DCW week 8 - Transfiguration

Good morning One River,

It’s good to see everyone back here from all the summer vacations and meetings! We’re going to jump back into the series we’ve been doing for the last couple of months. We’re taking a look at something called the Divine Council Worldview.

In a nutshell, this boils down to two things. Yahweh was at least as creative in heaven as He has been on earth. We are not limited to merely, angels, demons and the Trinity.

And Yahweh’s plan is to ultimately reunite his family. His entire family, both upstairs and on earth.

I think some of this may seem a little foreign to the average Christian, but as we’ve been looking at the scriptures and church history, I hope we’re starting to see that this isn’t something foreign to the ancient Jewish people, or the early Christian church.

If you walk into the average Western Christian church and ask them why humanity is in the state that it is, the answer is inevitably Genesis 3. Mankind fell in the Garden, ultimately it’s all our fault and we’ve been suffering ever since.

This answer however, leaves a lot of questions in the minds of the reader. We know there was, for some reason, a serpent in the Garden. That serpent tempted Eve and after that, shenanigans ensued.

But modern interpretations leave us little explanation as to why the serpent was there to begin with. It doesn’t fully explain whether or not the serpent is Satan, and it’s not really a sufficient answer for the problem of evil.

These are all questions we’ve attempted to answer in previous weeks.

The Divine Council approach, as we’ve seen, attributes sin to the actions of the first 11 chapters of Genesis. It shows that before the creation of the earth Yahweh created the Heavens, and in the creation, He filled it with supernatural beings that Hebrew scripture tells us are called elohim.

We’ve been told in Sunday school that Elohim means God, specifically we’ve been told it always means Yahweh. As we’ve walked through the first eight weeks here, we’ve seen that that is not the case. Elohim simply means Supernatural being, of which, of course, Yahweh is one. But that categorization does not put the other elohim in Yahweh’s weight class. We know that demons for instance are supernatural beings; but no one would argue that a demon and Yahweh are the same thing. Elohim does not mean god. It’s a mistranslation for lack of a better word or term in the translated language.

After a deadly earthquake happened in Indonesia back in 2018, many people used social media to talk about their status. Surprisingly, many were astonished by the fact that Facebook had added balloons and confetti to some of those posts. The cause of this misunderstanding was the usage of the Indonesian word “selamat”, that means “to survive”, “be safe” or “congratulations”. Facebook algorithm misinterpreted the context of the comments, thus adding festive animations of balloons and confetti. Afterwards, Facebook’s Spokesperson clarified the situation stating that the company “regrets that it appeared in this unfortunate context”.

This brings up a side issue. I have said this before in our series on “How not to Read the Bible”. Scripture is divinely inspired, God breathed for all the purposes that it says it is. However, scripture too, is not immune from translation issues and errors and omissions by human interference. That does not make it, somehow, less or compromised. We have multiple early copies of scripture that all show at its source it is unchanging. But, from time-to-time mistakes happen. Even the Chicago Statement of Faith, the most conservative position any church takes on this issue only claims infallibility of the original documents. This position is not extended to every copy of every translation ever made.

There’s two things I will say about this to help everyone out. The Judeo-Christian bible is the single most intact and copied document in human history. We have more copies of scripture from ancient times that anything else ever written, including the ancient Greek manuscripts for which the Greeks were famous records keepers.

That’s in the physical realm. In the Spiritual Realm, I have faith in Yahweh to keep his book alive in the manner He best sees fit.

Ok, back to DCW. Almost none of the stories or statements I’ve made cancel out what you’ve been told about scripture in the past. This is mainly an enhancement. There’s more to the story. Quite often when something is happening on earth, it stands to reason that something is also happening in Heaven.

So we looked at humanity’s fall. We looked at Deuteronomy 28 and 32 seeing Moses tell the full supernatural story to the newly freed Hebrew peoples. And we spent quite a bit going through Psalm 82, which is kind of the poster Psalm for the Divine Council Worldview.

