WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.000 How would you react if you're on the tube one day and a guy gets on and he's holding a sign 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:15.000 and says, Judgment Day is coming. And he starts to speak urgently to anyone who will listen on the train. 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:21.320 Saying, the Lord Jesus is coming back. He will judge the whole world and rule over the earth. 00:00:21.719 --> 00:00:23.880 Are you ready for his return? 00:00:24.899 --> 00:00:27.839 And what's your first reaction if you're on that train? 00:00:28.740 --> 00:00:33.120 Is it embarrassment? Just calm down. Stop making a fuss. 00:00:34.740 --> 00:00:39.439 I'm not making a comment on whether evangelism is effective on the tube or not. 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:48.179 But the point is, I think the reason our reaction might be embarrassment is we've lost touch of the reality of the second coming. 00:00:48.899 --> 00:00:51.299 It doesn't always feel real to us. 00:00:52.140 --> 00:00:57.899 Because if we're utterly convinced that Jesus is coming back and he will judge the world, 00:00:58.539 --> 00:01:03.219 our response to that guy can't be, calm down, mate. What's the big deal? 00:01:03.219 --> 00:01:10.780 We might think there are better ways to tell others, but the second coming of Jesus Christ is a huge event. 00:01:11.340 --> 00:01:15.180 It's monumental. If it's real, it changes everything. 00:01:16.140 --> 00:01:18.780 It's not something that we can just say, what's the big deal? 00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:21.140 It's a huge deal. 00:01:22.519 --> 00:01:31.640 The claim of the apostles is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, will return to earth as King of Kings, as judge of the world. 00:01:31.640 --> 00:01:37.079 It's not a vague spiritual thing that's true in our hearts. 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:47.460 The apostles announced that he is physically coming to inaugurate a new physical creation in which he will actually reign as King. 00:01:47.540 --> 00:01:49.640 He will literally judge the world. 00:01:49.960 --> 00:01:54.579 This is an earthy reality, just like his first coming into our world. 00:01:54.579 --> 00:01:59.879 In our churches, it's easy for this to fade into the background. 00:02:00.599 --> 00:02:02.879 We don't deny that Jesus is coming back. 00:02:02.939 --> 00:02:06.060 We actually confess it every week when we say the apostles' tree. 00:02:06.539 --> 00:02:07.939 Do you remember those words? 00:02:08.819 --> 00:02:12.120 He will come to judge the living and the dead. 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:13.599 That's what we believe. 00:02:14.520 --> 00:02:18.199 But it can become distant in our minds. 00:02:18.199 --> 00:02:23.000 It's the biggest event ever, but we hardly ever talk about it. 00:02:23.879 --> 00:02:26.259 It doesn't really touch our daily lives. 00:02:26.339 --> 00:02:28.659 It's lost its urgency and reality. 00:02:29.759 --> 00:02:33.939 Do we feel the gravity of this certain future event? 00:02:36.060 --> 00:02:40.459 Peter's letter is so relevant to us today, just as all God's word is. 00:02:40.460 --> 00:02:44.340 We wrestle with the same problems and dangers that the first readers did. 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:46.879 And back then, there were false teachers saying, 00:02:47.480 --> 00:02:49.500 Jesus is not really coming back. 00:02:50.040 --> 00:02:51.620 I mean, if he's coming, where is he? 00:02:52.140 --> 00:02:52.960 It's been a while. 00:02:53.879 --> 00:02:56.920 Do you really believe that there's going to be a day of judgment? 00:02:57.040 --> 00:02:59.260 You guys need to just calm down and live a little. 00:02:59.379 --> 00:03:01.740 Stop being so worried about sin. 00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:03.000 Live how you want. 00:03:03.060 --> 00:03:05.060 There's no day of accountability. 00:03:05.060 --> 00:03:10.539 So Peter writes this letter to say two big things. 00:03:11.580 --> 00:03:13.520 Jesus is coming back. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:15.800 And godliness matters. 00:03:16.860 --> 00:03:21.020 We saw last week that godliness matters because it's the goal of the gospel. 00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:24.740 And godliness matters because it will keep us from falling. 00:03:25.980 --> 00:03:28.819 But now Peter starts to get into that other big point. 00:03:28.939 --> 00:03:30.400 Jesus is coming back. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:34.879 And we face a similar problem to the first readers. 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:39.879 We can easily push the day of judgment, the second coming, so far into the background 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:42.860 that it has no effect on how we live now. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:47.120 It can be so distant that it doesn't really seem real anymore. 00:03:47.680 --> 00:03:49.379 Peter wants to help us with that. 00:03:49.460 --> 00:03:51.400 So he's asking this big question. 00:03:52.319 --> 00:03:58.099 How do we know that Jesus is really coming back to judge and to rule over the earth? 00:03:58.099 --> 00:04:03.759 The first thing we're going to see is that the transfiguration proves it. 00:04:04.299 --> 00:04:05.319 That's our first point. 00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:07.719 The transfiguration proves it. 00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:11.519 And that will make more sense hopefully as we go along. 00:04:12.519 --> 00:04:15.079 Have a look at chapter 1, verse 16. 