Verse 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:
The word of prophecy ... This mention of the word of prophecy in this context certainly justifies the observation that Peter, in addition to viewing the event of the transfiguration as a foretelling of the Second Advent, also viewed it as completely in harmony with Old Testament prophecy as well. Strachan paraphrased this thus:
The transfiguration confirms prophecy. Thus we have still further confirmation of the words of the prophets, a fact to which you would do well to give heed, as to a lamp shining in a murky place, meant to serve until the Day break and the Day-star arise in your hearts.[56]
Despite the attractiveness this view has for many, however, we favor a different opinion of what is said here. Barnett pointed out that the passage may be translated differently as in the KJV. "We have also a more sure word of prophecy ... the prophetic word needs no confirmation, but itself witnesses to the truth of the gospel."[57] There can hardly be any doubt that the King James Version is to be preferred in this text.
As unto a lamp shining in a dark room ... "A squalid room" is also a valid rendition, having reference to the evil world in which the light of the gospel was shining.
Until the day dawn ... This is the dawning of the light in the hearts of the redeemed, a dawning which took place initially in their conversion, but which is envisioned here as a continuing phenomenon of their lives in Christ.
And the day-star arise in your hearts ... This clarifies the whole passage as a reference to the light given to Christians through their taking "heed" to the sure word of prophecy. "Daystar" was the term used by the ancients to refer to the planet Venus, called also the morning star. The metaphor of Christ as a star is one of the most beautiful in Scripture.
[56] R. H. Strachan, op. cit., p. 131.
[57] Albert E. Barnett, op. cit., p. 184.
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