Certainly the followers of sensational Bible prophecy teachers are to blame for themselves. Some people sadly are not satisfied with what the Bible teaches. Rather, they love being tantalized by new theories, speculations, and the like. This is not motivated by the Holy Spirit, but by their own carnal lusts.
For sensational Bible prophecy teachers, there is a maneuver they use with a certain catchword. This catchword is possibility, and variants of this word, e.g. possible.
I have noticed sensational bible prophecy teachers use this term over the last few decades. I will explain why they use this term that helps them gain followers.
The reason they use the term possibility or possible in connection to their prophecy speculations and predictions is that it hedges their claims. It is a sly loophole (“Well, I never actually said that this would happen. I only said it was ‘possible'”). It really is deceptive. Using this term serves their carnal motives because it allows them to have their cake and eat it too. They can promote a speculative theory and gain followers, while at the same time never committing to that theory. It is a win-win for them.
These teachers do not actually do biblical interpretation. That would require them to do exegesis. And making exegetical decisions requires the interpreter to absolutely understand this most important distinction: possibility versus probability. Exegesis is about probability, not possibility. It is what Scripture likely (i.e. probable) teaches, not what is possible. As Christians we should care less what the Bible possibly teaches, and be concerned with what it likely teaches.
Have Scripture say nothing more and nothing less than it does. The sensational prophecy teacher, rather, bases their entire book and theory on a possibility. This should be a red flag for the spirit-filled believer.
Accordingly, doing exegesis requires hard work using sound biblical principles to find the most likely conclusion. Anyone can say “The Bible possibly teaches this or that.” Practically anything is possible. But who cares. The Bible is our source of knowledge and we should be concerned with what it is actually teaching us, rather than using possibilities as speculative conclusions themselves.
Take away: Be aware of teachers that use the term or its variants “possibility” in promoting their books, theories and speculations. True teachers of God’s Word seek after what is likely—not what is merely possible.