00:04:16.519 --> 00:04:17.240 Peter says, 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:22.360 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming 00:04:22.360 --> 00:04:24.259 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:24.259 --> 00:04:30.719 In other words, when we told you that Jesus will come again in power, we weren't making 00:04:30.719 --> 00:04:31.120 it up. 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:36.819 This isn't a clever story that we concocted, a legend about the return of a king. 00:04:37.519 --> 00:04:42.599 We didn't sit down as all the apostles and think, what would make a plausible story that 00:04:42.599 --> 00:04:43.139 we can tell? 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:48.439 By the way, when he says the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, he's not talking 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:50.159 about Jesus' first coming. 00:04:50.240 --> 00:04:53.300 He's talking about the return of Jesus, the second coming. 00:04:53.300 --> 00:04:55.920 That's one of the big themes of this whole letter. 00:04:56.759 --> 00:05:00.480 Look over for a second to chapter 3, verse 3. 00:05:01.920 --> 00:05:02.639 It says there, 00:05:02.960 --> 00:05:07.740 Scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 00:05:07.840 --> 00:05:10.660 They will say, where is the promise of his coming? 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:15.100 In other words, they're saying, I don't think Jesus is really coming back. 00:05:15.180 --> 00:05:16.560 If he's coming back, where is he? 00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:23.519 And they're invested in this idea that Jesus isn't coming back because they want to keep 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:24.199 on sinning. 00:05:24.660 --> 00:05:27.980 That's why Peter says they're following their own sinful desires. 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:31.600 They don't want a day of judgment, a day of accountability. 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:35.199 But Peter says, we're not making this stuff up. 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:37.819 Jesus is coming back. 00:05:37.819 --> 00:05:38.879 And here's how I know. 00:05:39.979 --> 00:05:42.120 Look again, chapter 1, verse 16. 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:48.839 The end of that verse says, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:54.159 These are not myths, but eyewitness testimony. 00:05:54.160 --> 00:05:56.340 What's Peter talking about? 00:05:56.920 --> 00:06:01.200 What did he see which made him certain that Jesus is coming back? 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:07.200 Well, he's talking about an event that he saw with his own eyes that proves that Jesus 00:06:07.200 --> 00:06:08.120 will come again. 00:06:08.440 --> 00:06:09.100 It proves it. 00:06:09.700 --> 00:06:11.320 What is this event? 00:06:12.200 --> 00:06:13.940 Well, it's called the transfiguration. 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:15.920 Look at verse 17. 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:21.840 For when he received honour and glory from God the Father, and the voice was born to him 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:27.819 by the majestic glory, this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. 00:06:28.539 --> 00:06:35.019 We ourselves heard this very voice, born from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:38.939 Do you remember this episode, the transfiguration? 00:06:39.579 --> 00:06:45.599 We read it earlier from Matthew's Gospel, when Peter and James and John went up a mountain 00:06:45.599 --> 00:06:49.039 with Jesus and he was transfigured before them. 00:06:49.040 --> 00:06:53.140 And that word just means transformed or changed. 00:06:53.260 --> 00:06:56.740 Jesus took on the form of his heavenly glory. 00:06:57.800 --> 00:07:00.340 And so he was shining like the sun. 00:07:00.580 --> 00:07:05.180 His glory wasn't hidden anymore like it normally was when he walks around on earth. 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:10.460 But did you hear what Jesus said the week before the transfiguration? 00:07:10.459 --> 00:07:17.000 In Matthew 16, verse 27, Jesus is talking with his disciples about his second coming, 00:07:17.799 --> 00:07:20.579 when he's going to return to judge and to rule the earth. 00:07:20.639 --> 00:07:21.479 And here's what he says. 00:07:22.779 --> 00:07:26.599 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, 00:07:27.299 --> 00:07:30.199 and then he will repay each person according to what he's done. 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:32.039 That's the judgment, the second coming. 00:07:32.899 --> 00:07:34.919 But listen to what he says next. 00:07:34.920 --> 00:07:44.460 Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:46.800 Isn't that strange? 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:55.379 It sounds like Jesus is saying some of the people who were with him right there would see his second coming before they died. 00:07:55.379 --> 00:08:01.399 But all the people with him then are now dead, and Jesus still hasn't come back. 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:03.279 So how does that work? 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:07.680 Well, because six days later, they saw it. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:09.899 The very next verse says, 00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:13.980 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, his brother, 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:16.800 and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 00:08:17.540 --> 00:08:20.100 And he was transfigured before them. 00:08:20.139 --> 00:08:24.639 His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:29.699 The apostles saw a preview of the second coming. 