2 Peter 1:¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. ¹⁷ For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such a declaration as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory: “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased”— ¹⁸ and we ourselves heard this declaration made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.“

Peter had just said in 1:12-15 that he was reminding them of things they already knew. So in 1:16-18 he is telling them the credibility of what he was reminding them of. No cleverly devised tales (muthos: Myth, fable, tale). (AI) “In the Greco-Roman world, myths were common and often used to explain natural phenomena, cultural practices, or religious beliefs. These stories were part of the cultural fabric and were often accepted without question. However, in the context of early Christianity, “muthos” took on a negative connotation, representing teachings or beliefs that were contrary to the truth of the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ.”  Justin Martyr’s (2nd century AD) pushed-back against Trypho’s claim that the Christ — as a Christian messiah figure — was a marvelous tale, an invention.” “The central myth of the Roman cult of Mithras (the cult flourished in the empire between 1st and 4th centuries) is the story of Mithras slaying a bull to create the world. Mithras was born from a rock, and is often depicted as a young man carrying a torch and a dagger. The sun god sent a raven to Mithras, who reluctantly agreed to sacrifice a white bull. The bull’s blood created life, and the bull’s tail and genitals created the first plants and the holy seed that shaped all creatures on earth. The bull’s cloak became the sky, and the moon transformed from the bull. Day and night began to alternate, the moon’s cycle started, and the seasons began to change. ” Maybe Peter was talking about myths like this. If Peter were writing his letter today, it might be the book of Mormon myth that he would refer to. (AI) “The Book of Mormon told the 1,000-year history of the Israelites, who were led from Jerusalem to a promised land in the Western Hemisphere. In their new home, they built a civilization, fought wars, heard the word of prophets, and received a visit from Christ after his resurrection. According to Joseph Smith, an angel named Moroni revealed to him in 1823 that a set of gold plates containing the sacred history were buried in a hill in New York. The plates were engraved by ancient prophets.”

But Peter points out that “we” (Peter, James, and John) were eyewitnesses (epoptés: Eyewitness)of Jesus’ transfiguration (Matthew 17). How do we know something really happened in history? The only way is “credible (believable) eyewitness (they actually saw it happen) testimony (they can say “I know it happened b/c I saw it). Some say we did not land on the moon (some of my students actually say that!). They say that it could be a conspiracy with trick images. I guess that is possible, but there are thousands of NASA scientists who saw it and the men who actually walked on the moon. There are enough CET that I believe it. Even historical accounts could be inaccurate so we have to see if there really is CET for an event in history. But the key to all Christianity is CET, just as Peter said. Did Jesus really do miracles? Was he really raised from the dead? We have several eyewitnesses of his resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15 lists them: 15:³ For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. ⁶ After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; ⁷ then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; ⁸ and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. Those listed certainly had the opportunity. Their motives appear to be sincere. They were not known liars. They did not even expect Jesus to die or be raised. They fled into hiding when he was arrested. They had nothing to gain by faking a resurrection myth. They all died a martyrs’ death later while testifying to the resurrection and none of them recanted their testimony in the face of death. Someone might say, “yes but Muslim martyrs die for what Christians believe is a false prophet. The difference is that Muslims believe that they are dying for a truth. Few would die for what they know is a lie. There was a sufficient number of witneses. Paul even mentioned 500 at one time although we have no record of that. But the amazing thing is that Paul said “most of whom remain until now (i.e. until when he wrote 1 Corinthians in 55 AD). Readers of the letter could go talk to most of those 500 eyewitnesses. That is how Luke got the information for his gospel. Luke 1:1 Since many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, ² just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, ³ it seemed fitting to me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in an orderly sequence, most excellent Theophilus; ⁴ so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught. The priests said the disciples stole the body and made up the story of the resurrection. But the disciples were in hidiing, too afraid to come out. They would have had to sneak by probably 4 armed Roman soldiers who, even if they were asleep as claimed, would not have awakened as the disciples rolled back a stone over the mouth of the tomb that weighed probably 2,000 pounds, and then sneak out with the body without waking them. That’s hard to believe. Even if they stole the body, why didn’t the Romans or the Jews go find the body? The apostles began preaching the resurrection in the same city only 50 days after the resurrection occurred. That would have given their enemies the occasion to debunk their claims. If someone claimed a resurrection happened 50 days ago in our cemetary here in Madison, we would be able to check that out and verify it or discredit it. A lot of people claim someone was raised from the dead today but it is always in a far off land with no way to verify it.

