Future Glory

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Pray for Peace In Israel

Intro

We are back in ou Journey through Matthew.

When we left off Jesus has just taken the Disciples to Ceasarea Philippi the land of the worship of Pan.

They have departed here for an extended time of teaching in a place where they would not be bothered by crowds.

It is here that Peter announces that Jesus is the Messiah, is Given the Keys to the Kingdom, and then is rebuked for trying to stand in the way of Jesus Mission.

Turn with me to Matthew 16:28

Matthew 16:28 CSB

28 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Pray

Body

This is an often confusing scripture because all those standing there died before Jesus returned.

Is this a contradiction or did the Disciples and the rest of us miss something?

Let’s continue to the next part.

Matthew 17:1 CSB

1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.

Mark says the same thing.

Mark 9:2 CSB

2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves to be alone.

But Luke says

Luke 9:28 CSB

28 About eight days after this conversation, he took along Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.

So is this a contradiction?

No Luke is either accounting for a Day of departure and day or the return or the day from Messiah’s promise to the actual transfiguration.

While Matthew and Mark are accounting only Whole Days.

So what mountain did they go to:

Some believe Mount Tabor standing at 1843. The Catholics Built a Church there.

However, That is a long way from Caesarea Phillipi and it is not really that much taller than any of the other mountains around it.

What makes since to me is that it Would be Mt Hermon.

Caesarea Philippi sits at the base of Mt Hermon…..why would Jesus so quickly left the region where he took His Disciples to Get away….

Secondly, Mt Hermon is the tallest mountain in Israel standing at 9,200 ft

either way they went to a High Mountain and something amazing Happens

Matthew 17:2 CSB

2 He was transfigured in front of them, and his face shone like the sun; his clothes became as white as the light.

The greek word here is metamorphosis

Jesus Changed into His Kingdom Continence

Yeshua was transfigured: the fashion of His countenance changed, and His face shone with the brightness of the sun.His clothes were as white as light itself: glistening, shining, dazzling, and s reflecting light, so that noting could make them whiter. Arnold Fruchtenbaum

Matthew 17:3–7 CSB

3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good for us to be here. If you want, I will set up three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown and were terrified. 7 Jesus came up, touched them, and said, “Get up; don’t be afraid.”

Mose and Elijah show up and speak with Jesus

Luke 9:31 CSB

31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

They are discussing His Exodus:

Just Like Israels Exodus from Egypt led to Liberation and Freedom from slavery.

Jesus’ Exodus will lead to Liberation and Freedom from the slavery of sin.

There is so much beauty to this moment that will Encourage these three Disciples but can also be encouraging to us.

Luke Says Mose and Elijah appeared in Their Glory. Meaning in their Heavenly forms.

Moses’ in Spirit only. Remember He died Therefore He hasn’t recieved his Heavenly body: Representing those who have died.

Elijah never died so he is represented in both Spirit and Body…..This represents those who will be Raptured…..

This is a picture of eternity right in front of the Disciples…. We have Hope in Glory if we remain in Christ…….

Think about is for a moment in Christ whether you live until Christ’s Return or Die before you will be raised into Glory.

So what does Peter do next……

He offers to build a tent…..He is not being shallow…He is recognizing that if this is truly Gods’ Kingdom come then we must celebrate like we do at the feast of Tabernacles

Leviticus 23:39–44 CSB

39 “You are to celebrate the Lord’s festival on the fifteenth day of the seventh month for seven days after you have gathered the produce of the land. There will be complete rest on the first day and complete rest on the eighth day. 40 On the first day you are to take the product of majestic trees—palm fronds, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook—and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. 41 You are to celebrate it as a festival to the Lord seven days each year. This is a permanent statute for you throughout your generations; celebrate it in the seventh month. 42 You are to live in shelters for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must live in shelters, 43 so that your generations may know that I made the Israelites live in shelters when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.” 44 So Moses declared the Lord’s appointed times to the Israelites.

Peter is just following the directions….He just didn’t yet understand that the Passover had to come before the Feast of Tabernacles….

But then God Speaks:

Matthew 17:5 CSB

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

As they are speaking Heaven Descends upon them and God confirms who Jesus is for the Second time.

Now in Jewish Custom God never speaks directly to someone because they would surely die…..So the belief is He echos himself off of the clouds as a means of protection…….

Either way

Matthew 17:6 CSB

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown and were terrified.

They freaked out until

Matthew 17:7 CSB

7 Jesus came up, touched them, and said, “Get up; don’t be afraid.”

Matthew 17:8 CSB

8 When they looked up they saw no one except Jesus alone.

So what can we take from this passage?

What are the implications of the Transfiguration?

The transfiguration authenticates that Jesus is the Messiah.

God is announce to the Disciples who Jesus is…….

2. The transfiguration strengthens our anticipation of the Kingdom of the Messiah

Remember Jesus told the disciples that some would not die before the saw his Kingdom Glory……

John, Peter, and James saw Him in his Kingdom Glory….

This is why Peter writes

2 Peter 1:16–18 CSB

16 For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased!” 18 We ourselves heard this voice when it came from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain.

Jesus is returning and we too will see Him in His Glory and Majesty.

3. The Transfiguration Guarantees the Fulfillment of All Scripture.

Mose the deliver of the Law is there

Elijah the First Prophet is there.

From this we can see that Jesus is the fulfillment of all scripture.

Peter wrote it this way

2 Peter 1:19–21 CSB

19 We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, 21 because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

4. The Transfiguration is a promise of life beyond the Grave.

Moses who did die, and Elijah who was transported to Heaven represent both those who died and those who will be transported.

Knowing this we can trust that whether by resurrection or transportation, there is, and will be life after death.

5. The Transfiguration is a testament of what cost Jesus would pay to show God’s love for us.

At incarnation Jesus had to Veil His Glory

After the Transfiguration He once again had to Veil His Glory….

Only at his ascension did Jesus get to relax into His Heavenly Glory….

John would get to see this again

Revelation 1:12–16 CSB

12 Then I turned to see whose voice it was that spoke to me. When I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was one like the Son of Man, dressed in a robe and with a golden sash wrapped around his chest. 14 The hair of his head was white as wool—white as snow—and his eyes like a fiery flame. 15 His feet were like fine bronze as it is fired in a furnace, and his voice like the sound of cascading waters. 16 He had seven stars in his right hand; a sharp double-edged sword came from his mouth, and his face was shining like the sun at full strength.

I recieved this message Thursday…

Good morning, sorry for bothering you so early. It’s just I’m restless lately. With everything going on in this world I struggle with having faith in humanity. Humans are so sick and cruel. It looks like we keep proving to ourselves we are evil from the seed. Throughout all times and ages there is the negative intent which is always present. No “learning curve” no lessons learned. Resistance against development. How can you still believe in the good of people, when there are people willing to kill others with no regrets? How can you trust anyone, without being cautious or on alert?

Sorry, if that is too drastic. I guess I’m desperately trying to understand why it is what it is.

My answer seems so simple yet it is all I have to stand on.

I keep my eyes on Jesus….

You see I know He is coming on the Clouds…..I know He is coming back for us ….I Know He is going to right all wrong…..

But until then If I can keep my eyes on the truth I will see people how He sees them. Worthy of the Gospel……..

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