00:08:30.719 --> 00:08:35.419 They saw Jesus in his glory, the way he would appear when he comes again. 00:08:36.059 --> 00:08:40.960 They saw him appointed as end times king and judge. 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:48.059 Now I used to think the whole point of the transfiguration was to show the apostles that Jesus is God, 00:08:48.460 --> 00:08:49.480 that he's the Son of God. 00:08:49.480 --> 00:08:51.539 And so they got to see his glory. 00:08:51.659 --> 00:08:53.180 They heard the Father saying, 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:54.240 This is my Son. 00:08:55.320 --> 00:08:57.180 But that's not really what it's all about. 00:08:57.259 --> 00:09:00.440 It's not just to show Jesus' divine identity. 00:09:01.399 --> 00:09:07.879 This is a vision of the moment when Jesus is appointed as end times king and judge. 00:09:07.879 --> 00:09:13.279 The apostles got to see ahead of time a preview of the second coming. 00:09:14.419 --> 00:09:16.980 That's why in Matthew 17 verse 9, 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:19.539 When they'd come down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:25.600 Tell no one the vision until the Son of Man is raised from the dead. 00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:27.820 This is a vision of the future. 00:09:27.820 --> 00:09:31.300 That's what Peter's writing about here. 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:34.120 He knows the significance of what he saw. 00:09:34.220 --> 00:09:36.640 Because this is straight out of Psalm 2. 00:09:37.520 --> 00:09:39.300 This was all prophesied. 00:09:39.460 --> 00:09:45.920 Psalm 2 is about that moment when Jesus is appointed as the end times king and judge. 00:09:45.980 --> 00:09:50.300 And in Psalm 2 verse 7, we hear the decree which makes Jesus king. 00:09:51.420 --> 00:09:53.200 Verse 7, the Messiah says, 00:09:53.660 --> 00:09:55.340 I will tell of the decree. 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:57.460 The Lord said to me, 00:09:57.580 --> 00:09:58.800 You are my Son. 00:09:59.660 --> 00:10:01.340 Today I have begotten you. 00:10:02.080 --> 00:10:07.139 Ask of me and I will make the nations your heritage and the ends of the earth your possession. 00:10:08.220 --> 00:10:09.160 Do you see what he's saying? 00:10:10.440 --> 00:10:12.780 Psalm 2 is the moment where God decrees, 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:15.940 This one, he is my chosen one, 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:19.620 to judge the world and to reign over the earth. 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:23.160 And didn't those words sound familiar? 00:10:23.160 --> 00:10:24.480 You are my Son. 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:26.940 That's what we just read in 2 Peter, 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:28.700 about the transfiguration. 00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:30.220 The voice boomed from heaven. 00:10:30.659 --> 00:10:32.300 This is my beloved Son. 00:10:33.200 --> 00:10:37.120 It's the same decree of Psalm 2 that we hear at the transfiguration. 00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:41.360 That's why in verse 17, back in 2 Peter, 00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:42.879 it doesn't say, 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:45.980 when we saw him honour and glory. 00:10:45.980 --> 00:10:50.759 It says when he received honour and glory from God the Father. 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:57.220 This is him being given the office of the end times king and judge. 00:10:58.840 --> 00:11:04.860 Now you might think that's strange because Jesus wasn't appointed king until after his resurrection. 00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:10.820 Acts chapter 13 tells us that Psalm 2 was fulfilled by Jesus' resurrection, 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:12.600 not by his transfiguration. 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:14.180 What's going on? 00:11:15.460 --> 00:11:19.180 Well again, the transfiguration was a vision ahead of time, 00:11:19.179 --> 00:11:26.139 of the moment where the resurrected and the ascended Lord Jesus was appointed as king and judge of the earth. 00:11:26.819 --> 00:11:28.279 He will come again in power. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:32.199 We need to get our heads around this. 00:11:32.319 --> 00:11:38.199 The transfiguration was a snapshot in history of Jesus' future post-resurrection glory. 00:11:38.200 --> 00:11:39.160 That's what they saw. 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:48.320 They saw what Daniel saw in his vision of the Son of Man coming in glory on the clouds of heaven. 00:11:49.560 --> 00:11:55.440 They saw what Ezekiel saw in his vision of one sitting on the throne looking like gleaming metal 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:59.400 with fire and brightness all around him. 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:02.900 They saw what Stephen saw when he said, 00:12:02.900 --> 00:12:08.020 I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. 00:12:08.940 --> 00:12:17.580 They saw what John described in the book of Revelation when he saw Jesus with eyes of fire and feet like bronze, 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:21.660 his face shining like the sun in full strength. 00:12:23.040 --> 00:12:29.520 This is Jesus in his glory, the one who is king and judge of the world. 