THE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY.
By J. L. Shuler
FOR we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount.” 2 Peter 1:16–18. That this refers to the transfiguration, is shown by Matt. 17:1–5. In order to prove that he was not following fables in telling of the coming of the Lord, Peter declared that he had been an eyewitness of the transfiguration, which was a miniature representation of that glorious event. In human affairs, the testimony of a visible witness is deemed the best proof that we can have for any event. To see anything for one’s self is an end of controversy. But Peter goes on to say immediately after this reference to the transfiguration:— “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. Thus Peter declares that prophecy is “more sure” than human eyesight. Prophecy is that which it is in the purpose of God to bring to pass, and therefore can not fail. Our eyes at best may deceive us, but the Word of God “liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Peter 1:23. Prophecy has in it nothing of the human; it is wholly of divine origin. None of man’s weakness5can enter into it, because it comes direct from the Holy Spirit, “the Spirit of truth.” “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.” 2 Peter 1:21. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus instructed the people that “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, tho one rose from the dead.” Luke 16:31. If the hearing of the prophetic word would not persuade them, they would not be persuaded by seeing with their own eyes even one that had risen from the dead. In view of this fact it behooves us to understand and take heed to the prophecies. When Christ rode into Jerusalem amid the joyful shouts of “Hosanna” from His disciples, the Pharisees asked Christ to rebuke them. But He said, “I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” And why?—Because the prophecy relating to His entry into Jerusalem (Zech. 9:9), had to be fulfilled, even should the stones be caused to fulfil it. This incident is the assurance that the prophecies will certainly be fulfilled. Christ said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away; but My words shall not pass away.” Luke 21:33. And David testifies, “Thy word is true from the beginning.” We have evidence enough from the prophecies that have been fulfilled that all the prophecy of the Bible will be fulfilled; because it is written “Thy word is truth,” and it was impossible for God to lie, and “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise.” The prophecies are indeed a “sure word.” They are also our basis of a hope “both sure and steadfast.” Therefore we “do well” to “take heed” to them.