Sabbath: Prophecy and Scripture
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
Read for This Week’s Study: Isa. 53:1-12; Dan. 7:13-14; 2 Pet. 1:16-20; Matt. 17:1-6; 2 Tim. 3:15-17.
Memory Text: “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” (2 Peter 1:19).
As we continue to study the letters of Peter, one point should stand out: how confident and how certain Peter is in what he is writing. We can see the same with Paul: clear and firm conviction about what they are proclaiming in regard to Jesus Christ and the Cross.
In the texts for this week, we will see more of this certainty in Peter. And he even tells us why he has such certainty. We don’t believe, he said, “cunningly devised fables” (2 Pet. 1:16)-such as those that comprised the pagan religions of their time. Instead, Peter was sure of what he believed in, for two reasons.
First, he was an eyewitness to “our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:16). But second, and perhaps even more important (because almost everyone else will not be an eyewitness), is the “sure word of prophecy” (2 Pet. 1:19). Peter again goes back to the Bible, pointing to the Scriptures for the certain affirmation of Jesus, especially the prophetic sections that talked about Him. No doubt these are some of the same sections that Jesus referred to regarding Himself (Matt. 26:54, Luke 24:27). So if Jesus and Peter took the Bible this seriously, how dare we do otherwise ourselves?
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 3.
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As Adventists we can get caught up in attempting to predict the future and knowing all the prophecy. I wonder if we should be focusing more on the one who gave that prophecy. Jesus said I have told you these things so that when they happen you will believe in Me! Prophecy should not absorb our focus, unless it helps us grow in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Sharon, I think another reason for God to foretell the future for us is that when some of these fearful things come to pass, we may be comforted because we know that this is the way it is supposed to be. We know what comes after that and we can rejoice because "the day of our redemption drawerh nigh."
In prophecy we can see how all things work together for good. God it truly a Loving Father. If we know Him and receive His Love, this Love casts out all our fear. He has lovingly given us the whole story so that we might understand why bad things happen to His children, and that it all works together for our good.
How often is the Word of God approached, and treated, as a buffet. Taking only those sayings pleasing to us and ignoring what we don't like.
And yet, Scripture indicates that we can have ALL KNOWLEDGE, KNOW ALL PROPHECY, etc. but if we have not LOVE it is a useless thing. Scripture is also very clear that PROPHECY is one of several other things that will PASS AWAY and that the only thing that will not pass away is LOVE---GOD'S LOVE----JESUS!
Amen! I find myself in a congregation who claims to know the truth but doesn't practice LOVE. This has led to a split in the church and the group which formed to accommodate people of other language groups besides that enforced by the church board, are now the 'bad guys'. We are tired of the bickering and undermining of those who consider themselves the 'saints' - who have caused seekers after truth to feel unwelcome to turn away - so are we really wrong in turning our backs on a building and forming a group upholding the fundamentals of the church and reaching out to our fellow white brethren who do not speak or understand the language chosen by the 'minority' under the pretext of drawing others of that 'minority language group? We are told not to leave the Church --- but is it wrong to move out of one where the leadership lacks love and integrity? We believe Jesus is coming soon and that these things will happen in the last days - but are we wrong because we can no longer tolerate local church 'dictatorship'and wish to form a group where truth (transparency), love and forgiveness are more important than keeping a church for a minority group.
Maureen, forming a new congregation to meet a felt need is not "leaving the church." Smaller congregations can actually be more effective in some ways insofar as they can foster a closer fellowship.
Jesus made clear that there is to be no lording it over others in our congregations. (Mark 10:42-45)
However, I have seen unnecessary conflict produced by people leaving a congregation and forming another one in protest. There were bad feelings on both sides. That was/is not necessary. It is perfectly possible to quietly start a new group, organize it into a company, then a full congregation in a friendly manner. You must have good reasons, and you gave good reasons by stating that the new congregation would be what is called "multicultural" in some areas. The "multicultural" is basically a code word for a church organized to serve those not of the majority culture/language. That should be perfectly acceptable in your conference.
In the meantime, it seems you may have some work to do in mending fences and reducing bad feelings. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers." May you have that blessing. 🙂
The quotes are sometimes misapplied. Context is important. Prophecy that we apply to our current lives, is immanent, because we need to look for this metaphor and that symbol. Yes we should always be ready because no man knows the day nor the hour, Matt24:36. We also do not know how long we will live.
Let's keep focusing on Jesus until the Day Star shines in you.
That's it in a nutshell, Saul.
I like the idea of focusing on Jesus but beyond saying those words, what does it mean? When I turn away from my computer this morning and am facing the real world, what am I going to do about my focus on Jesus. Am I still going to remember my focus, when my wife wants me to look at her to-do list, when I have already got my own to-do list, where is my focus then? When my irritating neighbour asks me to come and fix his computer, and it takes more time than I really want to give him, what happens to my focus?
I have just visited the Sydney Vivid light show, where the Sydney foreshore is lit up with laser painting and dazzling lights. It is an unbelievably fascinating expression of artistic talent; each display clamouring for your attention. It is easy to get lost in this maze of light and colour. My wife, Carmel wore a pink and white beanie (knitted woolly hat) that stood out. I made sure that she was always in front of me so that I did not lose her (she is quite small). Provided I kept her in front of me with that pink and white had in my vision, I did not lose her, even though we had so many interesting distractions all around us.
If we put Jesus in front of us, then his presence will influence our actions and interactions for the rest of the day. That is a good reason to spend 15 minutes at the beginning of the day getting your focus right. 15 minutes is not a big deal - some of us spend more time deciding what to wear for the day.
Of course, we know that focusing on Jesus has more meaning than just visual contact. I think that "focusing on Jesus" has to do with our choice to permit the Spirit of Jesus to motivate us with His Love in every venue of our life whatever may be happening. God's Love is the basic driver of His work.
If we permit God to come into our hearts, He will be legally allowed to connect with us and to light up our soul with His Love motivation in us, which will give us all the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our thouhts and feelings which will drive our whole soul to do as He would in our place.