A few weeks ago, we started on Jesus. We looked at the accomplishment of his Baptism and how his trials in the desert were specifically set to undo the multiple stages of sin brought forth by both humans and wicked elohim.

A few weeks ago when I spoke about this we looked at Jesus and the boys taking a fieldtrip. They went into the territory of Banea, or in some of your Bibles it may say Bashan. This was the territory ruled over by the wicked elohim Ba’al. It became the land of the Nephilim and was one of the few places Yahweh allowed for a complete destruction of the peoples living there. It was the land of giants, and watchers. In Amos it was under King Og, who was one of these descended beings.

At the top of this territory is a place that became known as Caesarea-Phillippi. We looked at this picture (slide) and see what became known as the Gates of Hell. Mt Hermon, was the mountain this was set in. This is where ancient Hebrew, non-scriptural texts tell that the fallen elohim descended into Sheol. Inside is a waterfall that seemingly falls forever.

This was the site Jesus took the boys to, to tell them, “The gates of Hell will not prevail.” It’s also where Jesus told the boys “On this rock, I will build my church.” It was a play, not only on Peter’s name. But the church itself is to sit on the gates of hell. And on that rock, hell will not be able to handle our God’s church.

Maybe this is where I should have stopped the last time. But I didn’t, I carried on the continuation of the field trip. We read Matthew 17:1-13 which we will again in a minute. This is the Transfiguration of Jesus. I started to go down the hole, but I looked around the room and I think the HS told me you all had had enough for the time. Some of you said it felt like I left you hanging, which I did. But then we went on for 35 minutes of questions, so I stand by my position to stop where we did.

OK, I think we’re all caught up. Questions, comments before we jump in? I know it may seem like I spend a lot of time rehashing what we’ve done the previous weeks. But like I said earlier, I think this is new ground for a lot of people and I want to give everything time to sink in and let everyone ask questions.

Ok here we go.

Matthew 17:1–13 (NIV)

The Transfiguration

17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

I mentioned last time that scholarly consensus is that this encounter takes place on Mt Tabor. It’s in the valley of Megiddo, the site the Apocalypse is supposed to take place on. We looked at the slide and saw that there are several churches of various denominations up there. It’s a perfectly reasonable answer. But from scripture we do not actually get a location for this encounter. The transfiguration is only recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. They all say pretty much the same thing. After six days- Jesus went up a high mountain to pray. That’s the timing and geographical information we have on this encounter.

I’m going to propose an alternative site for this little adventure. I think, and again, I’m in the minority here. I think Jesus kept the boys in the same area. I think the mountain is again Mt Hermon. I think he kept everyone in the area of Bashan to get used to the idea of working on unholy ground. At this point in their lives the boys have generally lived as good Jewish boys. Hanging out on the mountain, next to the temple of a wicked foreign deity was completely off the rails for these guys.

At the end of the week, he took them back up there for the Transfiguration. Which, by the way Mt. Hermon was the highest mountain around.

Now, what happened there. Well, let’s back up a bit. Matthew 16 and 17 paint a unique picture. Last time we read the first half of 16- Peter you are my rock and so on. This week we read the transfiguration. There’s only one story in between. Anyone remember which one?

For the first time in the Gospels, Jesus tells the boys this is it, I’m going to die.

So in short order we have the instructions to the new church on the gates of hell. Jesus telling the boys he’s going to die. Then we have the transfiguration.

What’s the point of the transfiguration?

First, let’s look at who shows up. Jesus, Elijah and Moses.

This is a very selective class. What do they all have in common? Well, they’ve all been to the top of the mountain and seen Yahweh. Or at least a version of him. Moses records that anyone who sees the face of God will die. So, it wasn’t his face, but His glory.

Moses gets this honor towards the end of his life. He’s met with God on the mountain numerous times. But this is the first time he sees him. The Hebrews are a challenging people, according to the stories listed out before this encounter. They continue to sin and grumble. Moses himself has had enough of them and Aaron steps in to ask for forgiveness. God promises to forgive them again and send out an angel literally, Malaki, messenger of God, to go before them as they enter the land of Israel. The pillar of cloud and fire moves from in front of the people to behind the people and Moses is beside himself. We get the sense that he’s starting to feel overwhelmed.