Then there is the apostle Paul. While not with the original 12, some 10 years later he saw the resurrected Jesus on the way to kill Jewish Christians in Damascus. It changed him into an eyewitness who died for preaching the resurrection. What motives could have caused Paul to make up his claim that he saw the resurrected Jesus? Money? Power? Sex? He lost all those things by becoming a Christian. What about James the Lord’s brother? He, along with Jesus’ other brothers, did not believe in Jesus until he saw him raised. Even the enemies of Jesus admit that the tomb was empty. So they come up theories about what happened to the body, none of which are credible. Maybe he faked death, the “swoon theory”? So after being scourged, a crown of thorns, nailed to the cross for 6 hours, a spear pierced his side and out came blood and water? So, somehow, he was in the tomb 3 days after that and came out walking all around Jerusalem and Galilee for 40 days? Do you believe that? Yes, the main witnesses to the resurrection were the apostles and Paul, and yes you could say they were biased. But they were actually biased against the ides of him even dying, not to mention being raised. The resurrection changed their bias into believing that he was raised. Look at the evidence, the CET, for the resurrection just as you would look at the evidence, the CET, for us landing on the moorn. Even if you are not sure whether the apostles and Paul were inspired by the Holy Spirit in their testimony, just look at the evidence as you would any historical event. I think there is sufficient CET to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead. And also to believe that he was really transfigured before Peter, James, and John on the mount, just Peter claimed in 2 Peter 1:16. The key word: “eyewitnesses”. In court or in examining history, one must prove that the supposed eyewitnesses to an event were false witnesses. You can’t show that the apostles were false witnesses.

Peter puts emphasis, not only of seeing the majestic glory of the transfigured Jesus on the mount, but the declaration in a loud voice from the Father: “this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”. Jesus truly was the Son of God. Jesus had told them not tell anyone about the transfiguration until after he was raised. Matthew 17:⁹ When they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” I found this to be a good AI answer: “Jesus instructed the apostles to keep the Transfiguration a secret until after his resurrection to avoid premature and potentially misguided expectations about his messianic identity and role. He wanted the full revelation of his identity and purpose to be revealed through his death and resurrection, rather than through a premature understanding of his glory.” Before the resurrection, few would have believed the apostles seeing Moses, Elijah on the mount. Few would believe the transfiguration of Jesus on the mount. Even those who believed the testimony of the 3 apostles might have tried to force Jesus into a physical kingdom. After the resurrection, their testimony would be more believable and the purpose of the transfiguration would be more clear.

2 Peter 2:¹⁹ And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. ²⁰ But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

