The Messiah's Secret - Transfiguration Kept a Secret

Mount Tabor

James, John and Peter were asked by Jesus to keep his meeting with Moses and Elijah a secret, until after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
I wondered what would have happened if the disciples had told the leaders and people about this meeting before Jesus’ death and resurrection. If the people had heard from the disciples that Jesus was seen with Elijah, it may have satisfied the people that Elijah had heralded and revealed the Messiah. However, it would have caused a real problem for Jesus, because he knew he had to die on a cross and on the third day be raised from the dead.

Also the people would probably have put an even greater demand on Jesus to make him their King which would have been insurrection, an illegal uprising.
We read of instances were the people wanted to make Jesus their King: On the first occasions; "Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew himself from the people because they wanted to make him their king. John 6: 15
The second was the triumphant entry into Jerusalem verse 36, ” When Jesus had said this, he departed and hid himself from them.” John 12 : 12-36

James, John and Peter did not tell anyone about the Transfiguration until after Jesus was risen from the dead.

"Trust and obey for there is no other way" This hymn reminds us that we can trust that the Lord knows our situations and he has prepared the way before us. We might look at the options but it is always best to obey the Lord.

In our reading as they came down the mountain James, John and Peter questioned Jesus about Elijah, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?”
Jesus pointed out that Elijah had already come and he had been treated with contempt as it was written about him.

The similarity between Elijah and John the Baptist’s ministry.
Elijah was known as the troubler of Israel. 1 Kings 18: 17
Elijah spoke out against King Ahab and Queen Jezebel’s idolatry. The King and Queen of Israel supported the prophets of Baal the Canaanite god and they killed the prophets of the God of Israel. Elijah challenged Ahab to see whose god would consume the sacrifice with fire. He built his altar and the prophets of Baal built theirs. But it was Elijah’s altar and sacrifice that was consumed by fire. Afterwards he slew the prophets of Baal. The reaction from Jezebel she intended to take her revenge by having Elijah killed. Elijah’s response to hearing this he fled to Beersheba.
Later we read that Elijah anointed Elisha as his successor. Elijah and Elisha walked crossed over the Jordan and whilst walking along the banks of the river a sudden whirlwind caught Elijah and he was taken up into heaven.2 Kings 2:8-12

John the Baptist troubled King Herod
John the Baptist spoke out against King Herod marrying his brother Philips’ wife Herodias as it was against the Law of Moses. Herod was so annoyed he had John arrested and put him in prison. Sometime later Herod held a banquet for his birthday. During the evening Herodias’ daughter danced before Herod and his guests he was so pleased that he offered to give her anything she wanted. After he said this she consulted with her mother and asked for John’s head to be brought to her on a platter. Herod was put in the position of upholding his promise to her so he reluctantly obliged. Matthew 14: 1-10

Elijah and John the Baptist were steadfast in their walk with God.

Jesus troubled the Jews
The high priest asked Jesus at his trial, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, ”I am; and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Mark 15: 61,62. They all condemned him as deserving death.
“The Messiah’s Secret.” page 83
“As the people watched Jesus dying on the cross someone shouted,’Lets see if Elijah will come and take him down.’ Mark 15: 36. They expected Elijah to come at the Passover, he was to come and announce the Messiah’s arrival. The man who shouted wanted to see if Elijah would come and rescue Jesus before he died and proclaim him as the Messiah, then they would believe in him. “Come down from the cross and we will believe in him,” said the chief priests, scribes and elders.”
“At the Passover table a place is set for Elijah, the herald of the Messiah, and he would announce that the Messiah had at last come. For the rabbis say the Messiah is most likely to come on the night of the Passover, so the traditional cup and an empty chair awaits him.”
The man was no doubt disappointed as Elijah did not appear.
The peoples expectation of Elijah coming in person was very great. Jesus had told them that John the Baptist ministered in the spirit and power of Elijah. Matthew 11: 14. Luke 1:17.

At Jesus’ trial he said, “You will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Jesus has promised that he will come again, the first occasion is when he will call out his body of believers, the church.

Jesus having this expectation in himself of his coming, this expectation is in us, because Christ is in us.
This hope of Jesus’ coming is born in us through Jesus’ own desire to come from heaven and call out his church.

This reminds us of were Paul expounds Jesus' coming his calling out of the church: 'Those who have died in faith will be raised up to meet Jesus in the air and those who are alive will be taken up from the earth so together we shall meet the Lord in the air'. I see John the Baptist representing those who have died in faith and Elijah representing those taken up from the earth. 1 Thessalonians 4: 15,16.
in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he has given to us further understanding of this meeting in the air, “I tell you a mystery, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed in a moment. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15: 51-53.