Exodus 33:12–23 (NIV)

Moses and the Glory of the LORD

12 Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

14 The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

17 And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

19 And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

21 Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

This is Yahweh showing up in the midst of sin and evil and lovingly walking his people through their issues. He’s taking them to the promised land and showing Moses he is who he claimed to be, on a mountain, in the midst of evil, Yahweh shows his power.

Is this starting to sound a little familiar?

What about the other guy? What about Elijah?

When did he see Yahweh?

It’s in 1 Kings 19 – we’ll get there in a minute. But if we remember back to 1 Kings 18 what’s been happening?

We see Elijah meeting up with King Ahab. He’s called the “troubler of Israel”. Ahab is full on for Ba’al. He doesn’t like Elijah and he doesn’t like Yahweh. Ba’al’s prophets are telling the king one thing and Elijah is telling him something else. So, they go WWF style, complete with name calling.

450 profits from Ba’al are trying to call down fire from heaven and burn up a bull sacrifice on a pile of wood. Long story short, it doesn’t work. Elijah steps up and prays to Yahweh. Everything gets the Holy fire. The bulls the altar the water around the altar. The prophets of Ba’al are captured and slaughtered. Ahab tells Jezebel of this, and she gets angry. She goes after Elijah, and he runs away.

On that Journey Elijah tries to kill himself, meets some angels, takes a nap and has a snack. Then shuffles off to Mt Horeb. This trip through the desert takes 40 days. Once there he heads into a cave. Here’s that account.

1 Kings 19:10–18 (NIV)

The LORD Appears to Elijah

And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

15 The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

This story is not unlike that of Moses. We have the defeat of evil and a leader left feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. When Yahweh shows up, and lovingly guides them through. Rewards his servants with a glimpse of his divine glory. This is a bit of an oversimplification, but not by much.

What do we see at the Transfiguration?

Jesus takes the boys up the mountain. They’ve just been marched around a satanic temple, originally a temple of Ba’al. There they’re told you’re going to build my church here, oh, and by the way, I’m going to die soon, and you’ll be left on your own. You know the boys have to be feeling a little overwhelmed at this point!

Then this. On top of a mountain, with two of the most famous prophets of Yahweh of all time. They see Jesus transform into a shade of his supernatural self. In essence they see a version of God. Just like Moses and Elijah.

Now, the boys don’t have the lifetime of experience that Moses and Elijah had at the time of their encounters. They really don’t seem to get it. But I think they do later. Like Jesus said – tell this story after I’m raised from the dead.

Now, like I said at the beginning when Jesus says and does most of his ministry it has earthly and supernatural effect. So what else is going on here you might ask?

Well, glad you did.

What else happens at the end of those stories from Elijah and Moses?

They’re rallying cries. Yahweh rallies and from this place launches a new attack. Moses and his boys set out to conquer the land of Israel. Elijah is set to anoint a new prophet and appoint a new King, killing any who stand in his way.

The powers of evil. These wicked elohim, they’re smart, really smart. They remember history and they know their scriptures. This is Jesus poking the bear. This is Jesus’ rallying cry. He’s on the mountain of the Gates of Hell. He’s powered up into, at least partial God-mode. This is it. He’s announcing to the powers of darkness he’s here to fight and its game on.

He’s set appointments. He’s given instructions. He’s appointed the next generation of leaders. Now, he’s on the march.

The powers of darkness must have been freaking out. But they have a problem. Can we guess what that is?

The powers of evil don’t know the plan.

In Matthew 8:29 we see the demon’s asking Jesus if he’s here to torture and judge them before the appointed time. They know who he is. They confess with their mouths that he’s the son of God. But they don’t know why he’s on earth.

They don’t know the game and they don’t know the rules. That’s why they ultimately kill Jesus. They think they’ve won for a hot minute, until it becomes clear that they’ve played right into the hands of the Trinity. – And we’ll look at that next. Questions?