Nov14

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"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

Yesterday I wrote about studying the Word of God in essence to merely reading Scripture passages daily. Today, we need to realize that we have this "sure word of prophecy" that is to benefit us through the studying of God's Word.

"A more sue word of prophecy" refers to the infallibility of Scripture as the greatest and clearest revelation of God to man. "Prophecy" may be used here as a general term for divine revelation. "Private interpretaton" means "origination." Thus, true revelation does not originate by the "will of man." It comes from God Himself through "holy men" who were godly human instruments of recording God's message. "Moved by the Holy Ghost" describes the process of revelation and inspiration. "Moved" means to be "carried along as a sailboat in the wind." Thus, human beings were so moved by the Holy Spirit that what they wrote was God's inerrant Word. (Taken from footnotes of KJV Bible)

When Peter uses the word "prophecy," he means the entire Word of God, because he speaks of the Scriptures as having been spoken by God. And the prophets took dictation from God, as they also expressed their own feelings and thoughts. Nevertheless, God was able to transmit His complete will and Word through the men who wrote Scripture. This is the what makes the Bible a miraculous Book! You see, the Word of God is not only deity, it is human ~ very human. It is like the Lord Jesus who was both God and man. The Bible is a God-book and a man-book. It deals with human life, right down to where we live and move and have our own being today. Yet it is God speaking to man in a language that is understandable him.
"A light that shineth in a dark place" ~ the Word of God is a light, a lamp, a source of light like the sun in the sky. It is a centrifugal force. As the sun gives out its light, throwing it out into the universe, so the Word of God sends out a light, a force, and a power. The Word of God is the only physical miracle that we have from God in this hour in which we live. May I conclude by saying, this is why it is so important that we not only read God's Word each day, but study it to the fullest!

Application:
A great many people think, "Oh, if only I could have been with Peter and could have seen those things." Well, we have something even better to accompany us today! We have the Word of God! It will speak directly to us if we open our hearts and allow it to speak. The Word of God is better than seeing and/or hearing! Until Jesus returns, His Word is the centrifugal force going throughout the world and drawing men away from the world system and putting them into the arms of God. Let us study God's Word diligently and share our knowledge with others, that they may come to Jesus also.

May God Bless you with a wonderful day as you set yourself apart from the world and study God's Word.

Love in Christ,
Sandy