1:162 Peter 1:16

The proclamation of the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ was not based on cunningly devised fables but on eyewitness testimony to His majesty.STE 152.2+2 That testimony rests on seeing Him receive honor and glory from God the Father on the holy mount and hearing the voice from heaven declare Him the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased.STE 152.2+2 It stands together with the more sure word of prophecy, to be heeded as a light shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the day star arises in the heart.Ms 41, 1908, par. 25–27+2 That eyewitness certainty gives a sure basis for speaking about Christ with authority and confidence rather than as speculation, guesswork, or mere conjecture.Ms 27, 1895, par. 16+2 Those who believe this sacred truth must therefore preach the plain Thus saith the Lord with positiveness and assurance, from personal experience of Christ rather than formal apathy.Lt 86, 1907, par. 8–9+3 Faith in Him is not based on fables or casual secondhand knowledge, but must know Him personally and through experience that transforms the character into obedience and works of righteousness.ST Feb 3, 1898+2

The making known of the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ was not built on cleverly invented stories, for those who proclaimed it had seen his majesty with their own eyes as eyewitnesses.STE 152.2+4 That eyewitness testimony rests on the holy mount, where Jesus received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice from heaven declared him the beloved Son in whom the Father was well pleased.STE 152.2+3 The apostles did not invent a story when they spoke of his power and coming, and their having witnessed his majesty gives a sure basis for speaking about Christ.Ms 27, 1895, par. 16+2

That sure basis authorizes speaking about Christ with authority and confidence rather than treating the Word as speculation, guesswork, or mere conjecture.Ms 27, 1895, par. 16+2 Those who teach God's word are therefore to speak from personal experience of Christ, making the truth their own instead of presenting it as conjecture, and God's servants can present the Word confidently.Ms 61b, 1895, par. 38–42+1 This testimony stands alongside the more sure word of prophecy as light for people in spiritual darkness until dawn and the day star arise in their hearts.Ms 61b, 1895, par. 38–42

Christ's words and example are God's power and wisdom for saving those who believe, not human assertions, speculation, uncertainty, or idle tales, and his teaching is suited to people near and far and to every class.Ms 79, 1893, par. 12–14 The witnesses saw his majesty on the holy mount and heard the voice from heaven as God gave him honor and glory, and that heavenly voice still comes to people who are striving for victory over sin and to overcome sin.Ms 68, 1905, par. 17+1 Christ's resurrection also belongs to this eyewitness foundation, for it vindicates his claims, confirms the faith of his followers, and establishes the truth of his divinity, giving strong evidence that he is the Son of God.ST May 30, 1895

The claim not to have followed cleverly invented stories when making known the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ rests on eyewitness testimony to His majesty.STE 152.2+4 That eyewitness testimony was seeing Him receive honor and glory from God the Father on the holy mount and hearing the voice from heaven, from the excellent glory, declare Him the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased.AA 534.2+4 Peter and the other disciples with Him on the holy mountain both witnessed His majesty and heard the Father honoring Him with that declaration.STE 152.2+4

At the transfiguration the disciples saw and heard realities beyond ordinary human understanding.DA 425.1–2+1 There they recognized Jesus as the Messiah witnessed to by the patriarchs and prophets and acknowledged by heaven.DA 425.1–2 Moses and Elijah from the courts of heaven honored Him there.3RED 122.1

The three chosen disciples received evidence they cannot doubt that Jesus is the promised Messiah.3RED 122.1 The voice from the excellent glory declared His divinity as the Son of God.3RED 122.1 That sight and hearing of things beyond human comprehension was given to strengthen the disciples to endure the humiliation and crucifixion of their Lord.3RED 122.1 It showed who the patient, meek and lowly Teacher really was beneath nearly three years of wandering from city to city as a Man of sorrows, homeless with no place to rest and no bed for His weary form at night.3RED 122.1

Peter wrote while still alive to stir believers by putting them in remembrance of present truth, knowing he must shortly lay down his bodily life as Christ had shown him, and to leave the truth fixed so they would keep it in remembrance after his death.Ms 41, 1908, par. 25–27 The verse stirs believers by putting them in remembrance, calling them to repeat the evidences of the Word and to receive words of caution without offense, because they are fitting for immortality and for the glory to be revealed at the revelation of Jesus Christ, and they must be careful at every step not to give offense to Jesus Christ who bought them with the price of His own blood.Ms 79, 1912, par. 6–8

