2 Peter 1.12-21

2 Peter 1:12-21 ESV (12) Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. (13) I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, (14) since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, 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. G4741 - established Στηριζω stē rizō From a presumed derivative of G2476 (like G4731); to set fast, that is, (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or (figuratively) to confirm: - fix, (e-) stablish, stedfastly set, strengthen. G1841 – decease, departure εξοδος exodos From G1537 and G3598; an exit, that is, (figuratively) death: - decease, departing.

Imagine if you will, Peter gathering his children around his feet for his last talk with them before he died. He wants to remind them of things they are already established in rather than revealing some new mystery. Why? Because it’s the simple, basic things that false teachers get people to trip over. Most false teaching is not blatant – that is so openly out there that even a baby Christian could discern it. No, it’s mixed with truth so you can swallow it easier. You are never past reviewing the basics! Notice too how Peter speaks of his impending death: he puts off his tabernacle (tent) and departs as if setting off on a long journey. He does not speak of death as the end of existence nor of going to sleep for several thousand years. His departure is the Greek word exodus from which we get the title of the second book of the bible. (16) For we did not follow cleverly devised myths 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, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," (18) we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. Here Peter references the transfiguration of which he was an eyewitness. He is saying, “we didn’t make up these stories, we were there and saw it with our own eyes!” He knows from first hand experience that Jesus will return and set up His kingdom because he (Peter) saw Jesus transfigured before his eyes. (19) And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day 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 no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. However, (and this is a big however) nothing comes close to the sure word we have from God written down in the Scriptures. The reason the Scriptures are infallible is that God directed the writing of them. G5342 – moved, carried along φερω pherō̄ fer'-o A primary verb (for which other and apparently not cognate ones are used in certain tenses only; namely οιω oiō̄ and ενεγκω enegkō̄ to “bear” or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively: - be, bear, bring (forth), carry, come, + let her drive, be driven, endure, go on, lay, lead, move, reach, rushing, uphold.

As a mother carries an infant, so the Holy Spirit carried men of God as they were writing the Scriptures to insure than every word was God breathed.

1:16 Prophecy and the Sufficiency of God’s Word, PROPHECY. When Peter encouraged believers to speak “as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11), he clearly did not mean this verbalizing of Holy Spirit-prompted words to substitute for the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. This text shows the relative importance of prophetic “words” or experiences we receive compared with the place of the Scriptures themselves. Here the apostle compares his own experience with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration to the abiding “prophetic word” of the Holy Scriptures (vv. 19-21). He calls the Word of the Scriptures “confirmed,” and thereby makes a dramatic point for our understanding through all church history. If Peter’s experience with Jesus Himself is said by Peter to be subordinate to the “more sure” Word of the Scriptures, we have both a guideline and an ultimate statement. The guideline is that no experience holds greater authority than the Word of God. This is not to discourage our experiencing the works of God’s Spirit in power or blessing, but simply to remind us of the relative place of each type of “word” in our values. There is an ultimate statement here, too. Many raise questions today as to whether we who welcome the operation of the gift of prophecy do so because of a lack of persuasion as to the “sufficiency” of God’s Word. In other words, do we believe the Bible contains everything we need for salvation, for faith, and for obedient living? Of course, for the Bible believer this is never in question, for in the spirit and practical truth of Peter’s words there is no comparison between the eternal Word of God and the present “words” of prophetic utterance. Prophecies are proper, biblically shown to be desirable (1 Cor. 14:1) and helpful (1 Cor. 14:3, 5). But the teaching of the Holy Scriptures are ultimate, conclusively authoritative, and “more to be desired . . . than gold”—the Eternal Word of God (Ps. 19:7-11). Spirit filled life study Bible

1:19 Making use of a comparative, Peter declares that there exists a more sure prophetic word (see note in center column). Understanding that he is comparing the experiences of sensory verification (vv. 16, 17) with “prophecy” (vv. 19–21), one may observe that Peter is claiming a degree of certainty for the Scriptures unmatched by anything else in man’s experience. Peter knows the Scriptures to be infallible and inerrant. Believer’s Study Bible G5459 - daystar φωσφορος phō sphoros foce-for'-os From G5457 and G5342; light bearing (“phosphorus”), that is, (specifically) the morning star (figuratively): - day star.

The daystar in this verse is of course Jesus Himself!! He said “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)