> General Discussions

Man's spirit at Death

<< < (3/3)

Kat:

Hi largeli,

I think the reason for the appearance of Moses and Elijah in the vision was to symbolize the law and the prophets. Moses and Elijah embody and represent two aspects of the Jewish religion that God was working through up to the time of Jesus' earthly life. The Law of God spans the entire OT, so too does the role of the prophets, whose purpose was to provide a witness and a warning at critical times. Jesus Christ united in Himself those two aspects, as He himself said.

Mat 5:17  "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

Another reason why those two great prophets of the OT were present at His transfiguration was to testified about Jesus Christ. God who had just prior to this revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ of God.

Mat 16:16  Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
v.17  Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

But now being overwhelmed by this spectacular vision Peter misspoke/misunderstood, "did not know what to say" (Mark 9:6), and "as they (Elijah and Moses) were departing" (Luke 9:33) Peter quickly suggested they could build a place for Elijah, Moses and Jesus (right along with them), so all 3 could stay there. Peter appeared to be honoring Moses and Elijah equally with Jesus. God immediately boomed His answer from heaven, revealing to Peter that Jesus was not the same in nature as Moses (the law) and Elijah (the prophets), but was equal in nature with God (as His actual Son).

Mat 17:4  Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us[1] make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
v. 5  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!"

Moses and Elijah only pointed the way to the Messiah, the old covenant. Jesus' message is not in conflict with them, but neither is it just an addition to their words. Moses wrote the Law which anticipated the sacrificial atonement of the Messiah. Jesus was joined by them in the vision to indicate that He was about to fulfill the Law and the Prophets with the new covenant. When Christ came to earth, Moses and Elijah were to be removed - in the vision "they were departing."

This vision was to make such a strong impression on these three of the primary disciples so that they would never again doubt, when Jesus spoke, His words were the truth from God... and it certainly did. Their later recounting of this event would likewise testify to others (and even to this day) that Jesus always spoke the truth of God.

2Peter 1:16  For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
v. 17  For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
v. 18  And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
v. 19  And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

mercy, peace and love
Kat

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page