The Grand Apostle Peter transitions from his focus of declaring God’s work in providing believers with various spiritual resources or endowments in order to live vital and godly lives (II Peter 1:3-11), to the grand importance of God’s word as our spiritual nourishment (II Peter 1:12-21). II Peter 1:12-21 may be outlines as follows: I. A Reminder to Remember What Has Been Written – II Peter 1:12-15; II.
Revelation of a Sure Prophecy – II Peter 1:16-21.
I. A Reminder to Remember What Has Been Written – II Peter 1:12-15
Peter, aware that his sojourn on earth was drawing nigh, wanted these believers to keep that which he had written in this epistle (v. 12). Peter wanted these believers not to waver from the truths he had written and to be firmly entrenched in the truth. The problem with many bible believing churches, is that believers know the truth but forget to practice what they know! As believers, we must live out the truths that we presently have now!
In verses 13-14, Peter was keenly aware that he would soon be with the Lord, however, he wanted to stir up the memories of the believers as long as the Lord granted him to live in the tent of his body. Peter knew that he had to put aside his tent because Jesus had clearly forecasted in St. John 21:18-19 that he would (vv. 13-14). Again, in verse 15, it was Peter’s supreme focus for the believers to be able to remember what he had written even after his demise. Peter did not want God’s people to forget God’s work and word!
Having observed in I. A Reminder to Remember What Has Been Written – II Peter 1:12-15, now let us observe II. Revelation of a Sure Prophecy – II Peter 1:16-21.
II. Revelation of a Sure Prophecy – II Peter 1:16-21
Peter begins in verse 16 declaring that our Christian faith rests on historical facts that eyewitnesses validated. Peter confirmed that he was a witness of the majesty of the Lord: this was a referral to the power and coming of Jesus Christ. Peter is offering a firm defense of the doctrine of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ which was confirmed by his eyewitness experience on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Peter is attesting that he experienced Christ’s majesty on the Mount of Transfiguration. The doctrine of Christ’s return is of paramount importance and Peter wanted the believers to remember this doctrine! The transfiguration event was an attestation that the Lord will come again in great power. The whole purpose of the transfiguration experience was to give the three disciples (Peter, James, John) a foretaste of Christ’s coming kingdom (Matthew 16:28-17:2; Mark 9:1-8; Luke 9:28-36). These disciples witnessed Christ’s majesty, an experience they could not forget!
In verses 17-18, as a member of the inner circle of disciples, Peter wanted the believers to anticipate a time when Christ will appear in honor and glory! Peter is stating that he was privileged to witness the transfiguration event and that experience prompted him to be firmly committed to the doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ (Acts 2:32-33, 36; 3:16, 20-21) (v. 17). During that awesome experience of being on the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter was profoundly impressed more with what he heard than what he saw! (v. 18). God the Father spoke from heaven, voicing His approval of Jesus Christ!
In verse 19, Peter will shift from his transfiguration experience to remind the believers of the importance of God’s written word given by the prophets. The Father’s powerful voice on the sacred mountain authenticated the word of the prophets. The prophets forecasted that the kingdom was coming and the transfiguration confirmed the fulfillment of their prophecies. Peter exhorted the believers that we have a “sure word of prophecy” and they needed to pay strict attention to it. As a light, God’s written word serves to guide us until Christ comes again. You see in verse 19, the written word of God illumines us in this dark chaotic world of sin and guides us, even enlightens us, about God’s ways and exhorts us to anticipate the Lord’s glorious coming!
Having written regarding prophecy serving as illumination (v. 19), Peter now discusses prophecy as revelation (v. 20). Peter informs us that “no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.” When interpreting prophecy, we should interpret it contextually and with the support of other prophecies in God’s word (v. 20).
In verse 21, prophecies originated from God and not the prophets themselves. The prophets were men of God who were controlled by the Holy Spirit as they wrote. As the prophets wrote, they were being inspired by God (II Timothy 3:16).
Brothers and sisters, we have a sure word of prophecy because the human authors were controlled by the Divine Author, the Holy Spirit. And if the Holy Spirit is leading you, then you have a mighty good Leader! The Holy Spirit convicted our hearts that He (Christ) is the way to salvation (St. John 14:6).
It is through the ministry of the Holy Spirit that we were firmly convicted that Christ became our substitutionary sacrifice, dying for us on an old rugged cross. The same Saviour who died in our stead on the cross, and was buried, rose triumphantly for our justification. Jesus Christ, the matchless Son of God, became man, and He completely paid the price for our redemption!
As believers, we have been saved from the penalty of sin (justification), we are being saved from the power of sin (sanctification), but one day, we shall be saved from the very presence of sin (glorification). I John 3:2 informs us that when Christ comes to receive the church, we will experience being glorified, for I John 3:2 says: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”
May God Bless!
Dr. Johnny Calvin Smith