These things are to be kept always in remembrance as present truth.Ms 41, 1908, par. 25–27+2 Believers are to be put always in remembrance even though they know them and are established in present truth.Lt 212, 1903, par. 20+1 This includes the solemn truths brought to the people by the Spirit's power to stir them up by putting them in remembrance.Lt 158, 1896, par. 2–3

The true remembrance in present truth of eyewitness testimony to Christ's power and coming stands in contrast to false teachers who will secretly bring damnable heresies, deny the Lord who bought them, draw many after destructive ways so truth is evil spoken of, and through covetousness exploit believers with deceptive words unto swift destruction.Lt 212, 1903, par. 21

Believers can by faith bear witness to Christ's majesty as though they had been with Him on the holy mount, with cause to exalt and praise His name.Ms 7a, 1896, par. 1–2+1 Beholding Christ as living Saviour and Pattern strengthens them to follow His obedience, purity, and self-sacrifice and prepares them to follow Him in the future life.Ms 89, 1897, par. 23 Those who have experienced God's protecting care in the path of duty are eyewitnesses of His majesty who keep His mercy and lovingkindness in mind with gratitude rather than complaining, and are with Him on the holy mount.14MR 89.2

The eyewitness foundation stands together with the more sure word of prophecy, to be heeded as a light shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the day star arises in the heart.Ms 41, 1908, par. 25–27+4 The message about the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ was not invented stories, for the apostles spoke as eyewitnesses of His majesty when they saw Him receive honor and glory from God the Father on the holy mount and heard the voice from the excellent glory from heaven declaring Him the beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleased.Ms 41, 1908, par. 25–27+4 That witness is to be kept always in remembrance as present truth, urging diligent study of Scripture and of the reasons for faith rather than pride, self-sufficiency, or rejection of admonition.Ms 41, 1908, par. 25–27+2 No prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation nor came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.Lt 212, 1903, par. 20+3 That Word stands fast forever and is sure, making the Word of God sure.Lt 212, 1903, par. 20+1

That sure Word answers every deception and the work of so-called higher critics who try to invalidate the Word of God.Ms 125, 1901, par. 19–20 God who has spoken is light with no darkness at all and is greater than any human mind, and those who are saved must stand under His decision under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel.Ms 125, 1901, par. 19–20 Though later believers did not see Jesus' life themselves, they can trust the testimony of His disciples and by faith share their view of the evidence.DA 840.6–7 The apostles' witness, confirmed by prophecy fulfilled in Christ, joins the prophets' testimony to a Saviour yet to come with the apostles' testimony to the Saviour who had come, forming sufficient evidence for faith in Christ's divine mission.DA 840.6–7

The message about Christ's power and second coming is not based on fables but on the sure word of prophecy, and the third angel's message is likewise grounded in Bible prophecy, whose increasing light confirms that Christ's coming is near.4T 592.1–2 Making known the power and coming of Christ in the first part of the proclamation of the third angel's message was not humanly invented stories but firsthand sight of His greatness, standing on solid rock.Lt 38, 1892, par. 5 Those who took part saw His majesty, had the presence of Jesus often in their very midst, received a multitude of blessings, and had the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness shine upon them, with the proclamation of God's mercy and love as rich food from heaven's storehouse.Lt 38, 1892, par. 5 Calling those precious experiences to remembrance and living them over again gives good courage in the Lord and overcomes Satan's temptations to doubt God's goodness and love in fiercest pain.Lt 38, 1892, par. 5

2 Peter 1 sets out growth in character as the way to obtain eternal life, with God's Word as the guide and obedience to Christ's teaching as necessary for admission to His kingdom, while those who make themselves their own law and keep building character in disobedience will be unfit to enter.RH Mar 22, 1906 God supplies all that is needed for life and godliness through knowing Him, and believers are to add the listed graces to character, and as these qualities increase they bear fruit in knowing Christ and give assurance of a sure calling and an abundant entrance into His everlasting kingdom.Ms 34, 1900, par. 25–28 Growing in grace and in knowing Christ is the remedy for spiritual weakness, giving strength to follow Him and to escape the corruption of the world through lust, because Christ humbled Himself and endured suffering to secure pardon for sinners so that they may partake of the divine nature.Lt 37, 1905, par. 3–4+1