God is able to do what seems impossible to us, to change our human bodies, to a body that will continue for ever.

When I was a girl I enjoyed watching the wild life in a nearby pond.
The Pond


The life cycle of a Dragonfly.
The dragonfly lays its eggs on the stems of grasses that grow around the edge of the pond. The eggs drop off the stem into the water where they hatch. The ‘nymph’ eat small fishes, tad poles and other creatures that reside in the pond. They live totally in the water they do not breath air and they know nothing of the world outside the pond.
They live in the pond between 1 and 3 years until a change begins in their bodies as they develop wings. Eventually they reach the stage were they climb up a plant stem and as they approach the surface, they breathe air for the first time and their wings are released. Then the moment arrives they fly away from the pond into a new world and a new life.


Just like the dragonfly I firmly believe that our creator God is able to change our bodies from being mortal bodies into immortal bodies.
We are born into this world knowing only about God our creator. It is when we hear and receive the good news about Jesus that the reality of knowing God transforms our inner being and unites us to the kingdom of our God and Saviour.

This life cycle also explains the resurrection.
The egg representing a person who hears and receives the good news about Jesus.
The water representing the hidden depths of our sinful lives and were Jesus forgives us and frees us from all unrighteousness. After confessing our sin to God, our sin is dealt with by Jesus as he bore our sin upon the cross, we are crucified with Christ.
The rising to new life represents were we are raised up and translated into Christ's kingdom. Colossians 1: 13.

Booths
At the Transfiguration why did Peter suggest making three booths one for Moses, one for Elijah and one for Jesus?
Was it to commemorate the meeting between the three of them? Or was it prophetic of a booth called the church that Peter would help to build along with the other Apostles and early followers.

Booths
Jacob made peace with his brother Esau afterwards Jacob and his family journeyed to Succoth and there he built himself a house, and made booths for his cattle.
The Jews commemorate this event with Succoth - The Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. Lev 23: 40-44

Succoth – The Feast of Tabernacles or Booths
This feast also commemorates the Booths the Israelites constructed and lived in on their wilderness journey to the Promised Land.
"It takes place in the autumn in September or early October and for seven days the Jewish people live in Booths made up of leafy branches, and branches of willow and palm. During that week at certain times in their services they rejoice waving their ‘Lulav’ thanking God for his provision of shelter for the Israelites on their journey. “The Lulav consists of a palm branch, myrtle and willow tied together by a golden thread. They also celebrate the harvest and take with them a citrus fruit symbolic of the fruit of the Promised Land”. “Feasts of Israel” by Victor Buksbazen

The word “Booth” had a double meaning: a structure made up of leafy branches, palm and willow and a tabernacle - A tent made of animal skins and later Solomon constructed a tabernacle made of stone.
Moses was given the pattern to make the tabernacle in the wilderness.
“And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst, According to all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” Exodus 25: 8, 9.
“On the day the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of testimony; and at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning.” Numbers 9: 15 – 23.

The prophetic message of ‘Succoth – The Feast of Tabernacles or Booths’ that there is shelter in the tabernacle of God under the wings of the God’s glory, for the Jew first, and also the Gentile.

Prophesy relating to the coming of the Messiah
“In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old. That they might possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name, “says the Lord who does this.”” Amos 9: 11, 12.

The Booth that Peter would help build was Christ’s Church.
Jesus said to Peter, “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church.” Matthew 16: 18
The Booth or Tabernacle of David is no longer a shelter made of leafy branches or a building made of animal skin or stone, but in a person Jesus Christ.

From my studies Peter was the first leader of the church at Jerusalem. He had been chosen by Jesus to shepherd the early church, “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time Jesus said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter said to him, “Lord; you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” John 21: 15-17.
Jesus gave to Peter the keys of the kingdom. Peter using one key opened the door of the kingdom to the Jews at Pentecost and used the second key to open the door of the kingdom to the Gentiles, when he visited the Centurion Cornelius and his family with the good news about Jesus. Acts 2: 14, 22, 29, 36. 10:1, 34,35. 11: 19.

James the Lord’s brother was the second leader of the early church.
"The letter of James is traditionally identified as James the Lord’s brother. (Matthew 13. 55; Mark 6. 3) The brothers of Jesus did not believe in him during his ministry (Mark 3.21, 33-35; John 7. 3-9) after the ascension, however, the brothers of Jesus are found with the Jerusalem church (Acts1.14) and Paul speaks of the appearance of the risen Lord to James (1 Corinthians 15.7) who became leader in the Jerusalem church. (Acts 12.17; 15.13; 21.18; Galatians 1.19; 2.9, 12)". Notes taken from Eyre & Spottiswoode Study Bible Revised Standard Version.

