Genuine Prophecy or Eyewitness Account

[Sirsilius]

Am I understanding the Bible correctly when it "appears" to be saying that Prophecy is more certain or sure than an actual eyewitness account?

2Pe 1:16 For we did not follow craftily devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but rather became eyewitnesses of His majesty.

2Pe 1:17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when a voice was brought to Him such as this by the Magnificent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

2Pe 1:18 And we heard this voice being uttered from heaven, when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

2Pe 1:19 And we have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts....

Am I reading it correctly in its context- the prophetic word is made more sure than an actual eyewitness account?

If I am- then it truly shows how each of those prophecies of the Bible, are certain to come to pass. Prophecy is just as good as an actual eyewitness account- it doesn't get any surer than that!

[fenwar]

I don't think Peter is talking about prophecy in general - I think he is referring to the promise of Christ's return here. It is made more sure by what Peter and the others witnessed at the Transfiguration. He doesn't just have Jesus' testimony about himself - he has the Father's testimony too!

So in short prophecy isn't "more certain than an eyewitness account" - but prophecies can certainly be more certain because of eyewitness accounts.

Hope that helps

Fenwar

[larryt]

Am I understanding the Bible correctly when it "appears" to be saying that Prophecy is more certain or sure than an actual eyewitness account?

2Pe 1:16  For we did not follow craftily devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but rather became eyewitnesses of His majesty. 

2Pe 1:17  For He received from God the Father honor and glory when a voice was brought to Him such as this by the Magnificent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 

2Pe 1:18  And we heard this voice being uttered from heaven, when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 

2Pe 1:19  And we have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed, as a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts....

Am I reading it correctly in its context- the prophetic word is made more sure than an actual eyewitness account? 

If I am- then it truly shows how  each of those prophecies of the Bible, are certain to come to pass. Prophecy is just as good as an actual eyewitness account- it doesn't get any surer than that!

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Hi Sirsilius,

Many of the older versions translate this passage as below, stating that prophecy is more sure than eyewitness accounts. And God's word is more sure than our perceptions. Our eyes can play tricks on us. I believe Peter is emphasizing the fact that Jesus is the Christ both by eye witness and prophesy.

2Pe 1:19

[larryt]

I reckon its easy to get stuck on details and forget that the primary purpose of prophecy is not future telling but ethics.

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Hitch,

Are you saying that the bible does not tell the future before the facts?

LT

[Iryssa]

Hmm, well said, Hitch.

On the subject of eyewitness accounts...In my Principles of Communications class, we discussed how people's views can actually be warped, even if they're telling it exactly as they THOUGHT they saw it. My prof even kinda set us up with a demonstration at the beginning of the class:

These two guys I know pretty well have been friends since their first year at our college...for our purposes, we'll call them Mark and Luke (okay, I'm feeling uncreative tonight ). Luke was in my class, and often sat behind me, as he had that day. Not a minute before class started, Mark came storming into the classroom, a look of frustration on his face. "Luke, that textbook I lent you, I need it now."

Out of habit, Luke grinned at his friend, "I left it in front of your door last night while you were at rehersal, man."

"Look, seriously, I really need this thing NOW, and it wasn't there!"

"Well, that's where I left it."

"Luke, this isn't a joke, give me my freaking textbook!" With that, Mark pushed Lucas' binder onto the floor, spilling all its contents, and stormed out of the room.

I had been grinning through this whole thing, because I was sure it was an act, but Luke's acting skills finally got me at the end, when he reacted with the most painful look as he picked up his things. I felt so bad for smiling at it, I couldn't even look him in the eye. Anyway, my fears were put to rest when our prof came in the room and explained the whole thing....but that was only after he'd shown up "late" to let us stew about it in silence for a while. *grin* He's far too clever for his own good (he was the drama prof, though, and Luke and Mark were his students...so you can imagine the fun they had setting this up ).

Anyway, now I come to the point. The prof gave us an in-class assignment, to write down everything we saw, and then to read our descriptions before the class (the people who were late and missed the demonstration had to write about why tardiness is bad ). It was incredible to see the differences in testimonies (the prof said mine and my friend Tasha's were the closest to accurate, in case you're wondering which version you're getting )!

If you ever get the opportunity to try this as a small group lesson or something, do! Just see how easy it is for eyewitness accounts to get warped!

This is why I truly believe that the words of a prophecy fulfilled are more accurate.

[larryt]

I reckon its easy to get stuck on details and forget that the primary purpose of prophecy is not future telling but ethics.

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Hitch,

Are you saying that the bible does not tell the future before the facts?

LT

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I reckon its easy to get stuck on details and forget that the primary purpose of prophecy is not future telling but ethics

Futuretelling is a secondary purpose. Reading the Prophets the general theme is constant;

You guys are messing up

You guys better stop it

You guys wont stop it and this is what God's going to do'

Take care

Hitch

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OK Hitch,

Please demonstrate your point, for I am not sure what you mean by your statement. Take Agabus' prophecy about Paul in

Ac 21:10  And as we tarried [there] many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

Ac 21:11  And when he was come unto us, he took Paul