THE MORNING STAR

2 Peter 1:19-21

   19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

   We read: “for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will”. It talks about something man never would have come up with, because it is against everything that is natural for man.
   Man itself is in principle self righteous, he will justify himself, save himself, and it is a completely impossibility to even think about not contributing to his own salvation. Try to find one religion in this world, which does not have this as a central point! - That we have to sacrifice and contribute.
   Notice therefore that they not only have this as a part of the deity, but it is the central point! And this shows that it descend from the human heart.
   Therefore you will also in Christian connections find so much more talk about the necessity of the law, than the necessity of the Gospel. Because the old nature still rules, that which does not understand God’s way.
   Paul says: But just as it is written, "things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered the heart of man, all that god has prepared for those who love Him."(1 Cor. 2:9).
   What is completely unknown for all man to even think and imagine.
   Any man made religion which springs up from the human heart, has to become a religion of laws. A religion where the deity who is worshipped depends on you! Anything else will be against our nature.
   “What shall we do to get saved?” the Jews asked; - and “What kind of deed does God want us to do?” After all, laws and deeds belong together.

   Let us draw a conclusion: Where there is no law, there is no demand for any deeds! For where the law still is, deeds are also required.
   I would like to ask you: What do you want to accomplish by this law, - this God’s law, before God? What kind of help will you receive from it? It speaks of what God demands of you, man. In other words about deeds.
   “Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.” (Gal.3:21).
   This he had to remind the poor Galatians about, those who had gone astray on this dangerous path. But the conclusion is this: A law like this has not been given!
   When Paul teaches this, the Jew necessarily had to think: “How am I going to get saved then?”
   Yes, exactly: How? Then it has to be a completely different way!
   But, among the Jews, it was - as it is among us - that many thought of the law, but had never done it! Therefore they were offended by the preaching of the apostle, because they still believed that the law was a passable way to salvation.

   But then you had those who were called sinners, - different types, from those with uncontrollable and unruly desires and lusts to those who were mentally retarded. These were all those who had realized that they could never be a righteous Pharisee, because they did not have what it took.
   And what was the natural consequence of this? Yes, these people considered themselves as lost. There was no way out! The only way they knew, was the way of the law, and that way they were not able to walk.
   How do you think they felt? They were hurting!
   Having this in mind, listen to what Jesus says: “And Jesus answered and said to them, " It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.” (Luk. 5:31), “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost” (Mat. 18:11, Luk. 19:10).
   Here He speaks of whom and what kind of people He has come for, - those who did not make it in any way. So if you are here now, then…?

   This could never spring up in a human heart, it had to be taught from the outside, and therefore it is called “Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.” (Luk.15:1).
   Listen now, you who always think that you have to dress up or put on an image before you come to Him; that is exactly what springs up in the natural human heart. But listen now to the Word of God which does not spring up from the human heart. Who came near to Him? Sinners! SINNERS! Because they heard something here that gave them hope! A completely different way!
   Jesus gave them the word like the Holy Ghost had taught it. And not the way the human mind reasons with common sense had understood it.
   “- but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (v21b).
   All of the Old Testament aims towards the only necessity, Jesus Christ.
God does not need the Pharisees righteousness; what shall he do with that? Do well where you are, He says. It is good for the people, but what shall He do with stilted self righteousness? He has been given the righteousness He has demanded from man, and that is through the man, Jesus Christ!
   So listen to what is being said: “Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.” (Hebr.10:18).

   You who have this so strongly in you, to contribute, are you not listening? It is not needed!    Do you think it is so bad to become that unemployed?
   Yes, we cannot really grasp this; can it really be like this? “It is finished!” So, He has exactly said this, and that is what the apostle underlines here: “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin”.

   Shall I just sit here and believe that? YES! Do you not belong to those people who do not see a passable way - any other passable way - than just this one? That He forgives you of your sins, because that is what you have! That is always what you are left with. Not what brings you to heaven, but that what shuts you out.
   Maybe you hear the song of the angels tonight - the song they sung Christmas eve - what do I know:”Today there is born a Savior!” Is that not enough for you? “He is Christ, the Lord! – They sing. Is that enough?

   “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (v19).
   “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy” (Rev. 19:10).
   The whole meaning of this book, the Bible, which you shall hear and see: “I was dead!” – And the wages of sin is death, “but look, I am alive! – And the wage will not be paid twice.
   You have to be where the wages of sin is already paid for: In Him! That is why he is teaching you His Gospel!

   A prophet’s word, the prophetic word, the testimony of Jesus, Jesus own testimony, “to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place” because “until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.” (v.19).
   This is what the Bibleteacher Øivind Andresen says so nicely: “The hearts aimedness on Jesus!”
   That does not happen by the bondage of the law, but by the Word about Him!

E.K.

Holy Bible New American Standard Version
Translator: Benedicte Holtan Smart