states that Satan is the Dragon. So there you have the term defined.

Christ called some people snakes, vipers and such. But that was a known usage referring to their personal qualities of being deceptive, poisonous, etc.

In Revelation the Israel is called the Woman. In the OT Israel is literally called a woman, the Wife of God (Father). Each Tribe is a star and the glory of Israel. Again, literally defined.

24 Elders of Revelation are literally defined as the Elders of the 24 Divisions of Israel in the OT.

The Ten Horns and 7 Kings of the Beast in Revelation are literally defined in the Statue and Beasts of Daniel.

So, the Bible is truly a literal book, once you see how it works in the full usage.

You do not doe what many do, meaning if you don't like the meaning or misinterpret some portion of the Bible act as if they justifies reading other parts as figurative to make them just fit.

You go back and see where a literal meaning harmonizes to correct your error. And you accept that your not liking it does not matter for truth.

Many do not like what happens in Revelation because they don't want to see God as able to do those things. They need to change their view of God.

And on and on.