A Systematic Expository Study of the Word of God

THE SCRIPTURES: THE MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY

2 Peter 1:19-21

Peter had recalled and testified about his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration. He was one of the eye-witnesses of Christ’s majesty. He also heard God’s voice coming from “the excellent glory” saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (2 Peter 1:17). He testified that this voice came from heaven and they heard it when they were with Him in the holy mount. It was a memorable experience which assured him that the Apostles and the Church were not following cunningly devised fables. The experience confirmed the certainty of “the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:16). His experience on the Mount of Transfiguration is superior to the experiences of visions, revelations, and supernatural visitations of many christians since that time.

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19). This “Word of Prophecy” is not limited to the major and minor prophets of the Old Testament, it refers to the entire Old Testament. All the Old Testament was written by “prophets”, “...holy men of God moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). The New Testament is equally inspired as the Old Testament (John 14:26; 16:13; 2 Peter 3:16). The Holy Bible in its entirety, the Old Testament with the New Testament, the Holy Scriptures, the more sure Word of Prophecy, spoken and written by holy men of God moved by the Holy Ghost, is more authoritative than the experience of anyone.

DEPENDENCE ON THE PRACTICAL ILLUMINATION OF THE SCRIPTURE

2 Peter 1:19; Ezekiel 12:25; Matthew 5:18; Luke 21:33; Psalms 19:8; 119:105,130;   Isaiah 29:18; Proverbs 6:23; Psalm 119:9; John 15:3;         Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:5,6.

“We have also a more sure Word of Prophecy”. Having spoken of the power and the Second Coming of Christ, he based his assurance on what they saw and heard on the Mount of Transfiguration. Now he says the certainty of Christ’s Second Coming is even based on a more sure Word of Prophecy recorded in the Scriptures. The Scriptures furnish a stronger proof than could be afforded by a single manifestation or miracle. The Scriptures were received and recorded by many holy men of God over many centuries, so they furnish a strong, clear, united confirmation of divine truth.

“Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place”. The Scriptures are worthy of our diligent study and prayerful, careful application. There is no study more worthy of the attention of christians than that of the Scriptures. The Scriptures resemble a lamp in a dark room or a torch or street light in an obscure road at night. They make objects visible and distinct which were before unseen; they enable us to see many things which would be otherwise invisible. The Scriptures remove obscurity and confusion, they enlighten us and make us understand the way in which we should walk. As a lamp is of great value in a dark night so are the Scriptures in this dark world. The light of the Scriptures is a safe and sure guide; a man who is travelling in dark and dangerous places, in a world controlled by the prince of darkness, does “well” to “take heed” to this “sure Word”.

DANGER OF THE PRIVATE INTERPRETATION OF THE SCRIPTURE

2 Peter 1:20; 3:16; Matthew 4:5-7; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2; Malachi 2:6-9; Jeremiah 2:7,8; Jeremiah 23:16-22,26-32; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; Isaiah 32:6; Romans 16:17,18; Isaiah 8:20.

Private interpretations are often perverted interpretations of Scripture and are always dangerous and destructive. There are people who “follow their own spirit” and “speak of their own heart” (Ezekiel 13:3; Jeremiah 23:16) like the false prophets of old. They misinterpret and twist the Scriptures “to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). “No prophecy of the Scripture” and indeed no part of the Scripture came solely from the human source but from the Holy Spirit. No part of the Scripture was unveiled or revealed by any prophet’s unaided understanding; no part of the Scripture can be properly interpreted by anyone’s unaided understanding.

The Spirit of God used the prophets as a writer uses a pen. The Holy Spirit gave the prophets God’s message. It is only through the help of that same Spirit that the Scriptures can be understood. So, then, the Scripture is not to be interpreted by private and personal ideas; it is to be interpreted by the illumination, instruction and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit by whom it was first given.

DOCTRINE OF THE PLENARY INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURE

2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16,17; Hebrews 1:1,2; 1 Peter 1:11;Jeremiah 36:2; Acts 28:25; 1:16; John 12:49,50; John 14:26; 16:13;                           1 Corinthians 2:13,16; Luke 1:70-75.

“In old time, ...holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). This is a strong evidence for the plenary inspiration and entire trustworthiness of the Holy Scriptures. Supernatural influence was brought to bear upon divinely chosen men to speak and write the mind and word of God. These inspired writings, the Holy Scriptures, confirmed by Christ, are trustworthy and authoritative. Its message can be believed and obeyed with all confidence. This is God’s Word, not man’s opinions.

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man”. This refers to all that the prophets of the Bible received, revealed and recorded - all the Scripture. It came not by the will of man, it was not of human origin. “But holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”. These men were first made holy, made suitable channels to transmit divine truth to mankind. They were “moved”, borne along, carried along, influenced by the Holy Ghost. They spoke and wrote only as the influence of the Holy Ghost was upon them. The Scriptures demand our earnest attention, it is our sure guide to the eternal city of God. In its pages, the only way of salvation is revealed.