Mark 9:1-13

A Glimpse of Glory

The famous preacher D.L. Moody told about a Christian woman who was always bright, cheerful, and optimistic, even though she was confined to her room because of illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day and brought along another woman—a person of great wealth. Since there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward.

The famous preacher D.L. Moody told about a Christian woman who was always bright, cheerful, and optimistic, even though she was confined to her room because of illness. She lived in an attic apartment on the fifth floor of an old, rundown building. A friend decided to visit her one day and brought along another woman—a person of great wealth. Since there was no elevator, the two ladies began the long climb upward.

When they reached the second floor, the well-to-do woman commented, “What a dark and filthy place!” Her friend replied, “It’s better higher up.” When they arrived at the third landing, the remark was made, “Things look even worse here.” Again the reply, “It’s better higher up.”

The two women finally reached the attic level, where they found the bedridden saint of God. A smile on her face radiated the joy that filled her heart. Although the room was clean and flowers were on the window sill, the wealthy visitor could not get over the stark surroundings in which this woman lived.

She blurted out, “It must be very difficult for you to be here like this!” Without a moment’s hesitation the shut-in responded, “It’s better higher up.”

She was not looking at temporal things. With the eye of faith fixed on the eternal, she had found the secret of true satisfaction and contentment. (10,000 Sermom Illustrations)

“a high mountain by themselves” v.2

Mount Hermon

Mark 9:1–3 NASB95

1 And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” 2 Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; 3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them.

mark 9.

The Glorified Body of Christ

Mark 9:3 NASB95

3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them.

Luke 9:29 NASB95

29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.

Matthew 17:2 NASB95

2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.

Revelation 1:14–16 NASB95

14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

What is the meaning of this event? I am suggesting a number of things.

What is the meaning of this event? I am suggesting a number of things.

1. In the first place, the transfiguration is the authentication of the Son as Messiah by means of the voice that came from the excellent glory. While rejected by men, He is accepted by the Father and confirmed in His Messianic office. The path to its ultimate glorious future passes by Golgotha’s brow.

2. In the second place, the transfiguration is the anticipation of the kingdom that is to come upon the earth. In fact, it is a kind of prelude and pledge of it. (S.Lewis Johnson - Bibliotheca Sacra)

Elijah & Moses in the presence of God’s Glory

Mark 9:4–6 NASB95

4 Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified.

mark 9.

What is the significance of Moses & Elijah? The O.T. Giver of the Law who stood on Mt. Sinai in the presence of the Glory of God, and the The O.T. Prophet who also stood on Mt. Sinai in the presence of the Glory of God. Jesus- the fulfillment of the Law & the Prophets!

Summary

Jesu

The Transfiguration is significant because it was the glorification of the body of Jesus. Those with Him saw Jesus in His glory. The appearance of Moses and Elijah testified that Jesus was the one of whom the law and prophets spoke. The approving testimony of God the Father further confirmed the identity of Jesus.

In the Transfiguration of Jesus we have the various elements of the coming kingdom represented. There is the glorified King,

1- those who will come into the kingdom through death,

2- those who will come into the kingdom through the transformation of their bodies at the rapture of the church,

3- those Jewish believers who will enter into the millennial reign of Christ in their earthly bodies,

4- as well as the people from the various nations who will also enter into the millennium in non-glorified bodies.

Mark 9:7–8 NASB95

7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” 8 All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.

You & Me, reflecting the Glory of Christ

Romans 12:2 NASB95

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB95

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

2

A Glimpse of Glory gives us the Hope we need to sacrifice & to suffer.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 NASB95

17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Mark 8:34 NASB95

34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.