Tag: 2-peter

2 PETER 3 NOT THE END OF THE WORLD

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Most think that 2 Peter 3 is predicting the end of the earth, the burning up of the “elements” that make up the earth. Many think that it predicts a future (in our future) creation of a new heavens and earth recreating the earth to its pristine Garden of Eden state. I don’t. I believe it is prredicting 70 AD. Notice my “keys” to believing this chapter to be about 70 AD.

2 Peter 3:1 Beloved, this is now the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of a reminder, 2 to remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.” Here is the purpose for writing this letter: to remind the diaspora Jewish Christians of several things. He hs already reminded them of some things in 2 Peter 1:12-14. Key 1: the things in this chapter were. predicted by the prophets and by Jesus through his apostles.

2 Peter 3:3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue just as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, 6 through which the world at that time was destroyed by being flooded with water. 7 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people.

Key 2: This event occurred in the “last days”. That phrase refers to the last days of the Jewish Age. Acts 2:17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” The last days would start in 30 AD (Acts 2) as Peter said that the apostles speaking in tongues was the beginning of the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy that the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit would be poured out on believers during the last days. The last days would end with “the great and magnificent day of the Lord”, i.e. a judgment day (the day of the Lord in the OT refers to a day of judgment: Joel 1:15; 3:14; Zephaniah 1:7,14; Obadiah 1:15). That great judgmenet day of the Lord would be 70 AD when God judged the evil, unbelieving Jews who had rejected Jesus as rthe Messiah and were rebelling against Rome. God sent the Romans under Vespasian and then Titus to put down the rebellion from 67-70 AD, killing thousands of Jews and then destroying the city of Jerusalem and the temple in 70 AD, killing 1 million Jews according to Josephus. Acts 2:40 this would occur within that “generation” of Jews that Peter was speaking to. The Greek word genea always means a period of about 40 years or the people living in a 40 years period, the same as we speak of the “baby boomers generation”. Matthew 1 lists 42 “generations” from Abraham to Jesus, which is bout 2,000 years (each genertion about 40-45 years). Malachi 4:5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and strike the land with complete destruction.” John the Baptist would be the Elijah to come. Matthew 17:10 And His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; 12 but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did [d]to him whatever they wanted. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.” Malachi said that Elijah would come shortly before the “great and terrible day of the Lord” which could only be 70 AD, a “complete destruction of the land”. John was not able to get the Jews the repent and the land was destroyed in 70 AD. Malachi 4:5 was predicting 70 AD to be the “great and terrible day of the Lord”, which is the same day in Acts 2:20. Thus the end of the last days was in 70 AD. 70 AD also marked the end of the miraculous being poured out on believers. Only the apostles were able to lay hands on baptized believers and given them miraculous Gifts (Acts 8:14-24), so when all the apostles died by 70 AD, the gifts died out, at least giving of new gifts died out. So 2 Peter 3:2 says that the events of 2 Peter 3 would occur in the last days, which limits the fulfillment to the period from 30 AD to 70 AD. That day of the Lord in 70 AD would be the 2nd coming of Jesus which he said would happen within the lifetime of those he ws speaking to (Matthew 10:23; 16:27-28; 24:30-34; 26:64). There are no other verses in the gospels that predict a “coming back” of Jesus that would not occur within their lifetime. None (find one if you can). Jesus himself had warned that false prophets would come and lead many away from the truth (Matthew 24:11) before 70 AD: Matthew 24:34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” The mockers in 2 Peter 3:3 would be those false prophets before 70 AD who mocked Jesus’ prediction. in Matthew 24 that He was coming within that generation to destroy the temple and fulfill Daniel’s prediction about the “abomination of desolation” (Daniel 9:24-27).

