A Better Basis for Belief

 Peter showed that it was this power, and not scientific or archaeological studies, that confirmed God's Word.  It was the fulfillment of prophecy that made him speak of the "word made more firm."  On one occasion Jesus said to a group of his disciples: "Truly I sayt to you that there are some of those standing her that will not taste death at all until first they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom."  This was a prophecy.  It was soon fulfilled: six days later Jesus took Peter and James and John his brother along and brought them up to a lofty mountain by themselves. And he was trasfigured before them, and his face shone as the sun, and his garments became brilliant as the light."  Out from a  bright protecting clousd God's voice came:  "This is my Son, the Beloved, whom I have approved; listen to him." (Mattgew 16:28; 17:1, 2, 5, NW) That this appearance in Kingdom glory was in fulfillment of Jesus' promise made six days earlier is made certain for us by Peter.  When speaking of the power and presence of Christ he said that he and others knew of this glorious time of coming in Kingdom power, not on the basis of 
"artfully contrived false stories," but because of having become eyewitneses of his magnificence" in the holy mountain." - 2 PETER 1:16-18, NW.

So Peter referred to fulfilled prophecy, and because of what he said "we have the prophectic word made more firm."  The vision in fulfillment of Jesus words made more firm other prophecies avbout the actual coming or presence in Kingdom power at the end of the times of the nations.  (Luke 21:24) As more and more prophecies  are fulfilled light increases and conviction strengthens, and we must be guided and enlightened by these things.  "Consequently, we have the prophetic word made more firm, and you are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and a daystar rises,  in your hearts.  For you know this first,that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private release.  For prophecy was at no time bought by man's will, but men spoke from God as they were borne along by hol spirit." (2 Peter 1:19-21, NW) Sound scientific findings and true historical narrations may spring from private release by man's will, but not prophecy and its fulfillment/.

 We know from experience that men cannot prophecy accurately.  Just in our own generation men told us that the first world war was to make it safe for democracy.  It did not. The League of Nations was to be the political expression of Christ's kingdom on earth. It was not.  The second world war  was to rid the earth of dictators.  A bigger one now flouishes. The United Nations was to bring the nations together in peaceful co-operation. But they are split into eastern and western blocs, and the two factions fight their wordy battles in the United Nations and their bloody battles in Korea.  No, men are not true prophets. They do a lot of predicting, but they do not do much fulfilling. But it is different with Jehovah God.  He prophesies, and fulfillments follow. And logically, the more of his prophesies we find fulfilled, the more firmly we do hold in confidence to the yet unfulfilled words of God.  So to strengthen still further our faith in the Bible let us ponder a few of the many fulfillments. 

Next time: A Better Basis for Belief - SOME STRIKING FULFILLMENTS OF PROPHECY

From the  jw.org publications