The Prophetic Word Made More Sure

"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19). As good as the eyewitness accounts of the apostles were, God did not rely on their word alone. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord God superintended the writing down of those experiences and the related thoughts in the inspired Word of God.

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim. 3:16a). "Inspiration," in the Greek, is theopneustos, which is a compound word combining theo, which means God, and pneustos, which means breath or wind, and is also the word for spirit, as in the Holy Spirit (Greek hagios pneustos: hagios/Holy-pneustos/Spirit; or Holy Spirit).

To those who questioned whether his testimony was valid, whether his experiences were reliable, Peter had an answer: you don’t have to rely on my testimony, because there is an even better source—the prophetic word made more sure—the Word of God.

The opening phrase of 2 Peter 1:19, "And so we have the prophetic word confirmed" (NKJV), causes some to misinterpret this verse. They take it to indicate that Peter's experience validated the Scriptures, or somehow, when he witnessed the Transfiguration of Christ, it confirmed the truth of God's Word.

It could mean that, but there is more to it. Literally, the phrase "we have the prophetic word confirmed," reads, "we have more sure the prophetic word." What it means is that, as reliable and helpful as Peter's experience is, the prophetic word of Scripture is more sure because it is inspired or God-breathed. God's Word is without error, it never fails, and it is the all-sufficient source of truth.

In 2 Peter 1:18a, when it says, "And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain," "we" is emphatic in the Greek, and is literally translated in the NIV as "we ourselves." Here in verse 19a, "we" is not an emphatic pronoun. Instead, it is generic, referring to all believers. Believer's everywhere have the Word of God. It is the most reliable source of God's truth. It is far more reliable than all our experiences taken together.

Because the Bible is the most reliable source of truth, you would do well to "heed (it) as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (v. 19b). If you are to stand firm against false teaching, you need to know the Word well and walk close by the Lord's side, obeying the Word every day.

"A lamp that shines in a dark place" (v. 19b) is a metaphor that reminds me of the words of the Psalmist: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). When you know and do God's Word, it will light your way.

"Until the day dawns" (v. 19b) is a reference to the day of Christ's return. In keeping with that theme, "morning star" (phōsphoros in Greek), literally means "light bringer." It was the name for the planet Venus, which rises ahead of the morning sun in the sky. Here it is used for Christ. At His Second Coming, He will be the "light bringer," and He will usher in the millennial kingdom and ultimately establish His Eternal Kingdom. On that day, when "the morning star rises in your hearts," you will all be transformed into a perfect reflection of Jesus Christ.

In verse 20, Peter returns to the topic of the inspiration of Scripture: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation." Paul said, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim. 3:16a). Therefore, it follows that "no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20), or "no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation" (NASB).

"Is of any" (v. 20), or "is a matter of" (NASB), translates a single Greek word which means "to come into being, to originate, or to arise." The Scriptures did not originate with men. False teaching was dreamed up by men, but not God's Word. His Word came directly from Him, not from Man. You can't write Scripture by way of how you interpret it. It doesn't work that way. The interpretation of God's Word must also come from God.

It is not up to you. God's Word means what God meant it to mean, not what you want it to mean. Let the Spirit within you do His work. He is the one who intercedes with your spirit to teach you the things of God, including the meaning of the Word of God. That's why unbelievers can't understand the Word of God. It is spiritually discerned, and they do not have the Holy Spirit: "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14).

"For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (v. 21). That is how the Bible came about. The Greek word trasnslated "moved," is a present passive participle that means "continually carried" or "borne along." The Holy Spirit moved on the hearts of men and guided the process, so that what they wrote was God's Word. They, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote what God wanted, not what they wanted.

Paul explained it like this: "These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Cor. 2:13). The NASB supplies a word at the end of that verse for clarity: "which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words."

If we are going to take a stand against false teachers, we must know the Scriptures well, and we must obey God's Word and live by it every day. There is no better source for life and eternity than the Holy Spirit-inspired, God-breathed Word. Amen.

