The Christ in Prophecy Journal

Traveling Down the Rapture Road in 2 Peter (Part 9)

2 Peter Rapture Road Series
MP3: Traveling Down the Rapture Road in 2 Peter, Lesson 3
Hosts: Nathan Jones & Vic Batista

Continue traveling down the Rapture Road with Nathan Jones and Vic Batista in this verse-by-verse study of the incredibly prophetic book of 2 Peter! You can start at the beginning with Part 1 or listen in to The Truth Will Set You Free podcast (above).

Hearing the Voice of God

Vic Batista: We want to encourage you to get your Bibles out and follow along with us. Second Peter 1:16-18 reads:

For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

I noticed a really cool point in verse 17. They heard a voice from Heaven which said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” So, when the three Apostles went up the mountain with Jesus and witnessed His transfiguration, they not only saw Jesus’ divinity shine through His humanity, but they also heard the very voice of the Father. Wow!

Nathan Jones: Yes, they did. The Father Himself — can you imagine that? Many of the references in the Bible concerning when God speaks describe His voice sounding like the mighty rushing of many waters.

I took my family to Niagara Falls many years ago. The sound of the water cascading over the falls fills the ears. It is so powerful! Just think of all those gallons upon gallons of water careening down each and every second. Deafening! To think that is what the voice of God is supposed to sound like. He sounds like a waterfall in all of its power along with a trumpet blasting at the same time. The experience must have been terrifying for Peter, James, and John to actually hear God talk.

When the Apostle Peter is explaining his experience at the Transfiguration in this letter, he conveniently leaves out the part when God commands Peter to listen to Jesus. Remember that the transfiguration experience was so overwhelming that it had caused Peter to run his mouth by offering to build some tents for Jesus and Moses and Elijah. As recorded in Matthew 17:1-13, “Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter didn’t really know what to say.

So, the Father Himself simply said in verse 5: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” I think it’s funny that Peter leaves the “listen to Him” part out. I guess that part may have been a little embarrassing for Peter. Sort of like God came out of Heaven and pretty much said, “Shut up already, Peter!”

Vic Batista: Isn’t it interesting that people today wonder how they too can hear God’s voice? Or, more to the point, they doubt, “Can I really hear God’s voice?”

Nathan Jones: I believe that if you really want to hear God’s voice you read His Word — the Bible — and you pray. That is the primary way that we hear God’s “voice” today.

Nathan Jones: I believe that if you really want to hear God's voice you read His Word—the #Bible—and you #pray. That is the primary way that we hear God's 'voice' today. Click To Tweet

There are some people who report that they have heard the actual voice of God, though still and quiet. I am skeptical about a lot of these reports. Though, there are some very devout Christians I know who claim that once or twice in their life it was pretty obvious to them that they heard an actual small voice telling them to do something. So, who am I to refute that? But, such an experience is so, so super rare. Therefore, if you want to really know God’s will for your life and “hear” the voice of God, then just read the Bible.

Vic Batista: During one of our nation’s presidential debates, we learned that presidential candidate and New Age spiritualist Marianne Williamson supposedly hears from the dead. She claimed some who have passed away were able to return from the dead to talk to and influence her. That to me is a little bit scary because she’s not talking to the dead or to God, but to demons!

Therefore, Christians need to be on the alert about the voices they claim to hear. Stick to hearing God’s voice through what has been written in His Word and you can know that message has assuredly come from God. Hear God’s voice through His Word, for the Bible promises us that His Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and minds.

And, maybe you are wondering how you can hear from God? We want to encourage you to read the Bible and in prayer open your heart to Jesus. His Spirit will speak clearly to your heart, urging you to by faith and in repentance accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

In the tenth part of our faith journey down the Rapture Road through the book of 2 Peter, we’ll continue to plumb the spiritual depths with the concluding verses of 2 Peter chapter 1.

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Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

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