Carefully note the time periods of the Bible. Some portions of Divine revelation are only true for a certain

period, for example, the Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowing the One Perfect Sacrifice on Calvary's Cross.

Others are true for all time, e.g. sin, and its only remedy, God's salvation in Christ Jesus. We must learn to

distinguish these two different kinds of truth. One is basic - permanent truth; the other is limited for a certain period

during which it is administered and is called dispensational truth.  A dispensation in the Scriptures is the

administration of some particular truth of God, and the word should not be used as though it was in itself just a

period of time and therefore equivalent to an age. The time element only enters into it inasmuch as such truth has a

beginning and an end. The sincere Bible student should carefully and prayerfully weigh over the portion of

Scripture being studied in the light of the foregoing statements. Much error and confusion is caused by the inability

to distinguish between truth that is basic and permanent and truth that is dispensational.

Figures of speech are words used out of their ordinary sense to attract attention and emphasize. They are

warm and vivid ways of presenting literal facts and we use them in speech and writing unconsciously day in and day

out. They are used in God's Word too, and when we come across them we must seek to discover the literal fact

underlying the figure and not take the figure itself literally. If we say `the ground is dry in drought' we make a plain

statement of fact. If we say `the ground is thirsty in drought' we are using figurative language, for the ground

cannot actually feel or experience thirst. But we have not detracted from the plain statement of fact that the ground

is dry. Rather, we have made the literal fact of dryness more vivid by saying the ground is thirsty. So while in

Scripture figures of speech are used, this does not alter what we have stated under (1) concerning taking the Bible

literally wherever possible.

Symbols are used largely in the prophetical books of the Bible, such as Daniel and the Book of the

Revelation. Very often the Holy Spirit explains the symbol that is used, and when this is so we are wise if we do not

seek to reinterpret God's interpretation. If we do, error is sure to creep in. For instance, the stars which the apostle

John saw in the Risen Lord's right hand are symbols, and He explains them as representing the angels of the seven

churches (Rev. 1:20). This should be sufficient for the humble seeker after truth. In some cases the true meaning of

a symbol can only be arrived at by comparing Scripture with Scripture.

Parables. Concentrate on the central point and do not seek to find spiritual significance in every detail. In

the Parable of the prodigal son it would be a mistake to try and find the spiritual equivalent of the ring placed on the

prodigal's finger or what the fatted calf represents. When this kind of thing is done, fanciful and far-fetched

expositions result which can only lead away from truth and not to it.

(10)  Be accurate in reading a passage of Scripture and careful not to read into it what is not there. How easy it is

to read into God's Word what we want to find there and to miss what is there all the time!

(11)  Distinguish between interpretation and application of the Word of God. Interpretation deals first of all with

those to whom the passage of Scripture is addressed as we have pointed out under (4). When this has been settled,

and not till then, are we in a position to apply the passage to ourselves or others, and only then if this is consistent

with Truth revealed for this present age of Grace. The primary interpretation of Isaiah's prophecy from first to last

is to Judah and Jerusalem as the opening verse declares. When we read the wonderful fifty-third chapter which

deals with the suffering Saviour bearing sin and the shame and death of the Cross, it is still Israel that is primarily in

view. After we have realized this, then we can also say `He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for

our iniquities' (Isa. 53:5). We are then in a true position to apply this wondrous passage of Scripture to ourselves.

Above all avoid spiritualizing. This is not the same as making a legitimate application of Scripture such as we

have just done. Spiritualizing avoids the primary interpretation and the literal meaning of a passage, and instead

fastens upon it so called spiritual ideas which are really nothing more than the personal opinion of the person

concerned or the denomination or school to which he or she belongs. This is the surest way of introducing fallible

human ideas into God's pure Word of Truth, and as those who indulge in this practice seldom agree among

themselves, the result is confusion and division among the people of God.

(12)  The final aim of studying the written Word is to come into touch by faith with the Living Word, the Lord

Jesus Christ, and this is the most important point of all. The whole Bible points to Him, and that is why, after His

Resurrection, the Lord expounded to His disciples walking to Emmaus, the things concerning Himself in all the

Scriptures (Luke 24:27,44). He had earlier said: