Until the Day Dawns

Introduction

Start this program by reading 2 Peter 1:19-21 ESV and then share the devotional, which will lead into the other activities.

Who Is Jesus?

The epistle of 2 Peter is written for a skeptical world that belittles the Christian faith and attacks Christian beliefs. This causes a barrage of questions: Is Jesus really who He said He was? Is the Resurrection true, or was it a hoax? Will He really return one day?

Skeptics not only attack Christian beliefs, but they also attack Christian behavior. If Jesus is not really who He claimed to be, then why should we allow Him to dictate how we live? Peter is addressing these very issues. He speaks out against skeptics and false teachers who were undermining the Christian faith, and simultaneously encourages believers to remain faithful.

The main point of these three verses (19-21) is found in v. 19: “We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention…” Above all, Peter wants to convince his audience (and us) of the authority and reliability of Scripture. The ‘prophetic word’ to which he refers is generally understood to be the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ. Peter is reminding them that this vast body of biblical prophecy is a sure foundation for Christian belief. What the prophets foretold is considered a reliable and confirmed source of truth. After all, many prophecies had already been fulfilled, and there were even eyewitnesses.

Earlier in the chapter, Peter specifically references the apostolic witness to the Transfiguration. The false teachers were saying that the Christian gospel consisted of concocted stories and cleverly devised myths. To counter this, Peter gives testimony. Paraphrased, he says, “Listen, we ‘saw’ Jesus in kingly splendor on the mountain, and we ‘heard’ the Father declare Him to be the Son. And because of this, now every prophetic word about his Second Coming is more fully confirmed.” The Transfiguration was real, touchable, visible, and audible. Peter ought to know—he was there.

And so, the first bit of evidence Peter offers regarding the reliability of the prophetic word is eye-witness testimony and experience. “Through what we have experienced,” he says, the words of the prophets are more fully confirmed.” Even more convincing than experience, however, is Scripture itself. As sure as Peter was of what he had seen and heard, this was only his unique experience and could only be given as personal testimony. As such, he stresses God’s written Word, available to us in the Holy Scriptures, as the supreme authority.

It is not in Peter or Paul as men, no matter how sincere or holy they may be, that we must trust; but rather, in Christ as revealed in God’s written Word. Assuredly, the Word of God is a more reliable verification of the teachings about the Person, atonement, and Second Coming of Christ than even the genuine first-hand experiences of the apostles themselves. The prophetic word (Scripture) is more complete, more permanent, and more authoritative than the experiences of anyone—even the experience of the Transfiguration, as grand as that must have been.

Peter is careful to remind them in v. 21 that no prophecy was produced by the will of man; but “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” If you translate this verse from the original Greek word for word, it says this: “But men, carried along by the Spirit, spoke from God.”

When Peter says the Scripture writers were “carried along,” or “borne,” by the Holy Spirit, it is the same word he uses for the very voice of God from heaven in verses 17 and 18. The image is that of a ship carried by the wind. The prophets “opened up their sails,” so to speak, and the Holy Spirit filled them. What ‘God’ wrote; ‘they’ wrote. This ultimately refers to the in-breathing of the Holy Spirit upon these men, which is precisely WHY we can believe in the Word of God!

Similarly, the apostle Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “all Scripture is God-breathed,” often translated “inspired.” The Greek word for “inspired,” is related to the Greek word for Spirit. The ‘Spirit’ of God breathed the ‘character’ of God into the Scriptures. The inspiration of Scripture is the process by which God, through His Holy Spirit, has provided an accurate and true record and interpretation of His redemptive act in Christ. With utmost confidence, we can thus hold to the authority of Holy Scripture because it is the inspired Word of Almighty God Himself. Pure and simple, “God spoke” (Hebrews 1:1).

Though human writers of Scripture were active, rather than passive in the process of writing. God the Holy Spirit ‘superintended’ their writing. Although He utilized their own personalities, thought processes, and vocabulary, the words they composed were exactly and precisely the words God wanted written. Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God is flawless.” Psalm 19:7 says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul; the statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”

Things have not changed. Skepticism is alive and well today. False teachers are more plentiful than ever. Christian beliefs and behaviors are still under attack. Peter’s message is relevant. It is timely. This text is a clarion call for us to remain faithful. In a day when so many believe there is no absolute Truth and AI (Artificial Intelligence) constantly causes us to question what is real, the Word of God is the most reliable source for truth we have. That is why we must pay attention to it.

Perhaps more than ever before, God’s Word is the only lamp we have in this dark world (v. 19). The psalmist likewise said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). I pray that we will prioritize and fully trust the Bible as the ultimate source of truth, and that we will consistently check any teaching or opinion against the established text of Scripture. May we confidently look to the Word of God to illumine our way through dark and troubled times “until the day dawns”—when Christ returns in all His glory. Hallelujah!

Discussion

Implicit in this text is the certainty of the Second Coming of Christ our King. Given that certainty, ask yourselves what the connection is between the future return of Jesus and how you live your life today. The future always influences the present. Just think of Christmas Day every year, for example. Ahead of time, we save money, buy gifts, wrap presents, bake special treats, and prepare a festive meal. As Christmas Day approaches, it affects our everyday lives. How should Christ’s impending return affect the way we live? How can the truths in 2 Peter 1:19-21 be applied to your daily decision-making? What are things you need to do now to prepare for eternity? Pair share or discuss in small groups.

Reflection

Reflect on times when God’s word has provided clarity or direction in your life. Also, consider areas where you need to improve your Bible reading/study habits.

Question To Ask

Have you ever been subjected to a false teaching? How did you determine it was false? How did you handle the situation?

Journal Activity

Reflect on what these verses mean for your personal life, considering how you can trust and rely on scripture as a guide—and why.

Comparison Study

The inspiration of scripture means that God is the source of the words recorded in the Bible. Compare 2 Peter 1:19-21 with other verses about the inspiration of scripture, such as 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

Memorization

Memorize 2 Peter 1:21 to internalize the truth that Scripture comes from God through the Holy Spirit. Give a prize to the first person who can recite the verse from memory.

Music

Music can bring Scripture to life by helping people connect with it. It also reiterates and reinforces biblical teaching. Meditate on a hymn or contemporary Christian song about Scripture. Suggestions:

“Thy Word” by Amy Grant

“Word of God” by Brenton Brown

“Ancient Words” by Lynn DeShazo

“Your Word” by Hillsong

“Living Word” by Jeremy Camp

“Word of God, Speak” by MercyMe

Hymns:

“How Firm A Foundation”

“Break Thou the Bread of Life”

“Standing on the Promises”

“Wonderful Words of Life”

Article (Handout)

From the Reasons to Believe website @ reasons.org. The name of the article is “Fulfilled Prophecy: Evidence for the Reliability of the Bible.” It is excellent.

Fulfilled Prophecy: Evidence for the Reliability of the Bible – Reasons to Believe