BIBLE PROPHECY
LESSON 1
What should our attitude be regarding Prophecy?
2 Peter 2:19-21, “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: 20-Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21-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.”
Introduction:
Let us look at God’s standpoint regarding prophecy. Does He consider all of this important? In our text the Lord said “prophecy came not in old time by the will of man.” “As the authors of Scripture wrote their prophecies, they were impelled or borne along by God’s Spirit. What they wrote was thus inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”). ‘Borne along’ or ‘carried along’ translates the [Greek] word “pheromenoi.” Luke used this word in referring to a sailing vessel carried along by the wind, Acts 27:15, 17, ‘And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive… 17-Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.’” (Bible Knowledge Commentary).
I. GOD CONSIDERS PROPHECY IMPORTANT.
A. What other conclusion could be reached? 2 Peter 1:21, “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.”
1. Prophecy is not the work or invention of man. He has no way to see the future even though some claim to have this power.
2. Prophecy is the business of the One who knows the end from the beginning, Isaiah 46:9-10, “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10-Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”
B. The importance is seen in the fact that the Spirit of God was involved in this important work. “In today’s experience-oriented societies many people, including some Christians, seek to determine or assess truth by the particular way God has worked in their own lives. But for Peter the splendor of his experience (with Christ at His transfiguration) faded as he spoke of the surety of the written revelation of the prophets.” (Bible Knowledge Commentary)
1. What we believe IS NOT based on our experience.
2. Our beliefs are based on the Word of God.
C. God’s authority and control are seen in these prophecies, as in the power of the word of Jesus Christ, Luke 9:1, “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”
1. This is the work of the Holy Spirit of God.
2. Men have sought to disprove these things; however, history has proven man wrong about every prophecy.
II. STUDYING PROPHECY HELPS US KNOW THE MIND OF GOD.
A. God has a plan and that plan is revealed to us in the His Word, Ephesians 1:9, “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:”
1. It is God’s will that we know these things, Matthew 13:11, “He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.”
2. They have been revealed to us by His Spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11-For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12-Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
B. That we might see and know God’s purpose, Ephesians 3:9-11, “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10-To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11-According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”
III. THE STUDY OF PROPHECY SHOULD AND CAN BRING THE LOST TO CHRIST AND THE BELIEVER INTO A CLOSER WALK WITH THE LORD.
A. The Lost to Christ, Acts 3:18-19, “But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19-Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
B. The Believer, 1 John 3:1-3, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2-Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3-And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
1. As the sons of God, “we shall be like him.” Romans 8:29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
2. Therefore, we seek to live in a pure manner, 1 John 3:3. This ought to make us consistent Christians, not mediocre (Moderate to inferior in quality; ordinary), that is, average.
CONCLUSION
The study of Prophecy should have an effect on the believer for the good. It should produce in us God’s will for our life. It should encourage us to serve the Lord with more energy and determination. It should make us homesick for heaven.