God Affirmed That Jesus Is King
Book of Matthew Chapter 17
Today we look at the transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can just imagine what was in the minds of the three men who were with Jesus.
The Lord Jesus allowed Peter, James, and John to be with Him as this great event took place.
I think it would be good if we just took a look at what Peter has written to us by the Holy Spirit much time after this event:
2Pe 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2Pe 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
There were certainly fables being taught to the Jews at this time. Peter said the "transfiguration" of Christ was not a fable but an event that took place and was true.
Peter was not alone but with James and John making 3 eyewitnesses with the exact same story of truth.
There was a fourth witness, that being the voice of God who spoke in an audible voice.
No doubt that the disciples needed unusual strength for the task that Jesus was giving them, and they needed strength to face the future.
The cross was just a few days away and the hopes of the disciples would be tested, but the resurrection of Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures, would convince these men of the sure truth.
Then Peter said even as true as this event was, the greatest truth we have is the written Word of God which means what it says, and it says what it means.
*****Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
It had been six days since Peter had claimed that the Lord Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.
Luke wrote that it was eight days, but this was the way the Jews counted days with any part of a day counting as a whole day.
In numerology 6 being the number of man and 8 being the number of the resurrection.
The Lord Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him as witnesses to tell the other disciples but also seal up their doubts.
Many believe that this mountain was Mount Hermon because it was near Caesarea Philippi their last recorded location.
Mount Hermon is a natural landmark that can be seen from the plains of Moab and from the Dead Sea.
It was probably on one of the southern peaks of Mount Hermon where Jesus transfigured before these 3 men.
No other mountain was more appropriate than Hermon with its snowcapped peaks.
Our Lord and his disciples climbed this “high mountain at least a part of it” one day, and remained on its summit all night, “weary after their long and toilsome ascent.”
During the night “He was transfigured before them; and His face did shine as the sun.”
The next day they descended to Caesarea Philippi.
The word "transfigured" means Jesus was changed in form.
Matthew wrote: "His face did shine as the Sun" "His clothes were as white as sunlight".
He is the Sun, the Sun of Righteousness.
Mal 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Mark wrote:
Mar 9:3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
This gives us an idea for Mount Hermon with its year round snow covered peaks.
Luke wrote:
Luk 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
It was the Holy Spirit who gave these words to Mark and Luke so there were 6 witnesses on Mount Hermon.
Peter, James, John, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit!
One day every child of God will witness the glory of the Lord and obtain a similar glorified body!
1Jn_3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
I also like this one:
Pro 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
We should also understand that when the Lord returns, the Sun as we see it will be pale in comparison to our glorified Savior:
Rev 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.
The Lord Jesus had gone to pray to His Heavenly Father and all these other things happened for the benefit of Peter, James, and John and for all those who study to show themselves approved of God.
But these disciples saw some other men.
*****Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
These are two of the departed Saints of God that were revealed.
They came to talk with the Lord Jesus about His death:
Luk 9:30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
Luk 9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
They came to show that the Lord Jesus Christ is superior to the Law and all the Prophets!
Moses represents the Law. The ones who had passed through death by the Law.
Elijah represents the Prophets and those who will never see death.
They came to show that the Lord Jesus is indeed the true Messiah!
It is Jesus Christ that all the Law pointed to!
It is Jesus Christ that all the prophets spoke of!
It is Jesus Christ that has fulfilled the Old Covenant and is the beginning and end of the New Covenant!
2Co 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
2Co 3:3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
2Co 3:4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
2Co 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
One thing we should clearly see is that all believers who are now in Heaven are more alive than they ever were upon this earth.
Moses and Elijah are proof of this truth!
They live in a dimension that is not of this world!
If we look from a standpoint of the Lord's coming Kingdom, Moses would, represent in type those saints who died in Christ who are said to be asleep through Jesus and will return with the Lord when He returns.
Elijah then in type would represent the "Raptured Saints" who are alive through Christ and will be changed in a twinkling of an eye.
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Then our favorite Apostle speaks up again.
*****Mat 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
It appears that Peter had no idea what was taking place and he was right, it was good for Peter, James, and John to be there.
It was an amazing sight by our Amazing God!
In reality this event in typology represents the remnant of Israel looking up to see the Lord return as He promised to end the time of Jacob's Trouble, the Second Coming of the Messiah.
Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
We can be sure the Lord Jesus has met His Church in the clouds because He will bring His Church with Him before this take place.
