The importance of Prophecy

2 Peter 1: 19–21

19 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:

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 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.

The Bible tells us that prophecy is a more sure word. I think that to be a very profound statement made by the Apostle Peter.

Why would prophecy be described in this way? Well, we have the scripture to guide us.

Hebrews 1:1,2

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

God has spoken to us in these last days by His Son. When do the prophecies of the Bible speak the loudest? That’s right you guessed it, in the last days. That time is now. Therefore it is the Son of God speaking to us through the prophecies.

The prophecies of the Bible describe events that lead up to the second coming of Christ. God has given us these signs that we may know and prepare.

Understanding the prophecies is important, why? Because God’s Word tells us that they are more sure. It means that we can be absolutely certain that they will come to pass. To ignore the prophecies is to be ignorant of what God has revealed to us through His Son.

Why are Prophecies in the last days based on events and not on time.

Revelation 10:1,2,6

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

This mighty angel of Revelation 10 and verse 1 is none other that Jesus Christ. He is not an angel, but in Revelation 10 and verse 1 he is represented as an angel, which is simply a messenger. What then is His message, we shall see shortly.

The description of Him clothed with a cloud shows His Sonship ( Daniel 7:13 ), the rainbow upon His head, is a symbol around the throne of God and represents the presence of God ( Rev.4:3 ). The description of His face and feet (Rev.1:12–16, Daniel 10:4–6 ), is consistent with other scriptures that this is Jesus Christ.

His stance with one foot on the land and the other on the sea shows his total power over all the earth. And in His hand is a little book open. That is significant to our discussion as we will soon see.

Jesus says in verse 6 that time should be no longer. This does not mean that time has ended, but that there will be no more prophetic time. This proclamation is made with the little book in the hand of Jesus being open.

Is there any book in the Bible that was closed to men. In other words, the understanding of this book was not yet given, but at some point in time it will be.

Daniel 12:4

4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

We understand from the above verse that the book of Daniel was shut up and the words were sealed until the time of the end. The understanding was not yet given. The book of Daniel contains a series of time prophecies, with the longest time prophecy spanning 2300 years. The time of the end began in 1798.

How did I arrive at that? Stay tuned for my follow up study on “Time Prophecies”, where I will explain everything in detail. For now I’m asking you to trust me on this.

The book of Daniel would be fully understood from 1798 and onward. And all time prophecies end with the 2300 year prophecy. To be clear the 2300 year prophecy marks the end of all time prophecies and it is this time that Jesus is saying, is no longer. When the time prophecies of Daniel shall be understood and are fulfilled, prophecies going forward will not be based on time.

The 2300 year prophecy ended in 1844.

How did I arrive at that date, again look out for my follow up study on “Time Prophecies”.

After 1844, we look for prophetic events, not time. This is why we pay attention to global events for they now tell us the “time”.

“I don’t want prophecy, just give me Jesus and His love”. Is this statement of any value?

Revelation 1:1

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Need I say more?

The book of Revelation is prophetic. It’s opening chapter starts with an emphatic statement, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ”. I am beside myself with excitement, anticipation and holy zeal. To have a book that explicitly states that it is a “Revelation of Jesus Christ” is mouth watering.

The book 2 Peter, chapter 1 and verse 19, states that we should do well and take heed. We must listen to the more sure word of prophecy. It goes on to tell us why we should listen. It is a light that shines in a dark place. The future is dark to us but the prophetic events light up our way, but that’s not all. We’re supposed to take heed, and allow the light to shine in a dark place until the day star should arise in our hearts. Who is the “Day Star”?

Jesus Christ ( Rev.22:16).

When we take heed as the scripture says, to the more sure word of prophecy, the natural outcome is that the day star will arise in our hearts. Jesus will occupy our minds. Wow.

The excuse of some to disqualify prophecy is that, there are presenters that focus only on times and dates and Jesus is not lifted up so they don’t want prophecy.

Please, will someone show me the principle in scripture that supports this type of attitude. Here me out, if someone brings the truth in an obscure way, then abandon the truth all together. Is that how we should approach spiritual things?

This is the approach I take to anything doctrinal or spiritual. I go to the word and I check it for myself. It may be that the person expressing the thought or idea my be correct but they cannot articulate their point well. It may be that they are absolutely wrong. The only way I will know is if I check it for myself. This is what God expects of us( Act 17:10,11 ).

Thats it.

What gives the prophetic word its credibility ?

2 Peter 1: 20,21

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 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.

The first thing is often the most important, and the first thing we should know is that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

When Jesus poured out His Spirit upon men, they wrote His word and presented it to us.

I rest quite comfortably on the prophecies of God. They are more sure than the foundation of my house. I trust them more than I trust myself.

I praise God for sharing what He knows with us through His Son Jesus Christ.

What a mighty God we serve!

May God guide and direct you, may He grant unto you wisdom and understanding, and may Jesus shine forth in your hearts today as you study His prophetic word,

Amen.