2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
In 2019, I wrote a book entitled, “The power of prayer, prophecy and praise.” In that book I mentioned the importance of prophecy in scripture! Why is prophecy so important to the body of Christ? Because it encourages, edifies and comforts us.
Prophecy also prepares us and warns us of things yet to come. It is so important that Jesus even said in Matt 10:41, “He that receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward.”
The Apostle Peter gave us a profound word of wisdom in 2 Peter 1:19 that says, ” We have also a more sure word of prophecy; which you do well to take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Peter said that Gods prophetic word is a sure word, in which we should take heed. In other words, it is something that we should never take lightly, because it will come to pass and shines brightly in the darkness. In other words, God’s prophetic word is true and will always shine brightly no matter how dark it gets in the world.
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
He goes on to say that prophecy of scripture is not of any private interpretation. In other words, we cannot preach, teach, minister or twist the scripture to fit our own means and ways. God’s Word is a sure word! He goes on to say;
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The Old Testament prophets and men of scripture spoke prophetically in the name of the LORD, not for their own will and for their benefit, but by the Holy Ghost!
I counted in the Bible over twenty out of sixty-six books that speak about a prophet, or deal with prophets and prophecy. So, in essence, the Bible itself is prophetic! We must admit that most people have no problem with prayer or praise, but prophecy is another thing.
Some people don’t really like to talk much about prophecy, but prophecy is all throughout the Bible, and is part of the Bible. Consider this; there are about eighteen books in the Bible named after the Prophets of God.
Jesus was a prophet (Mark 6: 4), Moses was a prophet (Deut 18: 15-18), the Bible even called Abraham a prophet. (Gen 20: 7-9). Some of the most important books of the Bible are from the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.
What is amazing is that some people believe that prophecy is complete after the resurrection of Christ in what is referred to as cessation. In Christianity, cessation is the doctrine that spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy and healing ceased with the apostolic age.
If Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever more, why would there be a cessation of spiritual gifts? Even the Apostle Paul spoke about prophecy and prophets in the New Testament.
The book of Revelation is full of prophecies about the end times, and Jesus himself said that in the last days, false prophets would arise. Listen to the LORD:
“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.” Matthew 24:11 NKJV
“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24 NKJV
Are we not in the last days, with many false prophets arising and declaring false prophetic utterances? Not all, but many. Some declare monetary prophecies and material things which is not so prophetic to be truthful.
True prophetic utterances will confirm all that is written in the Word of God and will line up with the Word of God to encourage, edify and comfort us. Prophecy will also prepare and warn us of things yet to come, as we near the second coming of our LORD Jesus Christ.
True prophetic utterances will speak truth to power as the true prophets of the Old Covenant did. Authentic prophets will flow in the prophetic like the anointed prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Elijah, and Samuel.
They will proclaim and confirm all that is in the LORD’s heart concerning Israel, the church, and end time prophecy as the Apostles did. It will never be about them, it will always be about the true and living God, and all that he has predestined, purposed, planned, promised and prophesied in his Word.
The amazing thing that we should understand is if there are false prophets in the last days, then there shall also be authentic prophets in the last days as well. This makes perfect sense!
All throughout the Bible we find prophecies being spoken and confirmed, even in the first book of the Bible; Genesis.
In the first book of the Bible, we find the first prophecy by our Heavenly Father to Adam, Eve and the serpent after they sinned in the Garden of Eden. Let’s read! Genesis 3:14-16 NKJV
14 So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust All the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”
16 To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”
We find that the last book of the Bible; Revelation is prophetic as well. Revelation 1:1-3 NKJV
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants–things which must shortly take place, and He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
A blessing is even released over the one who reads, hears, and keeps the words of the prophecy that are written in the book of Revelation!
So regardless of the dispensation that we are in, prophecy in the New Covenant is just as important now, as it was in the Old Covenant.
The Bible says in Roman 15: 4, “That whatsoever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4 NKJV
So, although we are a New Testament church, we need to understand the profound principles of prayer, prophecy and praise are Biblical, and will transform your life when you read about them, believe them and embrace them.
As it relates to prophecy, Jesus told us in scripture what would also happen in the last days. Consider the scripture of Luke 21: 25-28 NKJV
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Over the years we have witnessed an increase in eclipses, pestilences, hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, floods, fires out of control, hate, wars and rumors of wars. These are signs of the times!
When you read Luke 21, Jesus is prophesying about the end times, and gives us some profound prophetic wisdom as it relates to watching and praying in verse 36.
“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36 NKJV
The LORD said that we should watch and pray, that we would be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass! The question is? Is anyone watching and praying?
Most importantly, let us take heed to the words of Peter who said in 2 Peter 1:19, ” We have also a more sure word of prophecy, which you do well to take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts!
To read, The power of prayer, prophecy and praise and more, go to: https://jamalquinn.com/books/
God bless, Pastor Quinn