2. (a) How were Jesus’ words fulfilled in a vision seen by Peter, James and John? (b) Of what glorious event was this prophetic?

² About six days later, Jesus took Peter, James and John up into a lofty mountain, probably Hermon of the Anti-Lebanon range. Here a remarkable thing happened! Jesus was transfigured before their eyes, taking on a dazzling appearance. In a vision, Moses and Elijah were seen conversing with him. Why Moses and Elijah? Well, Jesus is clearly identified in the Scriptures as “that Prophet” foreshadowed by Moses. And a work like that of Elijah is closely connected with God’s Kingdom in which Jesus reigns. (Acts 3:22, 23; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Malachi 4:5) It was appropriate, then, that they should be seen here with Jesus in this vision of his coming in the magnificence of his future Kingdom glory.​—Matthew 17:1-5.

3. What words of Jehovah emphasized the importance of the vision?

³ Appropriate it was, too, that Jehovah’s voice was heard from heaven, saying: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.” To this, God added the words: “Listen to him.”

4. (a) Why should that event impress us today? (b) To what “prophetic word” does 2 Peter 1:19 refer?

⁴ What impression did that awe-inspiring event leave with those apostles? How should it affect us today? Some 30 years later, Peter could still recall that spectacle in all its brilliance. “Consequently,” he said, “we have the prophetic word made more sure.” What “prophetic word”? Why, those prophecies, such as Daniel 7:13, 14, that were now confirmed by the transfiguration​—prophecies about the coming of the Son of man in the glory of Kingdom power!​—2 Peter 1:16-19; see also Isaiah 9:6, 7.

4. (a) Why should that event impress us today? (b) To what “prophetic word” does 2 Peter 1:19 refer?

⁴ What impression did that awe-inspiring event leave with those apostles? How should it affect us today? Some 30 years later, Peter could still recall that spectacle in all its brilliance. “Consequently,” he said, “we have the prophetic word made more sure.” What “prophetic word”? Why, those prophecies, such as Daniel 7:13, 14, that were now confirmed by the transfiguration​—prophecies about the coming of the Son of man in the glory of Kingdom power!​—2 Peter 1:16-19; see also Isaiah 9:6, 7.

5. What important additions were made to that “word”?

⁵ By that time “the prophetic word” had come to include, too, prophecies given by Jesus Christ himself. Among these was his Kingdom prophecy on “the conclusion of the system of things,” which also envisaged “the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” at a time of unparalleled world distress. (Matthew 24:3-14, 30, 31) Later, “the prophetic word” would include the powerful Kingdom prophecies that the glorified Jesus Christ revealed to the aged apostle John, such as those recorded at Revelation 1:12-16; 5:5-10; 11:15-17 and Re 14:14, 15.