Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-21.
Memory Verse: “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy??” (Amos 3:7-8)
INTRODUCTION:
Adam’s sin brought the entire human race under the curse of sin, the Adamic death; and unless a longsuffering Creator had not provided a means of escape, it would have been eternal death (Romans 5:12; 6:23). By infinite wisdom, God saw the end from the beginning. Having created all things for His pleasure, He was grieved when man sinned and died; for a loving Creator certainly could not be pleased to see the cessation of the crowning point of His creation. (See Revelation 4:11; Ezekiel 33:11.) Fortunately, for mankind, God could and did grant mercy and grace to man, providing the way of escape from eternal death. He alone held the secret of redemption.
Perhaps God’s earliest revelation of secrets is given in Genesis 3:15, the promise of the One to come who would fatally bruise Satan, the instigator of sin (John 8:44). Though God Himself gave this secret, it became His plan to reveal His secrets to men who were called prophets (Amos 3:7). Through His prophets, God has given information regarding His plan of redemption, revealing things to come.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, a prophet is one who speaks for another. Aaron was a prophet for Moses (Exodus 4:10-16), and God used various men to speak for Him in revealing His secrets. Prophets were also teachers, explaining God’s purpose to men. The Apostle Peter said that they were “holy men of God” (2 Peter 1:21). Only holy men can properly speak for God.
Had there been no competition in dealing with man, it would have been a simple matter to warn them of their ruin by sin, and how to escape it. But anciently, as in modern times, there were false prophets and teachers who taught “destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1-2). As the false teachers were not guided by the Holy Spirit, they were under the influence of Satan, who has tried and partially succeeded to counterfeit every move God has made for the benefit of man.
LESSON QUESTIONS:
- From your own study and knowledge, define prophecy and give its purpose. How are both elements of “foretelling” and “forth-telling” involved in this divine gift?
- What is the source of true prophecy? 2 Peter 1:20-21. What did Peter say prophecy is? 2 Peter 1:19.
- In what sense is Genesis 3:15 prophetic?
- How did men receive the secrets of God? Deuteronomy 29:29; Amos 3:7; 2 Peter 1:21.
- How is the “testimony of Jesus” the spirit of prophecy? Revelation 12:17; 19:10. Who, then, may have the “spirit of prophecy”?
- How may one learn of Christ? John 5:39. (Note: Scriptures referred to here were prophecies of Christ in the Old Testament. The New Testament had not then been written.)
- What Scriptures concerning Christ was the Eunuch reading? Acts 8:27-38.
- Who did Jesus say had written concerning Him? John 5:46-47; Luke 24:27. What Scriptures did Jesus read in the synagogue on the Sabbath? Luke 4:16-20.
- How should the Christian regard prophecy? Revelation 1:3; Luke 11:28; 1 Corinthians 14:1-5.
- How are God’s remnant people described? Revelation 12:11, 17; 15:2-4; 19:10; 14:12-13.