‘As they were moved by the Holy Ghost’  

MEMORY VERSE: ‘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.’ 2 Peter 1:21.

STUDY HELP:  Desire of Ages, pages 233-235.

LESSON SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 1:16-21.

LESSON AIM: To show that the prophecies of the Bible were given by divine inspiration, and not simply manmade productions.  

Introduction

‘The unbelieving and godless do not discern the importance of the signs of the times, foretold in the prophetic word. In ignorance they may refuse to accept the inspired record. But when professed Christians speak sneeringly of the ways and means employed by the great I AM to make His purposes known, they show themselves to be ignorant both of the Scriptures and of the power of God. The Creator knows just what elements He has to deal with in human nature. He knows what means to employ to obtain the desired results. Man’s word fails. He who makes the assertions of men his dependence, may well tremble; for he will some day be as a shipwrecked vessel. God’s word is infallible, and endures forever.’ Youth’s Instructor, December 1, 1903.  

‘The Spirit of prophecy’  

1.        From where did the Bible prophets receive their message? 2 Peter 1:21. 

NOTE: ‘The more fully we accept the light presented by the Holy Spirit through the consecrated servants of God, the deeper and surer, even as the eternal throne, will appear the truths of ancient prophecy; we shall be assured that men of God spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Ghost. Men must themselves be under the influence of the Holy Spirit in order to understand the Spirit’s utterances through the prophets.’ Selected Messages, book 2, page 114.  

 2.        How did the angel describe the source of prophecy? Revelation 19:10.

NOTE: ‘It was Christ that spoke to His people through the prophets. The apostle Peter, writing to the Christian church, says that the prophets “prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 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.” 1 Peter 1:10, 11. It is the voice of Christ that speaks to us through the Old Testament. “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10.’ Patriarchs & Prophets, page 366.