A Final Word

I find the effect that aging and maturity have on people’s ideas and perceptions to be fascinating. For instance, as you read a biography and examine someone’s life from the perspective of the end, looking over the whole, it is interesting to see how their focus and priorities shift with the passage of time. What things fall away and which become or remain essential?

Of course, some of this is a natural result of the passing stages of life. Paul uses this transformation as an analogy for the changes between this age and the age to come saying, “When I was a child spoke as a child, but when I became a man I put away childish things.” Paul was not disparaging these things by calling them childish. Rather he was recognizing that their value was temporal—tied to a particular stage of growth or development—and it faded with the passage of time.

The Apostle Peter is a compelling example of this. The New Testament gives us, as readers, a window into some of this transformation as Peter matures and grows in sanctification. The younger man we see early in the gospels is fiery, opinionated, and self-assured. He is ready to establish God’s kingdom by the power of the sword if needed and to call down fire upon those who won’t submit.

The Peter in Acts, after the outpouring of the Spirit, is wiser and more stable valuing the unity of the faith over the sword. The Peter of the epistles is concerned primarily with believers living lives of holiness and submission which reflect the light of the gospel. His focus there is on suffering well, shepherding the flock, and looking expectantly to the promise of Christ’s return.

The book, or letter, which in our Bibles is titled 2 Peter was written near the end of the apostle’s life possibly just months before his death. This book then gives us the final record of what Peter, at the end of his life, viewed as the foundational priorities that were essential to pass on.

In the opening eleven verses of the letter, Peter reminds his readers about their own transformation by the power of the gospel, and he encourages them to strive to live their lives in light of what Christ has done in and for them.

[Read 2 Peter 1:12–15]

Peter is explicit that his purpose in writing this letter is for his readers to be firmly established in the truth gospel. Realizing that his life is swiftly nearing its conclusion, he takes this final opportunity in the remainder of the letter to remind them of three essential things:

1. The sure foundation of God’s Revelation
2. The danger of false teachers
3. The certainty of Christ’s return

This morning we will focus on the first of these essential reminders. [Read 2 Peter 1:16–21]

A Certain Revelation

The first essential truth that Peter wants to remind the believers of is that they have a certain foundation in what God has revealed. Peter’s confidence in the gospel and theirs rests on something more than just “cleverly devised myths”.

A myth is “a story without basis in fact, a legend”. Mythology was a common fixture in the greco-roman world. Although some took them at face value, often people believed them while at the same time recognizing that they were not actual historical accounts but stories constructed crafted by men to communicate some message about values, morals, or the reality of the world. Thus for them believing meant simply that they agreed with the underlying values or moral message.

Don’t assume that this is just relegated to the ancient world. This type of thinking is more prevalent today than you might realize. Many take this same approach to scripture discounting it as made-up stories or the quaint ideas of ancient man’s understanding of the world. And yet, they argue, that it has value for those who can see past all of that to glean some nugget of moral or spiritual truth.

The New Testament always uses the word myth negatively contrasting it with God’s truth. Peter wants believers to have confidence that the truth of the gospel and the apostles’ teaching does not rest on such a shoddy foundation. They did not craft their message in order to appeal to the maximum number of people. Nor did they, like some, invent a myth set in some long ago time and far-off place that could be neither examined nor verified. What the apostles proclaimed to the world was not a mythological narrative, but the power and coming of Jesus. His coming was in space and time, and his power was not some invisible aura or internal mystical feeling. It made a lasting visible impact on the world—transforming individual lives and altering the course of history.

Eyewitnesses of His Majesty

The apostles’ message—and Peter says “we” for they are all in agreement —is grounded in first-hand eyewitness testimony. Peter says, “we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

A simple but important question is what is an eyewitness? The word gives it away. An eyewitness is someone who witnessed something with their own eyes. They didn’t read it in a book, they didn’t make it up, they didn’t hear about it from someone else who saw it. They were there when it happened and they can give a first-hand account of the event.

What were they witnesses of? It was more than just miracles and words. Peter says that they were witnesses of Jesus’ majesty—that is of the fullness of the revelation of who he is.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power… (Hebrews 1:3)

In one sense the entirety of the incarnation was a revelation of the majesty and glory of the Triune God in the person of the Son. Peter, however, has a very particular instance in mind.

Glory From the Father

[Read 1:17–18] There are two instances recorded in Scripture when the Father speaks these audible words from heaven about Jesus. One took place at his baptism in the Jordan river, and the other took place on a mountain. It is this latter experience on the Mount of Transfiguration that Peter is speaking of here.

The experience on the mount of transfiguration is recorded in Matt 17, Mark 9, Luke 9. I also think it is alluded to in John 1:14. Let’s briefly read the account from Matthew. [Read Matt 17:1–8]

There they saw the glory of Christ unveiled—on full display. They witnessed the power and the glory bestowed by the Father on the Son who perfectly fulfilled his will.

