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out of their own imagination but were directly inspired by God through His Holy Spirit.
Peter is going to say as much in his second epistle:
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.
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" (II Pet. 1: 20, 21).
The surprising statement by Peter that the angels desired to "stoop down or peer into"
these prophecies is another indication of their origin in God. When one is aware of the
grievous attacks on the inerrancy of the O.T. today both in and out of Christendom one
can see how God foresaw it would be necessary to give a rational backing to the truth of
His Word to those who in faith gave it an honest examination.
"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" (I Pet. 1: 13).
Rehearse in your memory, be clear in your understanding of all the things you have
learnt in arriving at your faith. Then be watchful (sober), (an insistent and repeated
exhortation to those expecting the personal arrival on earth of the Lord Jesus Christ as
King), and have an expectation with the conviction of faith (hope) to the end, for the
grace you will receive at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
This grace is the first of several references to rewards awaiting those overcomers,
`suffering, then glory' being a recurring theme.
"As obedient children (children of obedience), not fashioning yourselves according to
the former lusts (desires) in your ignorance" (1: 14).
Paul at the commencement of his letter to the Romans refers to the same theme,
"obedience to the faith among all nations" (Rom. 1: 5). The great thought in both
ministries is: having been rescued from the power of Satan and this world; and been
brought into the Kingdom of God; they should live lives in harmony with, and in
obedience to the object of their new faith. For our own calling there is a similar need to
let the knowledge we receive by the Holy Spirit find an acknowledgment in our daily
living: both actions, thoughts and words.