The following are some interesting questions presented in regards to this subject, some by a few forum members.
“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.” (Matt 17:1-3)
If Moses and Elijah were actually dead, how could they appear on the Mount of Transfiguration with our Lord Jesus?
ANSWER
While Moses and Elijah both passed from the scene of earth's experiences under peculiar and mysterious circumstances, yet we are assured that they both died. (Deut 34:5; Heb. 11:13) The Scriptures everywhere represent the dead as being in a condition of unconsciousness, "asleep" in the tomb, the grave--"The dead know not anything," for there is no wisdom, nor device, nor knowledge in the grave whither thou goes" (Eccl 9:5,10).
We must carefully examine the text under consideration, for the true meaning, recognizing that all of the expressions of the inspired Scriptures are in complete harmony. The ninth verse of this same chapter explains the matter, where we note the words of the Master--"Tell the vision to no man." What the Apostle saw therefore was merely a "vision" of Moses and Elijah with the Lord, just as the Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos saw visions of beasts, angels, etc., and not actual things themselves.
Moses surely had not been resurrected and made perfect at that time, for we are informed that our Lord Jesus was the first to rise from the dead and be glorified. Note also the Apostle Paul's words in Heb. 11:39,40 where he sets forth that Moses and the other ancient worthies of the past have yet to be made perfect by those of the church class when glorified in the heavenly Kingdom with Christ.
That vision on the mount was a picture of Jesus kingdom, Elias typifying one class in the kingdom, and Moses symbolizing or typifying another class in the kingdom.
A forum member who differs here on what has thus far been presented on the transfiguration states:
“Just because Jesus described the event as a vision, doesn’t mean it wasn't real. I believe Moses was resurrected, as described when Michael claimed his body from the Satan. We are not told when this took place. And Elijah was "taken"... Translated bodily, and no doubt clothed with eternal life as those who are still alive at the second coming.”
If this was truly a real event as you suggest please explain how it is that Moses and Elijah were resurrected prior to our Lord, because the Scriptures are very emphatic that, Christ was THE FIRST TO RISE FROM THE DEAD, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep (died), that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. (1 Cor 15:20; Col 1:18)
We both know that this vision took place prior to our Lord’s death and resurrection so how then could Moses and Elijah be there unless this were only a vision?
Both of these prophets died (Deut 34:5; Heb. 11:13), and must await the time appointed for their resurrection
As for your suggestion the Elijah was taken, i.e. “translated bodily”, this is merely an assumption on your part, the scriptures say no such thing.
The account is that “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into the heavens”. The word “heaven” here is used to represent the “sky”, the “circumambient air”, and has no reference whatever to the heaven which is God’s dwelling place. That neither of these prophets went to the latter place we have the very best evidence in our Lord’s own words, viz.
“NO ONE has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.” (John 3:13)
“These (along with all the other faithful of the past, that is previous to Pentecost) died in faith, as stated in the text above, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Heb 11:13)
Even though they obtained a good testimony through faith they all died without having received the promise. (Heb 11:39)
There were many promises made, but one in particular, what particular promise was this?
The promise was that they might obtain a “better resurrection” (Verse 35), better, in that they hoped for an awakening from death to instantaneous HUMAN PERFECTION, as apart from the rest of the world who will require the whole millennium in which to be gradually brought back to the original perfection lost by father Adam, a resurrection by judgment (trial, testing’s).
It is important to remember that the faithful of the past had no knowledge of the spiritual seed per se, and thus no desire for any heavenly reward. God had not promised any heavenly rewards prior to Jesus’ day.
It was not until the appearing of our Savior Jesus at his first advent that both life (restituional blessings, previously known) AND immortality (something new, the high calling which is in Christ Jesus) was first brought to light through the gospel. (2 Tim 1:10)
The the faithful of the past have not yet received the promise of the “better resurrection”, why, why the delay if they have already passed their test?
The reason is simple, “God having provided something better for us (the Church), that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” (Verse 40)
“Some better thing for us” An even still better resurrection, then that which they hoped for, for ours, if we are proven faithful, is the High Calling to “glory, honor and immortality.”
That “They should not be made perfect apart from us”,
Why is this?
Because the blessings of all other classes come through the glorified Christ, the Church or body of Christ, complete.
They cannot experience their “better resurrection” until all those who will compose the body of Christ have experienced their resurrection, the “first resurrection”.
This includes Enoch for although the death sentence which was passed upon all through Adam’s sin was deferred in his case; it WAS NOT annulled (pardoned).