Yet there is more. The transfiguration was clearly tied to the second coming. It echoes Daniel’s vision of “one like a son of man” who is given glory and power by the Father.

The immediate context in the gospels makes this link even more explicit. In each of the synoptic accounts the Mount of Transfiguration immediately follows Jesus‘ words that some who stand there will not die until they see the kingdom of God coming in power.

The disciples themselves saw and heard firsthand. Like John in Revelation chapter one, they see the Christ, glorified with the glory that he had with the Father before the world began, shining like the noon sun, and like John they fall on their faces before his majesty and glory.

This experience could only validate Jesus as:

1. The Messiah sent from God.
2. The divine Son who fully and perfectly reveals the Father.
3. The coming eschatological king.

A More Sure Word

To me, however, the most remarkable thing about this passage is not Peter’s eyewitness confirmation of the Transfiguration, but how he applies this to his readers. As amazing as that event was, it was only Peter James, and John on the mountain that day. Peter’s readers were not there. You and I were not there.

Notice that Peter doesn’t tell them they should seek to have the same experience for Christ has already ascended, and will not return until the appointed time. But neither does he say, “Too bad, you missed out”. Instead, He says in verse 19 that “We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed”.

A Full Revelation

Let’s make sure we understand what Peter is saying here.

• The “prophetic word” refers to Scripture—especially the OT prophecies of Jesus—this much is clear.
• The difficulty is understanding the phrase, “more fully confirmed”.
  • Is he saying that what they saw makes scripture more sure? No, They would have already seen scripture as being certain. To say it was “more certain” in this sense would be redundant.
  • Neither do I think that he is discounting the apostolic witness by contrasting it with the OT Scriptures. To do so would detract from God’s ultimate revelation in the Son (Heb 1:2). It would also undermine the argument that he was just making about the certainty of their testimony.
  • Indeed, the accounts of the apostles in the gospels, and the very words that Peter is writing here are equally inspired Scripture.
  • I think a better rendering is something like that found in the NET or the NIV2011, “Moreover, we possess the prophetic Word as an all together reliable thing.”

In other words, The apostolic witness itself is amazing and certain, but even more sure is the Holy Spirit’s inspired account of what they witnessed, presented in the pages of the New Testament. It perfectly compliments the Old Testament witness, and when taken together, they give us the fullness of divine revelation.

So Peter is in essence saying to his hearers, “You should not have any less confidence about these things because you weren’t on the Mountain that day. We have the apostolic testimony of the New Testament which confirms the prophetic witness of the Old Testament giving us in the canon of scripture the complete and certain revelation of the truth.

A Final Revelation

Not only does Scripture give us the fullness of God’s revelation, but it also gives us the final revelation.

I want to stress again that Peter does not encourage them to seek to hear a voice from heaven. This is important because it is opposite the advice that would be given by some leaders in the church today. Instead of this, Peter reminds them and us that we have, in scripture, the complete revelation of God—who he is, what he requires, and what he has done in and through Jesus Christ.

In this final letter, Peter writes to encourage them, not to seek after new revelation, but to heed the full and complete revelation that they have already been given.

• Those who had the limited revelation of the Old Testament were held responsible—how much more will we be?
• Those who saw and heard Christ’s works and words while he walked the earth were accountable for the revelation they were given—how much more will we be?

Peter here likens scripture to a lamp in the darkness. Since the fall this world and humanity have been in spiritual darkness. God’s Word is light. It reveals God’s nature, and what is pleasing to him. It exposes our condition as lawbreakers under the just wrath of God, and it points us to the gospel remedy provided in Christ. How foolish, how deadly to ignore it!

The role of scripture is not only related to initial salvation. After all, Peter is speaking here to believers. For them, and us, Scripture is still the light that the Holy Spirit uses to illumine our path, to teach us what God desires, and to conform us into the image of Christ. How absurd it is to labor in prayer seeking a “word from the Lord” or a special revelation of God’s will for your life while God’s revealed Word that has been given to you lays on your nightstand gathering dust. Take it up and read it!

Peter goes on to say that this function of God’s Word continues in the believer’s life “until day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts”.

Now this language of the light arising in our hearts is used of initial salvation in 2 Cor 4:6 (cf. Mal 4:2), but Peter is speaking of something yet to come. Therefore I understand this as a reference, not just to our initial justification, but to the consummation at the end of the age when the entire work of redemption—justification, sanctification, and glorification—is completed and the new day of the age to come dawns.

This means that Scripture was not given just for the early church, or a pre-scientific era. Rather it is God’s final abiding word to man and it continues to function this way until the second coming of Christ (Rev 2:28, 22:16).