Key 2: It was people, not dirt, that would be destroyed when the heavens and earth that existed in Peter’s day would be destroyed. The mockers said that things had been the same on earth since the creation with no cataclysmic day of the Lord as Jesus predicted to happen (Matthew 24) happening. But they forgot about the destruction of the old heavens and earth during the flood. The world was destroyed in that flood. What was “destroyed”? Evil people were destroyed. The earth went through drastic changes during the flood, but the earth and heavens were not literally destroyed. That left the heavens and earth that existed in Peter’s time and they were reserved for a day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people. Notice it would be ungodly people who would be destroyed when the current heavens and earth were to be destroyed, not literally the earth itself being destroyed.

2 Peter 3:8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”

Jesus and the apostles had predicted the judgment day of the Lord at Jesus’ 2nd coming would be within the lifetime of those they were speaking to, within that generation of Jews living at that time. Matthew 23:36 Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.” The 2nd coming had not happened yet at the time Peter wrote 2 Peter (about 65 AD), but that didn’t mean it would not happen within that generation, and it did happen soon after Peter wrote this letter (5 or so years later). He would still fulfill his promise within that generation It could happen at any time, but any extra years would just be the Lord giving more time for Jews to repent and accept Jesus as the Messiah. Any extra years would mean nothing in God’s time frame b/c a day with the Lord was like 1000 years and a 1000 years as one day. People try to use 2 Peter 3:8 to argue that “soon” could be thousands of years when Revelation predicts that the events to be fulfilled in Revelation would happen “shortly”, “soon” (Revelation 1:1-3; chapter 22). But when God warns people about an imminent judgment, His warning is in their time frame, not His. He is saying, “you better repent b/c this judgment day is about to happen. to you soon”. If I told my students at school, “you will have a test soon so you better prepare by studying hard”, they would clearly understood soon to be in their time frame. Mark 1:15 “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. The need to repent was b/c of the imminent soon coming of the kingdom in their lifetime. Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads, and those who hear the words of the prophecy and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” The need to hear and keep the things written in Revelation was b/c the time was near, in their lifetime. The Greek work mello is used several times in warnings to the 7 churches (Revelation 1:19; 2:10; 3:10,16; 6:11; 8:13; 12:5). Mello always means “about to happen” in the NT.

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered.”

Key 3: The “elements” to be destroyed when the. current heavens and earth would be destroyed were not the physical elements of which the earth is made of (hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.). The Greek word for elements is stoicheion: Element, principle, rudiment. It is used 7 times in the NT and never refers to the physical elements of the earth (Galatians 4:3,9; Colossians 2:8,20; Hebrews 5:12; 2 Peter 3:10,12). For example, Hebrews 5:12 For though [i]by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God (i.e. the basics) , and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” The word stoicheion always refers to the basic teachings of the Law or of the pagan religions and never refers to the physical elements of the earth. 2 Peter 3:10,12 is no exception. There it refers to the basics of the Jewish system that would be destroyed in 70 AD. The temple would be destroyed; no more animal sacrifices or priests after 70 AD; the kingdom would be taken from the Jewish nation (Matthew 21:43); no more genealogy tables to confirm who the true Messiah was. But it sounds like fire and heat? That is typical of figurative apocalyptic language such as “moon turned to blood” (Isaiah 13 where it is talking about judgment on Babylon in 539 BC), “stars fall” (Matthew 24:30 and this had to happen within that generation 24:34), “heavens rolled up like a scroll” (Isaiah 34 where it is talking about judgment of the nations in Isaiah’s time). So it doesn’t have to mean literal fire in 2 Peter 3:10.

