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.