The Prophetic Word Made Sure (Part 2)
During the last article that I wrote concerning the prophetic word made sure is that the church possess that of the written revelation of God's Word (2 Pet. 1:19-21 with 2 Tim. 3:16). Therefore in order to bear wide open the plain meaning of 2 Peter 1:19a is to look at previous verses in 2 Peter 1:15-18 so as to lay the foundation of preceding verses in 2 Peter 1:19-21. Many times professing believers who hear the word "prophetic" becomes reactionary to the point that they begin to think in terms of what is prophetic "dreams" and prophetic "revelation" by which it have no connection with the prophetic message something that is reliable (Psa. 119:7, 9). God's Word is reliable (Psa. 119:7, 9). God's Word is true and righteous altogether (Psa. 119:9). Even in Isaiah 8:20 where it refers to the prophetic message something that is reliable by saying, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no right in them." The prophetic message something that is reliable is referring to God's Word; not some "inward" voice of the spirit or some spiritual "revelation" that is a "direct" pipeline from the throne of heaven. The apostle warns against mysticism in the professing church today who claim to have entertain such angelic beings by which it is proof of humility but is a false humility so as to have seen something when they seen nothing (Col. 2:18). To replace God's Word for what is subjective and mystical by some revelation of the spirit is to be severely judged by God (Rev. 22:18-19).
Throughout this article we will begin to look at 2 Peter 1:15-18 so as to lay the foundation concerning what the apostle Peter says in 2 Peter 1:19a by saying, "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." Not only will I lay the foundation as to the prophetic word made sure but to give characteristics of the nature and character of God's Word (2 Tim. 3:15, 16). So today we are going to do a verse-by-verse expositional study of 2 Peter 1:15-18. To make plain that of the clarity of scripture as to its proper application.
The remembrance of what the apostle Peter wants the church to remember by referring these "things." (v. 15) "These things" refers to what? We will have look at such previous verses in 2 Peter chapter 1: 3-11 leading up to 2 Peter 1:12-16. As we look at these passages of scripture it talks about our growth of knowledge that is in Jesus Christ (e.g. 2 Pet. 3:18). In order that God's people can grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be properly nourished upon God's Word. There are many believers who have forgotten that they were saved by grace of God through personal faith in Jesus Christ by which they work to preserve that of their salvation without realizing that they were not responsible in saving them in the first place nor are they to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. Salvation is a work of God on behalf of believer's; not believers working so hard to keep their salvation. Our salvation is secured in Christ based upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. Whenever the Church becomes spiritually barren as to their knowledge of God's Word they become ineffective in their personal and spiritual walk with the Lord (2 Pet. 1:5-9; 10-11). It hinders their growth in the Lord by which they live lives displeasing and dishonoring to the Lord.
What causes the Church to become ineffective in their walk with the Lord is attempting to earn God's grace by human achievement and human works (Eph. 2:8-9). Many believers have been convinced that to have a "personal" relationship with God is to be in God's presence or to seek some inward witness or voice of God which guarantees closeness with the All-Encompassing Spirit. To have a personal relationship with God is to know the Person of Jesus Christ; not to seek some intuitiveness or witness of the spirit (Col. 2:18, 19). The fount of the knowledge and wisdom of God is through Jesus Christ (Col. 1:9, 10).
Now that we cover such biblical passages in 2 Peter 1:3-11 to give a brief explanation of the basis of true knowledge which is in Christ is to proceed in the next section of 2 Peter 1:15-18 by which the apostle Peter wants to remind believers of what they remembered in the past so as to keep what they have already learned based upon God's Word. The amazing thing about the Holy Spirit is that the Spirit is our Divine Teacher by which He brings things to our remembrance of what God says in His Word (Jn. 14:26). It is not simply meditating on God's Word but as students of the Bible to work hard in studying God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15).
According to 2 Peter 1:15 the apostle Peter says, "And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. (vv. 3-10). But also in 2 Peter 1:16 the apostle Peter goes on to say, "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty (v. 16). Peter foreseen the coming of the Lord by which James and John were eyewitnesses of his majesty. What they saw was in fact based upon such historical events. They were eyewitnesses of his majesty. There are many professing Christian teachers who claim to have seen Jesus but it is based upon sheer fabrication (2 Pet. 2:3). Some claiming to had some OBE experience, visions, dreams, revelation, and divine personage is something that they have concocted. Based upon there fallacious claim many within the Church today have fallen prey to deception. Experience becomes the litmus test or source of authority in regards to Christian mystics who claim to have such an OBE. But whenever they are challenge as to their faith they immediately goes into neutrality without any biblical basis from which they claim such mystical experience. In order to test whether such an experience is based upon God's Word is to put it through a biblical test (1 Jn. 4:1).
