The Bible is the Word of God. In its pages God reveals Himself to mankind. The apostle Paul wrote on two occasions that the things that are in the Scriptures are there for our instruction. (Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11) Biblical instruction is gained through two pathways. First is the direct meaning of the words on the page. For example, when you read the story of David and Goliath you come away with the basic facts. This is accomplished by means of a mental process. Ten people can read the account and all will come away with the same facts. The second method of instruction is more figurative or symbolic than factual. This method also stems from the words printed on the page, but the instruction comes by way of imagery. In the story of David facing and defeating the giant, Goliath, we can see a story of great courage for those who follow the Lord as well as the victory we are assured as those who have complete faith in God.

The first method of instruction can be classified as being physical since it primarily involves our physical senses. The second can be can be considered to be spiritual as it involves faculties beyond the physical senses. Another way to look at these two modes of instruction is to say the first is knowledge. This is a physical function. The second is understanding. This is a spiritual function. Knowledge resides in the mind, while the seat of understanding is the heart. Jesus said as follows:

For the heart of this people has become dull, with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes, otherwise they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return [repent], and I would heal them.’ (Matthew 13:15)

And Jesus chastised the disciples for not understanding the parable He spoke of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.

15 And He was giving orders to them, saying, “Watch out! Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of  Herod.”

16 They began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread. 

17 And Jesus, aware of this,  said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread?  Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a  hardened heart?” (Mark 8:15-17)

Those whose hearts are hardened to the Holy Spirit will never understand the parables of the Bible.

The only requirement for acquiring knowledge from the Bible is an average level of intelligence and the ability to read the Bible. Receiving understanding, however, rests on an additional and far different qualification. Understanding of the Bible requires the direct involvement of the Holy Spirit. Paul, a former Pharisee and scholar of the Scriptures, wrote to the Galatians:

11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11-12)

While Paul had great Scriptural knowledge which was acquired through teachers, the gospel he preached was not attained in the same manner. Paul says his gospel as a disciple of Christ was received through a revelation of Jesus Christ. That is to say that it was by direct revelation of the Holy Spirit. The process was spiritual, and it resulted in understanding.

Of the two methods of instruction, knowledge is important, but understanding is much more so. Knowledge alone leads to legalism and a religion based on rules, regulations, rituals and traditions, all of which are rooted in what can be seen, touched, smelled, heard or tasted. However, when understanding is added to Biblical knowledge, the result is wisdom from God. Solomon wrote: “Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding.” (Proverbs 14:33a)

The combination of Biblical knowledge and understanding is capable of providing everything there is to know about the nature and ways of God. It is the thing called understanding that makes all the difference. Jesus teaches of the importance of revelatory understanding in the following passage.

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” [This is knowledge.]

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you [it wasn’t knowledge], but My Father who is in heaven [it was revelation from God].”

18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock [of revelation from God] I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” (Matthew 16:13-18)

Six days after this interchange, Jesus takes three of His closest disciples, Peter, James and John, up on a high mountain where they were privileged witnesses of Christ’s transfiguration. This phenomenal event is reported in the gospel of Matthew with these words:

“And He [Jesus] was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.” (Matthew 17:2-3)

That is certainly astounding, but there is still more. While Peter was trying to organize the event, a bright cloud covered him and the others, and a voice from within the cloud proclaimed:

“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5)

We cannot now share this experience with those honored disciples, but we can extract a great lesson from this divine intervention in history.

Four important things happened on the holy mountain. First, Jesus was transfigured, that is, He was changed from a human figure to one having the honor and glory that came from the Father. Second, Moses and Elijah appear on the scene and talk with Jesus. Third, the six men were overshadowed with a cloud. And fourth, a voice from out of the cloud spoke to them. All of these are significant in and of themselves, but I want to focus on the words spoken from within the cloud. The declaration from God as quoted by Matthew asserts the following:

• • • That Jesus is, in fact, the Son of God.
    • That Jesus is beloved by God; and …
    • That the disciples should, “Listen to Him.”

Peter recalls the transfiguration event in his second New Testament letter.

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”—

18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure [the utterance from heaven], to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation,

21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:16-21)

The entire experience on the mountain must surely have been an important spiritual highlight in Peter’s life, yet, his reference to it in this letter emphasizes the words spoken from within the cloud. His conclusion, i.e., understanding, derived from God’s audible declaration is this: “So we have the prophetic word made more sure.” (2 Peter 1:19a) He then instructs us to listen to the more sure prophetic word as one would pay attention to “a lamp shining in a dark place.” (2 Peter 1:19b) In other words, our attention should be firmly fixed on the words spoken from heaven.

If there is a more sure prophetic word, there must also be a sure word. We look at the Sure Word next.