2 Peter 1:20-21 – …knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Over the years, I have been blessed with the honor of writing a number of books and other Bible teaching resources. In every instance, I did my very best but, looking back, I always see mistakes I’ve made and things I could have done better. Every author I’ve ever spoken to feels the same way.
When it comes to the books of the Bible, however, everything is different. The Bible is a collection of perfect books. How is this possible? Unlike any other books, the Bible not only has human authors but also Divine inspiration behind the human authors. This is precisely what Peter is saying. The Scriptures did not come from someone’s imagination. If you have ever seen the sail on a ship filled with the wind to give it power and press it forward, then you get some idea of what it means that the human authors of Scripture were “carried along by the Holy Spirit”.
On hundreds of occasions, the human authors of Scripture say things like, “thus says the Lord”. Similar statements that the word of the Lord came, or God spoke, appear roughly 3,800 times in the Old Testament alone. Paul says it this way in 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is breathed out by God…”
Not only does God fill the authors of Scripture with the Spirit, He does the same for the readers of Scripture. In this way, the Bible is the only book where the Author meets with you every time you read it to help you understand what is written.
What is God teaching you in the Scriptures recently?
To download the free e-book Power Under Pressure which is a study in 2 Peter for individuals, groups, and families from Pastor Mark click HERE. To listen to Pastor Mark’s 4 sermons on 2 Peter preached in the summer of 2020, visit realfaith.com. These and other resources are made possible by our ministry partners who support Real Faith as a Bible teaching ministry of Mark Driscoll Ministries to whom we say THANK YOU!