What is the significance of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ?
Is it more than just a dramatic change in appearance?
One thing that strikes me about that event is that the disciples with Jesus recognized Moses and Elijah immediately. They couldn't have known what they looked like in this life, so I think that's pretty cool. :coolsmile:
I don't know, but the transfiguration gives me hope..
Quote from: LS on November 24, 2010, 02:02:31 AM
One thing that strikes me about that event is that the disciples with Jesus recognized Moses and Elijah immediately. They couldn't have known what they looked like in this life, so I think that's pretty cool. :coolsmile:
:cloud9: They saw the spiritual/heavenly pattern of the Ark of the Covenant standing before them, ie. the two cherubim on either side of Him (who it is given to sit at His right hand and at His left), just like the two on the Ark.
And so, knowing what they saw was in the Holy of Holies in pattern, and therefore the 3rd main feast in pattern also (Tabernacles), they responded as any Jewish man would, having rehearsed Elijah's return at the meal (they set a place for Elijah who is to come) ie. "Let us make 3 booths (tabernacles)". They didn't understand the full implications of what they'd seen yet, ie. His Kingdom is not of this world, it was sort of "dress rehearsal" for our benefit, the heirs of salvation in the end of the age. My :2c: Blessings....
Hi Cardinal,
That was a very good answer. :happy3: :thumbsup:
CHB
What did Moses see?
1 Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, 2 all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, 3 the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the LORD said to him, "This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it."
--Deut 34
Did Moses just see a whole lot of land? Or is time collapsed for him, and he sees the true meaning of the promise?
Is this event a mirror image of the transfiguration?
1And after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up onto a high mountain apart.
2And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.
3And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him.
--Mat 17
I am very sure that the vision was wonderfu and beautiful and perhaps Cardinal is correct in what she sees there, I have not thought about it that much as of yet, I have not been led there. But this I know those disciples had no spiritual idea what they were seeing and they did as is said as jewish men would do, they wanted to build something. These men were not even converted yet.
They each one still did not understand the parables that Jesus spoke, they each one would deny Him and run when Jesus was taken. Yes I believe it was a wonderful and beautiful site and they were amazed. But I doubt they say any spiritual significance. My :2c:
:cloud9: I personally think those of old were a lot more spiritually sophisicated than we give them credit for. That the Jews knew so much more from the texts in regards to coding, mathematics hidden in plain sight in the Word, sacred geometry, and other secrets, is all thru their writings.
Another reason I believe this, is that I know from personal experience, that when the Lord's Spirit manifests Himself in any fashion, revelation and understanding of the Word ALWAYS accompanies the experience. It can be no other way, because His Spirit IS Truth. So there is no way they didn't receive spiritual understanding of some degree with each experience the patriarchs had with Him.
Rabbis were not like some of our western "pastors" today; they were scholars who spent their whole lives studying the scriptures (with the benefit of knowing the original language), like it was their job, because it WAS. Not all of them were like the Pharisees and Saducees that had so deteriorated in heart motive by the time Jesus arrived on the scene.
So having said all this, I think Moses saw and knew more than was generally understood of him, for one, because he covered his face with a veil, and two, because he was discussing with Jesus the manner in which He should die. I believe he covered his face with a veil, because he didn't want them to know that the glory of the law was temporary. It would have been impossible for them to walk it out as a trust test of the heart motive, for generations, if they had been aware that it was not going to "save" them, and that the lesser glory of it was to be "done away with" when when the greater glory appeared. My :2c: Blessings....
Perhaps, but that for me is but speculation on your part. No disrepect intended.
As for "Another reason I believe this, is that I know from personal experience..." Cardnial, you have The Spirit as a guide and comforter now, Moses was in a different situation which was more literal than spiritual. And I believe Moses was more obedient than most today when God tell us to do something.
I believe at the time the announcement of Jesus by Gabriel there was alot of spiritual stuff going on but other than that I dont believe there was anyone led spiritually.
And remember we are led by the Spirit so we are given to see those things from back there.
My :2c:
:cloud9: None taken.....but don't forget Enoch walked with God, Noah was spoken to concerning a flood, Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord, Abraham heard God, Moses heard God, ect.......we should all be so "lucky" to be led by the Spirit to the degree they obviously were. My :2c: Blessings....
Quote from: MicahMoses was in a different situation which was more literal than spiritual.
Moses stood in the gap between man and God and talked face to face with God.
He was a shadow and type of the Melchizedek priesthood.
We all should be so blessed.
Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.--Ex 33:11
Quote from: CardinalI believe he covered his face with a veil, because he didn't want them to know that the glory of the law was temporary.
wow, yes! That's why it faded.
