WE HAVE EYEWITNESS AND THE PROPHETIC MESSAGE

Passage: 2 Peter 1:12-21

Key verse: 19

NIV

Prophecy of Scripture

12 So I will always remind you of these things,(A) even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth(B) you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory(C) as long as I live in the tent of this body,(D) 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside,(E) as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.(F) 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure(G) you will always be able to remember these things.

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power,(H) but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.(I) 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[a](J) 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.(K)

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable,(L) and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light(M) shining in a dark place, until the day dawns(N) and the morning star(O) rises in your hearts.(P) 20 Above all, you must understand(Q) that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God(R) as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.(S)

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Peter 1:17 Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

12 Therefore I intend (A)always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in (B)the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this (C)body,[a] (D)to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 (E)since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, (F)as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word

16 For we did not follow (G)cleverly devised (H)myths when we made known to you (I)the power and (J)coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but (K)we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, (L)“This is my beloved Son,[b] with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on (M)the holy mountain. 19 And (N)we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention (O)as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until (P)the day (Q)dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For (R)no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God (S)as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

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Footnotes
  1. 2 Peter 1:13 Greek tent; also verse 14
  2. 2 Peter 1:17 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Peter was nearing the end of his life. So, he knew the importance of reminding the believers about Jesus Christ and his gospel message.

Peter reminds and assures the believers of the truth of the story about Jesus Christ. In all the testimonies that Peter and the disciples shared, there was no deceit, there were no made-up stories. The gospel was a true story based on the eyewitness accounts of Peter and many other disciples. Peter first-handedly saw Jesus in his power and majesty. He saw Jesus transfigured into his glorious form on the holy mountain. Peter first-handedly heard God’s voice, “This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Mt 17:5).

Peter also reminds them of the prophetic messages about Jesus Christ. He says they are completely reliable and emphasizes that no prophecy came about by the prophets’ own interpretation. The prophecies were the words of God. Through prophecies and eyewitness accounts of the disciples, we can know and understand Jesus more deeply. May we seek to know Jesus until his morning star rises in our hearts.

Prayer: Jesus, help us to seek and find you until the morning star rises in our heart.

One Word: Until the morning star rises in our hearts