The Mission

Why Peter Was Sure of Gospel Truth

“We did not follow cleverly devised myths” about Jesus, he reminded the believers, “but we had been eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to Him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is My Son, My Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with Him on the holy mountain” (NRSV). 4TC 277.4

Yet there was another even more convincing witness. Peter declared, “We have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ... Prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 4TC 277.5

While exalting true prophecy, the apostle solemnly warned the church against the torch of false prophecy, lifted up by “false teachers” who would bring in “destructive heresies, even denying the Lord.” The apostle compared these false teachers, who many of the believers thought were true, to “wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. ... 4TC 278.1

“It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.” 4TC 278.2

Looking down the ages, Peter was inspired to outline conditions in the world just before the second coming of Christ. “Scoffers will come in the last days,” he wrote, “walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’” However, not everyone would be ensnared by the enemy’s traps. There would be faithful ones able to recognize the signs of the times, a remnant who would endure to the end. 4TC 278.3