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. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 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.' (2 Peter 1:19-21, NIV)
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, (v1-2): Peter describes himself first as a servant, then apostle. We must never forget that we are servants of Jesus. Just as Christ washed His disciples’ feet, so we must also serve rather than expect to be served.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires, (v3-4): Peter writes that this letter to those who have received ‘faith’. Our salvation is our faith; it is precious; only God can give it; we can have abundant peace and grace through knowing Him. Knowing that His Divine Power gives us everything. Even some Christians don’t seem to KNOW God. For instance, people can say that they know me, but I know they don’t. It is the same with God, do you know Him or have you just heard about Him. We have to know God the Father; Peter knew Jesus personally, and we know Him through reading His Word.
God’s Divine power contains all that we need. I live by it. We have to live by the Promises of God, and through these promises we share in God’s divine nature. When I look at the promises of God, and the Bible is full of them, I want all the good things – so I have been going in and taking them! Power for miracles and healing, I’m in there, taking it! Anointing from the Holy Spirit, yes I pray, then I go in and take it! Revival – again I go and possess the promise. I can find enough Scriptures for me to believe and know that God wants revival in Ukraine, Poland and Central Asia more than I do, so in I go! It is the same with all our lives. God has given us so many promises, it is not presumptuous to accept them by faith, then go and take them. Too many sit and wait, asking, and never receiving.
So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me, (v12-14): This body is only a temporary dwelling place. Peter knows he is going to die, ‘take off this tent’, so he’s saying ‘I’m making every effort so that you will remember these things after I die.’ Peter is adamant that what he teaches is not an invented story, he was a witness of Christ’s Glory on the Mount of Transfiguration, and heard the words, ‘This is My Son…’ As a witness, Peter has the prophetic words of the prophets made more certain as a light shining in a dark place.
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 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, (v19-20): The Old Testament prophets spoke from God as led by the Holy Spirit. Today, don’t put the words of a ‘prophet’ above the Word of God, all prophetic words must agree with the Bible.
I have always said that I believe Scripture will be fulfilled in an unusual way – so often unexpected – not as many people thought. Certainly, in my life this is so. I do not believe that we shall fully understand Bible prophecy until after the event – sadly for many, not until after Christ has come back!
Looking back, I can see that much of my life has been prophetic in its timing and in fulfilling prophecy. God has a plan and a time – for me, for you, and for the whole world we live in. God does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7. He is working to a prophetic timeline and so must we. My whole life has been closely linked to prophecy, not because I claim to be a ‘prophet’, but because when God gives me a vision, it is a prophetic path for my life. What He reveals to me in prophecy, I have to act on it – in order to fulfil it.