2nd Peter 1:16-21 GOD'S SPOKEN AND WRITTEN WORDS When we hear two different teachings about the same subject, how are we to discern which one is true? Often there will be illustrations or personal experiences told to lend authenticity to that which is being taught. This was happening in the days of the early church in ways similar to what we hear today. Some teachers came among the Lord's people to gain a following and supported their messages with "cunningly devise fables." Those ancient philosophies were based on a pantheistic view of life and they were supported by clever stories that were made up. In our day we have those who have made atheists out of billions of people based on evolutionary suppositions. There are also many pantheists who claim God is in everything and everything is God. Trees, animals, insects, people - anything that has some form of life is god. Most eastern religions have forms of these fables.
Where we live most people subscribe to the fable of evolution because it is taught in schools and has become part of the curriculum of humanistic education. New Age pantheism has become a religion to many and its "cunningly devised fables" have even influenced so-called church teaching in many denominations. There are even atheists who are in the position of clergy. Animals and their "rights" are considered similar to human rights. Names are given to house pets and they are considered "family members" with all the privileges and rights of children. This is a form of pantheism.
In writing this epistle Peter is directed by the Holy Spirit to go beyond these myths and mythical ideas, to affirming the truth in unmistakable ways. The "present truth" was experienced by him personally when he was one of three "eyewitnesses of His majesty." He had been an eyewitness of the sufferings of Christ as well as His power and glory. An eyewitness account of an event is taken as authentic in courts of law, an eyewitness testimony is considered reliable and factual. Truth does not need some far-fetched explanation such as a "Big Bang" or some other stretch of the imagination that teaches slime in a pond can become a frog, which can become a monkey, which can become a man. That is the silly speculation of someone's strange but active imagination.
Peter as an eyewitness saw the glory of the Lord and the power that which seemed to be normal humanity to visible brightness shining like the sun. He also heard the voice of the Father speaking to them about His Son. Peter heard that our Lord Jesus, who he followed is the One with "all power in heaven and earth" that He is coming again. He will come again personally and the "Majesty" he saw in the Lord for that brief time will someday be seen by every eye. The story-tellers of fables and myths were exposed as just being that.
The experience Peter had on that mountain where the Lord was transfigured before him, affirmed the deity of Christ. "This My Beloved Son." It affirmed the scriptures to be true. Moses the law-giver, was there. Elijah the prophet, was there. The law and the prophets were now joined by the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can count on whatever is written in the scriptures can be counted on to be true. The kingdom of God was affirmed that after the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus, glory is to follow. Those who suffer for the Lord "passing through the waters," will experience the love and approval of Him with whom they will reign.
Now we also have "a more sure word of prophecy." The testimony of scripture written by the prophets and now the writers of the New Testament, has been given to us. This is of greater significance because it is not just the recounting of one particular event, but is the unfolding of God's thoughts to us. God's very words are passed on to us by holy men who wrote (spoke) as the Holy Spirit of God transmitted the breathing of God's mind and will to us through these written words.
The things those writers put down to be read by us are not their own opinions on any matter. The scripture is interpreted by taking the word of God in its context and reading it as a message from God - which it is! There is no contradiction when we read it as it is written. When we take it out of the context and use isolated verses to promote a personal idea, then it becomes a pretext. That is not the intention of studying the Bible. The Holy Spirit uses the scriptures to give us light regarding the "Day Star," our Lord Jesus Christ who will shine in all of His glory. Until then thoughts of His coming shines as the sun in our hearts as we wait. Because we love His appearing, we look for His appearing and that keeps the day star bright to us.
The scriptures of both the Old and New Testament were inspired by God as each writer was "borne along" by the Holy Spirit. These were not their own creative works or interpretations of oral traditions. The minds, culture, character and talents of each writer was maintained and used by the Holy Spirit to communicate what God wanted to say in a way suitable to the readers. There were not machines like computers or robots that were programmed to produce information. Rather they were "set apart" writers for the Originator and Interpreter of divine truth, The Holy Spirit. He knew the right people to use to pass on the breathings of God's heart and mind so that readers could sense He was speaking to them personally. When we read the Bible, we are getting eternal truths from the eternal God transmitted to us by people He chose. Those written words are as authoritative as the spoken words Peter heard on the Mount of Transfiguration.
AUTHENTICITY When one has seen personally, evidence way beyond dispute And can support his words by daily conduct beyond repute And has a reliable faith that has taken deep root - Then what he has to say is truly authentic.
He heard the Lord speak publicly day after day The actions of the Lord gave weight to the words He did say Peter knew the Lord as the Truth, the Life and the Way - All the words that He spoke were authentic.
Peter was on the mountain with the Lord and two other men Elijah and Moses came there speaking of the cross to Him He saw the Lord transfigured in glory right before them - What he saw with his eyes was authentic.
Watching from a distance, Peter saw his Lord die He talked and ate with Him who from the grave did rise On Olivet he watched the Lord Jesus ascending into the sky - As an eyewitness his words are authentic.
Now an older man who for years had been faithfully serving his Lord Entrusted by the Spirit who had been out-breathing to him His word I read it now for myself, and the words are like a two-edged sword - What I am reading today is authentic.
"Father in heaven, these words of scripture are like a shining light in this dark world. I am watching the dawn through this window, and wait for the "Day Star" in the same way I am watching for the morning sun. Please help Thy servant to be authentic in everything I do this day. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."