Christ and the Prophets

Introduction

2 Peter 1:16–21 ESV

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. 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,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, 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, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 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.

What is the most significant event that you witnessed (personal or worldwide) that changed your life and perspective on the world?

The planes flying into the World Trade Center was the most significant event in my lifetime.

Others would say the tearing down of the Berlin Wall - that happened literally months before I was born, but I have no personal recollection of that event.

Explanation

2 Peter 1:16“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.

1. The message of Christ, nor any message of the Bible for that matter, is a myth.

2. The apostles, including Peter, were eyewitnesses of Christ and His work.

2 Peter 1:17-18 “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,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.”

Peter is an eyewitness of the Transfiguration.

What happened in the Transfiguration?

While Jesus was present at the Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John, Jesus was speaking with Moses and Elijah.

Moses and Elijah were considered prophets.

Peter had seen and spoken with both Moses and Elijah. That is the equivalent of us speaking with George Washington and Benjamin Franklin.

2 Peter 1:19-20 “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, 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, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.”

The prophetic word of the prophets from the Old Testament had not been confirmed until Jesus came to confirm it.

Since Jesus came into the world, their prophecy was fulfilled, and we have a clear picture of who Christ is and what He came to do.

We are without excise.

Jesus fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament make His Messiahship crystal clear.

2 Peter 1:21 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.”

The reason that prophecy is correct is because God is the initiate of prophecy.

Prophecy, or true prophecy I should say, comes from God alone.

It is not a figment of man’s imagination.

It is not a clever word that works itself out.

If a person perfectly predicts March Madness, (give St. peter’s ruining the bracket for example), they have not prophecied unless it came from God.

Invitation

Receive Christ as the Word Made Flesh.