Election means being prepared for heaven through growth in Christian character on the plan of addition, and God elects those who work on that plan with no one fitted for heaven excluded.Lt 53, 1904, par. 16–18 Christ has paid the price for every person so that all are redeemed and none need be lost, and those who receive Him as personal Saviour are given power to become God's children.Lt 53, 1904, par. 16–18 Through repentance and intelligent faith sinners are cleansed and may share the divine nature and escape the world's corruption.Lt 53, 1904, par. 16–18

Christians are continually to add grace to grace and cultivate right habits by persevering effort, working on the plan of addition by adding daily to the knowledge of God and of Christ in a pure, wholesome, consistent life, while God works by multiplication, multiplying grace and peace to the faithful.Lt 82, 1911, par. 6–7+3 The chapter lays down the conditions for receiving God's promises, shows the way to an open door into heaven and the reward of eternal life, and its study brings help and strength and blessing to know the Lord, to meet the foe and resist his insinuations in a meek, lowly life.Lt 82, 1911, par. 6–7+2 Even the very simplest can partake of the divine nature through knowledge of Jesus Christ who gave His life to buy them with the precious blood of the Son of God.Ms 163, 1898, par. 16–17 Standing in Christ and determining to become all God intended, and cooperating without being forced to drink the water of life, keeps from drifting with Satan's temptations and makes a person as precious and beloved in God's sight as Daniel was, and those complete in Christ are regarded as heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ to the immortal inheritance.Ms 163, 1898, par. 16–17

The assurance that those who practice the qualities described will not fall applies to parents, who should model Christlike holiness and patience, pray for their children, and hold them by faith while teaching them to overcome, with faithful children pictured entering God's city and receiving crowns as overcomers.Ms 71, 1911, par. 17–18 Jesus Christ is the only hope and sole dependence, a compassionate Friend touched with the feeling of infirmities in whom is strength.Ms 41, 1894, par. 38–39+1 Believers are to bring Him every little trial and large perplexity in faith, erect the family altar in every home, present petitions morning and evening, bring the whole family before God in recognition of dependence and the claims of His service, keep eternal reality before each member, and confess Christ as Leader, Captain, and divine Teacher by asking His guidance.Ms 41, 1894, par. 38–39+1

The chapter is valuable to every church member and worth reading to the church as an uplifting testimony, belonging to an essential set of teachings to be followed carefully with heed and obedience because salvation is at stake.Lt 37, 1905, par. 3–4+2 Letting its truths fill heart and mind gives comfort and encouragement to all who have obtained like precious faith and strength to resist looking on the dark side and talking discouragement.Lt 18, 1912, par. 2–3 Believers are not left in ignorance but have the Word of the living God to lay hold on for heaven and eternal life and for bringing souls into truth, with an immortal promise to those who carry out addition, and careful verse-by-verse study impresses right relation to God's work in sanitariums, humility before Him, and heed to caution, with Peter's full confidence that believers will carry out these principles as he kept them before their minds.Ms 78, 1910, par. 13–14+1 The chapter teaches the great and earnest work to be done now, for the world is fast ripening for the closing of its history, and those truly serving the Lord Jesus will be a holy, sanctified people communicating the light of truth to all around them.Ms 140, 1908, par. 6–9

True witness demands practical godliness presenting not the law alone and not the gospel alone, for one is not complete without the other.Ms 53, 1890, par. 48–59 It sets forth God's great moral standard of righteousness and His holy law with solemn injunctions given in awful grandeur at Mount Sinai by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, unalterable and eternal.Ms 53, 1890, par. 48–59 Together with this it sets forth God's love in giving His Son as substitute and surety on the cross to impute His righteousness, cleanse from all sin, and adopt sinners as sons of God and joint heirs with Christ.Ms 53, 1890, par. 48–59

In an age of error, day-dreaming and reverie, teachers must be able truthfully to deny following fables by learning the first principles of the doctrine of Christ and by following high and noble principles.14MR 58.2 The proclamation of the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ rests on eyewitness testimony to his majesty, not on cleverly invented fables, and therefore requires teaching the truths of God's Word rather than mixing them with error or fanciful theories.Ms 70, 1901, par. 28–30+1 It is the model for rejecting fanciful interpretations without foundation in Scripture and holding firmly to the genuine truths of the faith.Ms 82, 1894, par. 15–17+1 Sacred truth must not be placed on the level of fanciful ideas without foundation in God's Word, and distracting ideas and fanciful ideas must be warned against.Lt 207, 1899, par. 9–11+1

