The Transfiguration Scene (Matt 17:1-13, Parallel Account, Luke 9:28-36)
Little did the disciples imagine that our Lord's statement: “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” (Matt 16:28), would be fulfilled within six days to Peter, James and John in the Mount of Transfiguration. Yet so it was; and evidently it produced a great and designed effect upon the witnesses, one of whom, the Apostle Peter, declares it to have been a "vision" of the coming glory of Christ's Kingdom, saying,
"For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain." (2 Pet 1:16-18),
As a "vision" it is to be understood as a symbolic representation of the glory of Christ's Millennial Kingdom. The changed appearance of the Lord's person and clothing were symbolic of his coming personal glory. And the glorious appearance also of Moses and Elias represented the association with the Lord in the glory of his Kingdom of the two companies from among men who shall constitute the earthly and the heavenly phases of the Kingdom.
Moses represented the earthly phase (the House of servants) and Elias the spiritual or heavenly phase (the House of Sons). Here in symbolic "vision" was represented the established Kingdom, referred to in Matt 16:28-- " I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."
It was not the actually Moses and Elias, remember, for this was a "vision," NOT a reality. Nor was their resurrection due then, for: "They [the ancient worthies of the Jewish dispensation] without us [the Church] shall not be made perfect." (Heb 11:40) Their resurrection tarries, therefore, until the second advent of Christ and the full establishment of the spiritual phase of the Kingdom--the Gospel Church.
Verse 31 of Luke’s account records the theme of the three glorified ones, which was the great transaction shortly to be accomplished at Jerusalem--the crucifixion of the Lord and the payment of our ransom price.
The object of the "vision" was probably two-fold-- for the comfort and strengthening of the Lord, and for the enlightenment of his chosen witnesses. The communication with the Lord concerning his decease was probably while the disciples were asleep (Luke 9:32), and was doubtless, therefore, especially for his own comfort. The "vision" came in answer to the Lord's prayer, and though it was not understood by the disciples at the time, it was afterwards a blessed inspiration to them, and should be to us also.
Yet, says Peter, "We have a more sure word of prophecy [concerning the Kingdom and its glory. It is spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began--Acts 3:19-21], whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." (2 Pet. 1:19.)
The "vision" was a vivid and refreshing symbolic view of the Kingdom, but without the "sure word of prophecy" it would have been unintelligible.
Note in Luke 9:33 where it states: “Then it happened, as they (Moses and Elijah) were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.”
Somewhere missing from the narrative the Lord must have mentioned that the two men with whom he spoke were Moses and Elijah for how could Peter, having never met either have known who the two men with our Lord were.
But even while Peter was still speaking, “a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son. Hear Him!”
Here was another testimony by a voice from heaven to the claim of our Lord to be the Son of God, and pleasing and acceptable to him. At his birth the heavenly messengers announced him; at his baptism the voice from heaven declared him the acceptable Son of God; and here, very near the close of his human existence, he is again proclaimed the acceptable and well-pleasing Son.
"And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone." The "vision," the voice and the cloud had all passed away, and the natural conditions were again realized, while the lessons of that solemn hour remained to gain a yet broader significance when, by and by, after Pentecost, they would receive the anointing of the spirit, and understand its true significance.
Thus with line upon line, and precept upon precept, the blessed truths of God concerning his glorious benevolent plan were riveted upon the hearts and minds of his disciples; and they shall be upon ours also as we bring ourselves more and more into communion with his word.” (Excerpts taken from R1761 and SITS F676)
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Little did the disciples imagine that our Lord's statement: “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” (Matt 16:28), would be fulfilled within six days to Peter, James and John in the Mount of Transfiguration. Yet so it was; and evidently it produced a great and designed effect upon the witnesses, one of whom, the Apostle Peter, declares it to have been a "vision" of the coming glory of Christ's Kingdom, saying,
"For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain." (2 Pet 1:16-18),
As a "vision" it is to be understood as a symbolic representation of the glory of Christ's Millennial Kingdom. The changed appearance of the Lord's person and clothing were symbolic of his coming personal glory. And the glorious appearance also of Moses and Elias represented the association with the Lord in the glory of his Kingdom of the two companies from among men who shall constitute the earthly and the heavenly phases of the Kingdom.
Moses represented the earthly phase (the House of servants) and Elias the spiritual or heavenly phase (the House of Sons). Here in symbolic "vision" was represented the established Kingdom, referred to in Matt 16:28-- " I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom."
It was not the actually Moses and Elias, remember, for this was a "vision," NOT a reality. Nor was their resurrection due then, for: "They [the ancient worthies of the Jewish dispensation] without us [the Church] shall not be made perfect." (Heb 11:40) Their resurrection tarries, therefore, until the second advent of Christ and the full establishment of the spiritual phase of the Kingdom--the Gospel Church.
Verse 31 of Luke’s account records the theme of the three glorified ones, which was the great transaction shortly to be accomplished at Jerusalem--the crucifixion of the Lord and the payment of our ransom price.
The object of the "vision" was probably two-fold-- for the comfort and strengthening of the Lord, and for the enlightenment of his chosen witnesses. The communication with the Lord concerning his decease was probably while the disciples were asleep (Luke 9:32), and was doubtless, therefore, especially for his own comfort. The "vision" came in answer to the Lord's prayer, and though it was not understood by the disciples at the time, it was afterwards a blessed inspiration to them, and should be to us also.
Yet, says Peter, "We have a more sure word of prophecy [concerning the Kingdom and its glory. It is spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began--Acts 3:19-21], whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." (2 Pet. 1:19.)
The "vision" was a vivid and refreshing symbolic view of the Kingdom, but without the "sure word of prophecy" it would have been unintelligible.
Note in Luke 9:33 where it states: “Then it happened, as they (Moses and Elijah) were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.”
Somewhere missing from the narrative the Lord must have mentioned that the two men with whom he spoke were Moses and Elijah for how could Peter, having never met either have known who the two men with our Lord were.
But even while Peter was still speaking, “a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son. Hear Him!”
Here was another testimony by a voice from heaven to the claim of our Lord to be the Son of God, and pleasing and acceptable to him. At his birth the heavenly messengers announced him; at his baptism the voice from heaven declared him the acceptable Son of God; and here, very near the close of his human existence, he is again proclaimed the acceptable and well-pleasing Son.
"And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone." The "vision," the voice and the cloud had all passed away, and the natural conditions were again realized, while the lessons of that solemn hour remained to gain a yet broader significance when, by and by, after Pentecost, they would receive the anointing of the spirit, and understand its true significance.
Thus with line upon line, and precept upon precept, the blessed truths of God concerning his glorious benevolent plan were riveted upon the hearts and minds of his disciples; and they shall be upon ours also as we bring ourselves more and more into communion with his word.” (Excerpts taken from R1761 and SITS F676)
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