Not only were the disciples of Christ was an eyewitness of Christ's majesty but according to 2 Peter 1:17 but that Peter goes on to say that Jesus received such honor and glory from the eternal Father by which a voice came to Jesus in his majesty by saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." This is clear that Jesus is God's Son by which He died for the sins of the world (Jn. 3:16, 17). It is important to understand that any cult or religious system that dishonor the Son also dishonor God. Why? Because Jesus was sent by God in human flesh to die for the sins of humanity. Jesus is God in human flesh (Jn. 1:14). Jesus is the Creator of the universe by which He was not created nor was He "First" begotten by God but that Jesus is eternal (Col. 1:15-17). But also in 2 Peter 1:18 that the apostle Peter witness to the fact that the disciples hear this voice that came from heaven when they were on the sacred mountain. Peter and the other disciples witness that of The Transfiguration by which Jesus went back to heaven. There are many professing Christian teachers who claim that what Peter and the other disciples experience as to witness Christ returning back to heaven that they too can (1) Hear God's voice. And (2) to be entertained by such divine personage in the appearance of Jesus. It is impossible for professing Christians to experience what Peter experience along with the disciples to hear God's voice and to experience such mountain top experience. It would appear that the voice of God and the prophetic word made sure are on par together but in truth the truthfulness and reliability of God's Word is greater than the voice of God. In so many words what Peter and the other disciples heard concerning God's voice is subordinate to the prophetic message made sure (v. 19-20). The character of scripture is that God's Word is sure (Psa. 119:7). God's Word is pure (Psa. 119:9). God's Word is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16). These are just a few of the characteristics of God's Word.
Also according to 2 Peter 1:19 it says, "And we have the word of the prophets made more certain..." What both the prophets in the OT and the apostles in the NT foretold of the coming of Christ to suffer for the sins of the world (Isa. 53; 2 Pet. 1:16). Such apostles and prophets were under the Spirit's guidance and inspiration by which they prophesied concerning the coming of the Messiah (Christ) that was to take away the sins of the world. It was not something that they concocted in their spirit nor was it a made-up story but were under the Spirit's guidance and inspiration (2 Pet. 1:21). There are some within the church today who claim to be super apostles and prophets that transcend the originality of the apostles and prophets (2 Cor. 11:3, 13-15) in both the OT and NT. They also claim that there writings, doctrines, and revelations are inspired by God but are doctrines taught by demons (1 Tim. 4:1). Most of the times many of these would be false prophets and prophetess are under the influence of Satan to propagate their false teachings. Not only are they influence by Satan but are demonically possess by the devil to influence their writings (Jn. 8:44).
The apostle summon believers to pay close attention to God's Word by which it is a light that shines in a dark place (Psa. 119:105) by which it enlightened one's own eyes. The Holy Spirit gives believers understanding of God's Word; not what is inspiration nor revelation but illumination (Jn. 14:26). What the Church possess today is God's written revelation of His Word as oppose to mystics who claim such spiritual "revelation." Whenever the church today substitute God's Word for what is revelatory have in fact denied the true faith by which many within the church faith have become spiritually shipwrecked (2 Tim. 2:17, 18).
Rev. Darryl Miller is president & Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the Podcast Host of, "Ask Darryl" which airs 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. He is also the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" As a apologist, senior-researcher, pastor, conference speaker and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
What causes the Church to become ineffective in their walk with the Lord is attempting to earn God's grace by human achievement and human works (Eph. 2:8-9). Many believers have been convinced that to have a "personal" relationship with God is to be in God's presence or to seek some inward witness or voice of God which guarantees closeness with the All-Encompassing Spirit. To have a personal relationship with God is to know the Person of Jesus Christ; not to seek some intuitiveness or witness of the spirit (Col. 2:18, 19). The fount of the knowledge and wisdom of God is through Jesus Christ (Col. 1:9, 10).
Now that we cover such biblical passages in 2 Peter 1:3-11 to give a brief explanation of the basis of true knowledge which is in Christ is to proceed in the next section of 2 Peter 1:15-18 by which the apostle Peter wants to remind believers of what they remembered in the past so as to keep what they have already learned based upon God's Word. The amazing thing about the Holy Spirit is that the Spirit is our Divine Teacher by which He brings things to our remembrance of what God says in His Word (Jn. 14:26). It is not simply meditating on God's Word but as students of the Bible to work hard in studying God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15).
