2 Peter 1:19-21 says,...
We continue our study on 2 Peter with chapter 1:19-21, which read,
v.19 - So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
In our previous studies, we have found out that Peter senses that he is close to the end of his life and is giving some last words or advice to his readers. He instructs them to keep building up their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and also that what he is sharing with them comes from one who personally saw Jesus and is following Jesus even now. Peter adds another instruction here.
What they had of the Word of God - the Old Testament - was becoming more sure. The coming of Jesus as the Messiah, the coming of the Holy Spirit as spoken of by Jesus, and the godly consequences of following the promises and instruction of the Lord was becoming more sure as they were living out their lives. As the world got "darker", the Bible became "brighter" as they focused more and more on Jesus.Easy lesson for us. The Word of God is still that light that shines in the darkness but only is that true if it is used and loved by those who are picking it up to read, obey, and apply it. A focus on that " Morning Star", Jesus, gives comfort, direction, and purpose in an ever-increasing way.
v.20, 21 - But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Peter gives a major Biblical truth about the Bible here. The Bible was not compiled by human authors just giving what they thought it meant. The Bible came about not by the will of man but by the will of God. It truly is God's book to us through the action of the Holy Spirit using men to write down the words of God. That is a very bold statement and not very much different than other bold statements in Scripture. How about the bold statement about the "virgin" birth of Jesus or that Jesus is the "only" way to heaven and this one ranks right up there with them.
Does it strike you as you open up the Bible this morning that you are reading the very words of God? God loved you so much to have the Holy Spirit "move" men to write down the words of God. To "move" means "to carry" or "to carry some burden" so these men had a burden placed on them to carry out this task that was originating from and powered by the Holy Spirit. Do you see the direct link to God here?
The Bible in the world has become just another book. Many look at it as "just" another opinion in our world of opinions. It is in the "self-help" section of the bookstore or the "religion" or "spirituality" section as just one of many that you could choose from. But we know that the Bible is much more than that by what Peter says here and other passages that talk about the origin of the words that are in our hands.
"Lord, refresh my eyes to what I am reading as coming from You today. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.19 - So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
In our previous studies, we have found out that Peter senses that he is close to the end of his life and is giving some last words or advice to his readers. He instructs them to keep building up their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and also that what he is sharing with them comes from one who personally saw Jesus and is following Jesus even now. Peter adds another instruction here.
What they had of the Word of God - the Old Testament - was becoming more sure. The coming of Jesus as the Messiah, the coming of the Holy Spirit as spoken of by Jesus, and the godly consequences of following the promises and instruction of the Lord was becoming more sure as they were living out their lives. As the world got "darker", the Bible became "brighter" as they focused more and more on Jesus.Easy lesson for us. The Word of God is still that light that shines in the darkness but only is that true if it is used and loved by those who are picking it up to read, obey, and apply it. A focus on that " Morning Star", Jesus, gives comfort, direction, and purpose in an ever-increasing way.
v.20, 21 - But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Peter gives a major Biblical truth about the Bible here. The Bible was not compiled by human authors just giving what they thought it meant. The Bible came about not by the will of man but by the will of God. It truly is God's book to us through the action of the Holy Spirit using men to write down the words of God. That is a very bold statement and not very much different than other bold statements in Scripture. How about the bold statement about the "virgin" birth of Jesus or that Jesus is the "only" way to heaven and this one ranks right up there with them.
Does it strike you as you open up the Bible this morning that you are reading the very words of God? God loved you so much to have the Holy Spirit "move" men to write down the words of God. To "move" means "to carry" or "to carry some burden" so these men had a burden placed on them to carry out this task that was originating from and powered by the Holy Spirit. Do you see the direct link to God here?
The Bible in the world has become just another book. Many look at it as "just" another opinion in our world of opinions. It is in the "self-help" section of the bookstore or the "religion" or "spirituality" section as just one of many that you could choose from. But we know that the Bible is much more than that by what Peter says here and other passages that talk about the origin of the words that are in our hands.
"Lord, refresh my eyes to what I am reading as coming from You today. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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