This credible eyewitness testimony (CET) of Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration made the prophetic predictions coming true in Jesus more “sure” (bebaios: Firm, secure, steadfast, sure) (believable, credible, provable). “The Greek word “bebaios” conveys the idea of something that is firm, secure, and reliable. In the NASB, it is translted: certain (1), firm (2), firmly grounded (1), guaranteed (1), more sure (1), steadfast (1), unalterable (1), valid (1). We have firm ground in believing in the even of the transfigurtion of Jesus and his resurrection. Guzik: ” Professor Peter Stoner has calculated that the probability of any one man fulfilling eight of these OT Messianic prophesies is one in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (10 to the 17^th power). That number of silver dollars would cover the state of Texas two feet deep. Stoner says that if you consider 48 of the prophecies, the odds become one in 10 to the 157^th power.” Jesus was the light of the world: John 1:⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. ⁵ And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.” ⁹ This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person.” John 3:¹⁹ And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. ²¹ But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God.” John 8:¹² Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” This fulfillment of Messianic prophecy, if heeded, would lead them to spiritual light and coming out of spiritual darkness “until the day dawns and the morning star arises”. Jesus claims to be the “morning star” in Revelation 22:¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you of these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Greek is phósphoros: Light-bringer, Morning Star: we get the element “phosphorus” from this Greek word. As a result of the gradual combustion of white phosphorus in contact with the air, white phosphorus glows in the dark. This characteristic of Phosphorus is known as Phosphorescence. (AI) “In ancient Greek culture, the term “phósphoros” was often associated with the planet Venus when it appeared as the morning star. This imagery was common in both Greek and Roman mythology, where celestial bodies were personified as deities or symbols of divine presence. In the biblical context, the use of “phósphoros” aligns with the Jewish and early Christian understanding of light as a symbol of divine truth and revelation.” “The term “phósphoros” is used to describe something that brings or bears light. In the New Testament, it is metaphorically used to refer to the “morning star,” symbolizing the dawn of a new day or the arrival of enlightenment and hope. It conveys the idea of illumination and guidance, often associated with Christ as the bringer of spiritual light.” Does this refer to the 2nd coming of Jesus when he would make all things clear? Peter has mentioned the 2nd coming in 1 Peter and will discuss it in 2 Peter 3 which I believe is predicting AD 70 (more later). Revelation is about 70 AD, and chapter 22 speaks of the light for those living after 70 AD: 22:1 And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, ² in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ³ There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; ⁴ they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them; and they will reign forever and ever.” Peter wants the light of Christ to “arise in their hearts”. 2 Corinthians 4:³ And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, ⁴ in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that ^[c]they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants on account of Jesus. ⁶ For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” The light of Christ will do no good util it shines in our hearts, our belief, our emotions. One of my children gave me a Nebo 12k flashlight for Xmas. It is so bright: 12,000 lumens. The maximum LED headlights is 3,000 lumens, so the 12k is 4 times as bright! It will come in handy. You can’t even look directly into the 12k. Jesus is like that. His light is so bright as it shines in our hearts now. But that is nothing compared to the day that we pass and see the glory of Jesus fully.

Finally Peter says: 2 Peter 2:²⁰ But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” This is a comment about the “prophetic word made more sure”. Why can we trust the prophets as tehy made their Messianic predictions? B/c they were not just giving their own thoughts or interpretation of God’s word, gut were moved (pheró: To bear, carry, bring, lead)by the Holy Spirit. Guzik: “According to Green, the ancient Greek word translated “moved” has the sense of carried along, as a ship being carried along by the wind or the current (the same word is used of a ship in Acts 27:15, 17). It is as if the writers of Scripture “raised their sails” in cooperation with God and the Holy Spirit carried them along in the direction He wished.” This is “inspiration”: When people speak of the Bible as inspired, they are referring to the fact that God divinely (miraculously by the Holy Spirit) influenced the human authors of the Scriptures in such a way that what they wrote was the very Word of God. In the context of the Scriptures, the word “inspiration” simply means “God-breathed.” Inspiration means the Bible truly is the Word of God and makes the Bible unique among all other books.” (from gotquestions.org) Of course only the originals were inspired; the copies and translations were not. We have thousands of manuscript copies in the original languages, translations into other languages, papyrus fragments, etc. to try to get as close as we can to the original writings. Bible scholars believe that we have close enough to the originals that we can trust our translations today. There are many variants (differences) among all the manuscripts, translations, and fragments but almost all are insignificant and none affect the major doctrines of the Bible. I like Paul’s definition of inspiration: 1 Corinthians 2:¹⁰ For to us (apostles) God revealed them (the hidden things of God) through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. ¹¹ For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? So also the thoughts of God no one knows, except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. ¹³ We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” The writers were allowed to use their own vocbulary to a certain degree, but the final words they preached and wrote were the words of God.

Wow that was long!