00:12:30.300 --> 00:12:36.960 And after seeing that, how can you think that he will not reign, that he will not judge the world? 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:42.560 Can you imagine the effect that that sight would have had on Peter and on the others? 00:12:42.940 --> 00:12:45.680 Imagine being in his shoes and seeing those things. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:48.960 Would you ever doubt Jesus' second coming after that? 00:12:49.660 --> 00:12:53.580 If you heard the decree yourself, that voice from heaven, 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:54.700 this is my Son. 00:12:55.960 --> 00:12:58.259 God the Father was quoting Psalm 2. 00:12:59.320 --> 00:13:01.720 And he didn't need to finish the quote. 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.860 He knew what he was saying. 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:05.700 Jesus will be king and judge of the world. 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:12.420 Have you ever watched the footage of the Queen's coronation? 00:13:13.240 --> 00:13:19.540 When a British monarch gets crowned, there's a ceremony in which they're formally invested with regalia 00:13:19.540 --> 00:13:21.800 and crowned Westminster Abbey. 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:24.480 And it's a glorious ceremony. 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:28.740 The Queen arrives in the gold state coach. 00:13:29.420 --> 00:13:33.899 This carriage that's covered in gold, costing three and a half million pounds. 00:13:34.720 --> 00:13:37.060 And she's dressed in royal robes. 00:13:37.180 --> 00:13:42.519 A crown is placed on her head with thousands of diamonds and hundreds of pearls. 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:47.240 And she's presented to and acclaimed by the people. 00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:49.319 This is our Queen. 00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:55.399 But imagine if one of the attendees who's sat there watching as the Queen is crowned, 00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:58.539 he leans over and whispers to the person sitting next to him, 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.879 She's not really going to be Queen. 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:02.819 What? 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:06.620 We just saw her crowned as Queen. 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:09.000 No, she'll never be Queen. 00:14:10.199 --> 00:14:11.819 That would be ridiculous, wouldn't it? 00:14:11.820 --> 00:14:18.260 Peter and James and John saw the coronation ceremony of the Lord Jesus, 00:14:19.020 --> 00:14:21.540 where he was appointed King and Judge. 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:23.220 It was shown to them ahead of time. 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:24.780 But it was real. 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:27.540 It would be insane for them to say, 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:29.879 Oh, he's not really going to rule over the earth. 00:14:29.920 --> 00:14:31.120 He's not really going to judge. 00:14:31.680 --> 00:14:32.440 They saw it. 00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:35.000 That's why they knew for sure. 00:14:36.420 --> 00:14:40.700 Let me ask you, do you believe Peter's eyewitness testimony here? 00:14:40.700 --> 00:14:43.320 When he says, verse 16, 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:47.020 We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you 00:14:47.020 --> 00:14:49.280 the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:52.140 We were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:54.000 Do you believe that? 00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:58.960 Most of the apostles died for their testimony. 00:14:59.120 --> 00:15:02.679 They were utterly convinced that Jesus is coming back. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:04.399 And you. 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:11.000 How do we know that Jesus is really coming back to judge and rule over the earth? 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:14.459 Because the transfiguration proves it. 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:19.799 That's Peter's first reason that we should be confident in Jesus' return. 00:15:20.579 --> 00:15:21.979 But he's got another reason too. 00:15:22.479 --> 00:15:26.500 The transfiguration proves it, but also the prophets foretold it. 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:28.759 That's our second point. 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:30.779 The prophets foretold it. 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:33.100 Have a look at verse 19. 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.399 Peter says, 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:39.120 We have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:41.059 to which you will do well to pay attention, 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:44.360 as to a lamp shining in a dark place. 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:47.019 The prophetic word. 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:49.279 What Peter's saying is this. 00:15:49.819 --> 00:15:51.240 This claim that we're making, 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:54.360 this claim that Jesus is coming back because we saw it, 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.600 that's not coming out of thin air. 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:59.199 It's not something that's just arrived with us, the apostles. 