2 Corinthians 3:13
And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
...which vail is done away in Christ.
Now isnt that what I said when I wrote "Moses was in a different situation which was more literal than spiritual.?"
Moses radiated light that was obtained outwardly.
Quote from: Beloved Servant on November 28, 2010, 01:27:22 AM
Moses radiated light that was obtained outwardly.
yes! a reflected light.
As opposed to Jesus who radiated light like the sun.
Perfect Love.
No sunlight
No moonlight
No candlelight
Molly! Shine!
Was there not a Metamorphosis?
I venture to say that this day should be as significant as Christmas or Easter, perhaps even more so!
Will we experience the same thing?
Quote from: Beloved Servant on November 28, 2010, 03:40:48 AM
Molly! Shine!
Was there not a Metamorphosis?
Matthew 17:2
And was
transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
"transfigured"G3339
μεταμορφόω
metamorphoō
met-am-or-fo'-o
From G3326 and G3445; to transform (literally or figuratively
"metamorphose"): - change, transfigure, transform.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world [AION]: but be ye
transformed [metamorphoo] by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
What do you "think" "imagine" Peter, James, and John took away from their experience, before Jesus went to the cross?
As I have said, it must have been and I am sure it was a breath taking sight, so was the walking on the water, calming the sea, raising Lazurus, healing the sick, feeding the thousands....but what did the disciples take away from the transfiguration or any of the other miricals, I say just about the same as they took away from Jesus" parables. And let me say I am not making small those things that the disciples saw, even Judas was a witness of, they were not significant to them at the time certainly not as the Lord through His Holy Spirit is revealing to the saints To Day.
I still am being giving to study the opening post.
Peace Through His Love
I just read this from Elwin Roach: http://www.godfire.net/transfiguration.html
Molly, you might like it. It touches on something you mentioned earlier.
The Transfiguration was a vision... Mat 17:9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."
Joh 3:13 "No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.
Look for the meaning of the vision, as one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven!
Paul
Quote from: Beloved Servant on November 29, 2010, 03:26:05 AM
I just read this from Elwin Roach: http://www.godfire.net/transfiguration.html
Molly, you might like it. It touches on something you mentioned earlier.
Thank you Beloved! I liked this part
JESUS UTTERLY DESTROYED that great kingdom wherein Adam walked in utter failure. He destroyed it by swallowing it up in the brilliant
Light and Life of Himself. It was a grand display of Life over death, and the power to do so was by the
joining of the Word and the Spirit. Moses and Elijah were seen talking with Him! Moses and Elijah came together. Word and Spirit merged. Substance and Life met and sparked a mighty change.
Your life can be transformed from godlessness to godliness by the renewing of your minds; but to be transfigured --
it takes the fusion of Word and Spirit in the man! (The Transfiguration...Elwin Roach)
:cloud9: I think some have the idea that a vision means it's not "real". It's actually a suspension of what is considered reality around us, to reveal what is the true reality. That it was real to the disciples, is evidenced by their desire to build THREE booths, not one. My :2c: Blessings....
The Word and the Spirit--that's what my man Adam had in Paradise when he 'heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. [Gen 3:8]
He hears the voice [the Word] ^walking^ in Paradise-- in the
"cool"
H7307
רוּח
rûach
roo'-akh
From H7306; wind; by resemblance breath, that is, a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions): - air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit ([-ual]), tempest, X vain, ([whirl-]) wind (-y).
of the day
The Word walking in the Spirit of the tree of life.
I see men as trees walking.
Give us this day our daily bread that we might be transformed by the daily renewing of our minds. Amen.
Yes, the Word and the Spirit joined together bring transformation. That's just how it is when we read the Bible. Without the spirit to quicken the words they are just dead letters.
Something occurred to me last night as I read the same story again for the umpteenth time.
The creation of Adam was twofold.
First, God created Adam as spirit and then the Lord God formed the physical body of Adam from the dust of the earth.
It was when God breathed the spiritual Adam into the physical Adam that Adam became a a living "soul."
Quote from: Cardinal on November 29, 2010, 07:04:21 AM
:cloud9: I think some have the idea that a vision means it's not "real". It's actually a suspension of what is considered reality around us, to reveal what is the true reality. That it was real to the disciples, is evidenced by their desire to build THREE booths, not one. My :2c: Blessings....
Other than them wanting to do the religious thing and build monuments, what effect did it have on the three, Peter, James and John? A vision is not real, but a vision can become real. I believe the three were "some of those standing here." And that vision was for their work after they were converted.
Luk 9:27 Now I am saying to you, truly there are
some of those standing here who under no circumstances should be tasting death till they should be perceiving the kingdom of God."
