II Peter 1:17-19

We are focusing on verses 17-19 today:

He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable,and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (II Peter 1:17-19)

Peter saw so many wondrous things in the time that he followed Jesus Christ around the mountains, valleys, lakes, and synagogues. He saw people healed; he saw thousands fed from small volumes of food; he witnessed miraculous events on the lakes like huge hauls of fish and Christ calming the waves. He even walked toward Jesus on the surface of the water, until he took his eyes off his Savior and looked at the waves!
But here's the thing: Peter doesn't refer to any of these when he tells us what historical event has given him such confidence in Christ's power and His second coming. Instead, Peter refers to his own eye-witness experience that he shared with James and John on the mountain. Three of the gospels tell us how they accompanied Jesus as He went up the mountain to pray. Then He was transfigured before them in astonishing light and glory -- and from the overshadowing cloud, God spoke of His Son.

Peter is saying, we were there. We heard that voice. We saw His glory. So now we know what it will be like when Jesus returns in power, glory, and authority. It's like they were gifted with a preview of the glory of Jesus' second coming.
It was truly awe-inspiring when Peter saw Christ after His resurrection. How joyful they all were! And when He ascended into heaven? Wow! What a momentous event!
But in neither of those instances did Jesus appear in the majesty that Peter mentions in verse sixteen. Peter wants to remind us of that majesty and the greatness of His second coming. It's thirty years after the event, and seeing the majesty of Christ is what fills the mind of Peter. That's what motivates him to share the hope of that vision with his readers before he dies.

In verse nineteen, he emphasizes that the word about the second coming is true, and then encourages us to give "heed" to it until the end, just as he has.

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable,and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (v 19)

Peter calls the word of Christ's coming "prophetic" because the coming of the Messiah in glory was predicted in the Old Testament prophets, just like His humble birth was.

But to you who fear My nameThe Sun of Righteousness shall ariseWith healing in His wings; (Malachi 4:2a)

Arise, shine;For your light has come!And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,And deep darkness the people;But the Lord will arise over you,And His glory will be seen upon you.“The sun shall no longer be your light by day,Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you;But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light,And your God your glory. (Isaiah 60:1-2,19)

The prophets foretold His second coming, and Peter was an eye-witness to the "preview."
Peter makes an analogy here that many of us have heard before. Perhaps Peter was thinking, too, of his childhood training:

Your word is a lamp for my feet,    a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105)

I believe that even more so than when Peter wrote, our world is covered with the darkness of sin, deceit, fear, and greed. We are in danger every day of stumbling over some unexpected temptation or false teaching. Our only hope is to have a lamp going before us. Peter pleads with us to keep the promise of Christ's coming in full view -- don't let your eyes stray from it, don't fall asleep. The hope of Jesus Christ's coming back is the lamp for our feet and the light to our path. It can guide us through the night until the dawn.
The last part of verse nineteen tells us how long that lamp will be effective for us.
Until it is replaced.

 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16)

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. (Revelation 2:26-28)

The light of His glory will be shining over the world, and shining in our hearts. What a time that will be, when Jesus returns!

For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. (Romans 8:19)

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (Matthew 13:43a)

 Even so, Lord, come quickly!