SIMON PETER KNEW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FALSE PROPHECY AND THE REAL THING CENTERED IN CHRIST JESUS

• His writings tell how God's people would be tested with persecution- & false prophets corrupting
• He was an "Apostle"- a personal witness of Christ!  He knew many others would claim to be Apostles
• Today we have many "Prophets," Psychics, etc. - Paul Harvey debunked them last year- 80% vs. 35%

But our Bible & Its message is a Sure Word of Prophecy- proven by shovel & history!  - Many books - "Evidence Demands A Verdict", Halley's Handbook, "Bible Almanac" -etc.!

I. NO CUNNINGLY DEVISED FABLES II Pet 1:16a

We still have confusion over who shot Kennedy- In comparison- there is no confusion about the Bible!

A. THE BIBLE IS A COLLECTION OF BOOKS THAT GOD BREATHED, CANONIZED BY THE EARLY CHURCH!

• OT- 39 Books- canonized by Ezra - Translated Greek Septuagint- 288BC & we have 350 related manuscripts
• NT- 27 Books- canonized by Church - 100 AD, accepted by thousands of churches-without Apocrypha
• In the Study of Historical Manuscripts we have Bible now as it was settled - Rev 22:18,19 works

B. BUT DURING THE BIBLE TIME THERE WERE OTHER BOOKS WRITTEN, SOME CLAIMING TO BE PROPHETIC & OF GOD

• The Apocrypha- OT-14, NT-15 found acceptance in some churches- Latin Vulgate added 460 AD
• Psuedigraphica - Books not accepted by Church- but claimed to be scripture- many Gospels, etc.
• There were actual historical books - like Josephine- written 80 AD, good, authentic, not Bible

C. AND THE WRITING OF MANY "BIBLES" HAS CONTINUED THROUGH TODAY, BUT DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THEM!

• Koran of Mohamadism - swept world; Book of Mormon, Science & Health, Desire Of Ages, etc. etc.-
• New "Discoveries"- "The Aquarius Gospel of Jesus"- Atrologers, Van Dankin- "Chariots of Gods" -
• "Honest" frauds- "The Satanic Bible"- & Yellow Journalism- "Star" - "Globe:, & Physics, Casey, Etc.

Peter faced philosophers, Sorcerers, Gnostics - but today weak Christians are snared by foolishness.

II. WE HAVE A MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY!

Some men have had good record- Nostradamus, Mother Shipton, even Sam Johnson - but Bible is SURE!

A. PETER HAD A MORE SOUND BASIS FOR WHAT HE WROTE THAN THE SIGNS, WONDERS, & DOPED VERSIONS OF OTHERS

• What does he mean- more sure than OT Prophets? Or Philosophers? Or Religionist witch doctor fables?
• Figure it out - Peter was - v16 An Eye Witness of Christ, v18 Heard God's Word - v21 moved by the Holy Ghost
• John the Beloved- wrote Rev. -96AD note I John 1:1- we have heard, seen, looked on, handled.

B. THE SCIENCE & HISTORY OF ARCHEOLOGY AND MANUSCRIPT CRITICISM BEARS OUT PETER'S WORDS TO US!

• If all Bibles destroyed- we could replace Bible from over 300,000 graffiti- Tombs, pots, etc.
• Early Church Fathers in their writings quoted the Bible over 36,299 times catalogued by research
• Add 1,700 OT manuscripts, 4,000 Greek NT manuscripts, 27,000 early Latin & other translations.

C. EVEN WITHOUT OUR YEARS OF HISTORICAL EVIDENCE, PETER'S WORDS HAD IMPACT ON HIS GENERATION!

• They made known the coming of Jesus, v.16- the 12, then 500, then to the known world- evangelized
• In a time of darkness- confusion of sects & cults- the Light shined- HE changed men- Saved!
• Peter warned those who followed - 19b take heed- keep your eyes on that Light- Jesus Christ!

Don't try to be an expert on Cults today, or read all the trash - READ YOUR BIBLE! STUDY IT!

III. NO PROPHECY IS OF PRIVATE INTERPRETATION  v. 20-21

Though everyone is free to "Interpret" scripture themselves- sanity demands certain principles

A. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT "GOD SAID" IS ECHOED THOUSANDS OF TIMES, IN N.T. APOSTLE PAUL REVEALS -

• The principle is shown in I Cor. 2:9-16 - Seek Mind of Christ & the Spirit will reveal Truth- Bible
• Paul stated the truth in II Tim 3:16- but Restrict "Scripture" to the Bible!  Inspired-
• God has sent us a Love Letter- telling of Power and coming of Jesus- v.16, glorify Jesus!

B. PETER WARNED THAT NO SCRIPTURE IS OF ANY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION! v.20  SO BEWARE CHARLATANS.

• Even Old Time Preachers might yield to temptation to set dates, name AntiChrist, align nations-
• Read the Bible yourself, study with mainline Bible Teachers, make yourself a notebook, file-
• But remember to be content with the Lord - II Pet. 1:3 - Accept His "All Things", Promises, STOP!

C. THE BIBLE CAME TO US NOT BY THE WILL OF MAN, & MUST ALSO BE INTERPRETED BY WILL OF MAN!

• Will of man has given us great kingdoms - Greece, Rome, & modern-English Empire, USA- seeking God
• But Holy Ghost gave Bible!  God Spoke to men & they recorded it! Sealed it with their Blood!
• The Same Holy Spirit can speak to you today- not for new Bibles- but through His Word!

You would do well - v19b to take heed - let the Day Star shine in your heart- Read His Word!

THERE IS NO SHORT CUT, OR MAGIC FORMULA, OR SECRET PATH TO BIBLE KNOWLEDGE! STUDY, BELIEVE, OBEY!

• The mysteries of the Bible are unfolded enough for you to Accept Christ! - get saved - Grow
• As you exercise God's Gifts- obedient walk- God will add to your life!  Obey Him!
• Walking with God- you can face the future- with all its confusion- Secure in Him!

The Bible has not changed its message in 2000 years!  Obey it!