Peter did not realize what any of these things meant until he had been filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, after the Lords' resurrection from His death and His ascension back to Heaven.
By these words that Peter spoke, he lowered the dignity of the Lord down to the same level of Moses and Elijah who were surely great men of the Bibles, but they were just men.
Peter was not alone in his thinking process as he says "let us make here three tabernacles" as if he had talked these things over with James and John.
This is the same thing that is happening to the Lord Jesus today.
Much of corrupt so-called Christianity have placed the Lord Jesus alongside men such as the Pope who is considered the only one who can decide what God has said and there are many others who claim to these things attempting to rob the Lord Jesus Christ of His glory.
When the Lord Jesus is not first in our lives, we are robbing Him of His glory!
Peter was still babbling away when God the Father spoke up.
The bright light of God's Glory suddenly appeared in the in the heavens and these three men knew what this cloud meant.
This is the same cloud which had been withdrawn from Israel for centuries and had now appeared again.
These three men knew they were in the presence of Jehovah God.
God directs there attention away from Moses and Elijah because neither the Law nor the Prophets can make you acceptable to be in the presence of a Holy God.
Only the Lord Jesus Christ can do this thing!
The truth is God must be heard and He will be heard!
If Jehovah God said this is my Son, a third part of the Holy Trinity, then who are we to challenge Him!
Peter, James, and John could not hide their fear!
*****Mat 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Mat 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Mat 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
Jesus touched them, just as He will near the end of the Great Tribulation!
Jesus touched them, just as He will touch anyone who calls upon Him!
Just by the words of our Heavenly Father, we know that Jesus Christ is truly the Messiah come down from Heaven.
Just by the words of our Heavenly Father we know that the Lord Jesus is the Anointed One of God.
Then the Lord Jesus stood there alone because He alone is responsible for the Church.
Jesus came to die which was the discussion He had with Moses and Elijah.
As Christians we will experience the full Glory of God called the Shekinah Glory.
We will clearly hear the voice of God we can read what He has said now!
We will fall upon our faces in fear just as these disciples because we will realize just how unworthy we really are.
We will feel the Lord's hand along with His personal touch and we will then live in His Glory all throughout eternity.
1Jn_3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
We should realize by now that though prayer, we can experience the presence of God today!
There was another lesson to be learned.
*****Mat 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
We must understand these disciples did not yet have a clear meaning as to what the resurrection Jesus was talking about, they did not yet understand what Jesus meant and they would not until it happened.
Mar 9:10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.
We are never clear on Godly things until we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and been filled with the Holy Spirit!
We must understand the response Jesus gave them.
What did the resurrection prove?
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ proved without a doubt that Jesus was indeed the Messiah the Son of God!
The resurrection of the Lord proved that the "transfiguration" actually happened and foreshadowed the beginning of the New Covenant!
It is not the Law that will get you Heaven.
It is not any prophet that will get you to Heaven.
It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can get you to Heaven!
God said this is my Son!
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
So why must Elijah first come before the return of Christ Jesus?
*****Mat 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Mat 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Mat 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Just what did the prophecy of Elijah say?
Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
Mal 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
These disciples had just seen Elijah in glory.
Certainly, their question was fair.
The land of Israel was still in darkness ruled by the tyrannical government of Rome.
There was no restoration, there was no turning of the hearts of the fathers nor the children.
The only thing they had seen was the rejection of God's Messiah!
Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John the Baptist had surely come in the power and the spirit of Elijah.
John was that loud voice in the wilderness.
Reminds us that no matter what we do, one thing is sure we do not speak loud enough for the things of God.
The rejection of John the Baptist was the preclude to the rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ!
This still does not fulfill the prophecy of Malachi!
God's Word must be accurate, and God's prophets must speak of things to come.
Before the Lord returns in Glory, another forerunner, an Elijah, or the Elijah, will come and his testimony will not be rejected.
He will restore all things and he will be followed by King Jesus to set up His Kingdom!
He will come near the end of the Great Tribulation, the time of Jacob's Trouble.
It is at this time that any Jewish believer and any stranger among them that believe are to reject all deceivers, and join the family of God.
Elijah will return to Israel because this prophecy is aimed at Israel!
Elijah will witness only to the remnant of the Children of Israel!
What is going on in the world at that time will be of no concern to Elijah!
He will accomplish what is written by the prophet Malachi!
The Church will already be in Heaven before this takes place!
Amen
