A More Sure Word of Prophecy
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2Peter 1:21)
“MORE SURE' INDICATES THAT SOMETHING ELSE IS "NOT AS SURE." John MacArthur comments on our verses for today. “…Peter is ranking Scripture over experience. The prophetic word (Scripture) is more complete, more permanent, and more authoritative than the experience of anyone. More specifically, the Word of God is a more reliable verification of the teachings about the person, atonement, and second coming of Christ than even the genuine firsthand experiences of the apostles themselves.” (John MacArthur)
IT IS NOT ENOUGH THAT WE HAVE A "MORE SURE" WORD OF PROPHECY. We must take heed to it. Listen up! Pay attention! It is like being in a dark place and the number one thing we need is a light to keep us from stumbling and hurting ourselves. Some Bible scholars tell us there are three things to observe when we encounter the Word of God. 1) What does it say? 2) What does it mean? 3) How does it apply to me?
HOW LONG SHOULD I PAY ATTENTION TO, (study intensely) this “sure word of prophecy?” Until dawn breaks and we see the thing come to pass that has been prophesied. The first indication that day is breaking will be the appearance of the morning star. The sight of the morning star will be “in your hearts” and not in the eye. We can be dark in our hearts. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:8-10)
WHEN WE BELIEVE WITH OUR HEARTS, we have believed with the seat of our emotions. That is deeper and more significant than believing with our minds that a thing is true and yet we are not connected to what we believe is true. The seat of our emotions, our heart, is the deepest and most definitive part of our being. It is where commitment takes place. It is possible to believe with “our heads” and not believe with “our hearts.” What you believe with your heart, controls you. What you merely believe with your head may not control you.
THE WRITER OF HEBREWS WARNS US: For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (Hebrews 4:2)
THIS EXPLAINS WHY SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE OUR CHURCHES TODAY. It is not that they are turning away from their Christian faith, but rather, they have never embraced the Christian faith. They have never mixed faith with what they heard. They never embraced it with their hearts. Some will say that what they heard as children was over their heads and that they were not old enough to understand. For the youngest children: yes. But how old?
But Jesus said: Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3-4) Notice that the distinguishing factor of the child is the humility.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18) …God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God…. (James 4:6-7) A proud man cannot be saved. He must humble his heart before God.
THE VERY YOUNG CHILDREN DO NOT UNDERSTAND, OF COURSE, and are not accountable for their sins. Evangelist Paul Ferguson believed that if we can know when a child has reached the age of accountability, it is when they are conscious that are naked and do not want to be seen that way. The Bible does not say that, but it is something to think about.
“PRIVATE INTERPRETATION" is best explained by the Bible Knowledge Commentary. “This has been interpreted several ways: (1) Scripture should be interpreted only in context, that is, a prophecy cannot stand alone without other prophecies to aid in its understanding. (2) Scripture should not be interpreted according to one’s own individual liking. (3) Scripture cannot be correctly interpreted without the Holy Spirit. (4) The prophecies did not originate with the prophets themselves. The word epilyseōs (“interpretation,” lit., “unloosing”) and the word ginetai (“came about”) favor the fourth view. The Scriptures did not stem merely from the prophets themselves; their writings came from God. 2Peter 1:20, then, speaks not of interpretation, but of revelation, the source of the Scriptures. (Do you need to read this paragraph again, slowly? I did. I read it several times.)
Read Through the Bible in a Year
MAY 16, 2018 – WEDNESDAY
A.M. 2Kings 15-17 P.M. John 6:1-21
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
(A lady told me they go to Morning Minute and let the man read to them while they eat breakfast.)
Good Memory Verses:
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2Peter 1:19-21) (Write down and put in your pocket like President Abraham Lincoln did.)
