Lesson 2 The Message

2 Peter 1:12-21 Revised Standard Version

12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to arouse you by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 And I will see to it that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths 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 and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

• First Impression?

 This reading was dominated by the statement that “no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation”. This comes to mind every time I see a prediction for when the world will end or see a cult of personality trying to piggyback on scripture.

• Remind, know, establish. Do you know? Have you established? Do you need a reminder?

 I do, I have, and I do. God made us to need Him and He made us to need each other. We all need to be reminded.

• Does anyone care enough about you to remind you?

 Yes, several people in fact.

• Peter has been shown that he will die soon. Have we not all been told we will die soon enough and need to serve?

 Yes, we have.

• To pass on before we go. Do you not have this mandate in your heart?

 I do.

• Peter spoke of the power and coming of Christ as he saw it. We too are to do this (as hammered home last week.) Do we not know the enemy has cleverly devised myths to oppose Christ? How are we to learn from the example of our enemy and improve our success?

 We do know he does, but sometimes we cannot discern them quickly. We are to be prepared at all times to give our witness as directed by scripture.

• The Son was glorified by the Father. Peter heard it. Peter also has knowledge of the fulfillment of scripture. Peter commends us to learn from him. Have we been learning from him?

 Absolutely.

• The word and our testimony a light shining in the dark world. Can you explain the meaning of the morning star rising in your hearts with the dawning of which day?

 The morning star is Christ, the dawning of the day could be every day, or the day Christ returns, and I struggle with how it rises in our heart. It could be making us sinless when He returns, or it could be the renewing of our submission each day.

• One’s own interpretation is not appropriate. Not negotiable. God created the prophecy, and it came from the Holy Spirit and can only be known how?

By the leading of the Holy Spirit.

This week’s answers were short and sweet. The questions were set up that way. Most of our discussion was about how we need a reminder, who that could be, how we need to pass on, who that could be to, and how to better utilize the Holy Spirit. God gave us the Holy Spirit as a lamp unto our feet and those who scorn the use of the Lamp have trouble waiting for them (Per Job Chapter 12).