James quoted Amos prophecy at the Jerusalem Conference
The Apostles, Elders and followers had gathered at Jerusalem to discuss the question about the Gentiles coming to faith. James reminded the assembly, “Brethren listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written, “After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up, that the rest of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, Say the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.” Acts 15: 13-18

The temple with its tabernacle was still in place when James and Simeon quoted from the book of Amos. James implied that the ruins were not a building, but the re-establishing of the throne and kingdom of the Davidic line in Jesus the Messiah, Also that the Gentile who accepts the Messiah would enter into the kingdom.

Christ's body, the church, embraces and shelters all who believe in Jesus, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave or free, there is neither male or female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3: 28


Our bodies are temporal just like the booths.
When I write a letter I place it in an envelope,write on the address and put a stamp on it and post it believing that it will arrive in due course to its destination. The envelope is the means of containing the letter which is the important part. When the letter is received I expect the envelope to be disregarded and disposed of.

The envelope is like our bodies and the letter is like the soul/spirit of the person contained within our bodies, this is the most important part of us. When we die it is like the letter being taken out of the envelope and kept, so our soul is kept in heaven. Our bodies return to dust, but I believe that when the calls out his church, those Christians who have died their dust will be gathered and will have their resurrected immortal body, and together with those who are alive will meet the Lord in the air.
Even though I do not fully understand, I do not put limits to what our Lord God can do.

The Messiah’s Secret – Morning Star "Christ in you" Part 7

The Transfiguration
“And after six days Jesus took with him James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them and his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of man should have risen from the dead.” Mark 9: 2-9

This account of 'The Transfiguration' Mark's source coming from James, John or Peter. The Transfiguration was kept a secret until after Jesus’ resurrection. These three disciples saw a glimpse of the kingdom of God that day on the mountain, seeing Jesus speaking to Moses and Elijah.

Peter being an eye witness referred to the transfiguration in his second letter. In it he gives us further observations that are both natural and theological in content.
Peter wrote of the majesty of Jesus. He must have noticed the manner in which Jesus spoke to Elijah and Moses; his gracious demeanour.
I’ve noticed our Queen as she makes her way through a crowd of well wishers, she is so gracious and carries authority of her regal office were ever she goes.

Peter also noticed that Jesus received honour and glory from his Father God by being recognised as his Son, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
In reference to God, Peter used the words ‘Majestic Glory.’ The sovereignty of God, the kingly greatness of the Lord of all creation.

Peter went on to say making a theological point, “Jesus is the prophetic word made sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place.” The testimony of King David “The word a lamp to my feet, a light to my path.” 2 Peter 1: 16-19. Psalm 119: 105.

Peter was referring to the lampstand that lit the room called the Holy Place this room was next to ‘The Most Holy Place’ or also known as ‘The Holy of Holies’. It was a room with no natural light, the priests worked in there making the shrewbread, tended the altar of incense and filled the lampstand with olive oil, its’ seven lamps were kept lit, never to go out.

 

I purchased this miniature brass lampstand from the Jewish Museum in Manchester, England.

The lamp gave artificial light, but its symbolism refers to Jesus Christ ‘The light of the world.’

The lampstand had no joints or sections; it was made out of a single block of pure gold. It was beaten, hammered into shape. It had six branches going out of its sides, three branches on one side and three on the other.
These branches had flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms on them. On the shaft were four cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms. One bud was under the first pair of branches going out from the lampstand. A second bud under the second pair and a third bud under the third pair. The buds and the branches were all of one piece with the lampstand, in total there were seven lamps that made up the lampstand. Exodus 37: 17-23

The whole Lampstand – Jesus, the light of the world.
The gold from the earth, beaten into shape from one block. Jesus coming from heaven contained in his body the church. In Christ before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1: 4.

The composition of the Lampstand.
The Base - Jesus the source of our eternal life.
The shaft - bearing the branches as it serves the branches with the oil. Jesus is all in all, strengthening and caring for his family of believers.
The branches - the church enlightened by the Word, individually members of one another
The oil - filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Below some scriptures about the light of Christ.

”To give the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4: 6.

“Having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1: 18.

The seven churches in Revelation are described as being seven lampstands. Revelation 1: 20.
The church embraces the whole light of Christ. This light is able to penetrate the darkest of sinful lives, as a result enabling a person to have the opportunity to enter into the light, the knowledge of Jesus and his forgiveness and love and to know the power of his resurrection that transforms lives from the darkness of a living death, a tomb or a tunnel, or a pit of sludge or being stranded like a beached whale. Jesus saves us, rescues us, loves us and calls us his own.