We were not pardoned from sin, but rather redeemed, ransomed through the precious blood of Christ, and this was not accomplished until after our Lord’s resurrection and ascension when he ascended on high to present the merit of his sacrifice before justice.
Enoch’s life may have been preserved (possibly having been placed in the garden of Eden and there having access to the trees of life), but like the rest of the faithful of the past he has yet to have experienced the “better resurrection” which was promised, a full and complete resurrection to human perfection, nor will he until the full Christ is complete.
Another forum member states:
“At the transfiguration (Matthew 17) the disciples saw a vision of Christ (at His coming again) in resurrection glory. Moses and Elijah are seen to be with Him, also 'then' alive from the dead. This is a vision of post resurrection glory. (Matt 16:28), real, but yet future.”
Although you have the right idea that this is a future event, your mistake is in assuming that what is depicted in the vision is to be an actual or literal event which will take place.
A "vision,” is not a reality, a vision is an active parable, and like in a parable where the thing said is not the thing meant so likewise the thing viewed is not the thing meant, it is only a representation, a symbolic or figurative picture of the reality.
“In this vision, as in all visions, the unreal appears real. Just so it was in the vision of John, on the Isle of Patmos, described in the book of Revelation. He saw, he heard, he talked; yet the things thus shown him in the vision were not realities--not beasts with many heads and many horns, and angels and vials and thrones, nor real dragons, etc., merely a vision. And a vision was in every sense of the word just as good, and really better suited to the purpose than realities would have been.”
If we were to accept this vision as a reality as you suggest, as a visualization of an actual event soon to take place we would be met with several difficulties.
If this were as stated a picture of the Son of Man coming in His kingdom, in His kingdom glory as depicted by his face shinning as the sun and his clothing being as white as light, how then could Moses and Elijah be found standing before him, neither of whom lived during the “acceptable time” (2 Cor 6:2), the Gospel Age, the age of sacrifice?
NO ONE could offer an acceptable sacrifice to the Father prior to this time, for none had anything acceptable in which to sacrifice, for they all were fallen, marred by sin and thus unacceptable upon the Lord’s altar.
The sacrifice of Christ, which takes away the sin of the world, was THE ACCEPTABLE sacrifice; and it must be an accomplished fact, BEFORE any of the condemned of mankind could be actually and legally justified, so as to present themselves a holy and acceptable sacrifice (Rom 12:1), to be accepted as joint sacrifices and joint heirs with him.
Both Moses and Elijah would be excluded from this opportunity having lived and died prior to the acceptable time, even John the Baptist the last of the faithful Ancient Worthies missed this opportunity by only a few short years. As our Lord so expressed it: “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven (the spiritual phase of the kingdom) is greater than he.” (Matt 11:11)
So then once again we ask,
How could Moses and Elijah who were never begotten to a new nature, as none were prior to Pentecost, be found standing before the glorified Lord, who now following his high exultation is the express image of the Father’s person, possessing immortality (the divine nature) dwelling in unapproachable light which no man (no flesh, no human) has seen NOR CAN SEE? (1 Tim 6:16; Heb 1:3)
The Apostle Paul caught a mere glimpse of our Lord’s glorified condition and it nearly blinded him, so how could Moses and Elijah (both natural men) stand before the Lord?
Another problem here is that if we accept your suggestion that this is a real picture of a future event, and that all three of the characters are real then how are we to harmonize the fact that the disciples saw our Lord’s glorified condition when we were just told in that NO MAN HAS SEEN NOR CAN SEE our Lord in his true glorified condition?
No one (no human) has ever actually seen a spirit beings true form, no one knows exactly what they look like; now they’ve seen representations of them, they’ve seen spirit beings manifesting themselves in various forms, but they’ve never actually seen one as they actually are. Most especially, no one has ever seen a divine being. The Apostle Paul states: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)
This statement implies that not until we have experienced our resurrection change, until we have obtained his nature will we be able to truly see him as he is, therefore this vision could not be an actually reality, for none of the disciples who witness it had experienced their resurrection change.
“In the end we have the Lord's own words to prove that the incident here recorded was a "vision,"-- not a reality.
"And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, 'Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.'" --Matt. 17:9.
The import of this "vision" is also clearly indicated by the Apostle Peter. (2 Pet. 1:16-18.) He declares it to have been a "vision" of the coming glory of Christ's Kingdom, saying,
"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty; for he received from God the Father honor and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount."
