In the Holy Mount 2 Peter 1:18

As the apostle Peter substantiates the reason he is able to stir up the church by way of remembrance of the principles for growing in their relationship with God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, he makes reference to when he saw Jesus transfigured before him. For further evidence in chapter one and verse eighteen we see more of this remarkable experience that only he, James and John were able to witness. We read:

And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

The verse begins, “And this voice which came from heaven we heard,” Imagine what it must have been like for Peter, James and John as they thought themselves simply going up another mountain to be with the Lord when suddenly He begins to change before their eyes. Jesus was before them in His glorified body with Moses and Elijah, and they were discussing Jesus' upcoming death. The marvel of the sight must have been overwhelming, but there was more. As these three disciples stood gazing, all of the sudden “this voice”, God's voice “came from heaven”, and they heard it. How ominous it must have been to hear the voice of God, and no doubt the experience was one that no one who witnessed it would ever forget.

The verse goes on to say, “when we were with him in the holy mount.” Peter gives the location of the event as “the holy mount”, and when we think about the fact that Jesus was transfigured and God spoke audibly there, it was indeed a “holy mount”. Jesus told the three disciples not to speak about the events which occurred upon this “holy mount” until after His death, but at the writing of this book, Peter was able to share with everyone his awesome experience. The evidence of this special time with Jesus was a formidable proof that his words to the church were valid.

For a few moments, perhaps it would help us to imagine being on the “holy mount” with Jesus? How would we react? What would we say, and would we respond to God's awesome voice should He speak? As we study the Bible it is helpful if we put ourselves into the position of the characters and imagine ourselves in their places. Maybe if we were to have similar experiences to Peter's where Jesus is so real to us that it is as though He is transfigured, our behavior in the world would be such that we would grow exponentially closer to Him every day.

Next time we will learn about the sure word of prophecy, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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