A Testimony - True and Trustworthy
Introduction
2 Peter 1:16-18
When Peter wrote this letter to the Asiatic Christians, evil forces were at work to kill Christianity. There were heresies, Jewish fables, heathen myths, and Gnostics wisdom working to confuse and undermine the faith of true believers. Believers were seeking and demanding more proof for the doctrines they held. Peter writes to strengthen their faith and uses the transfiguration of Jesus as proof of the trustworthiness of Christian teachings. He says, in effect, we know what we are talking about because we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. This event undoubtedly made a deep impression on Peter for he writes about it a full thirty years after it occurred. Furthermore, he writes in such a way that the reader is led to understand that the event still occupies a place of vividness in the mind of Peter. He writes as though it had just happened. This passage, along with vv.19-21, gives positive evidence as to the dependability of God's grace, the credibility of the saints' witness, and the reliability of the Scriptures.
The Apostle Peter stands on his personal platform and gives personal witness to his life-changing event.
I. This Testimony Serves As An Opportunity Of Confirmation
2 Peter 1:16
A. Negative Approach Of False Witness
"cunningly devised fables" - mythical stories, concocting stories and myths in order to get people to follow him; fiction. Means to invent cleverly. Manufactured stories that have no basis in fact. Paul faced the same issues.
1Timothy 1:4, "nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith."
1 Timothy 4:7, "But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness."
2 Timothy 4:4, "and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."
Titus 1:14, "not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. "Now we can understand why Peter used this event in his letter; he was refuting the false teachings that taught that the Kingdom of God would never come.
2 Peter 3:3-4, "knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.' "In the place of God's promises, these counterfeits put "fables" that robbed the believers of their blessed hope. In verse 16 Peter said, "We did not follow" - emphatic negative.
B. Positive Approach Of True Witness
"we made known to you" - technical term for imparting new revelation; something previously hidden, but now revealed.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke record this testimony of the Transfiguration. However, none of them were there. John, who was there only, makes reference to the event. Peter, on the other hand, gives the details.
The kingdom splendor of Christ revealed at this event. (Transfiguration) was intended as a preview of His majesty to be manifested at His second coming. The Transfiguration was a glimpse of the glory to be unveiled at the final revelation.
C. Personal Approach Of This Witness
"eyewitnesses of His majesty"
Peter clearly felt that he, James, and John were admitted to the highest degree of initiation concerning heaven's mystery. They were allowed to gaze upon the manifestation of this divine mystery. When Jesus was transfigured, there was an outward manifestation of His Deity. His inner nature was revealed and became visible to Peter, James, and John. They saw Jesus as the God of His Kingdom. They were "eyewitnesses of His majesty. "This event served as a major confirmation in Peter's faith.
In Matthew 16, Jesus asked the disciples who people thought He was. Then, more pointedly, He asked who they (disciples) thought He was. Matthew 16:15-16, "He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'"
II. This Testimony Serves As Opportunity Of Revelation
2 Peter 1:16
Each time in Scripture, before the story of the Transfiguration, we find this statement. Matthew 16:28, "Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." In the Transfiguration, Jesus revealed much truth. "We made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" - only one definite article with this phrase, meaning "the powerful coming" or "the coming in power".
A. It Revealed Who He Is
The Heavenly Father had spoken the same truth at the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry and at the end.
Mark 1:9-11, "It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, 'You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'"
Matthew 17:5, "While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!'"
1. Peter Saw The Son Of God In His Glory Sight - Visual
2. Peter Heard The Father Speak From Heaven - Sound
Vocals "eyewitnesses of His majesty" - this text magnifies the Transfiguration, but this would also be true of Jesus' miracles, death and resurrection, and ascension into heaven.
John 2:11, "This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him."
According to the Scriptures, shortly after Jesus' baptism, He entered into His public ministry. There followed a series of miracles and teachings, which were purposely designed to show His disciples that He was without a doubt the Son of God, the Messiah and Lord. He proved Himself to be Lord over: The Devil, as seen in the temptation experience Demons, as He cast out the demons from the - Gadarene demoniac Diseases, as He healed Peter's mother-in-law of a fever.
The Deep, as is seen in the miraculous catch of fish. The Destiny of Man, as He calls Matthew and the 12 Days and Seasons, for He is the Lord of the Sabbath Despair, as He stills the storms.
Disciples, as seen in the Sermon on the Mount The Dying, as He healed the Centurion's servant. Death, as He raised the widow's son.
B. It Revealed Why He Came
Luke 9:31, "who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem."
1. Transfiguration Affirmed His Suffering
Jesus did not consider His death on the cross a defeat, rather, it was an "exodus" - He would deliver His people from bondage of sin the way Moses delivered Israel from Egypt. In light of the big picture, the Transfiguration was proof that suffering leads to glory when we are in the will of God. This event took place just as Jesus predicted His death and resurrection.
Matthew 16:21, "From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day." It is believed that the Transfiguration was the Father's way of strengthening His Son, as He would become the sacrifice for the sins of the world. It also could serve as a strengthening for Peter, James, and John as each of them faced their trials.
James: first apostle to die (Acts 12:1-2)John: lived long life but it led to exile and suffering (Rev. 1:9) Peter: crucified upside down.
2. Transfiguration Affirmed His Scriptures
Matthew 17:2, "and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. "Moses represented the Law Elijah represented the Prophets. Both pointed to Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 1:1-3, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."
Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. Luke 24:27, "And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."
C. It Revealed What He Would Do
1 Peter 1:11 is reference to us one day entering His Kingdom when He returns for us. The Transfiguration of Jesus prefigures the glorious event of His return. Peter chooses to focus on the Transfiguration to show that He can personally vouch for the veracity of Christ's teachings. He asserts that a glorious entry into Christ's kingdom awaits the believers, and that everyone must be all the more eager to make His calling and election sure (v.10).