2 Peter 1:19

2 Peter 1:19 And we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts:

Expanded Translation

So we have the word (i.e., the statements) uttered by the prophets more fully established (by this event that James, John and I witnessed). You will do well to continually pay close attention to it as unto a lamp (torch) shining (and thus providing light) in a dark (squalid, murky) place, until the time when the daylight breaks through the darkness of the night and the Morning Star arises (comes into being) in your hearts.

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And we have the word of prophecy made more sure

That is, the discourses and utterances of the prophets are made more certain because of the things these apostles witnessed on that great day of the transfiguration. The event supplied additional confirmation of the deity of Jesus.

The meaning is not that the prophetic word of the Old Testament was more trustworthy or more certain (that is, superior) evidence concerning the majesty and greatness of Christ than the personal testimony the three apostles had received on the mount. Rather, the thought is that the prophecies concerning Jesus were confirmed in that wondrous event. A literal rendering of this phrase is, and we have the prophetic word more firmnot more firm than the transfiguration evidence, but more firm ITSELF because of the transfiguration. Peter includes himself in the we have. It is difficult to believe that Peter himself considered any evidence more iron-clad than that which he had seen with his own eyes and heard with his own ears. A careful reading of the account in the Gospel will reveal that Peter was especially impressed at the occasion.

The prophecies of the Old Testament (2 Peter 1:21) which foretold of Christ's coming, deity, and greatness, are rendered more sure and unimpeachable now that he had come and the transfiguration had taken place. Therefore, the American Standard Version's And we have the word of prophecy made more sure is to be preferred above the King James Version's We have also a more sure word of prophecy, for it appears that the translators of the former version were only trying to say that the transfiguration made the prophecies more certain and, therefore, more believable. This, I believe, was the intention of the Holy Spirit.

But what was there about the transfiguration of Christ that would solidify and confirm the prophecies? Notice these points:

1.

The miracle of the transforming of Christ was itself an act of God.

2.

The miraculous presence of Moses and Elijah, and their talking with Him. Also, their miraculous disappearance.

3.

The bright cloud overshadowing themprobably the same as the shekinah of the Old Testamentindicating God's presence.

4.

God's own voice proclaiming, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him (Matthew 17:5)not Moses, not Elijah, but MY BELOVED SON!

5.

The closest friends of Jesus (Peter, James and John) were deeply moved by this miracle, and believed. Peter himself wanted to build three tabernacles on the spot as a memorial.

whereunto ye do well that ye take heed

Literally, unto which [word] you do well taking heed. Both do and take heed are in the present tenseindicating continuous or regular action. The latter (prosecho) is defined, literally, to bring to or near; hence, to turn the mind to, be attentive to, devote thought and effort to. The prophetic utterances, being as they are very trustworthy and reliable (as the apostle has just shown) are deserving of our most careful consideration and study!

as unto a lamp shining in a dark place

If a man doesn-'t have a lamp in a dark place (the original indicates a very dark place), he will soon be lost. He is dependent upon the light for guidance. Here prophecy is spoken of as such a lamp.

Of John the baptizer, Jesus said, He was the lamp that burneth and shineth; and ye were willing to rejoice for a season in his light (John 5:35). David could say of God, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path (Psalms 119:105).

What a passage this is! How we should ever regard the prophecies of the Old Testament with value, prizing them as greatly as a lamp on a dark and dangerous night, and heeding the light they provide.

until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts

This speaks of the duration of the lamp. It shined until the Gospel sunlight of Jesus Christ arrived and fulfilled its prophecies, that is, until the Gospel Age (See Luke 1:78-79.) The day star in Greek, phosphoros (literally, light bringing star), had technical reference to the planet Venus in the world of astronomy. The day fully dawned at Pentecost, but the day star (which signifies the approach of day) does not arise IN OUR HEARTS until we accept and obey Christ individually (Acts 3:19-20).