It's a matter of fact! v23n16

It’s a matter of fact!

V23 n16

The other day, the Lord asked me to sit in on a Bible study at a local church. During the context of the message, it was brought up by the pastor, that Elijah was taken up to heaven by a chariot. Yet, during the context of the message, the impression was given how closely this pastor was listening to God for the message that He was delivering. My question is, why would God have anyone misrepresent His Word?

2 Kings 2:11, And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. KJV

It’s a matter of fact, as recorded in the Word, that a whirlwind is what took Elijah up!

2 Peter 1:19-21, 19 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: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For 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. KJV

People often forget, that there is but one Lord. And, that He, God, made this same Jesus both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) There is but one faith, that is the message delivered by the Word of God, Christ. This is the message that we are to hear and obey; for His sheep hear His voice, and they will not listen to, nor follow the voice of a stranger. There is but one baptism; John did truly baptize with water, but in the new covenant, one is to be baptized by His Spirit. (Acts 1:5) It is a matter of fact! One has to remember who it is that had this Bible recorded. One has to keep fresh in their heart and mind, what happens to those that add to or take away from the words transcribed within this Book.

2 Peter 1:19 Taken according to the common translation, it seems to say that prophecy is a surer evidence of divine revelation than miracles; and so it has been understood. The meaning of the apostle appears to be this: The law and the prophets have spoken concerning Jesus Christ, and Isaiah has particularly pointed him out in these words: Behold my servant whom I uphold, my CHOSEN IN WHOM MY SOUL DELIGHTETH; I have put my Spirit upon him, and he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and THEM THAT SIT IN DARKNESS out of the prison house, <Isa. 42:1,7>. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

[Knowing this first] Considering this as a first principle, that no prophecy of the Scripture, whether that referred to above, or any other, is of any private interpretation-- proceeds from the prophet's own knowledge or invention, or was the offspring of calculation or conjecture. The word epilusis (grk 1955) signifies also impetus, impulse; and probably this is the best sense here; not by the mere private impulse of his own mind. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

[For the prophecy came not in old time] That is, in any former time, by the will of man-- by a man's own searching, conjecture, or calculation; but holy men of God-- persons separated from the world and devoted to God's service, spake, moved by the Holy Spirit. So far were they from inventing these prophetic declarations concerning Christ, or any future event, that they were pheromenoi (grk 5342), carried away, out of themselves and out of the whole region, as it were, of human knowledge and conjecture, by the Holy Spirit, who, without their knowing anything of the matter, dictated to them what to speak, and what to write; and so far above their knowledge were the words of the prophecy, that they did not even know the intent of those words, but searched what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

Perhaps there is scarcely any point of view in which we can consider prophecy which is so satisfactory and conclusive as that which is here stated; that is, far from inventing the subject of their own predictions, the ancient prophets did not even know the meaning of what themselves wrote. They were carried beyond themselves by the influence of the divine Spirit, and after ages were alone to discover the object of the prophecy; and the fulfilment was to be the absolute proof that the prediction was of God, and that it was of no private invention-- no discovery made by human sagacity and wisdom, but by the special revelation of the all-wise God. This is sufficiently evident in all the prophecies which have been already fulfilled, and will be equally so in those yet to be fulfilled; the events will point out the prophecy, and the prophecy will be seen to be fulfilled in that event. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

1 Peter 1:10-13, 10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; KJV

[Of which salvation the prophets have inquired] The incarnation and suffering of Jesus Christ, and the redemption procured by him for mankind, were made known, in a general way, by the prophets; but they themselves did not know the time when these things were to take place, nor the people among and by whom he was to suffer, etc.; they therefore inquired accurately or earnestly, exezeeteesan (grk 1567), and searched diligently, exeereuneesan (grk 1830), inquiring of others who were then under the same inspiration, and carefully searching the writings of those who had, before their time, spoken of these things. The prophets plainly saw that the grace which was to come under the Messiah's kingdom was vastly superior to anything that had ever been exhibited under the law; and in consequence they made all possible inquiry, and searched as after grains of gold, hidden among sand or compacted with ore (for such is the meaning of the original word), in order to ascertain the time, and the signs of that time, in which this wondrous display of God's love and mercy to man was to take place; but all that God thought fit to instruct them in was what is mentioned. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

[The glory that should follow.] Not only the glory of his resurrection, ascension, exaltation, and the effusion of his Spirit; but that grand manifestation of God's infinite love to the world in causing the Gospel of his Son to be everywhere preached, and the glorious moral changes which should take place in the world under that preaching, and the final glorification of all them who had here received the report, and continued faithful unto death. And we may add to this the ineffable glorification of the human nature of Jesus Christ, which, throughout eternity, will be the glorious Head of his glorified body, the church. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

[Unto whom it was revealed] We may presume that, in a great variety of cases, the prophets did not understand the meaning of their own predictions. They had a general view of God's designs; but of particular circumstances, connected with those great events, they seem to have known nothing, God reserving the explanation of all particulars to the time of the issue of such prophecies. When they wished to find out the times, the seasons, and the circumstances, God gave them to understand that it was not for themselves, but for us, that they did minister the things which are now reported unto us by the preaching of the Gospel. This was all the satisfaction they received in consequence of their earnest searching; and this was sufficient to repress all needless curiosity, and to induce them to rest satisfied that the Judge of all the earth would do right. If all succeeding interpreters of the prophecies had been contented with the same information relative to the predictions still unaccomplished, we should have had fewer books, and more wisdom. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

We learn from the above that it was the Spirit of Christ in the Jewish prophets that prophesied of Christ; it was that Spirit which revealed him; and it is the same Spirit which takes of the things of Christ, and shows them unto us. Christ was never known by prophecy, but through his own Spirit; and he never was known, nor can be known, to the salvation of any soul, but by a revelation of the same Spirit. It is he alone that bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

As Paul also says, that it was His desire to make all men see, what the fellowship of this mystery is. That which had been hid since the world which we know, had began. To realize, that God has made known the mystery of His will. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither entered into the heart of “man”, the carnal creature, the things that God has prepared for those who love Him. However, it has been revealed to us by His Spirit; and it is freely given to whomever will diligently seek Him, according to His Word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17, 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. KJV

All scripture is God breathed, God inspired. It is all opened to, and revealed by His Spirit. For it is His Spirit that leads us and guides us into all truth. His Word is truth!

From what the apostle says here concerning the qualifications of a Christian minister, we may well exclaim: Who is capable of these things? Is it such a person as has not intellect sufficient for a common trade or calling? No. A preacher of the Gospel should be a man of the soundest sense, the most cultivated mind, the most extensive experience, one who is deeply taught of God, and who has deeply studied man; one who has prayed much, read much, and studied much; one who takes up his work as from God, does it as before God, and refers all to the glory of God; one who abides under the inspiration of the Almighty, and who has hidden the word of God in his heart, that he might not sin against him. No minister formed by man can ever be such as is required here. The school of Christ, and that alone, can ever form such a preacher. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

God’s recorded Word, is a matter of fact! Will you believe Him, or some man?

That you may know Him,

In the service of Jesus Christ.

Larry Gazelka

www.builtanewministries.org