Comments
In
Remembrance
2Peter
1:12-15 So I will
always
remind you of these
things,
even though you know them and are firmly established in the
truth you
now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long
as I live
in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put
it aside,
as our Lord
Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every
effort to see
that after my departure
you will always be able to remember these things.
Much of Christian living involves the habit of recalling what
the Bible
says. Even the ceremony of communion was for this purpose. "Do this in remembrance of
Me." 1Cor
11:24b The Bible should not be just read through
once.
Even under the Old Covenant it was commanded, "Do not let this Book of the Law
depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that
you may
be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be
prosperous
and successful." Jos
1:8
Ever hear a sermon and say to yourself,
"I already know this stuff." Peter realized that his
audience
already knew this stuff. But it is the job of the preacher to
repeat
fundamental truths, as also the body should be receptive to
being
reminded of what we already know.
Peter might have foreseen his death in that Jesus had told him,
"When you are old, you will
stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry
you where
you do not wish." This He spoke, signifying by what death he
would
glorify God." John
21:18b-21a
and his present circumstances might have been lead to such a
scenario.
But Peter, and others, even planned ahead of time to assure that
their
teachings, the Word of God, would continue to propagate even
after
their death. For they put it down in written form and so even
now,
thousands of years later we can be reminded of what God said. Is
there
something you can do to propagate the Word of God even after you
die?
Fabricated
Myths
2Peter 1:16-18 We
did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you
about the
power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were
eyewitnesses of
his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the
Father when
the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This
is my Son,
whom I love; with him I am well pleased." We ourselves heard
this voice
that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred
mountain.
Basis for belief in Christ is founded upon the affidavit of
eyewitnesses attesting to his miracles which qualifies as
forensice
evidence validating the gospel. The beginning Luke starts, "Many
have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have
been
fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by
those who
from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
Therefore,
since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the
beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly
account for
you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the
certainty of
the things you have been taught." Luke 1:1-4 Likewise is his
first
sermon Peter noted, "Jesus
of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles,
wonders and
signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves
know."
Acts 2:22
But there are also false teachers who simply make up stories.
Therefore
Paul instructs Timothy, "Preach
the
word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke,
exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will
come
when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to
their own
desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for
themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from
the truth,
and be turned aside to fables." 2Tim
4:2-4, which is also why Peter is reminded these people
of what
they already know.
The particular event Peter is speaking of here is found in Mt 17
where
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on
a high
mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.
His face
shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the
light, And
behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Then Peter
answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be
here; if You
wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for
Moses,
and one for Elijah." 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!"
The
Origin
of
Prophecy