The More Sure Prophetic Word

2 Peter 1:16-21 is foundational. Our understanding of Scripture is built on it. It clearly states that the Bible is both accurate and the written revelation of God's truth by which believers should live. Peter cites two reasons why he is absolutely convinced of the truth of the Scriptures—his own eyewitness experience of the revelation of God (which we wii consider today) and God's inspired, written revelation (which we will concider next week).

"For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty" (v. 16). "For" (v. 16a) links this passage to what went before. What Peter is doing here is to explain why, in that previous passage, he reminded his readers of the truth. He was absolutely convinced that what he was teaching was the truth because he experienced it personally.

He spoke for all the apostles, and for all the New Testament authors for that matter, when he said, "we did not follow cunningly devised fables" (v. 16a). They all received supernatural revelation, and that revelation verified that what they received and what they were now preaching was the truth.

John said much the same: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:1-3)

False teachers sought after power. They wanted to control people and churches. They also wanted to be popular. To attain those goals, they devised cunningly crafted lies. They hoped that such lies would bring them wealth, prestige, and fame. And that is exactly what they accused Peter of doing, making up "fables" to gain power and prestige, along with wealth and fame.

But Peter says that is not the case; not for him; not for the other apostles; not for any of the New Testament writers. They are men of integrity. None of them stooped to any such tactics. None of them sought after power, prestige, money, or the like. Those charges were simply false!

"Cunningly devised" (v. 16a) is from the Greek sophizō, meaning "to make wise," referring to sophisticated ideas crafted with the intent to deceive. The false teachers did their best to craft their false teachings to appear as divine truth, with the hope of deceiving God's people.

"Tales" (v. 16a), or "fables" (NASB), is from the Greek mythos, from which the English word "myths" derives. It refers to legends about gods and heroic figures who took part in miraculous events and performed extraordinary feats. The tales were characteristic of pagan mythology. Mythos is always negative in the New Testament, whereas the gospel is true. Peter used Mythos to refer to the lies, false stories, and deception of the false teachers. He denied using such tactics himself. He denied the use of false stories and lies when he made known his teaching.

"Made known" (v. 16a) is the Greek gnōrizō. It is used in the New Testament when giving new revelation. Here that new revelation concerned "the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"—His Second Coming. "Coming" (v. 16a) is the Greek word parousia, which literally refers to "an appearing" or "an arrival." In the New Testament, when speaking of Jesus Christ, it is used exclusively to refer to His return. So, it seems that not only did the false teachers try to undermine Peter's teaching in general, but they clearly denied the doctrine of the return of Christ. To the false teachers, it was only a story, and nothing more.

Not only does Peter declare without reservation that Jesus Christ will return, but he did so because of one unalterable fact—he and the other apostles "were eyewitnesses of His Majesty" (v. 16b). The majesty that belongs to Christ, they saw and witnessed as they walked with Jesus during His life and ministry. They also saw it as they witnessed His death, resurrection, and ascension. They were indeed eyewitnesses to most of what they wrote.

"Eyewitnesses" (v. 16b), in the Greek, originally referred to a spectator, or one who was merely a general observer. But over time, as happens in most languages, the word developed into meaning much more. It came to refer to a hands-on persoal experience.

Peter was a true eyewitness to the things of Christ and the truth of these doctrines. And there was one event that Peter clearly had in mind—an event that previewed the second coming majesty of Christ in dramatic fashion. That event is played out in verses 17-18.

"Majesty" (v. 16b) refers to splendor, grandeur, or magnificence. The New Testament uses the word "majesty" to refer to "the greatness of God" (Luke 9:43, NASB). When Jesus healed the demon-possessed child in Luke 9:42, the people all recognized it as a display of "the majesty of God" (v. 43).

The event in which the majesty of God was on display took place on a small mount now known as the Mount of Transfiguration. Luke 9:28-36 tells the story: "Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, 'Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah'—not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!' When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen."

It was then and there that Peter, John, and James—the inner circle—became eyewitnesses of the majesty of Jesus Christ. It was then and there that they also became eyewitnesses of Jesus receiving "from God the Father honor and glory" (v. 17a). "Honor" refers to His exalted status, while "glory" refers to His radiant splendor.

