Section 7 – 2 Peter 1:19-21
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 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. (NIV)
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19 So we have the prophetic word made more certain.
You do well to pay [close] attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and light breaks through the gloom and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But understand this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of or comes from one’s own [personal or special] interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (AMP)
Questions
● (v19a) What does Peter say is completely reliable? What is the prophetic message that Peter mentions here? What does it mean to pay attention to it? How could you pay more careful attention to scripture?
● (v19b). What is scripture compared to here? How does scripture act as a “light shining in a dark place”? What does Peter mean by “until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts”? (See passages listed on the back.)
● (v20). What does Peter believe is vital for Christians to understand?
● (v21). Did prophecy have its origin in the“human will”? How did prophesy originate? How were humans involved? How was God involved?
● Questions to ponder: What is your practice of reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God? How do you let God’s Word guide you in this dark world? Give some examples.
Suggested Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your Holy Scriptures. Thank you that your Holy Scriptures are completely reliable and provide us light in this dark world. Someday you will come again and reign on earth and in our hearts. Until then, I will put my faith in the fact that you communicated your Holy Scriptures through the prophets as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Amen
Passages for reference:
Psalm 119:105
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (NIV)
Numbers 24:17
“I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.
He will crush the foreheads of Moab,
the skulls of all the people of Sheth. (NIV)
Revelation 22:12-13, 16-17
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (NIV)
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NIV)
John 8:12
12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NIV)
Hebrews 2:1-4
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
The Brotherhood Mission Statement:
“Discipling men of all ages in their pursuit of loving God
with all their hearts, all their lives.”