A Light in the Darkness

“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.”  II Peter 1:19-21

Peter called himself a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ and addressed his second letter to believers, not unbelievers because they would not be able to understand his message since they did not have the Holy Spirit residing within their souls.  He assured his readers that the gospel is not just some made up story, but is real and true for he was an eyewitness to the three plus year ministry of Jesus Christ.  Peter walked every step that Christ walked up until the time that Jesus was arrested.  There is no greater witness than an eyewitness.

Old Testament prophecy has been proven by New Testament realities.  What could be more beneficial to anyone to heed the words of scripture and let the light of God’s love shine into the dark recesses of one’s soul, cleansing and refreshing, until the work in the heart is complete?  There is no other way to eternal life than the light of Jesus Christ.  If one gropes around in the dark seeking the way out, he will never find it without the light of Christ.  Light always dispels darkness.  Peter described the enlightenment received when trusting Christ as the light of the Son dawning in the morning to shed light throughout the day, the Day Star.

All prophecy is from God and is intended by God to be understood in its context.  Many folks try to pull individual verses from scripture to fit whatever point they are trying to make, but scripture was never meant to prove an argument, support a denominational doctrine, or to justify false teaching.  God’s word is the revelation of the mind of God, not some man’s opinion.  God is not really interested or impressed by man’s opinion; it’s what God says that counts.

The scriptures are for the benefit of all men and women, not for just certain groups or denominations.  God’s word is truth.  He led His holy men of old to write down His precepts.  They only wrote what the Holy Spirit gave them, and it was only the ones God chose to write who actually wrote down His word for us to read, study, and obey.  There are some folks today, as also likely in the past, that say that the Bible is nothing but a book of allegories, that is, fables, made up stories to illustrate different points.  There are some allegories in scripture, mostly parables, which are not actual events but rather stories to illustrate certain truths from God, but most of scripture is historical in nature featuring real people who lived real lives which shows us how weak and sinful humans are and in need of a Savior.  One cannot separate the Old Testament from the New Testament.  The Old shows us who we are without the light of Christ, and the New shows us how we can come to His light and be forgiven of sin and be able to inherit eternal life.