2 Peter 3:11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

Key 4: God had made a “promise of a new heavens and earth” that they were looking for. Where is that found in the Scriptures? The only place that is found is Isaiah 65 and 66. Isaiah 65:17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing And her people for gladness. 19 I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people; And there will no longer be heard in her The voice of weeping and the sound of crying. 20 No longer will there be in it an infant who lives only a few days, Or an old person who does not live out his days; For the youth will die at the age of a hundred, And the one who does not reach the age of a hundred Will be thought accursed.” What is this “new Jerusalem” in the NT? That new Jerusalem is the church. Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven…” Revelation 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Now remember, everything predicted to happen in Revelation would happen “shortly” (1:1-3) , “near” (22:10) , “soon” (22:6) , “I am coming quickly” (22:10). The new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven to earth is no exception. That had to happen soon. John then describes the new Jerusalem as the bride of Christ, which is the church. Revelation 21:9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, full of the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 11: 2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.” What about the “new heavens and earth” predicted in Isaiah 65:17. Again, Revelation 21:1 the new heavens and earth replaces the old heavens and earth and that has to happen soon, shortly, near. Revelation was written about 63 AD predicting the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The old heavens and earth would be the Jewish system, temple, sacrifices, etc. Hebrews 8:13 (written in 60 AD) predicted that the old covenant was “ready to disappear” and it did 10 years later. The old heavens and earth was destroyed in 70 AD. The new heavens and earth had to happen soon. That could only be the new Messianic order of things, the Messianic Age, the new reign of the Messiah. Hebrews 12:25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns us from heaven. 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let’s show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; 29 for our God is a consuming fire.” The old heavens and earth, the Jewish system, contained thing that could be “shaken”, created things, like the temple and the city of Jerusalem. God would shake that old system one more time and the last time, when he destroyed the temple and the city in 70 AD. A kingdom that cannot be shaken, i.e. the church kingdom, remained after 70 AD and remains today.

The final scripture where a new heavens and earth is promised is Isaiah 66:18 “For I know their works and their thoughts; the time is coming to gather all the nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory. 19 And I will put a sign among them and send survivors from them to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal, and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have neither heard of My fame nor seen My glory. And they will declare My glory among the nations. 20 Then they shall bring all your countrymen from all the nations as a grain offering to the Lord, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the Lord, “just as the sons of Israel bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the Lord. 21 I will also take some of them as priests and Levites,” says the Lord.”

22 “For just as the new heavens and the new earth, Which I make, will endure before Me,” declares the Lord, “So will your descendants and your name endure. 23 And it shall be from new moon to new moon And from Sabbath to Sabbath, All mankind will come to bow down before Me,” says the Lord.
24 “Then they will go out and look At the corpses of the people Who have rebelled against Me. For their worm will not die And their fire will not be extinguished; And they will be an abhorrence to all mankind.”

Notice some event where the nations are gathered and there would be “survivors” (65:19) sent to the nations (i.e. Gentiles). That doesn’t sound like the end of the world and physical destruction of the earth, does it? Those survivors would “declare God’s glory among the Gentile nations”, which is preaching the word to the Gentiles. That is not the end of the world. God would make some of the converts from the nations as “priests and Levites”. That is not in heaven. That is figurative for the priesthood of believers in the church. All Christians are spiritual priests whether Jew or Gentile. Obviously God did not literally make Christian converts as Levites. This is typical of Messianic figurative language. It uses things familiar to the Jews in a figurative sense. The same with “all mankind will worship me on new moons and sabbaths”. Paul condemned those making Christians observe new moons: Colossians 2:16 Therefore, no one is to act as your judge in regard to food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon, or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are only a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” Likewise in Jeremiah 33:17 For this is what the Lord says: ‘David shall not lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel; 18 and the Levitical priests shall not lack a man before Me to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to prepare sacrifices continually.’”  This passage is definitely a prediction of the Messiah and his kingdom, fulfilled in Jesus (figuratively “David”). Also there would be Levitical priests in the Messianic kingdom who would offer burnt offerings. Is that saying that in Messianic kingdom we would go back to Levitical priests and animal sacrifices? Again, that is figurative language of the priesthood of believers. The burnt offerings would be figurative of the sacrifice of Christ in the new covenant. But a lot of figurative language that was confusing to the Jews when Jesus came. They were expecting a literal fulfillment of this figurative language and missed the whole boat! I think these predictions were fulfilled figuratively in the church now. Some Christians make the same mistake of the Jews and expect Jesus to return some day and establish a physical kingdom. The unbelieving Jews still expect the real Messiah (not Jesus) to come some day to establish a physical Jewish kingdom with animal sacrifices, priests, and a 3rd temple. But bottom line for our lesson is that Isaiah 66:22 the new heavens and earth, which is obviously in context the new Messianic age and not the end of the world and heaven itself, will endure before God. That is the Messianic system or order of things where Christ reigns in the church. It is not a new re-created earth and heaven. Peter says that God promised a new heavens and earth and that can only be found in Isaiah 65 and 66 and there it is not the end of the world but refers to the Messianic order of things which we have had for 2,000 years.

