By Earl E. Robertson
“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we mad known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eye-witnesses of this majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: and this voice we ourselves heard borne out of heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount. An we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit,” (2 Pet. 1:16-21).
Peter identifies the work of himself and the other apostles as that marked out by another; but in this disavows his information being second hand. He even affirms “we were eyewitnesses” of the things he testifies. To prove their work was not due to the leadership of others with fables or myths invented artificially when he mad known to these brethren the power and coming of the Lord, he testifies they were not only “eye witnesses” but they themselves heard the voice of God acknowledge Jesus Christ as His only Son! Peter says this voice came from heaven, “when we were with him in the holy mount.” The account of this majestic scene is recorded in Matthew 17:1-5.
Many are the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the Saviour, and the apostle affirms that such prophecy is made more sure through the eyewitness and voice borne from the heavenly account. The story of Jesus Christ was not a made-up story, but rather the fulfillment of Gods redemptive plan. (cf. Acts 10:43). God did not leave his people without sufficient evidence. (2 Pet. 1:3). The revelation of light from heaven to man upon the earth was a “lamp shining in a dark place”; and the day-star (Christ) brought the dawning of a new day.
But Peter says, “no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation.” He emphasizes first their need of understanding by saying, “knowing this first ” The verb “is” means to become or spring into being. Private means simply what is ones own, and interpretation is from a word that means explanation or exposition. So, Peter is affirming that no prophecy or scripture ever came into being simply by a prophets own exposition; but to the contrary, “For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.”
Our evidence is both complete and sufficient. Various passages attest this fact (Jude 3; Acts 15:1-31). God caused His will to be made known in many ways (Heb. 1:1-2), and it can be comprehended by all responsible people (Eph. 3:1-6). Since this message from Him is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16-17), it should be read by one and all as though each man had personally received it. Jesus wants this message preached to every creature (Mk. 16:15,16), because each has sinned (Rom. 3:23) and needs the Saviour.
TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 18, p. 2
March 8, 1973