Assurance of the Second Coming. 2 Peter 1:16-21

Assurance of the Second Coming 2 Peter 1:16-21

Assurance of the Second Coming 2 Peter 1:16-21 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

Assurance of the Second Coming 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased 18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

Assurance of the Second Coming 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.

Assurance of the Second Coming 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.

Assurance of the Second Coming 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. Peter believed it was very important for his readers to believe in the second coming of Christ.

Assurance of the Second Coming In order to properly understand Scripture, we need to understand its context. False teachers were attacking the truth concerning the return of Christ.

Assurance of the Second Coming 2 Peter 3:3-4 3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.

Assurance of the Second Coming The last days is a phrase that can refer to any time after the first coming of Christ. 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

Assurance of the Second Coming In 2 Peter 3:4-13, Peter focuses on the radical change that the world will undergo when Jesus returns. 2 Peter 2:3 their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Assurance of the Second Coming The first reason we can be sure that the second coming will take place is because of the eyewitness testimony of Peter and the other apostles who saw the Transfiguration of Jesus.

Assurance of the Second Coming The second reason we can be sure that the second coming will take place is because of the reliability of the prophecies of Scripture.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) 2 Peter 1:16-18 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased 18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) At this point in the epistle, Peter shifts from using the word I, to the use of the word we. 2 Peter 1:12 I will always be ready to remind you 2 Peter 1:13 I consider it right 2 Peter 1:15 I will also be diligent

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) 2 Peter 1:16 we did not follow cleverly devised tales 2 Peter 1:16 we were eyewitnesses 2 Peter 1:18 we ourselves heard this utterance 2 Peter 1:18 when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) The word tales comes from the Greek word mythos (müʹ-thos). Mythos (müʹ-thos) referred to a fictional account or fable.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) Peter modifies mythos (müʹ-thos) with the word sophizō (so-fēʹ-zō). Sophizō (so-fēʹ-zō) means cleverly invented or deceitfully concocted.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) Peter tells his readers that the apostles didn t just buy into a story they had heard. They were eyewitnesses to the ministry of Jesus.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) John 20:30 many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written. There are less than forty miracles of Jesus that are discussed in the four gospels.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) 2 Peter 1:17-18 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, This is My beloved Son with whom I am wellpleased 18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) In the Old Testament, the glory of God was manifested by a bright light that emanated from the Holy of Holies. On the Mount of Transfiguration, the veil of Jesus humanity was pulled away to reveal to the apostles the glory of God.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) Matthew 17:2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased reflects back to two Old Testament texts. Psalm 2:6-7 6 But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain. 7 I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) Isaiah 42:1 Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) By His comments on the Mount of Transfiguration, God identified Jesus as the Messiah, the Suffering Servant, and the Son of God.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ At this point, Peter is building his argument on the strength of eyewitness testimony.

I. Eyewitness Testimony (16-18) Peter knew Jesus would return in glory, because he had already seen His glory.

II. Testimony of the Prophets (19-21) 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.

II. Testimony of the Prophets (19-21) 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.

II. Testimony of the Prophets (19-21) In these three verses, Peter addresses those who might question the validity of his personal testimony. Peter is saying that the Old Testament prophecies are completely reliable and they confirm his testimony.

II. Testimony of the Prophets (19-21) 2 Peter 1:19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (NIV)

II. Testimony of the Prophets (19-21) As reliable and helpful as Peter s experience was, the prophetic word is even more reliable. Peter s saying that the Word of God is even more reliable than an eyewitness account.

II. Testimony of the Prophets (19-21) God s Word doesn t need our belief or confirmation to make it true. And, since it is true, Peter said we should pay attention to it like a lamp shining in a dark place. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

II. Testimony of the Prophets (19-21) We must continually look to the light of the Word, until Jesus returns and we experience the fulness of His glory. Prophecy is not a product of the prophet himself (verse 20). All prophecy originated from God (verse 21).

II. Testimony of the Prophets (19-21) 2 Peter 1:20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one s own interpretation, 2 Peter 1:20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet s own interpretation of things.

II. Testimony of the Prophets (19-21) Since it s grammatically tied so closely to the statement in verse 21, it s probably best to understand verse 20 as a reference to the prophet, not the reader. The Greek word idios (ēʹ-dē-os) literally means one s own, his own, or their own.

II. Testimony of the Prophets (19-21) 2 Peter 1:21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. Through the Holy Spirit, God moved in such a way as to have individuals record His very words for us.