Those who believe sacred, eternal truth must preach the plain Thus saith the Lord of the written Word with authority, earnestness, positiveness and persuasive entreaty.Lt 8, 1895, par. 8–13 That preaching is not to be in a formal manner or with apathy, but short and right to the point, with heart vitalized by the Spirit, with educated manner and words spoken with such certainty that hearers know the truth is a reality to the teacher.Lt 8, 1895, par. 8–13 The whole soul is to be put into the effort, bearing the confidence and assurance of faith, bringing people to decision and declaring God's truth with just as much assurance as Peter, grounded in what God has spoken.Lt 8, 1895, par. 8–13+1 Such assurance is possible because what is made known is known and true, not cunningly devised fables or idle tales but eyewitness testimony of his majesty.Lt 8, 1895, par. 8–13+1

Those who teach God's Word are to speak from personal experience of Christ, making the truth their own rather than presenting it as mere conjecture, and to declare their knowledge of him with certainty.Lt 86, 1907, par. 8–9+1 God's people are to speak and publish the truth plainly, without changing their testimony to please influential people or gain the world's approval.Ms 48, 1891, par. 26–28 The verse upholds the authority and divine origin of God's Word over human learning and reputation and calls for faith and implicit trust in it.Lt 85a, 1899, par. 2–3+1 The Bible gives reliable assurance, and God's Word gives no uncertain sound but speaks with definiteness and authority, never hesitatingly and never doubtingly, as a sure word of prophecy, so that in obeying it a person follows no cunningly devised fables but possesses precious revealed truth.Ms 177, 1905, par. 8+2

The eyewitness certainty gives light and evidence to be acted upon, calling for the service of the whole mind and heart with every capability engaged.Lt 8, 1898, par. 18+1 Responding to that received light with decided action, including taking a position to keep the Sabbath, brings advance movement and decided victory as souls come forward for prayer and commitment, with earnest prayer for the Lord to reveal himself.Lt 8, 1898, par. 18+1 Saying with Peter that one has not followed cunningly devised fables requires searching the Scriptures for oneself to understand what is truth and making the Word of God the standard instead of clinging to human opinions and traditions.Ms 14, 1900, par. 35–36 It means using reasoning powers and digging for the treasures of truth, investigating truth, testing beliefs by Scripture, and receiving the Spirit's light so that what has been learned can be proclaimed with assurance, with a faith that works by love toward unselfish living and sanctification through the truth.Ms 14, 1900, par. 35–36+1 It also means refusing to be turned aside by religious teachers and ministers who keep people from hearing the truth and who misconstrue and misstate the messages God sends to arouse people from spiritual slumber and to present truth in contrast with error.Ms 14, 1900, par. 35–36

The rejection of fables applies to God's past leading, for those early experiences were from God and the Lord led surely in the past.Lt 262, 1903, par. 9 It applies also to the testimony that Christ is our righteousness, for salvation rests on the merits of the crucified and risen Saviour, not on human effort or good works as grounds for boasting.6MR 8.4–9.1 Cunningly devised fables are new false interpretations of the truths of the Word, misleading theories, heresies, sophistries, superstition and falsehood propagated by Satan to please deluded minds by making error appear as truth.Lt 262, 1903, par. 22 Honored above the Word of God they make Christ's teaching of no effect, and continuing in them costs eternal life, so they must be met with decided testimony against them.Lt 262, 1903, par. 22 To those who resist counsel the Bible itself becomes as fables, for they reject its truth and are in danger of being given over to false teachings which they will promote with deceptive influence.Ms 53, 1905, par. 23–25

Holding fast the Word of God as authoritative in an age of skepticism and infidelity requires faith and practice in harmony, with individual spiritual discernment and clearness of perception to know light and truth from error and darkness.Lt 28, 1893, par. 5 Through Christ believers stand in full assurance of faith and declare by precept and example that the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is not cunningly devised fables but eyewitnessed majesty.Lt 28, 1893, par. 5 Making known that power and coming as eyewitnesses of his majesty gives cause for rejoicing when the spirit revealed at the Minneapolis meeting is confessed after four years of striving of the Spirit of God and when others come into the light where they may be a blessing to other souls.Lt 79, 1893, par. 2