Mar 9:1 And He said to them, "Verily, I am saying to you that there are
some of those standing here who under no circumstances should be tasting death till they should be perceiving the kingdom of God having come in power."
Mat 16:27 Verily I am saying to you that there are
some of those standing here who under no circumstances should be tasting death till they should be perceiving the Son of Mankind coming in His kingdom."
Quote from: Cardinal on November 24, 2010, 05:28:18 AM
:cloud9: They saw the spiritual/heavenly pattern of the Ark of the Covenant standing before them, ie. the two cherubim on either side of Him (who it is given to sit at His right hand and at His left), just like the two on the Ark.
And so, knowing what they saw was in the Holy of Holies in pattern, and therefore the 3rd main feast in pattern also (Tabernacles), they responded as any Jewish man would, having rehearsed Elijah's return at the meal (they set a place for Elijah who is to come) ie. "Let us make 3 booths (tabernacles)". They didn't understand the full implications of what they'd seen yet, ie. His Kingdom is not of this world, it was sort of "dress rehearsal" for our benefit, the heirs of salvation in the end of the age. My :2c: Blessings....
That's the best explanation I've ever heard about the transfiguration.. I never knew about "they set a place for Elijah who was to come".. and have always sensed what you wrote about a "dress rehearsal" (a sort of seeing into eternity) but never had the words for it! :thumbsup:
:cloud9: The Orthodox Jews STILL set a place at the meal for Elijah, to this day......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCunuL58odQ
An ancillary point made by Jesus' metamorphosis prior to death, resurrection and acension is that significant events in the plan of God are not bound to happen according to some prearranged order we assume to be right. This is the repeated and glaring mistake of dispensationalism. "This happens, then that, followed in turn by some other thing promised," or so they assure us. Yet often there is nothing in the word that presents their chronology of what they call "end times" events. I've experienced things that pertain, at least in fortaste, to the Feast of Tabernacles. Because it is in God doesn't mean it's here yet. I suspect that these increase in number and intensity as we approach the threshold of entry into the change of being born physically of God. Perhaps it becomes the habit of our "in Christ" nature as we walk with God.
"Peace Follows Each New Transition" (Is the title of a song by Bobby and Charlotte Torango at The House of the Lord.) It's on the list on CD2 http://www.thehouseofthelord.com/Music_Ministry_CD2.htm (http://www.thehouseofthelord.com/Music_Ministry_CD2.htm)l
These are precious saints who have held forth the "all" message for many years. Here, on CD3 is, "We'll Sing, Dance and Tell" http://www.thehouseofthelord.com/Music_Ministry_CD3.html (http://www.thehouseofthelord.com/Music_Ministry_CD3.html)
Here's one I like: "Come Into This Place Ascension" It's on CD3 http://www.thehouseofthelord.com/Music_Ministry_CD3.html
(http://www.thehouseofthelord.com/Music_Ministry_CD3.html)
CD4 "This Ministry Came Out Of Hell, My Friend"
The thing that many people who're just going on hearsay believe to be "the (2nd) coming" is of a Jesus basically like the one Who walked on the shores of Galilee: Adamic and still made of mud. What I believe will happen is more like Jesus' Transfiguration. This is only one of the sort things we are to be anticipating as we cross over into the Millennial Age.
You really are supposed to glow in the dark!
Quote from: ReformerWhat I believe will happen is more like Jesus' Transfiguration. This is only one of the sort things we are to be anticipating as we cross over into the Millennial Age.
You really are supposed to glow in the dark!
Yes!
Matthew 24:27
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."lightning"G796
ἀστραπή
astrapēas-trap-ay'
From G797; lightning; by analogy glare: - lightning,
bright shining.
G 797
ἀστράπτω
astraptōas-trap'-to
Probably from G792;
to flash as lightning: - lighten,
shine.
:cloud9: @ Reformer......I can't add enough AMEN'S....... :2thumbs:
I do know what you mean and that's true too, ie. manifested fully for the world to see, yet the Feast of Tabernacles has always "been here"; it's like a room in a great house, whose door we were not allowed to open until the time apppointed of the Father, each man in his own order. Blessings.....
Feast of Tabernacles, Wedding Supper of the Lamb, the heavenly Jerusalem "coming down out of the heavens", the overcomers "ascending in the cloud".......
Ahhh! The glory of the Lord is ours! His beauty has been shed abroad for those who'll drink it!
The Spirit and the Bride say "Come! Drink Freely of the Water of Life"
Manna- "What is it?"
Spirit- "This is That!"
Manna feeds us and makes us thirsty
Spirit flows from the rock and gives us life- fruit of the Spirit, healing for the nations, God as the all in all.
:cloud9: AMEN :thumbsup: