Why are Moses & Elijah at the transfiguration?

[Wrangler]

It is the LORD God Almighty who purchased His own church with His own blood.


Two witnesses are enough even though there are a thousand I can recite - however evident it is you refuse to believe them.
Truly it is said, He came unto His own, but His own received Him not!

Like theefaith, you quote irrelevant Scripture that does not support your doctrine in the least. Let me ask you this; is there a doctrinal purity test requirement to gain entrance to heaven?

 

[Wrangler]

Wow! Both barrels! Why?

Where did @Wrangler say Christ was afraid? or Doubting? Where does Wrangler say Jesus was "full of doubt and sin"?

"our Saviour is not a pathetic, confused and terrified man to be pitied and coddled by Moses."

That's not what he said.

The reasons why is he cannot help but reveal the Spirit in him is from the Adversary.

I love that Jesus was a man who God so loved that he resurrected him in a glorified body. Biblical stories that reveal his human weakness and limits make him relatable to me - and all the more lovable.

The OP is a question I've had for a long time also; why those 2 prophets? It's an interesting event. Why turn this into a trinity debate is obviously because he has an axe to grind.

 

[marks]

Yes, I could name many too - anyone who spoke with God in a visible form.

But not being glorified, in a bright cloud =]

Aren't you just speculating that about Elijah though? It says he was taken up in a whirlwind, but that's all.

Much love!

 

[DPMartin]

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. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”
(Matthew 17:1-9)


Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” — because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant.
(Mark 9:2-10)


Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then it happened, as they 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.
While he was saying this, 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!” When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
(Luke 9:28-36)
​

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obvious question:
why Moses & Elijah, specifically?
why not anyone else, and why these two in particular?
the omniscient God of all things, perfect in all His ways, chose exactly these two to appear with The Son at this event: why?

that's a good question if i may.

been looking at that also

these may be related

when the Lord visited Abraham with two escorts, in the flesh mind you, Abraham did feed the Lord and He ate. you know, when the Lord told him about Sara's coming child and then the Lord went to see about Sodom and Gomorrah. note also that the two escorts came to Sodom, or was it Gomorrah, to retrieve Lot and family then destroyed the place. i do believe fire and brimstone came down from heaven.

a little side note here this is where Abraham saw and knew the coming of Jesus.


so next Moses shows up and is entrusted in amazing ways by the Lord God of Israel. also note that Moses in all his difficulties with the people never asked the Lord once to destroy them. anytime the Lord would express His displeasure with the people Moses would plead for Mercy and that they may find Grace. it may be also note worthy here to remember i do believe its Peter who states something to the effect that angels don't accuse man before God.
in the book of Enoch they plead for God's mercy continually before the throne.


then Elijah shows up who raises the dead makes fire come out of the sky and stops rain amongst many other things only of the Lord God.


now we have the transfiguration this revelation that was shown to Abraham, or so much the same it can't be a coincidence. and then we go to the two guys that torment the world with the same capabilities as Moses and Elijah that die in the street and the rise up the third day in the book of revelations.

you can bet at the throne to the right and two the left its Moses and Elijah.

just food for thought on that

 

[post]

irrelevant Scripture

Titus 2:13
looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ

 

[post]

Aren't you just speculating that about Elijah though? It says he was taken up in a whirlwind, but that's all.

Much love!

Yes, that's the weakest part of my argument
Wise of you to see it =]

 

[marks]

Titus 2:13
looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ

My wife and I were reading this passage just this morning, and it occurred to me . . .

Some point to the "Granville-Sharp" rule, that this passage shows that Jesus is God. Some say it does not always apply and not in this instance.

What occurred to me was this . . . The Father will not be appearing. This does not speak of the Father. It speaks of the Son, Who WILL appear. Our Great God!

Much love!

 

[post]

you can bet at the throne to the right and two the left its Moses and Elijah.

That's really interesting; I hadn't made that connection..

Mark 10:40
to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but [it is for those] for whom it is prepared.

seem to be a few loud people in this forum who would do well to notice Who is seated and glorified in the center, on His throne, in His kingdom

 

[post]

Some point to the "Granville-Sharp" rule, that this passage shows that Jesus is God. Some say it does not always apply and not in this instance.

There's a reason it's called a "rule"

 

[post]

What occurred to me was this . . . The Father will not be appearing. This does not speak of the Father. It speaks of the Son, Who WILL appear. Our Great God!

John 14:6-9
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"

The visible image of the invisible God, God manifest in the flesh - the mystery of godliness.

Who can think themselves 'godly' and deny it?

And this is what's revealed to Peter James and John on that mountain, the LORD who is in the midst of that bright cloud of glory that accompanies us in this wilderness, with witnesses who testify of Him =]

 

[marks]

John 14:6-9
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"

The visible image of the invisible God, God manifest in the flesh - the mystery of godliness.

Who can think themselves 'godly' and deny it?

And this is what's revealed to Peter James and John on that mountain, the LORD who is in the midst of that bright cloud of glory that accompanies us in this wilderness, with witnesses who testify of Him =]

Something else Moses has in common with Elijah, both were fed in the wilderness, Moses with Manna, and Elijah by the ravens.

Both called on God to perform notable miracles in defending themselves. Moses at the rebellion of Korah, and Elijah calling fire from heaven on the captains and their 50's.

Much love!

 

[post]

Something else Moses has in common with Elijah, both were fed in the wilderness, Moses with Manna, and Elijah by the ravens.

Both called on God to perform notable miracles in defending themselves. Moses at the rebellion of Korah, and Elijah calling fire from heaven on the captains and their 50's.

Much love!

i believe the both sought to die, too -- we know when Elijah did, and when Moses struck the rock twice. that wasn't an accident, it was something Moses & Aaron premeditated, and that God called 'unbelief' -- i think their plan was that either God would strike them dead or the people would kill them.

 

[Enoch111]

i believe the both sought to die, too -- we know when Elijah did, and when Moses struck the rock twice. that wasn't an accident, it was something Moses & Aaron premeditated, and that God called 'unbelief' -- i think their plan was that either God would strike them dead or the people would kill them.

This would be stretching it. Moses was simply very angry, and his anger got the better of him.

 

[post]

This would be stretching it. Moses was simply very angry, and his anger got the better of him.

God calls it unbelief ((Numbers 20:12)) and implicates both Aaron & Moses. Aaron did die as a result of this, which God also calls rebelling against Him ((Numbers 20:24))
this is indicative of premeditation, not momentarily losing his temper. Aaron was in on it. it was a plan.
what is it they did not believe?

i agree he is clearly very angry when he does this, but i do not think Moses was stupid neither was Aaron; he knew what he was doing and because God calls out both of them for doing this, there is is the implication that they had certain expectations about what the result would be.
do you think what they expected to happen, happened? did they expect God to give water when Moses spoke to the people & struck the rock, instead of speaking to the rock?

worth another thread, but i don't mind talking about it here

 

[marks]

i believe the both sought to die, too -- we know when Elijah did, and when Moses struck the rock twice. that wasn't an accident, it was something Moses & Aaron premeditated, and that God called 'unbelief' -- i think their plan was that either God would strike them dead or the people would kill them.

They both spoke with God on Mount Horeb. Was it a reunion?

Much love!

 

[marks]

God calls it unbelief ((Numbers 20:12)) and implicates both Aaron & Moses. Aaron did die as a result of this, which God also calls rebelling against Him ((Numbers 20:24))
this is indicative of premeditation, not momentarily losing his temper. Aaron was in on it. it was a plan.
what is it they did not believe?

i agree he is clearly very angry when he does this, but i do not think Moses was stupid neither was Aaron; he knew what he was doing and because God calls out both of them for doing this, there is is the implication that they had certain expectations about what the result would be.
do you think what they expected to happen, happened? did they expect God to give water when Moses spoke to the people & struck the rock, instead of speaking to the rock?

worth another thread, but i don't mind talking about it here

Here or there. I want to think about this a bit. You make some good points here.

That's a very good question, what did Moses expect to happen?

I've pretty much thought of this incident as a spur of the moment lapse.

Much love!

 

[DPMartin]

seem to be a few loud people in this forum who would do well to notice Who is seated and glorified in the center, on His throne, in His kingdom

though you maybe correct, this is the way it is, and why the churches are the way they are.

 

[post]

do you think what they expected to happen, happened? did they expect God to give water when Moses spoke to the people & struck the rock, instead of speaking to the rock?

I think it's clear from scripture that Moses and Aaron conspired to disobey God by striking the rock twice. And I think that because God called their disobedience unbelief, what took place was not what they believed would take place. They had certain beliefs at this time about this event that were wrong beliefs.
So what were they expecting, that by rebelling against God, God would show mercy anyway and give water? And what happens if they don't produce water, what would the people do? And if the people rise up just like they had just a short time earlier against them, and they were themselves in rebellion against God's commands, did they expect God to save them?
So do Moses and Aaron expect to live through this?

 

[post]

though you maybe correct, this is the way it is, and why the churches are the way they are.

Just as it was prophesied, a great falling away =[

 

[post]

is there a doctrinal purity test requirement to gain entrance to heaven?

if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins
(John 8:24)​

you tell me: according to He Himself, can you openly reject Christ and expect Him to welcome you?
does it matter what you believe? will you escape damnation simply by agreeing that God is pretty nice?
doesn't He say something about 'I never knew you' to many who do good works in His name?
if you put your trust in a mere man will it avail you anything?