“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 and Elias the spiritual or heavenly phase. Here in symbolic "vision" was represented the established Kingdom, referred to in verse 27.” (R1761)
“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.” (Matt 17:1-3)
If Moses and Elijah were actually dead, how could they appear on the Mount of Transfiguration with our Lord Jesus?
ANSWER
While Moses and Elijah both passed from the scene of earth's experiences under peculiar and mysterious circumstances, yet we are assured that they both died. (Deut 34:5; Heb. 11:13) The Scriptures everywhere represent the dead as being in a condition of unconsciousness, "asleep" in the tomb, the grave--"The dead know not anything," for there is no wisdom, nor device, nor knowledge in the grave whither thou goes" (Eccl 9:5,10).
We must carefully examine the text under consideration, for the true meaning, recognizing that all of the expressions of the inspired Scriptures are in complete harmony. The ninth verse of this same chapter explains the matter, where we note the words of the Master--"Tell the vision to no man." What the Apostle saw therefore was merely a "vision" of Moses and Elijah with the Lord, just as the Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos saw visions of beasts, angels, etc., and not actual things themselves.
Moses surely had not been resurrected and made perfect at that time, for we are informed that our Lord Jesus was the first to rise from the dead and be glorified. Note also the Apostle Paul's words in Heb. 11:39,40 where he sets forth that Moses and the other ancient worthies of the past have yet to be made perfect by those of the church class when glorified in the heavenly Kingdom with Christ.
That vision on the mount was a picture of Jesus kingdom, Elias typifying one class in the kingdom, and Moses symbolizing or typifying another class in the kingdom.
A forum member who differs here on what has thus far been presented on the transfiguration states:
“Just because Jesus described the event as a vision, doesn’t mean it wasn't real. I believe Moses was resurrected, as described when Michael claimed his body from the Satan. We are not told when this took place. And Elijah was "taken"... Translated bodily, and no doubt clothed with eternal life as those who are still alive at the second coming.”
If this was truly a real event as you suggest please explain how it is that Moses and Elijah were resurrected prior to our Lord, because the Scriptures are very emphatic that, Christ was THE FIRST TO RISE FROM THE DEAD, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep (died), that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. (1 Cor 15:20; Col 1:18)
We both know that this vision took place prior to our Lord’s death and resurrection so how then could Moses and Elijah be there unless this were only a vision?
Both of these prophets died (Deut 34:5; Heb. 11:13), and must await the time appointed for their resurrection
As for your suggestion the Elijah was taken, i.e. “translated bodily”, this is merely an assumption on your part, the scriptures say no such thing.
The account is that “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into the heavens”. The word “heaven” here is used to represent the “sky”, the “circumambient air”, and has no reference whatever to the heaven which is God’s dwelling place. That neither of these prophets went to the latter place we have the very best evidence in our Lord’s own words, viz.
“NO ONE has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.” (John 3:13)
“These (along with all the other faithful of the past, that is previous to Pentecost) died in faith, as stated in the text above, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Heb 11:13)
Even though they obtained a good testimony through faith they all died without having received the promise. (Heb 11:39)
There were many promises made, but one in particular, what particular promise was this?
The promise was that they might obtain a “better resurrection” (Verse 35), better, in that they hoped for an awakening from death to instantaneous HUMAN PERFECTION, as apart from the rest of the world who will require the whole millennium in which to be gradually brought back to the original perfection lost by father Adam, a resurrection by judgment (trial, testing’s).
It is important to remember that the faithful of the past had no knowledge of the spiritual seed per se, and thus no desire for any heavenly reward. God had not promised any heavenly rewards prior to Jesus’ day.
It was not until the appearing of our Savior Jesus at his first advent that both life (restituional blessings, previously known) AND immortality (something new, the high calling which is in Christ Jesus) was first brought to light through the gospel. (2 Tim 1:10)
The the faithful of the past have not yet received the promise of the “better resurrection”, why, why the delay if they have already passed their test?
The reason is simple, “God having provided something better for us (the Church), that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” (Verse 40)
“Some better thing for us” An even still better resurrection, then that which they hoped for, for ours, if we are proven faithful, is the High Calling to “glory, honor and immortality.”
That “They should not be made perfect apart from us”,
Why is this?
Because the blessings of all other classes come through the glorified Christ, the Church or body of Christ, complete.
They cannot experience their “better resurrection” until all those who will compose the body of Christ have experienced their resurrection, the “first resurrection”.
This includes Enoch for although the death sentence which was passed upon all through Adam’s sin was deferred in his case; it WAS NOT annulled (pardoned).