We are the branches of the Lampstand
The Light of Christ in You
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory shall be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah: 60: 1-3

The Morning Star
“I Jesus have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star. Rev 22: 16.
We see the stars shining brightly in the heavens, the stars are an emblem of a lofty position. Rev 2: 28
Jesus’ brightness like that of a morning star. This star shines brightly as the sun rises at dawn. Peter wrote, “Until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your heart.” 2 Peter 1: 19

The presence of God is within every believer in Jesus Christ.
The dawning in a person’s heart of the knowledge of the truth about Jesus is just amazing the presence of the Lord inwardly becomes real, not just to ourselves but to others as the light of Jesus is visibly seen in us.
I’ve seen the light of Christ shining in Christians on a number of occasions: In my twenties I saw the light of Christ in a young man who today would be described as having learning difficulties. It was lunch time and my sister and I were passing through a room where this young man was sat reading. We asked him what he was reading. He looked up and said that he was reading his Bible and began to quote from what he was reading; as soon as he spoke I saw his face was glowing in the light of Christ.
On another occasion a lady came to my market stall as we conversed she told me that she was a Christian as soon as she started to tell me this her face shone with the light of Christ.
I’ve also seen the light on a line of scripture in my Bible, some time ago.
On another occasion I was at a church function the room well lit and full of people. I happened to look across the room and saw around the head of the late Rev Ron Freeman, a halo around his head and in the light the word ‘love.’ I realised that others have seen the halo of light around the heads of Christians; many of the pictures of people painted on stained glass windows have the halo around the heads of them.

 

The light of the perfect day approaching.
When I thought about these two men talking with Jesus. Moses died in old age and Elijah was translated into heaven taken up by the whirlwind by the banks of the Jordon River. When Jesus calls out his body of believers Paul tells that those who have died in faith will be raised up to meet Jesus in the air and those who are alive will be taken up from the earth so together we shall meet the Lord in the air. I see Moses representing those who have died in faith and Elijah representing those taken up from the earth to meet the Lord.

Jesus having this expectation in himself of his coming, this expectation is in us, because Christ is in us.
This hope of Jesus’ coming is born in us through Jesus’ own desire to come from heaven and call out his church.

After Jesus has called out his church.
Elijah and Moses.
James, John and Peter seeing Moses and Elijah together with Jesus, is it possible that they will be the two witnesses identified by John in Revelation. The signs that were done by Elijah and Moses in their life time are performed by the two witnesses in Revelation 11?

Two Jewish men in the power and Spirit of Elijah and Moses.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum “Footsteps of the Messiah” suggests that these two witnesses will probably be two Jewish men whom God raises up at the beginning of the tribulation. He also writes; "The scripture clearly teach that Elijah is to return before the tribulation. But there is no scriptural warrant to make Elijah one of the two witnesses." Page 159
These men empowered by the Lord to perform signs similar to that of Moses and Elijah.

The Two Witnesses witness during the first part of the tribulation
In the last book of the New Testament ‘Revelation’ the Apostle John wrote about the two witnesses; two olive trees and two lampstands.
The produce of the olive trees provided oil for the lampstands.
The two witnesses empowered by the Holy Spirit will give testimony to Jesus and prophecy for 1,260 days.
They have the power for: fire to pour from their mouths and consume their foes, to with hold rain from the earth during the time of their prophesying and they have the power over the waters to turn them into blood and to smite the earth with plagues.

Elijah brought fire from heaven and consumed his foes and his prayer held back the rain.

“Elijah the Tishbite in Gilead said to King Ahab, “As the Lord the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years except by my word.” 1 Kings 17: 1.
“After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.” 1 Kings 18: 1.

Moses
Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and asked him to let the Hebrew people leave Egypt, but Pharaoh refused to let them leave. Moses holding the rod struck the Nile and its water’s turned into blood. Exodus 7: 20

Elijah was called ’the troubler of Israel’ as he spoke out against the idolatry of Israel.
In Revelation chapter eleven after the prophesied death of the two witnesses by the antichrist. Their bodies will be left on the street as a gesture of defiance by those spoken out against because of their sinful lives by the two witnesses; they will rejoice and celebrate by giving each other presents.
Their rejoicing will be short lived as God resurrects the two witnesses and they ascend into heaven.

Christians from the Tribulation gathered before the throne of Jesus
“After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands . . . . . Then one of the elders addressed me saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and whence have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.” Revelation 7: 9-17
The two witnesses bring forth a multitude of believers through their faithful witness. The palm branches held by the tribulation saints are in connection with “The Feast of tabernacles or Booths”

Assurance from the words of scripture.
The Lord has given us the light of his word that his church for today, that we will not enter into the Tribulation. “Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thessalonians 1: 10.

Let us rejoice in the hope that we have and pray for those who do not yet have this peace and assurance. Lord, may our witness today bring people to faith in Jesus. Amen