September 23, 2007
Sun Oak Baptist Church
Introduction
This morning we have arrived at one of the more difficult passages in the NT to understand. One of the keys to understanding these verses is to remember that they are a continuation of Peter’s defense of the doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ.
We can break down what Peter has to say about the trustworthiness of Scripture in verses 19-21 into 3 statements.
I. The trustworthiness of prophecy (of Scripture) confirmed. See 1:19.
2 ways to take this verse: Peter could be saying that the prophetic word (specifically the prophecy of the Second Coming but by extension all of Scripture) is more and better confirmed as the result of what happened to Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration. Or: he could be saying that prophecy itself is even a more “surer” confirmation of God’s truth than what Peter saw on the Mount of Transfiguration.
Whichever interpretation one takes Peter still establishes 2 things here when it comes to the trustworthiness of Scripture.
A. First: the trustworthiness of prophecy confirms the testimony of all of Scripture. See 1:19a.
1. The term “prophetic word” refers to messages proclaimed by OT prophets regarding future events.
2. The word “confirm” means “stable” or “surer.” “We have more sure the prophetic word; we can be more certain of the prophetic word; we have confirmation of the prophetic word; we are even more confident of the prophetic word.”
B. Second: based on the trustworthiness of Scripture what should the Christian’s attitude toward it be? See 1:19b-c.
1. The expression “which you do well” basically means “please” and “to heed” means “to pay attention, to follow, or to take seriously.” This is an encouragement to pay attention to the Word.
2. Why have this kind of attitude towards the Word of God – because Peter compares God’s Word to “a light that shines in a dark place.”
a. The word “light” here refers to a torch or a lamp – to something that gives off light.
The Bible refers to the Word of God as “light.” See Psalm 43:3; Prov. 6:23; etc.
The Bible also refers to Jesus as a “light.” See Matt. 4:16; John 1:4-5; John 1:14; etc.
b. Peter contrasts the “light” as something that shines in a “dark place.”
“Dark” can refer to the world system that we live in. See Eph. 6:12, etc. “Dark” can also refer to someone who has not had their minds illumined by the prophetic message – someone not a Christian. See 2nd Cor. 4:3-4.
c. See 1st John 2:8 and Psalm 119:105.
3. The words “day” and “morning star.”
Between the absence of the article and Peter’s use of the word φψσφορο we can conclude Peter’s referring to the Second Coming of Christ here – when Jesus comes again the morning star will finally rise in our hearts. See Rev. 22:16.
C. Everything Peter says here is driving home the point that we can trust prophecy, and by extension we can trust all of God’s Word.
II. The interpretation of prophecy (or Scripture) clarified. See 1:20.
III. The inspiration of prophecy (or Scripture) explained. See 1:21.
Conclusion
Hymn The Bible Stands written by Haldor Lillenas.