The Prophecy of Scripture: The Character Of God's Word

According to 2 Peter 1:20 it says, "Above all, you must understand that [no] prophecy of scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things." But in verse 21 it also says, "For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." The main theme of 2 Peter 1:20-21 is that of the "prophecy of scripture," (v. 20) and "prophecy" (v. 21). The "prophecy" of scripture and that of prophecy according to 2 Peter 1:20-21 refers to God's Word (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16).  The character of "prophecy" of scripture according to 2 Peter 1:20 is that God's Word is pure (Psa. 119:7) and that it is trustworthy (Psa. 119:9).  

   Throughout this article I will begin to address the subject of, "The Prophecy of Scripture." It is very important that the Church understand clearly that of the prophecy of scripture thereby realize that what God has given to the church today is that of the written revelation of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16). The Church have greatly misunderstood that of the clear teaching of scripture as it relates to that of the prophecy of scripture according to 2 Peter 1:19-21.  There are professing Christian leaders within that of the church today that has in fact given that of the word "prophecy" a different spin-off as to refer to personal prophecies, spiritual "revelations" or revelation of the spirit something that are a "direct" pipeline from God so as to give the message to the church during these last days (v. 20).  The avenue by which these pseudo-Christian teachers claim such spiritual "revelation" are within a person's human spirit thus they deny rationality or the reasonable of faith (1 Pet. 3:15).  Whenever the Church divorce that of God's Word for such "inward" voice or revelation of the spirit is to travel the dark path of mysticism (Col. 2:18, 19).  Most "Christian" mystics in the professing church today rely upon what is experiential (e.g. "God told me," "God reveal to me") as their source of authority by which they deny the written revelation of God's Word (Jud. 8-10). The experience of mysticism has in fact filtered that of the worldview of many "Christian" mystics today. The "experience" has in fact become so real to them that they are "convinced" of the experience in and of itself without validating its truth claim.  Whenever mystics talk about what God says to them it is not the theistic God of the Bible that says to them what they claim God said to them but it is a manufactured theology of their own imagination. The prophet Jeremiah gives a graphic description of man's sinful heart (Jer. 17:9). The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it.  As a result of Adam's sin and disobedience that people's mind, emotions, and will are perverted to the point that it can defiled that of a person's total being.

   We will not be able to cover the whole of 2 Peter 1:20, 21 during our discussion but to begin by explaining and making clear that of the first part of 2 Peter 1:20 by which the apostle Peter says, "Above all, you must understand that [no] prophecy of scripture...." First in order to get a clear understanding in the first part of 2 Peter 1:20 by which it says, "Above all, you must understand....." The background of 2 Peter 1:20 is that of 2 Peter 3:3 by which it says, "Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own desires." There are false teachers who will make a mockery of the coming of Christ (v. 3).  Based upon many false teachers ridicule and denial of the Second Coming of Christ is that of there moral downward spiral (v. 3b). The description and moral teaching of false teachers are depicted according to 2 Peter 2:1-24.  They are sensual repugnant individuals who are without the life of Christ by which what they teach follows suit. Whenever there is spiritual "indifference" towards the things of God as it relates to sound doctrine along with living such holy lives gives clear indication of spiritual apostasy that is running rampart in the professing church today (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

   As we look at by studying the second part of 2 Peter 1:20b where it says, "that [no] prophecy of scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things." The prophecy of scripture once again refers to God's Word (2 Tim. 3:16). The character of God's Word is true and reliable (Psa. 119:7, 9). The Church can trust in what God's Word says because of its Author. The Holy Spirit is divine Truth (Jn. 14:26). The Spirit of God does not contradict Himself as to that of His own nature. Why? Because of the truthfulness of Who God is. Anyone who will add unto what God's Word says will incur that of God's divine judgment (Rev. 22:18-19). The Word of God is not something that is revealed in the corner as if there are "certain" individuals who claim to be modern-day prophets and prophetess who claim to receive some kind of spiritual "revelation" to give to the Church today. The truth of God's Word is accessible to the church as a whole; not those who claim such an "anointing" to get a personal revelation from God directly (Deut. 29:29). The [secret] things belongs unto the LORD thy God but those things which are [reveal] belongs unto us and our children children's.
   The prophecy of scripture was not manufactured by men but that God inspired that of God's Word (2 Tim. 3:16).  Their are false teachers within the church today who claim that there writings are inspired by God but that it contradict what God's Word says. If and when what these self-proclaim modern-day prophets and prophetess say today by giving personal prophecies and revelations to God's people does not add up with God's Word is to be utterly rejected (Deut. 13:1-2ff). They claim to say what God told them but it is not what God's Word says.  They have in fact spurn that of their own perverted theology in the form of such spiritual "revelation" to convince the Church that what they say what God told them is totally fabricated (2 Cor. 4:1-4; 11:3). It is quite unfortunate that many professing believers within the church today trust in what these self-proclaim modern-day prophets "revelations" as coming from God but have abandon that of the truth of God's Word.
   Whenever the Church "substitute" that of God's Word for such "inward" voice of the spirit or spiritual "revelation" have already crossed over the threshold of mysticism (Col. 2:18, 19).  In order for the Church to avoid such a crisis within biblical Christianity is to return to a Christ-centered theology that is grounded in scripture.

Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of Darryl Miller International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents.  Darryl is the best-selling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" He is also the Podcast Host of, "ASK DARRYL" @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons which airs 24/7.  Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside of metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."