Jesus received "honor," or exalted status, when the Father publicly acknowledged His Sonship. Jesus received "glory" when He was transfigured before them and changed into His glorious splendor.

Peter knew he had just witnessed the Messiah and King of Kings in all His Second Coming majesty. He also knew he had just witnessed Moses and Elijah affirm Christ as Lord and Savior, as they spoke with Him of His coming death in Jerusalem. And most importantly, he had just witnessed God the Father honor Jesus in His own words, spoken from heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (v. 17b)

"And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain" (v. 18). "We" (v. 18a) is emphatic in the Greek, and is literally translated in the NIV as "We ourselves." Peter, John, and James heard the voice of God come from heaven and state clearly that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.

The Transfiguration transformed the mountain. It was no longer just a common, ordinary mountain. It was now a sacred mountain, a "holy place" within Israel. In fact, Peter calls it "holy" (v. 18b), which refers to it as a special or sacred place. It was there that Peter, John, and James became eyewitnesses of the Second Coming glory of Jesus Christ!

The question was settled—Peter, John. and James were eyewitnesses of Christ's glory. The false teachers were not. So, why would you listen to the false teachers? Peter is the one who knows the truth—listen to him! But there is an even greater reason that Peter is convinced of the truth of the Scriptures: the Lord God's own testimony, whicgh we will look at when we pick this up again next week. For now, listen to Peter and accept Jesus for who He is—the Lord our Savior. Amen.

Saturated and Secured by the Truth

Peter continues, "Knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me" (2 Peter 1:14). The NASB translates this with the word "imminent": "knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwell-ing is imminent." The term "imminent" carries a dual meaning in that it can denote "soon" or "swift" (John MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 2 Peter & Jude, [Moody Publishers: Chicago Illinois, 2005], 51). Perhaps here it conveys both.

When he wrote 2 Peter he was in his seventies. So, it was only natural for Peter to assume his death was not far off. He also knew his death would be sudden or swift, because Jesus made it clear to him that morning on the seashore when He asked Peter three times if he loved Him. That morning, about forty years before this, Jesus clearly indicated that Peter's death would be sudden.

In John 21:18-19 Jesus said, "'Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.' This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God."

Peter lived another four decades or so, always remaining faithful to feed God's sheep—God's people. All the while, he knew his life could be cut off at any time: "Knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me" (2 Peter 1:14). Paul told the Corinthians, "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven" (2 Cor. 5:1-2).

Saturated by the truth, Peter spoke in the same way: "I must put off my tent" (2 Peter 1:14a). He was looking forward to the day when he would see Jesus. In the meantime, he was reminded of the great truths of Scripture and he wasted no time in reminding others also.

Peter was diligent to remind believers of the truth. He took it upon himself to make sure they were completely saturated by the truth and reminded of it. He wanted to ensure that they would be able to recall these things. "Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease" (v. 15).

Everything in this letter, from salvation and assurance of salvation, continuing with the inspiration of Scripture, and right on through to the certainty of the Second Coming and the anticipation of Christ's return, is essential doctrine. These truths need to be imbedded in the minds of Christians, so they can be remembered and recalled at the proper moment, at the time of need.

Peter used the word "decease" (v. 15b) to speak of his own death. The NASB translates it "departure." Literally, it is the Greek word exodos, same as the Hebrew word "exodus," the name of the second book of Moses in the Old Testament. It carries the idea of leaving one place (Egypt) to go to another place (the Promised Land), or in this case, leaving earth to go to heaven.

Peter's focus, however, was not on himself or his death, or even on heaven. His focus was on God's people. His desire was for them to be secured by the truth and to remember the truth he had taught them.

In his Commentary on Peter and Jude, Martin Luther wrote, “Thus Peter now says: I will not only remind you with the living voice, but set such things also in writing, and charge you through others, that ye ever hold them in remembrance during my life and after my death, and not let them slip.” (Martin Luther, Commentary on Peter and Jude, edited by John Nichols Lenker, Database © 2008 WORDsearch Corp., 243)

Peter intended for this letter, 2 Peter, to be that "reminder of these things" (v. 15b). He labored hard to make sure all the essential doctrines were covered to ensure that none were ever forgotten. It was his way of leaving a sort of final will and testament to remind the saints of the greatness of their salvation, the blessedness of their assurance, and to make certain that false doctrine did not rob them of their rich spiritual heritage.

