On Private Prophecy
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Directly follows Peter statement on the eyewitness account of the transfiguration
John also cited it
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Admittedly, different scholars propose different understandings of these 3 verses
Based on the context, we will look at the best solutions to the questions
Though acknowledging the value of the others
Admission: borrowed the outline headings from a commentator—not re-inventing the wheel
Illumination
Illumination
v. 19
The word of the prophets (collectively) is a lamp
The experience of Peter, Andrew, James and John confirms the writings of the OT prophets
It serves to make the Word “more fully confirmed”
The readers—and we ourselves—should see it that way as well
Jewish readers—likely the majority—would be more likely to believe the words of the prophets of old than any newer revelation
The Word of Christ’s coming had now been fulfilled and then confirmed by the voice from Heaven
This (total picture) will serve well as a light to guide them
…lamp shining in a dark place...
Imagery of the Word being a lamp is quite common
Ps. 119, the great treatise on the value of the Word of God
I used a few a couple weeks ago, I saved the grounders for this message
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
…but wait, there’s more!
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
“Dark” might be better understood as “murky”
One thing a light does is better show the dirt
Looking forward to the brightness of dawn…when the lamp is no longer needed
The day-start…the second coming of Jesus
The light takes on meaning with the advent of Jesus
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He was here; but the world did not catch on
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
The light will be more fully revealed at the second coming
The morning star…Not just Venus; secular literature of the day used the term of deities or rulers
But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
Nobody will miss it that time!
Sheds new light (pun intended) on
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Revelation
v. 20
This one can be a mess
First of all...
…no prophecy of Scripture…
That which had been written up to that time, and inclusive of what would come
Which would include Paul’s writings (v.3:16 “...other Scriptures…), whatever had been and would be produced by the other Apostles
...comes from someone’s own interpretation...
Here’s where we get some discussion
Two general takes on this
First, less likely: we don’t make our own interpretation of each passage
My statements:
Illuminating life with Scripture
Illustrating Scripture with life
If we do it backwards we can easily misinterpret the Word of God
All that may well be true…but we must look to other places to find it
The better, more accurate to the language—not going to belabor it
...and the context setting up for a lesson on false teachers
The prophets didn’t make this up on their own
Helpful to look at the CSV:
Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation
Which leads us to...
Inspiration
Inspiration
We know from Paul’s writings (also Scripture)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Quick side-trip: Those books discarded by the early church did not meet that standard
Contradicted KNOWN and ACCEPTED writings…certainly did not add to the message of what had been accepted
Not by mans’ will or mind; but by the will and mind of God
He uses the skills and experience of the writer
Often the prophets were no particularly willing
Moses: I’m not a good public speaker
Isaiah:
I am a man of unclean lips, from a people of unclean lips
Amos: I just tend sycamore fig trees and herd sheep
Jeremiah: But I’m too young for that
These men wrote as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit
Word picture is of a ship being driven by the wind…interesting linguistics in there....
(Peter the punster)
Contrast that to the prophets who led Israel and Judah into destruction and exile
The OT command was to stone a false prophet…apparently they did not
The test was absolute accuracy
Application
Application
About that light
Do you know Jesus—the true light
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
That’s adoption into God’s family; to be saved from the penalty, power and ultimately the presence of sin
Those not saved have a horrid future
What are you doing with that light
Are we allowing it to show the dirt
In our own lives?
In our culture?
Are we displaying it to others?
If we are reading His Word, acting according to His Word, talking about His Word, people will notice
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Doing so requires that we are trusting in the inspired written Word of the Living God