00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:04.879 We're the last in a long history of people who have also seen this reality. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.199 The prophets. 00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:08.120 Peter says, 00:16:08.199 --> 00:16:09.519 We're not bringing something new. 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:13.620 We're confirming what has been promised for ages and centuries, 00:16:14.220 --> 00:16:16.679 by prophet after prophet after prophet. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.939 What do the prophets see? 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:22.100 Well, the prophets said over and over again, 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:26.039 The Messiah will judge the nations and he will reign as king forever. 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:29.299 We saw that even in Psalm 2 that we were just talking about. 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:33.939 I'm just going to pick out a few examples, but this is everywhere. 00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:37.879 Here's what Jeremiah said two and a half thousand years ago. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.559 Jeremiah 23 verse 5. 00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:42.779 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:45.939 when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, 00:16:45.940 --> 00:16:48.560 and he shall reign as king, 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:50.360 and deal wisely, 00:16:51.020 --> 00:16:55.060 and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.680 He's going to reign. 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.320 He's going to judge. 00:16:58.320 --> 00:17:01.520 Isaiah 42 verse 1. 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:05.660 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one, in whom I delight. 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:10.740 I will put my spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:14.759 Daniel 7 verse 14. 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:22.319 To him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:27.539 His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, 00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:30.400 and his kingdom one that shall never be destroyed. 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:32.840 It's all over the place. 00:17:33.800 --> 00:17:38.360 The prophets consistently foretell that the Messiah will come and rule over the earth, 00:17:38.780 --> 00:17:42.320 over all the nations in the world, and he will judge them. 00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:45.180 From the very beginning, God has been saying, 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:46.540 this will happen. 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:49.779 And he's been saying it through his prophets. 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:54.920 Now it seems like the false teachers weren't convinced by the prophets. 00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:57.059 They were saying, how do you trust prophecy? 00:17:57.799 --> 00:18:00.339 What these people said so long ago. 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:02.980 Isn't that just the interpretation of the prophets? 00:18:03.879 --> 00:18:06.240 Everyone's got a different interpretation, haven't they? 00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:08.500 It's not the same thing as facts. 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:12.119 Isn't that exactly what people are saying today? 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:16.119 That's nice for you, but it's just your interpretation. 00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:19.259 Well, look what Peter says in verse 20. 00:18:20.919 --> 00:18:25.879 Knowing this, first of all, that no prophecy of scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 00:18:26.859 --> 00:18:29.539 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man. 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:34.939 But men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:40.959 Peter says prophecy is not the prophets' own subjective interpretation 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:42.440 that they might have got wrong. 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:43.960 That's not how it works. 00:18:44.860 --> 00:18:50.299 No prophecy of scripture ever came from someone's own interpretation. 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:52.220 This is God speaking. 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:55.220 Men spoke from God. 00:18:55.900 --> 00:18:58.660 When you read the prophets, God is speaking to you. 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.960 He speaks through his appointed prophets. 00:19:02.620 --> 00:19:04.700 It wasn't possible for them to get the message wrong. 00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:10.160 The Holy Spirit was using them as an instrument to speak to God's people. 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:12.519 They were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 00:19:13.620 --> 00:19:15.600 2 Timothy 3.16 says, 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:19.060 All scripture is breathed out by God. 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:22.340 That's why we call scripture God's word. 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:25.680 We don't say it's Isaiah's word or it's Jeremiah's word. 00:19:26.460 --> 00:19:28.960 So it's God's word through the prophets. 