“Within my circle of Bible-believing friends, I witnessed a mini-explosion of sects and schismatic movements, each claiming to be “true to the Bible,”each in bitter conflict with the others. Serious conflict arose over every topic imaginable: charismatic gifts, interpretation of prophecy, the proper way to worship, communion, church government, discipleship, discipline in the Church, morality, accountability, evangelism, social action, the relationship of faith and works, the role of women, and ecumenism. It seemed there were as many opinions on the Second Coming as there were people in a given discussion.

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“These were just a few of the subjects I wrestled with. Any issue could–and often did–cause Christians to part ways [into other denominations]. We all appealed to the Scripture, saying, “If it’s not in the Bible I don’t believe it.” Each claimed the same biblical authority, yet it seemed to me that it was not the Bible, but each person’s private interpretation of it that became the ultimate authority. In an age that highly exalts independent thought and self-reliance, each of us was becoming his or her own pope.” -Fr. James Bernstein, Surprised by Christ

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First of all you must understand that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Pet 1:20)