With this understanding comes a warning to not be deceived by other so-called revelations that would follow after. Beware of those offering you a word, prophecy, or revelation from God outside what is revealed in Scripture. Jesus warned of those who would come in his name and lead many astray.

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. (Matthew 24:4–5)

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. (Matthew 24:11)

Likewise, Peter shares this concern. He points his readers to a right understanding of the nature of Scripture as a defense against this type of error.

1. Peter has already established the prophetic word as a revelation from God. Because of this it stands in authority over all human teaching and is the standard by which such teaching must be judged.
2. He makes clear that Scripture is of no private interpretation. Some understand this to be saying that the meaning of Scripture is not simply whatever you or I think it means, and that is true, but it is more than that. Peter is speaking of the origin of scripture. It is not merely the ideas of men because it is was not produced by human will, but by God’s.
3. Thus the words we read in the Bible are not Godly men’s understanding or ideas with some bit of divine truth in there somewhere; they are the very words of God. Yes, they were penned by various men each with their own rhetorical and linguistic style evident, and yet behind it all was the divine will moving, and guiding—Peter uses the idea of carrying—so that every thought, every word is exactly what God intended written in the way that he intended.

An Unshakable Confidence

For the remainder of our time this morning I want to focus on three important realities regarding the nature of Scripture that are found in these verses. We’ve already touched on each of these, however, they bear repeating for they are of utmost importance to Peter’s readers and us.

1. God’s Word Is Reliable
2. God’s Word is Authoritative
3. God’s Word is Sufficient

To many of you here who have had the privilege of growing up under sound Biblical instruction these may seem basic, but that is because they are foundational! Like Peter, my desire is to stir up your remembrance—to bring these things once again before your eyes so that you will be able to recall them in times to come so that whatever you face you can have an unshakable confidence in the Word of God.

God’s Word Is Reliable

The text this morning confirms the truthfulness and reliability of God’s Word.

1. God’s Word Is Reliable because the apostles’ teaching was not cobbled together from myths and half-truths to communicate some vague spiritual idea, but it was based on their eyewitness accounts of the revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ.
2. God’s Word is reliable because it is self-authenticating. It speaks with one voice. The apostolic witness is perfectly consistent with Old Testament prophecy giving us a unified and complete revelation of truth.
3. God’s Word Is Reliable because it does not rest on the feeble foundation of mere human interpretation. Men are shortsighted products of their own time and training, but the Holy Spirit as the divine author of Scripture superintends its every word (All Scripture is breathed out by God… 2 Tim 3:16).

God’s Word is Authoritative

1. God’s Word is authoritative because it is not produced by the will of men, but by the agency of the Spirit. It is God’s Word written in God’s Way. For this reason, we should not hesitate to live firmly in light of what it reveals regardless of which way the prevailing winds of culture blow. We have a sure foundation so that we can define what a man is, what a woman is, and what a marriage is. We can say with confidence that there is such thing as moral good and evil and that all human life has intrinsic value.
2. God’s Word is authoritative because it has been validated by God, not only through fulfilled prophecy but through the life and message of Christ the Son. God was pleased to validate the person and works of Jesus, not only on the mount of transfiguration but also, ultimately, by raising him from the dead and setting him at his right hand.
3. God’s Word is authoritative because it is the standard by which we should live and by which we will be judged (…and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness… 2 Tim 3:16).

God’s Word is Sufficient

1. God’s Word is a sufficient foundation for our faith. It’s not merely a starting place to later be superseded by men’s interpretations or the latest cultural ideas. Rather it contains “The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith and life.”¹ ( “… that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim 3:16)
2. God’s Word is sufficient through the ages until Christ returns. It is not a partial revelation to be supplemented by so-called words of the spirit. Jesus said that the indwelling Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth. He does not do this by teaching us something new apart from Scripture, but, by aiding us to understand and rightly apply Scripture, he will “bring to your remembrance all that I have commanded you." (Jn 14:26) We have faith that has been “once for all delivered to the Saints” (Jude 1:3).

What Will You Do With the Word of God?

• Do you believe its truthfulness about who you are about what God requires and what he has done?
• Do you submit to its authority?
  • Have you repented and believed the gospel?
  • Are you shaped more by scripture or by cultural norms?
• Do you recognize its sufficiency?
  • Are you seeking some mystical word?
  • Are you chasing every Christian fad?
  • Scripture in your home and with your children reflect this?

Peter’s hope for his readers, and my hope for you, is that reminding you again of these truths will cause them to lodge deeply in your hearts so that when trial and hardship appear, or when deception comes knocking you will be enabled to stand because you have a sure and firm faith that rests on the secure foundation of God’s Word.

And now I think that it is fitting to close with the closing words of this letter.

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:17–18)

1. LBCF 1.6 ↩︎