00:19:29.060 --> 00:19:33.019 He used their personality and their circumstances on all of that. 00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:35.500 But this is God's word. 00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:40.559 It's a bit like studying Shakespeare in school. 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:43.359 Did you ever have to read Shakespeare in school? 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:47.740 And you're supposed to analyse his writing to try and figure out what he was trying to say. 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:55.799 And often people come up with wildly different ideas of what's the meaning behind his writings. 00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:58.579 He was making this point or he was making this point. 00:19:58.579 --> 00:20:04.599 Maybe your classmate has a particular interpretation of what they think that Shakespeare was saying. 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:07.299 But it's not always convincing, is it? 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:14.879 Sometimes it sounds like their interpretation, and you're not convinced that that's really what was in Shakespeare's mind. 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:23.780 Well, the prophets are not like your classmates trying to figure out and interpret Shakespeare, but probably getting most of it wrong. 00:20:24.580 --> 00:20:31.040 The prophets got God's message 100% right because it was actually God speaking through them. 00:20:32.040 --> 00:20:36.540 That means we need to receive God's word as God's word. 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:45.720 The almighty God is speaking directly with a definitive message that calls for a particular response. 00:20:46.619 --> 00:20:50.180 You can't hear God's word through the prophets and just say, 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:53.879 Well, I don't really like the idea of God judging. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:58.480 I prefer to think of God as kind and forgiving, so I don't interpret it that way. 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.639 The world will be judged one day. 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:08.580 Well, I don't like the idea of Jesus ruling over everyone because authority is always oppressive. 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:12.580 I think of Jesus more as a friend, an advisor. 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:14.180 When we need help, he's there for us. 00:21:15.520 --> 00:21:19.480 There's only one appropriate response when God speaks. 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:22.860 That's to believe and to obey. 00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:27.060 God's word is actually amazing. 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:35.819 These prophets were very different people at all sorts of periods in history and having radically different perspectives. 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:40.379 And yet all their prophecies agree down to the details. 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:43.240 And loads of it has already come true. 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:46.559 This can't happen unless God is speaking through them. 00:21:47.419 --> 00:21:51.619 How do we know Jesus is really coming back to judge and rule over the earth? 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:54.179 Because the prophets foretold this. 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:58.100 What does this mean for us? 00:21:58.740 --> 00:22:02.759 We've seen that the transfiguration proves Jesus' second coming. 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:06.620 We've seen that the prophets foretold his reign and judgment. 00:22:07.360 --> 00:22:08.720 What should we do about that? 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:11.940 Well, Peter tells us, verse 19, 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:18.220 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed to which he will do well to pay attention. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:26.420 As to a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:29.759 Pay attention to the word. 00:22:30.340 --> 00:22:31.320 That's our final point. 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:33.660 Pay attention to the word. 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:39.120 Peter paints a picture of this age, this era that we're in. 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:40.779 He calls it a dark place. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:42.240 It's night time. 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:44.100 We're waiting for the morning. 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:47.740 We're waiting, verse 19, until the day dawns. 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:52.519 And the sun finally rises in the sky and shines on us. 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:56.000 That will be the beginning of the new age, the new era. 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:58.319 But right now, it's dark. 00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:01.480 What is it that will bring the day? 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:04.500 That will bring the dawn and the light and this new age? 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:07.920 Well, Peter calls it the morning star. 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:13.440 Verse 19, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:16.920 What is this morning star that we're waiting for? 00:23:18.099 --> 00:23:21.900 Well, this is not just Peter's poetic side coming out here. 