2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which there are some things that are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unscrupulous people and lose your own firm commitment, 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

Audience relevance! How does this apply to the diaspora Jewish Christians Peter is writing to. He says they were “looking for these things. Were they expecting the new heavens and earth to come in their lifetime? I think so b/c Jesus and the apostles told them that Jesus was coming in their lifetime. Let’s throw in 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near.” In an earlier article on 1 Peter 4, I said that “the end” had to be “near” or else Peter is a false prophet. What end was he predicting that was near? It was not the end of the world, but the end of the Jewish system in 70 AD. So in 2 Peter 3, would the removal of the old heavens and earth not be included in “end of all things” of 1 Peter 4:7????? The end of all things must include the destruction of the old heavens and earth in 2 Peter 3. That alone should make us realize that 2 Peter 3 is predicting something that is “near” and is not predicting the literal destruction of the heavens and earth in our future going on 2,000 years now since the prediction was made.

Regard any extra time as possible salvation for some before the 2nd coming in 70 AD. Peter then said that Paul “spoke of these things”. What things? The 2nd coming of Jesus was a common teaching of Paul and 2 Peter 3 is based on the prediction of the 2nd coming. 2 Peter 3:3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Paul spoke of that 2nd coming especially in 1 and 2 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians 15. He said in Acts 24:15 that there was “about to be” (mello) a resurrection of the righteous and unrightesous. He told the Athenians that God had set a day in which he was “about to ” (mello) judge the world through Jesus. He said in 2 Timothy 4:1 that Jesus was “about to (mello) judge the living and the dead. So Paul did speak on the same things as Peter did on eschatology (the study of the end). Some of Paul’s teaching is “hard to understand” (like 2 Thessalonians 2 and 1 Corinthians 15) but can be understood. But the “untaught and unstable” distort Paul’s teachings, just as they do today. They do this also to the “rest of the Scriptures”. This would refer to the OT Scriptures since the NT canon had not been completely formed at the time Peter wrote 2 Peter. But that statement by Peter means that Peter considered Paul’s writings to be inspired and equal to the OT inspired writings. Some today would say that Paul was not inspired, that he was not a true apostle. They said that back when Paul was living and fighting the Judaizers who tried to undermine him. Paul has to defend his apostleship in Galatians and 2 Corinthians especially. 2 Corinthians 12:12 The distinguishing marks of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs, wonders, and miracles.” The conversion of Paul when he saw the resurrected Jesus make it obvious that he was a true apostle. Nothing could have converted this killer of Christians other than seeing the resurrected Jesus. The reason some question his apostleship and inspiration today is that they don’t want to accept his teaching that homosexuality is a sin. They say that he is homophobic and just opinionated. They say we don’t have to follow his commands or his condemnation of homosexuality. But I always send them to 2 Peter 3:16 where Peter said that Paul’s writings were inspired Scripture. Most everyone accepts Peter as an apostle (maybe they even think he was the first pope). So can we trust Peter’s confidence that Paul’s writings were Scripture? I think so. Peter then closes with a warning against being carried away by unscrupulous people, i.e. the false prophets and teachers and mockers that were among them. Instead, grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Amen.

So there it is. I think 2 Peter 3 is all about 70 AD and not at all about a prediction for our future of the destruction of the earth and re-creation of the earth. Many scholars have come to this same conclusion, so this is not some new teaching I came up with.



2 PETER 1:18-21 The mount of transfiguration and the prophetic word made more sure!

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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 17th 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 157th 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!