1:18 This voice we heard come out of heaven
when we were with him in the holy mountain.
vs 16-18
The specific event in vs 17-18 that Peter is referring to is what has been called the "Transfiguration". It's found in Luke 9:28-36
vs 19-20
In 445 BC Artaxerxes issued a decree to allow the Jews to establish worship and Jewish law in Judah. 69 weeks is 483 days…(69 weeks X 7 days in a week). If you consider a "prophetic day for a year" principle, you would add 483 years from the date of the decree in 445 BC. If it began in 445 B.C., and you add to that four hundred and eighty-three years, to the exact month (because we know that the month in which the edict to rebuild Jerusalem was issued was the Hebrew month Nisan, which corresponds about to our April), then it brings us down to April, 32 A.D., which includes adjustments due to the ancients using 360 day/year, which would be really made it 476 years, and also adding one year because there is no year zero.The "day star" or "morning star" mentioned in vs 19 is Jesus as he says in Rev 22:16 "I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." (kjv) Although the exact same greek words are not used. And it is also mentioned in Rev 2:28. In the context of 2nd Peter, "the light that shines" refers to the gospel. The "dark place" is the world in which we live. "until" indicates a future event. The "day dawning" is the return of Christ, which Peter speaks of in chapter 3. "Arising in your hearts" refers to the revealing and glorification of the sons of God in their resurrection - much as a star (actually it's the planet venus) rises in the morning preceeding the glory of the sun. For now we put our faith in and live according to God's Word. But there will come a day when we are raised from the dead when all will be actualized and revealed. And such an event will precede the glorious establishment of the New Jerusalem in which we will live in the presence of God blamelessly in sinless perfection.Know of anyone claiming to be the Messiah who was cut off in April, 32 AD?
vs 20 This is not talking about the interpretation of prophecy, but rather the fact that when the prophets wrote the prophecies, these prophecies themselves were not the private interpretations or personal opinions of the prophets. In fact the prophets may not have really understood all that they were saying, as 1Peter 1:10-11 also indicates, "Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." For they were simply mouth pieces or instruments of God, being moved by the Holy Spirit. But though previously hidden, under the New Covenant much of these prophecies have now been revealed.
However, I have heard of those who mishandle verse 20. They interpret verse 20 to mean that the interpretation of the Bible should be left to an elite clergy and not allowed by private individuals. This kind of foolish heretical interpretation has simply been propagated because who is going to disagree with it? The only people who have generally been allowed to speak in the history of post-Biblical Christianity have been the elite clergy. Why should they disagree with an idea that supports their elitist position? But if we handle the Word of God correctly, almost anyone can see that this is clearly not what the verse is talking about. The way they interpret it is to contrast "private interpretation" (kjv) with "the interpretation of an elite group of religious leaders", which they interject into the text, reading into the Bible what is not there. The NIV gives a clearer sense of the verse saying, "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation."
2Peter 1:12-21 RAP| 1:12 I will remind you of these things long-term
Even though you know them and in the truth stand firm 13 I think that it is right to refresh your memory As long as I may live in this tent of my body 14 Because I really feel I will soon put it aside As Jesus made it clear to me and with him I'll abide 15 I will make every effort to see that when I go You will remember all these things I know. 16 I tell you we didn't invent the story But saw Jesus himself in his glory 17 For he received honor from the Father who spoke from the sky I am quite certain and we don't lie 18 We heard this voice that came from above On that mountain he said "This is my Son whom I love" 19 The word of the prophets is made more sure Pay attention to it as if it were A light that was shining in a dark place Until you see Jesus face to face 20 But firstly know that no prophet's oration Was a matter of the prophets's own interpretation 21 Prophecy never came from man's will as I hear it But men spoke from God as they were carried by the Spirit |