a Preview of Glory

| Peter, James & John = His inner circleNo details on why these 3 & not othersJust speculationTook them with Him as witnesses to His transfiguration… |

| #1 They would be reliable witnessesAble to confirm the event to other disciples and churchesDeut 19:15 – confirmation of fulfilled promise - One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.#2 They were intimate friends of JesusWith Him the mostUnderstood Him the bestMark 5:37 Jairus’ daughter let only these 3 follow himMark 14:30 Gethsemane = Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and John along with himShared His suffering and sorrow, would now share His glory |

| #3 They could be the most reliable and articulate in witnessing what happenedThey were the spokesmen for the TwelveTheir word was most respected(only negative reason)#4 Jesus could control the spread of info with a small group of witnessesKept the facts accurateControlled the flow of infoMinimized the pressure to establish kingdom here and nowConsider the story if the multitude had seen the transfiguration…Turmoil – embellished – retold & growsRemember their expectation = this is the start!!!!!!!!! |

| The particular high mountain is not identified, but it was apparently somewhere near and to the south of Caesarea Philippi, on the route to Capernaum and eventually Jerusalem = see Matt. 16:13, 21; 17:24Mount Tabor – has the Basilica of the transfiguration – early church fathers believed it 348 ADNOT = wrong location – not isolated – military fort likely thereOne reason for this identification was a misunderstanding of Matthew 17:1. This verse was taken to mean that Jesus took the disciples up a mountain "by itself," rather than that he took the disciples up a mountain "by themselves." Mount Hermon = better location but north of Caesarea Philippi |

| Luke 9:32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.Sleep is a form of escapeDepression causes lethargy and accelerates wearinessDisciples were “processing” all Jesus had told them was about to happen – suffering and pending crucifixionJesus had asked them to be willing to “take up their cross” as well |

| Verse 2John’s vision on Patmos described Christ coming …His head and hair were white like while wool, like snow and His eyes were like a flame of fire and his feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been caused to glow in a furnace…. (Rev. 1:13-16)A way man could understandShekinah glory in OTIn His human form, Christ was veiled – but when He returns it will be in full revealed glory a tiny bit of which the three witnessed on the mountain.From that day on, there was no doubt in their minds that He was God incarnate.Peter was so impressed by what he witnessed, he made the second coming of Christ a major focus of his written work in Scripture. (II Peter 1:17)  John wrote about it too (John 1:14)Foretaste of the second coming (Matthew 16:27; 24:30, 25:31) |

Verses 3-4

Scripture gives no explanation as to why these two and not others

Moses was synonymous with Old Covenant and was the great law giver

Elijah was the great defender of the law; unmatched courage, boldness and fearlessness for God

MOSES

OT often referred to “Moses and the prophets”, “Law of Moses”,

Aside from the Lord, Moses was the greatest leader in human history

– learned humility, servant of God, gave people laws (10 Commandments) led them to edge of Promise Land.

ELIJAH

Zeal personified, Godly man of unmatched courage, boldness and fearlessness.  Heart for God, walked with God, and more than any other OT saint, he was the instrument of God’s miracle-working power. to Jews, the most romantic OT personality

Luke 9:31 says they were talking with Jesus about the things to come in Jerusalem and his departure.

DEPARTURE from the Greek term – Exodus. Just like the exodus from Egypt, Jesus would exit this world leading believers out of bondage of sin and death.

The appearance of Moses and Elijah and their testimony there gave added conviction and courage to the apostles as they proclaimed that Jesus was “delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God”  (Acts 2:23)  

Moses and Elijah were there to testify Jesus is the predicted Savior and King and His plan is on schedule.

| Transfiguration took place in the Jewish month Tishri  (OCTOBER)  6 months before Passover so 6 months before Jesus’ crucifixion. Possible that the Feast was taking place at the time of the transfiguration.  Feast of Booths was a memorial to God’s preserving His chosen and redeemed people (Lev. 23:33-44)an annual reminder of God's provision during the 40-year wilderness sojourn Zechariah (Zech 14:9, 16) indicates that the Feast of Tabernacles is the only week-long OT festival that will be celebrated during the millennial reign.  The feast of Tabernacles will be remembered every year for a thousand years as a picture of God’s deliverance and preservation of His people. |

| Peter again jumps in mouth first (cf Luke 9:33b) 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)Peter failed to realize the significance of what he was witnessingPeter’s solution to the confusion and fear was to build three tabernacles for them to dwell in (festival of booths) Timing of the Feast of Tab’s may be been what prompted Peter’s suggestion to build.Peter was content to freeze this moment in time – had no desire to finish the Plan and go to Jerusalem.As usual, Peter was caught up in his own plans at the expense of God’s ultimate Plan.He started with “If you wish” but assumed He would.Peter’s timing was off, since he made this suggestion as Moses and Elijah were already departing. Not as much a wrong idea as it was foolish.  Just like we saw last week, Peter was putting HIS plan above God’s plan. He was still scheming to find a way for Jesus to avoid Jerusalem, the cross (and unwittingly, the resurrection). Peter was content to remain there with those assembled – let’s not change a thingPeter also put Moses and Elijah on equal footing with Christ, which was inappropriate to begin with.  |

| Verses 5-6Terror of the FatherFather intervened while Peter was still talking            One way to shut Peter up…God appeared as “A bright cloud”             OT God appeared to Israel in the wilderness as a Pillar of cloud” to lead them (Exodus 13:21, Numbers 9:17, Deut 1:33)            Isaiah predicted that after the cleansing and purging in the last days, the Lord will create over the whole area of Mount Zion a cloud by day … over all the glory will be a canopy (Isaiah 4:4-5)   (Mac Arthur 67)             John (in Rev. 14:14-16) in his vision of the last days saw a white cloud with one like a son of man sitting on it….Overshadowed the disciples – even though this bright display the Father shone bright and spoke audibly to them Spoke in a voice out of the cloud - God Himself was a testimony to Christ’s role as Messiah  |

| Father spoke audiblySame phrase used two other timesMatthew 3:17 at Jesus’ baptismJohn 12:28 few days before betrayal, arrest and crucifixionHere, declared approval for everything Son was, said and did.Everything was in perfect harmony with Father’s PlanWas the Son’s sacrifice not part of the plan? NO always part of the plan |

| “Listen to Him!”In effect, if He tells you something, believe it and don’t be a hindrance!Father put Peter and companions in their place.They fell on their faces and were afraidIsaiah 6MosesDaniel |

| Verses 7-9Testified to Christ’s power and splendorFocus on Him as it will be at second comingHe will return with the saints, just as here with Moses and ElijahHe will return to the saints, just as here with Peter, James & JohnJesus responded with a touch and a word “Don’t be afraid” – gentle loving care for themThey saw no one but Jesus now – probably felt some reliefJesus told them not to tell anyone about this until…After the resurrection  |

| Verses 10-13Malachi 4:5 “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.Had no doubt He was the Messiah so the question“why did Elijah not appear before You began Your ministry?”Pharisees had filled in the blanksElijah = mighty miracle-working reformer - bring order out of chaos - holiness out of unholinessthe angel of the Lord told Zacharias regarding his son, John the Baptist, the prophesied forerunner would come “in the spirit and power of Elijah” Luke 1:17 In the last days, the Lord will send still another like Elijah, and the Messiah Himself will return, this time to establish His eternal kingdom in power, righteousness, and glory. |