The second principle is very important, namely "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already of old time which was before us." Ecc.1:9-10. A good example is the wickedness which prevailed upon the earth before the Lord destroyed all with the flood. The Bible says that mens' hearts were "only evil continually." Gen.6:5. Now take a look at 2 Tim.3:1-9. "...In the last days..." Again the same sort of total wickedness, very worthy of destruction. So an important Bible occurance, the destruction of man kind, in the old testament is paralleled by a similar occurrence in the new testament. If we keep the second principle in mind as we study the word we will begin to see some very interesting and downright amazing truths start to appear.

The third principle is also very important. As there is a literal interpretation of occurrences and events in the Bible so there is also a spiritual interpretation. A very good example is GODs' dealings with "his people Israel". In the old testament his people are a nation that he has led from Egypt in the literal sense. All that befell them can in a very real sense apply to nearly all Christians today from beginning to end. In the new testament "his people Israel" refers clearly to his church of believers and his dealings with them in a spiritual sense.

The fourth principle is the most important of all. That is that the Holy Spirit guided the writing of this holy word and he is the one who will help us to understand it, John 16:13-14, 1 Cor.2:9-13, 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Tim.3:16-17. GOD did not write his word to be misunderstood or mysterious, Rev.1:1-3. If it is such to some than it can only be because " there is no light in them." We must NEVER forget to invite GOD into our hearts and homes before we study, during our study, and after our study. WE NEED HIM, in more ways than one...