Faith in Christ does not rest on cleverly invented stories or on casual secondhand acquaintance, for he must be known personally and through experience or he cannot be one's Saviour, and that practical knowledge shapes the believer to become like him with faith firm rather than fluctuating or haphazard.ST Feb 3, 1898 God gives abundant evidence for the truth of Scripture, and those who accept it are translated out of darkness into light of faith, hope, and assurance that stands as a barrier against infidelity.ST Sep 3, 1894 From personal knowledge of finding help in him, having every need met and the hunger of the soul satisfied, the believer can answer denial of his divinity, testify that he is the divine Saviour and Son of God, and know the Bible as the revelation of Jesus Christ and the voice of God with inward witness that God's Word is true.ST Oct 1, 1912+2

Confidence that faith stands on the Eternal Rock and not an invented story is shown by transformation from doubt and hostility to faith, forgiveness, love, and new life as a personal reality.Lt 7, 1900, par. 28–34 When the Lord draws near with a rich divine measure of love and peace and joy in the trial of faith, a person becomes a witness to the truth of the promise, senses the divine presence, has the mind moved and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, and has the eyes of understanding opened to see clearly truth once seen dimly.Lt 71, 1903, par. 5–7 The quickening influence of the Spirit becomes as precious as fine gold, the story of the cross is told with deep appreciation because the Saviour's love has melted and transformed the heart, and the sign carried in daily life is Christ formed within as the hope of glory.Lt 71, 1903, par. 5–7 Knowing that Jesus is no impostor and that the Bible's religion is no cleverly invented story, or even believing that Jesus is the only name by which people can be saved, is not enough by itself.ST Jun 15, 1915+2 Faith must make him one's personal Saviour and transform the character, shown by obedience and works of righteousness, for profession or theory of truth without Christ revealed in life is worthless.ST Jun 15, 1915+2

The gospel is a living reality, not idle speculation nor a product of imagination, enthusiasm, or fanciful religion that merely stirs feeling.6T 264.1+2 Christ is made manifest to neighbors through humble earnest service and daily acts of love more than by sermons, professions, or creeds.6T 264.1 Genuine belief is not merely imagined conviction but leads to good works that make faith visible, for faith works through love and purifies the soul.Ms 85, 1899, par. 37–39+2 Christians made complete in one body in Christ and through him one with the Father give proof by that oneness that they follow truth and not cleverly invented stories, their unity in faith and love and their words and actions showing they have been with Jesus and learned of him as a holy, happy people loved by Christ.14MR 177.3–178.2+1 Observers are convinced not by imposing buildings or tables provided with delicacies but by the reality of truth in believers, by the atmosphere of grace surrounding the soul with the Holy Spirit working upon mind and heart.10MR 243.2–247.4

Christians have certainty to hold in trials because they have the sure prophetic word and a living Saviour and living Intercessor who helps in every time of need.Lt 33, 1895, par. 23–24+1 When Satan works through human agents and temptation comes to enter doubt and despair, they turn from his insinuations to Christ the Fountain of life and cling as sincere followers to the Way, the Truth, and the Life.Lt 33, 1895, par. 23–24 The message about his power and coming rests on eyewitness testimony to his majesty rather than fabricated story, calling believers to stand on foundational truths that withstand trial, to live by truth in brotherly love rather than using others' faults for selfish advantage, to belong to him because he bought them with his sacrifice, to glorify God in all they do and say, and to live a life of willing service while rejecting the devil's temptations, falsehoods, and deceptive arguments.Lt 65, 1900, par. 10–15+4 Following cunningly devised fables means turning from truth and joining the enemy's forces against God and Christ, for a lie is not of the truth, calling for breaking free from human-made restraints and rejecting deceptive arguments.STB 45.4+1

Looking for the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ in the clouds with power and great glory calls for a clear, unselfish, and faithful witness, while worldly preoccupation with buying, selling, and gain undermines that witness and makes professed belief in his return unconvincing.Ms 2, 1888, par. 29–33 God has given believers power and influence in Jesus Christ to be expressed in praise and glory to God, with Christian experience measured by these words.Ms 134, 1909, par. 18–19 God's people demonstrate they have not followed fables by establishing a school unlike the common order, exactly such as the Lord marked out, attained through living connection with God which is missed when its need is not felt.Ms 174, 1897, par. 63–66 Those who learn from Christ the greatest Teacher and receive him into their hearts can testify they have not followed fables, and those who have experienced God's protecting care in the path of duty are eyewitnesses of his majesty who keep his mercy and lovingkindness in mind with gratitude rather than complaining, exalt and praise his holy name, and are with him on the holy mount.Ms 6, 1889, par. 80+1 The verse grounds confidence for watchmen to proclaim with assurance and authority that morning is coming and night also.Ms 43, 1896, par. 6–8