  If all christians could just interpret the scriptures by themselves, there would have been no reason for the apostles to write the Epistles. The christians in Corinth and Thessalonika and all the other places could just have understood the faith by themselves.  but this is just an assertion that there is no value in teaching. We KNOW why the Epistles were written; so that we can check men's ideas against them. That's where I check mine, where do you check yours?  that is just a tired myth. Which bit requires "interpretation"? Either the Church is in heaven before the Second Advent or it isn't. "Ridiculous" is not an answer.  It is not! None of what you have quoted suggest that the Church will not be present. The Church is on Earth and in heaven, united by Christ, who is the head of the Church.  