Skip to main content

2 PETER

CHAPTERS

123

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. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such a declaration 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 declaration made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.19 And 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. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’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.”


Eyewitnesses of His majesty: Peter is speaking of the first coming of Jesus Christ. Because he and the other apostles saw Jesus and learned from Him directly, they had the authoritative message from God. This message was the pure Gospel of grace free from odd theology or cleverly devised tales. 

This is my beloved Son: Jesus’ identity as God’s Son was validated visibly during His earthly ministry. Thus, we must believe in Jesus’ true identity to be saved. This is the message that the apostles brought to the world. The gate to God is narrow, not because being a true believer is so hard, but because of the exclusivity of Jesus. He is the one path to God, and this is a difficult message for the world to hear. 

Prophetic word: The prophetic word is the identity of Jesus as God’s one and only Son. This is the message spoken by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is forever perpetually communicating to the world about Jesus. If we hear something that contradicts the Gospel then it is not from the Spirit. 

Morning star arises: Jesus, the lamp shining in the dark, is wanting to save all people. When we agree with the prophetic word about Jesus’ identity, we are given God’s light in a dark world. According to Peter, the key to Christianity is not moralist or ethics but knowing the person of Jesus who is life itself. 

Previous Next Chapter

2 PETER

CHAPTERS

123