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:23.539 This morning star has a history. 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:26.379 Listen to this prophecy from the book of Numbers. 00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:28.759 Numbers 24, 17 says, 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:30.920 I see him, but not now. 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.339 I behold him, but not near. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:39.159 A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:44.759 This prophecy says that a star will rise, and this star will be a ruler. 00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:47.259 That's what the scepter is about. 00:23:47.399 --> 00:23:49.399 It's a king's staff for ruling. 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:55.320 And so this morning star is a king who will one day come to rule and judge. 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:58.200 And that will be the dawning of the new era. 00:23:59.440 --> 00:24:01.780 Revelation 22, 16 makes this even clearer. 00:24:01.900 --> 00:24:04.840 In case anyone wasn't sure who this morning star is, 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:06.440 Revelation says, 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:12.420 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:18.580 I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:27.420 The rising of the morning star is a symbol for the second coming of Christ, which begins a new age. 00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:31.320 Peter's saying, you're in the dark now, but the light is coming. 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:33.659 The dawn is coming. 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:35.319 The morning star will rise. 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:38.000 What are we to do in the meantime? 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:39.960 We need a light. 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:46.740 You know, this age where it's like nighttime, it's almost like being lulled to sleep. 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:55.539 It's like our mundane existence keeps us in this sort of sleepiness where we're not really aware of these awesome realities. 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:57.919 It's a bit like the Matrix. 00:24:57.920 --> 00:25:05.160 We've seen the Matrix, where humanity is unknowingly trapped in a simulated reality. 00:25:06.320 --> 00:25:12.380 And intelligent machines have created this simulation to distract humans from the truth. 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:14.220 The humans are asleep. 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:23.320 And it's a bit like that in this age of darkness where we get lulled into thinking that things are just going to keep on going as they always have. 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:27.700 Life, job, hobbies, family. 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:31.519 We forget that Jesus is coming back. 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:33.960 It's going to be a judgment day. 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:37.059 He's going to be king of the entire world forever. 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.159 Don't fall asleep. 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:43.940 Don't be so busy doing stuff that we forget where we're headed. 00:25:45.040 --> 00:25:49.759 What we need to wake us up is a light shining in our faces, keeping us awake. 00:25:50.300 --> 00:25:54.060 We need the word of God from the prophets and the apostles. 00:25:54.220 --> 00:26:00.380 That's why Peter says, pay attention to the prophetic word as to a lamp shining in a dark place. 00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:07.100 Until that day when Jesus arrives and morning comes, let's pay attention to God's word. 00:26:08.960 --> 00:26:11.000 Let's ask this question just one more time. 00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:14.180 How do we know that Jesus is really coming back? 00:26:15.260 --> 00:26:17.480 Because the transfiguration proves it. 00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:19.640 The prophets foretold it. 00:26:20.340 --> 00:26:23.980 So let's pay attention to God's word until he comes. 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:26.320 Let's pray together. 00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:26.440 Amen. 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:26.440 00:26:30.380 --> 00:26:38.560 Our Father God, thank you that you spoke through your prophets. 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:42.360 You promised us that Jesus will judge and rule. 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:48.200 Thank you that you have confirmed it through the eyewitness testimony of the apostles. 00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:51.660 Please wake us up out of our sleepiness. 00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:59.540 Let us feel the gravity of that certain future event when Jesus returns to judge and to rule. 00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:02.540 Father, help us to pay attention to your word. 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:05.440 Like a lamp in a dark place. 00:27:06.100 --> 00:27:08.460 Until Jesus, our morning star, comes again. 00:27:09.260 --> 00:27:10.180 And the day goes. 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.120 We pray in his name. 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:13.320 Amen.