As we study 2 Peter, let us have that same goal—to be reminded of the great doctrines of the faith and to remember them always. Be in the Word often. Read the Bible every day to remind yourself of the truth and the great doctrines of the faith. Make it your desire to learn these truths so well that you will recall them in your time of need. Amen.

Protected and Established by the Truth

Peter is a straight shooter, and like Paul, he understands the importance of constantly reminding the saints of the ttruth of Scripture and the great foundational doctrines of the faith. In 2 Peter 1:13, he said, "Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,"

In this life, all who trust in Jesus are surrounded by the truth and protected, or kept by God. Peter is reminded of that day with the resurrected Christ on the seashore. He had failed Christ. Despite the warning Jesus had given, he still denied the Lord three times.

Jesus said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren" (Luke 22:31-32). But Simon Peter replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death" (v. 33). Then Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me" (v. 34).

Luke 22:54-62 picks up the story: "Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed at a distance. Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, 'This man was also with Him.' But he denied Him, saying, 'Woman, I do not know Him.' And after a little while another saw him and said, 'You also are of them.' But Peter said, 'Man, I am not!' Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, 'Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.' But Peter said, 'Man, I do not know what you are saying!' Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.' So Peter went out and wept bitterly." Tears of sorrow; tears of repentance!

But that morning on the seashore, the resurrected Jesus restored Peter as an apostle and commissioned him as a pastor. John 21:15-17 says. "So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Feed My lambs.' He said to him again a second time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Tend My sheep.' He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed My sheep.'"

With those words, Jesus restored Peter to fellowship and commissioned him as the lead apostle of the church. Then Jesus spoke of Peter's martyrdom. In John 21:18-19 Jesus said, "'Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.' This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, 'Follow Me.'"

Surrounded by the truth and protected by God, still Peter knew that in his old age, he would be crucified because of his faith. It would happen in Rome, and he would be crucified up-side-down by his choice. He didn't feel worthy of dying as Christ died.

Many years had gone by since that conversation on the seashore, and Peter was now well advanced in years. He knew it would not be much longer. Therefore, he decided it was time to write the saints and encourage them in their walk with Christ. It was time to write and remind them of God's truth, truth that would both establish them in their faith and prevent them from wandering off that narrow path of righteousness in their hour of testing. Reminded of God's truth, they would be ready to win the battle.

"To stir you up by reminding you" (2 Peter 1:13c). Peter was a devoted shepherd who was faithful to his people because he was loyal to the Lord Jesus. "As long as I am in this tent" (v. 13b) is an image that is familiar. Middle Eastern nomads lived in temporary and portable tents. Peter's body was a temporary tent that God would fold up one day, probably soon, and take him to heaven. In the meantime, Peter would be faithful in doing what "is right" (v. 13a).

Doing what he believed "is right" (v. 13a), or "righteous," which is what the word literally means in the Greek, he wrote to "stir…up" the saints by the truth and to establish them in their faith (v. 13c). He stirred them up by way of reminder. Peter reminded them of the great truths of Scripture to excite them all over again about the things of God.

Peter never tired of teaching and reviewing all the essential themes and doctrines of God's Word. No matter how mature they are in Christ, no matter how spiritually active they are in living the Christian life and reaching out to others, no matter how often they have heard these truths taught, to apply these truths every believer still needs to be reminded of the truth.

The true shepherd wants his people to remember these great truths of Scripture, so he is constantly reminding them over and again of these same teachings. The vast number of great truths and doctrines allows for the teaching to remain fresh and new every time. The result being that we are established in the faith and well-grounded in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The more we are reminded of the truth of God's Word, the closer we learn to walk with Jesus. That is what 2 Peter is all about, and that is why I so often come back to certain themes and doctrines on a regular basis. It is all designed to encourage your growth in the Lord.

Read the Bible through time and again. Never lose sight of the great truths of God and always remain faithful in your walk with Jesus. Amen.