Song for Today:
Jesus is Coming Again (2:47) – (Congregational Singing – Unknown)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dVB9ITVPtQ
The words are not clear on the verses, but the chorus comes through. I like songs that can be understood. Note: You may need to turn off the song when finished to avoid something else you do not want to hear.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2Peter 1:21)
“MORE SURE' INDICATES THAT SOMETHING ELSE IS "NOT AS SURE." John MacArthur comments on our verses for today. “…Peter is ranking Scripture over experience. The prophetic word (Scripture) is more complete, more permanent, and more authoritative than the experience of anyone. More specifically, the Word of God is a more reliable verification of the teachings about the person, atonement, and second coming of Christ than even the genuine firsthand experiences of the apostles themselves.” (John MacArthur)
IT IS NOT ENOUGH THAT WE HAVE A "MORE SURE" WORD OF PROPHECY. We must take heed to it. Listen up! Pay attention! It is like being in a dark place and the number one thing we need is a light to keep us from stumbling and hurting ourselves. Some Bible scholars tell us there are three things to observe when we encounter the Word of God. 1) What does it say? 2) What does it mean? 3) How does it apply to me?
HOW LONG SHOULD I PAY ATTENTION TO, (study intensely) this “sure word of prophecy?” Until dawn breaks and we see the thing come to pass that has been prophesied. The first indication that day is breaking will be the appearance of the morning star. The sight of the morning star will be “in your hearts” and not in the eye. We can be dark in our hearts. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:8-10)
WHEN WE BELIEVE WITH OUR HEARTS, we have believed with the seat of our emotions. That is deeper and more significant than believing with our minds that a thing is true and yet we are not connected to what we believe is true. The seat of our emotions, our heart, is the deepest and most definitive part of our being. It is where commitment takes place. It is possible to believe with “our heads” and not believe with “our hearts.” What you believe with your heart, controls you. What you merely believe with your head may not control you.
THE WRITER OF HEBREWS WARNS US: For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (Hebrews 4:2)
THIS EXPLAINS WHY SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE OUR CHURCHES TODAY. It is not that they are turning away from their Christian faith, but rather, they have never embraced the Christian faith. They have never mixed faith with what they heard. They never embraced it with their hearts. Some will say that what they heard as children was over their heads and that they were not old enough to understand. For the youngest children: yes. But how old?
But Jesus said: Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3-4) Notice that the distinguishing factor of the child is the humility.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18) …God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God…. (James 4:6-7) A proud man cannot be saved. He must humble his heart before God.
THE VERY YOUNG CHILDREN DO NOT UNDERSTAND, OF COURSE, and are not accountable for their sins. Evangelist Paul Ferguson believed that if we can know when a child has reached the age of accountability, it is when they are conscious that are naked and do not want to be seen that way. The Bible does not say that, but it is something to think about.
“PRIVATE INTERPRETATION" is best explained by the Bible Knowledge Commentary. “This has been interpreted several ways: (1) Scripture should be interpreted only in context, that is, a prophecy cannot stand alone without other prophecies to aid in its understanding. (2) Scripture should not be interpreted according to one’s own individual liking. (3) Scripture cannot be correctly interpreted without the Holy Spirit. (4) The prophecies did not originate with the prophets themselves. The word epilyseōs (“interpretation,” lit., “unloosing”) and the word ginetai (“came about”) favor the fourth view. The Scriptures did not stem merely from the prophets themselves; their writings came from God. 2Peter 1:20, then, speaks not of interpretation, but of revelation, the source of the Scriptures. (Do you need to read this paragraph again, slowly? I did. I read it several times.)
Read Through the Bible in a Year
MAY 16, 2018 – WEDNESDAY
A.M. 2Kings 15-17 P.M. John 6:1-21
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
(A lady told me they go to Morning Minute and let the man read to them while they eat breakfast.)
Good Memory Verses:
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2Peter 1:19-21) (Write down and put in your pocket like President Abraham Lincoln did.)
Song for Today:
Jesus is Coming Again (2:47) – (Congregational Singing – Unknown)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dVB9ITVPtQ
The words are not clear on the verses, but the chorus comes through. I like songs that can be understood. Note: You may need to turn off the song when finished to avoid something else you do not want to hear.
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