The Transfiguration..
Evening is drawing near as JESUS calls to His Side three of His Disciples; Peter, James, and John. Leading them across the fields, and far up a rugged path, to a lonely mountainside. The Saviour and His Disciples have spent the day in traveling and teaching. The mountain climb brings on their weariedness, for the four of them. The light of the setting sun still lingers on the mountaintop, and lightens their path. The sunslight dissolves as it furthers, over the western ridge. They are now accending in the darkened hues of the night. The disciples do not ask Christ where He is heading or to His Purpose, they just continue following.
The disciples were aware that JESUS spent every night, in hours, of solitude prayer. HE would recluse His Time to the hills or along a mountainside. So they thought, they would have this special time of prayer with their Teacher. Then, JESUS stops and tells them that they are not to go no farther. Stepping aside from them, The Man Of Sorrows pours out His Supplications with a strong crying out and tears. Praying; asking for Strength and Endurance in behalf of humanity. JESUS is pouring out His Heartfilled Prayers also, in behalf of His Disciples. Requesting that their faith will remain steadfast, during their hour of testing. The three join in sincere prayer at first, with JESUS’s Heavenly directing. But, the hours passing, and the gloominess of the night’s darkness. Adding to their day’s tiring efforts, they entered into a tired weariness. The Saviour seeing the disciples weakened state; trying to reassure them of His Purpose. HE also, shared His Sufferings Of Heart; hoping that would add determination to much needed prayer, from them. JESUS wanted them to receive this insighted revelation He had brought for them to encounter. Only these three, had been selected from The Master, the remainding nine of His Followers were back at the campsite. The Saviour wanted His Chosen to experience The Divinity; He Is; and to their witness and understanding; The Importance Of Christ’s Ministry; of Redemption. The Position which He upholds for humanity’s condition. This Revelation.. Is Heaven Doors being opened, allowing Peter, James and John to encounter This GODly Right; Letting them be shown His Majesty, from The Throne Of The ALMIGHTY.
JESUS prayer is heard. While He is bowed in the lowliness upon the stony ground, suddenly The Heavens open. The Golden Gates Of The City Of GOD are thrown opened wide. A Holy Radiance descends upon the mount; enshrouding The Saviour’s Form. Divinity within flashes through humanity; The Son Of GOD, meets The Glory coming from above Him. Arising from His Prostrate Position, He stands in Godlike Majesty. HIS Countenance shines ‘as the sun’. And His Garments are ‘white as the light’ from Heaven.
The disciples awakening, behold the flood of Glory that illuminates The Mount. In fear and amazement they gaze upon the radiant form of their Master. As they become able to endure the intensity of this brightness, their vision enables for them to see JESUS standing with two others, in the Heavenly surrounding light. These two are in close converse with The LORD. There stands Moses; who spoke with GOD on Sinai, and given The Ten Commandments. Elijah was beside them, given the high priveledge of being translated to Heaven, never to experience death. Moses upon The Mount Of Transfiguration, was a witness to Christ’s Victory over sin and death. He represented those who shall come forth from the grave at the resurrection of the just. Elijah, who had been translated to Heaven, without experiencing death to his body; represents those who will be still alive, living on earth at Christ’s Second Advent(Coming). Those who will be “changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump;” when “this mortal must put on immortality,” and “this corruptible must put on incorruption.” 1Corinthians 15:51-53. JESUS was clothed with The Light Of Heaven, as He will appear when He shall come “the second time without sin unto salvation.” For He shall come “In The Glory Of His FATHER with The Holy Angels.” Hebrews 9:28; Mark 8:38. The Saviour’s Promise to the disciples was now fulfilled. Upon this mount the future Kingdom Of Glory was represented in minature, There was Christ: The King; Moses, a representative of the risen saints; and Elijah of the translated ones.
The disciples did not comprehend the scene, but rejoiced that The Teacher: The Meek and lowly One, who had wandered to and fro as a helpless stranger, is honored by the favored ones of heaven. They believed that Elijah has come to announce The Messiah’s reign, and that The Kingdom of Christ is about to be set up upon the earth. Here, where The Glory is revealed, they long to tarry. Peter exclaims, “Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” The disciples thought that Moses and Elijah have come to protect and help establish Christ’s earthly kingdom. But, before the crown, comes the cross… Bearing the weakness of humanity and burdened with the sin of the world; the sorrow HE carried for mankind; JESUS walked alone. HE was misunderstood, feared, rejected, while HE carried HIS Cross, even before His crucifixion; HE endured the hostility of men. The world knew HIM not. Even HIS Loved Disciples, absorbed in their own doubt and sorrow and their ambitious hopes, had not comprehended Christ’s Mission. HE created the earth and the heavens and that HIS created human beings misunderstood and did not know HIM. JESUS walked in solitude. With Heaven sending Moses and Elijah; to encompass HIM, in sympathizing, to offer Heaven’s Support. These men were sent above The Holy Angels to commune with The Saviour’s Suffering and comfort Him. The hope of the world’s lost to The Salvation of The SON Of GOD and The SON of man.
When the disciples slept, they did not hear The Promises and Word of GOD through The Three. They slept through The Glory displayed that was to be received following Christ’s Suffering, upon the cross. They lost this Special Blessing from Heaven, to see of HIS Self-Sacrifice. Slow of heart to be receive; This Treasure that Heaven sought to enrich them. Yet, they did receive a great vision of beholding The Three, in The Brightness of Heaven. They were given a clearer insight into The Work of The Redeemer. They heard and saw things that were uncomprehend able from man’s ability. They were “eyewitnesses Of HIS Majesty” (2Peter 1:16) and realizing JESUS; as The True Messiah. That patriachs and prophets had witnessed, and that HE was recognized as such by The Heavenly Universe.
As the disciples were engaged in the scene before them; a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, “This is My Beloved SON, in whom I Am well pleased; hear ye HIM.” Almighty GOD spoke these words to the shakened disciples. They fell upon the ground. The Majesty of GOD speaking shook the mount, also. They remained prostrate, until JESUS came near and touched them. Their fears left with HIS reassuring Presence. “Arise and be not afraid.” Venturing to lift up their eyes, they saw that The Heavenly Glory had passed away. The forms of Moses and Elijah had disappeared. They now, were only three, in standing, with JESUS, upon the Mount. Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36.
Earth's Closing Hours 