Heaven’s Excellent Glory

May 12, 2013

Lesson: 2 Peter 1:12–21

Key Verse: 2 Peter 1:17

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Introduction

The Apostle Peter claimed that he was among those who were eyewitnesses of the majesty of Christ Jesus. Peter directs our eyes of faith to Christ, who has “received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (2 Pe. 1:17). Though the apostles walked with the incarnate Son upon this earth, they did not ‘know’ him as the Divine Messiah until the Holy Spirit entered into their souls that they may, with eyes of faith, see Christ in his majesty and glory. This is illustrated in these words of Peter, testifying, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God”; to which Jesus said, “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” [Matt. 16:16–17]. The majesty of Christ was revealed in his coming in the flesh: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” [Heb. 1:1–4].

We, too, are witnesses to the majesty of Christ Jesus. This is illustrated in the teaching of Christ in parables; for they were given that his chosen ones might see what others could not: “Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say to you, that many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which you see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which you hear, and have not heard them” [Matt. 13:16–17].

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Established in Truth—2 Peter 1:12–18

Peter knew that his life on earth would soon be ended: “Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath showed me.” Christ had spoken to Peter with this commission: “Feed my sheep.” Then Christ had spoken words “signifying by what death he should glorify God”: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girded thyself, and walkest whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not” [John 21:18–19].

Therefore Peter confirmed his own faith and the faith of the saints who also face persecution and even death, that “though you know and are established in the present truth.” We all enter into that glorious salvation in Christ Jesus, whereby we are, by the Spirit, born again. Now, as we hear the Word of God, our faith is awakened; we have our hearts and lives driven to look further into the truths of God’s Word. We need that continued confirmation by the Spirit of those things we are taught.

Peter writes: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” Books of deception abound. The Book of Mormon, the Koran of Islam, the works of Marxism and Darwin, and of other cults are read and believed by many. Their worldview centers on man, resting their confusions upon the fables of man’s heart, denying their Creator and Lord. Their enemy is the Christ and his congregations. For, as with the apostles, we preach Christ, claiming that our Savior and Lord came with great authority, and that we also are witnesses to his majestic power. Not only did Peter and the apostles see Christ bodily, but it was revealed to them that in Christ the fullness of the Godhead dwelt, that he was truth itself. Peter once said to Jesus, “Thou art the Christ the Son of God.” He declared Christ to be God’s Messiah. Christ spoke very clearly to Peter that his declaration did not come from his thoughts or reasoning, but that the Holy Spirit revealed this truth. Christ had the witness of the Father and the Spirit.

Peter speaks of his eyewitness to the glory and majesty of Christ as the transfiguration: “For (Christ) received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” Peter and the apostles heard the voice of God the Father, “which came from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.”

It is to this mountain, yes, to the very presence of God, and witness with our eyes of faith the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is a majestic King and Savior whom we see. It is in the presence of God himself that we present ourselves as his very own children, redeemed by the precious blood of his Son. By the authority and power of the King we have come to mount Zion. From mount Zion, God’s congregations hear these words of heaven: “I am the Lord your God!” Therefore we are to be a peculiar people: “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you” (Lev. 20:7–8).

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Discussion: How does knowing the truth confirm our faith in Christ as Savior and Lord?

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A Light that Shines—2 Peter 1:19–21

From the revelation of God in and through his prophets and apostles, we become eyewitnesses to his glory and majesty. We “have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that you take heed,” wrote Peter. It is the written Word of God that is important to us that we must pay close attention. We are to look upon the Scriptures of God “as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the day star arise in (our) hearts.”

Therefore, let us search the Word of God diligently with our eyes upon the Son of Righteousness. The Word of God, written and preserved through the generations, is for our understanding, our growth in righteousness, our guide to serve the King, our law of love, whereby we love God and one another. Herein we obtain moral strength in a world of darkness. We continually grow and live in and with the Word of God until that day when we will see the brightness of the Son of God in that eternal heaven. Calvin wrote: “Christ, the Sun of righteousness, indeed, shines forth in the gospel; but the darkness of death will always, in part, possess our minds, until we shall be brought out of the prison of the flesh, and be translated into heaven. This, then, will be the brightness of day, when no clouds or mists of ignorance shall intercept the bright shining of the Sun.”

The Word of God is given to us, not as the words of men seeking God, but as the words of God bringing his people to himself and his righteousness. They are not for personal interpretation; for they came not by the will of man, but by chosen men of God, speaking “as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” We receive Scripture because it is the Word of God. We are persuaded and assured of “the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, (that it) is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.” [Westminster Confession of Faith I.V.]

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Discussion: How is the Word of God a light to our life of faith?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2013 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.