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THE KING’S BUSINESS
ing Christ, admit o f no such supposed or implied delusion or illusion. No such objec tion can be raised against the ’’prophetic word made sure.” , A “MORE SURE” PROPHECY The prophecy is “more sure” than the voice-testimony on the mount of trans figuration; not in itself absolutely, but with respect to the readers o f Peter’s epistle. “More sure,” scarcely so to Peter, but ^assuredly so to his readers (cf. “Ye do well to take heed;” also “we” and “ye,” v. 19). The prophecy is “more sure,” not more true; “more sure/’ not more clear. By “the voice” on the transfiguration mount the believer is confirmed; by the' “prophetic word made sure” the unbeliever is convinced. W e are here taught that the written W ord o f God has even a surer con firmation o f God’s truth than what Peter saw, heard, and felt on the transfiguration mount—that is tq say (the New Testament Scriptures not yet being existent, although he recognizes the writings of Paul as such, cf. 2 Peter 3:15, 16}, Peter declares that the long line o f prophetic Scriptures, ful filled in so many ways in the life of Jesus, constitute a mightier’ form o f evi dence than the narrative o f one single event (the transfiguration) o f which Peter was an eye-witness. In other words, far mightier than signs and wonders is the tes timony o f the prophetic Word o f God. “ If they hear not Moses and the prophets,' neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31). May there not be a hint here as to the manner in which Peter himself found Christ: not by beholding Him as a great miracle worker, but as the fulfilment o f the Old Testament predictions regarding the Mes siah? “W e have, found him - o f whoni . . . . the prophets did write.” Is not this what led the first disciples to follow Christ? To the Apostle Peter the Old Testament is as much the voice o f Christ as the New Testament. The whole spirit o f prophecy is its testimony to Jesus. “ For the testimony o f Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). “ To him
give all the prophets witness” (Acts 10:43). The study o f the prophets will lead us, as it led Nathaniel, to Christ. How striking is the, unity o f the prophetic messages in their testimony to Christ: “Him o f whom . . . the prophets did write” (John 1 :45) ; “In all the prophets the things concerning himself’ (Luke 24 :27); “All things . . . fulfilled . . . . in the prophets concerning me” , ( Luke 24:44). TWO TESTIMONIES Two things are here similarly dealt with: the testimony o f the apostles- ( 1 :16-18), and the testimony o f the “ prophetic word” (1:19-21). The testimony o f the apostles was not a cunningly devised fable; it was not 'a myth; it was not self-originated any more than “the sure word o f prophecy.” The transfiguration was a vision, directly revealed from heaven, o f the power and coming o f our Lord Jesus Christ. It came (2 Peter 1:18), even as “the sure word of prophecy” by direct revelation from God. The testimony o f the prophetic word ( 1 :19- 21) is also “a sure word.” It is no delu sion, no human invention, no figment of man’s imagination. The proof o f its accu racy, inspiration, and infallibility lies in its fulfilled prophecies. I f the vision o f the second. Coming o f Christ is portrayed and typified by the transfiguration, the grand reality o f it is set forth in the “ sure word o f prophecy.” Can it be that the Old Testament and the New Testament are here contrasted as to their value and duration by the terms “lamp” and “ day” .—the Old Testament, a lamp; the New Testament, the day; both until Christ shall come again? God’s Rev elation is progressive. The Old Testament differs from the New Testament as the lamplight differs from the daylight. “ The dimness is past ; the true light now shineth” (cf. 1 John 2 :8). How emphatic is the word “until;” until the day breaks Jorth and the day star (which is Christ, Revelation 22:16) arise in your hearts ; until Christ shall come in the fulness o f His glory. What need will there be o f prophecies concerning Christ when we
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