According to 2 Peter 1:15 the apostle Peter says, "And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. (vv. 3-10). But also in 2 Peter 1:16 the apostle Peter goes on to say, "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty (v. 16). Peter foreseen the coming of the Lord by which James and John were eyewitnesses of his majesty. What they saw was in fact based upon such historical events. They were eyewitnesses of his majesty. There are many professing Christian teachers who claim to have seen Jesus but it is based upon sheer fabrication (2 Pet. 2:3). Some claiming to had some OBE experience, visions, dreams, revelation, and divine personage is something that they have concocted. Based upon there fallacious claim many within the Church today have fallen prey to deception. Experience becomes the litmus test or source of authority in regards to Christian mystics who claim to have such an OBE. But whenever they are challenge as to their faith they immediately goes into neutrality without any biblical basis from which they claim such mystical experience. In order to test whether such an experience is based upon God's Word is to put it through a biblical test (1 Jn. 4:1).
Not only were the disciples of Christ was an eyewitness of Christ's majesty but according to 2 Peter 1:17 but that Peter goes on to say that Jesus received such honor and glory from the eternal Father by which a voice came to Jesus in his majesty by saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." This is clear that Jesus is God's Son by which He died for the sins of the world (Jn. 3:16, 17). It is important to understand that any cult or religious system that dishonor the Son also dishonor God. Why? Because Jesus was sent by God in human flesh to die for the sins of humanity. Jesus is God in human flesh (Jn. 1:14). Jesus is the Creator of the universe by which He was not created nor was He "First" begotten by God but that Jesus is eternal (Col. 1:15-17). But also in 2 Peter 1:18 that the apostle Peter witness to the fact that the disciples hear this voice that came from heaven when they were on the sacred mountain. Peter and the other disciples witness that of The Transfiguration by which Jesus went back to heaven. There are many professing Christian teachers who claim that what Peter and the other disciples experience as to witness Christ returning back to heaven that they too can (1) Hear God's voice. And (2) to be entertained by such divine personage in the appearance of Jesus. It is impossible for professing Christians to experience what Peter experience along with the disciples to hear God's voice and to experience such mountain top experience. It would appear that the voice of God and the prophetic word made sure are on par together but in truth the truthfulness and reliability of God's Word is greater than the voice of God. In so many words what Peter and the other disciples heard concerning God's voice is subordinate to the prophetic message made sure (v. 19-20). The character of scripture is that God's Word is sure (Psa. 119:7). God's Word is pure (Psa. 119:9). God's Word is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16). These are just a few of the characteristics of God's Word.
Also according to 2 Peter 1:19 it says, "And we have the word of the prophets made more certain..." What both the prophets in the OT and the apostles in the NT foretold of the coming of Christ to suffer for the sins of the world (Isa. 53; 2 Pet. 1:16). Such apostles and prophets were under the Spirit's guidance and inspiration by which they prophesied concerning the coming of the Messiah (Christ) that was to take away the sins of the world. It was not something that they concocted in their spirit nor was it a made-up story but were under the Spirit's guidance and inspiration (2 Pet. 1:21). There are some within the church today who claim to be super apostles and prophets that transcend the originality of the apostles and prophets (2 Cor. 11:3, 13-15) in both the OT and NT. They also claim that there writings, doctrines, and revelations are inspired by God but are doctrines taught by demons (1 Tim. 4:1). Most of the times many of these would be false prophets and prophetess are under the influence of Satan to propagate their false teachings. Not only are they influence by Satan but are demonically possess by the devil to influence their writings (Jn. 8:44).
The apostle summon believers to pay close attention to God's Word by which it is a light that shines in a dark place (Psa. 119:105) by which it enlightened one's own eyes. The Holy Spirit gives believers understanding of God's Word; not what is inspiration nor revelation but illumination (Jn. 14:26). What the Church possess today is God's written revelation of His Word as oppose to mystics who claim such spiritual "revelation." Whenever the church today substitute God's Word for what is revelatory have in fact denied the true faith by which many within the church faith have become spiritually shipwrecked (2 Tim. 2:17, 18).
Rev. Darryl Miller is president & Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the Podcast Host of, "Ask Darryl" which airs 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. He is also the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" As a apologist, senior-researcher, pastor, conference speaker and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
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