We were not pardoned from sin, but rather redeemed, ransomed through the precious blood of Christ, and this was not accomplished until after our Lord’s resurrection and ascension when he ascended on high to present the merit of his sacrifice before justice.
Enoch’s life may have been preserved (possibly having been placed in the garden of Eden and there having access to the trees of life), but like the rest of the faithful of the past he has yet to have experienced the “better resurrection” which was promised, a full and complete resurrection to human perfection, nor will he until the full Christ is complete.
Another forum member states:
“At the transfiguration (Matthew 17) the disciples saw a vision of Christ (at His coming again) in resurrection glory. Moses and Elijah are seen to be with Him, also 'then' alive from the dead. This is a vision of post resurrection glory. (Matt 16:28), real, but yet future.”
Although you have the right idea that this is a future event, your mistake is in assuming that what is depicted in the vision is to be an actual or literal event which will take place.
A "vision,” is not a reality, a vision is an active parable, and like in a parable where the thing said is not the thing meant so likewise the thing viewed is not the thing meant, it is only a representation, a symbolic or figurative picture of the reality.
“In this vision, as in all visions, the unreal appears real. Just so it was in the vision of John, on the Isle of Patmos, described in the book of Revelation. He saw, he heard, he talked; yet the things thus shown him in the vision were not realities--not beasts with many heads and many horns, and angels and vials and thrones, nor real dragons, etc., merely a vision. And a vision was in every sense of the word just as good, and really better suited to the purpose than realities would have been.”
If we were to accept this vision as a reality as you suggest, as a visualization of an actual event soon to take place we would be met with several difficulties.
If this were as stated a picture of the Son of Man coming in His kingdom, in His kingdom glory as depicted by his face shinning as the sun and his clothing being as white as light, how then could Moses and Elijah be found standing before him, neither of whom lived during the “acceptable time” (2 Cor 6:2), the Gospel Age, the age of sacrifice?
NO ONE could offer an acceptable sacrifice to the Father prior to this time, for none had anything acceptable in which to sacrifice, for they all were fallen, marred by sin and thus unacceptable upon the Lord’s altar.
The sacrifice of Christ, which takes away the sin of the world, was THE ACCEPTABLE sacrifice; and it must be an accomplished fact, BEFORE any of the condemned of mankind could be actually and legally justified, so as to present themselves a holy and acceptable sacrifice (Rom 12:1), to be accepted as joint sacrifices and joint heirs with him.
Both Moses and Elijah would be excluded from this opportunity having lived and died prior to the acceptable time, even John the Baptist the last of the faithful Ancient Worthies missed this opportunity by only a few short years. As our Lord so expressed it: “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven (the spiritual phase of the kingdom) is greater than he.” (Matt 11:11)
So then once again we ask,
How could Moses and Elijah who were never begotten to a new nature, as none were prior to Pentecost, be found standing before the glorified Lord, who now following his high exultation is the express image of the Father’s person, possessing immortality (the divine nature) dwelling in unapproachable light which no man (no flesh, no human) has seen NOR CAN SEE? (1 Tim 6:16; Heb 1:3)
The Apostle Paul caught a mere glimpse of our Lord’s glorified condition and it nearly blinded him, so how could Moses and Elijah (both natural men) stand before the Lord?
Another problem here is that if we accept your suggestion that this is a real picture of a future event, and that all three of the characters are real then how are we to harmonize the fact that the disciples saw our Lord’s glorified condition when we were just told in that NO MAN HAS SEEN NOR CAN SEE our Lord in his true glorified condition?
No one (no human) has ever actually seen a spirit beings true form, no one knows exactly what they look like; now they’ve seen representations of them, they’ve seen spirit beings manifesting themselves in various forms, but they’ve never actually seen one as they actually are. Most especially, no one has ever seen a divine being. The Apostle Paul states: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)
This statement implies that not until we have experienced our resurrection change, until we have obtained his nature will we be able to truly see him as he is, therefore this vision could not be an actually reality, for none of the disciples who witness it had experienced their resurrection change.
“In the end we have the Lord's own words to prove that the incident here recorded was a "vision,"-- not a reality.
"And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, 'Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.'" --Matt. 17:9.
The import of this "vision" is also clearly indicated by the Apostle Peter. (2 Pet. 1:16-18.) He declares it to have been a "vision" of the coming glory of Christ's Kingdom, saying,
"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty; for he received from God the Father honor and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount."
“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 and Elias the spiritual or heavenly phase. Here in symbolic "vision" was represented the established Kingdom, referred to in verse 27.” (R1761)
