2 Peter 1:16-21

The power and coming (powerful coming) of our Lord Jesus shapes our doctrines and lives -> it is what makes everything we have studied so far mandatory!

Eyewitness Testimony

The apostles and foundation of the church (Eph. 2:20) were not tricked by some clever stories they heard

This is not the Iliad or Odyssey -> it is not some philosophical poem written by man!

They were eyewitnesses of the majesty of Jesus Christ -> they saw, heard, and handled God in the flesh (1 Jn. 1:1-3)

Peter (along with others) heard the voice of God and saw the majesty of God with their own ears and eyes

The transfiguration is preceded by the teaching of God’s kingdom coming with power (Mk. 9:1)

Particularly the transfiguration in which they saw the type of body we will receive in the resurrection (1 Jn. 3:1-2)

They witnessed the Son of God (Ps. 2:6-8) and Servant of God (Is. 42:1) with their own eyes

Prophetic Fulfillment

The word of the prophets make us certain that the Lord will return with power and judgement

The track record of prophecies fulfilled is astounding -> nothing has been wrong or disqualified

Even the ones that seemed like contradictions (suffering servant, born in city of David, called a Nazarene, and delivered from Egypt, etc.)

Those same prophets have foretold of His future return, interpreted by the Spirit through the apostles

They are also given in conjunction to the transfiguration, helping us see the transfiguration as a sign of His future return in judgement (Ps. 2:9-12; Is. 42:1-4)

It does us well to pay attention to the sure words of prophecy

It will enlighten us that we may be made in better conformity with God (Is. 42:9-12)

We must heed these instructions until the Lord returns, reminding us of the endurance that we must have

Prophecy is not of private interpretation!!! -> this cannot be emphasized enough

Because it is not privately interpreted, we can have great assurance in it!

Even those prophecies that were interpreted by the Spirit through the apostles have the confirmation and acceptance of other apostles by the Spirit