A HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS

QQ. Christ’s Authenticating Sample Of His Kingdom

(Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36)

I. Introduction

A. Eight days after Jesus said some of His listeners would not die before seeing the Son of man coming in His kingdom, that prediction was fulfilled as Peter, James and John saw Christ’s transfiguration, Matt. 16:28-17:1.

B. That event authenticated Christ’s Person and gave a sample of His kingdom’s blessings for believers. We study this even in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36 for our insight edification (as follows):

II. Christ’s Authenticating Sample Of His Kingdom, Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36.

A. Though Matthew and Mark report that “after six days” the Transfiguration occurred, Luke 9:28 states it was “about eight days,” for Luke recorded the beginning and ending days of the time period in question where Matthew and Mark dealt with the intervening six days (Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, 1978, ftn. to Mark 9:2).

B. Peter, James and John were with Jesus when He led them up into a high mountain and was transfigured before them, Mark 9:2. This event began as Jesus was in prayer, and the appearance of His face was altered, His clothes became dazzling white and Old Testament saints Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with Him, speaking with Him about His departure that He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem, Luke 9:28-31. Since believers in the Church will share in Christ’s glory (2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 John 3:2), we believe Christians will also have the appearance of their faces changed and their clothes become dazzling white at the rapture!

C. The word for “decease” (Luke 9:31) translates the Greek word exodos, what is also used of Israel’s Exodus from Egypt in the days of Moses (U. B. S. Grk. N. T., 1966, p. 245; Arndt & Gingrich, A Grk.-Eng. Lex. of the N. T., 1967, p. 276) and of the Apostle Peter’s death in 2 Peter 1:15. Thus, as Christ was prefigured in the Passover Lamb that led to Israel’s redemption from Egyptian bondage, Christ by His substitutionary death would provide another “Exodus,” mankind’s redemption from sin that liberates believers from bondage to sin!

D. Peter, James and John became heavy with sleep in this event, but when they were awake, they saw Christ’s glory and the two great Old Testament saints who stood with Him, Luke 9:32.

E. Moses and Elijah typified saints who would be present with Christ in the Millennial Kingdom:

1. Peter, James and John recognized Moses and Elijah even though they had never previously seen them, indicating that in the glorified state, we believers will know all other believers by God’s provision!

2. Moses had died (Deut. 34:5) and Elijah was translated (2 Kings 2:11), so all resurrected, raptured, translated (and living) Old Testament, Tribulation Period and Church believers will be in the Kingdom!

3. Moses died outside the Promised Land due to his sin (Deut. 32:48-51), but in the Kingdom, he will be in the land since he was in the land at Christ’s Transfiguration, so glorified saints will not have sin!

4. Moses represented the Law, and Elijah the Prophets, the two major portions of the Old Testament that both testified of Christ and His Kingdom to come! (Luke 24:25-27)

5. Since both Moses and Elijah spoke of Christ’s death for man’s redemption from sin, they testified of the importance of Christ’s coming work on the cross for the edification of the three disciples present, and for the edification of the Church’s saints to whom they would testify about their Head, the Lord Jesus Christ!

F. After a while, Moses and Elijah began to depart from Jesus, and Peter spoke to Christ, saying that it was good for them to be there, and he offered that he and the other two disciples make three tabernacles, one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah, not realizing how erroneously he spoke, Luke 9:33.

G. While Peter was still speaking, God the Father interrupted him by coming in a bright cloud that overshadowed the disciples and Jesus, and the Father said, “This is my beloved Son: hear him,” Luke 9:35; Matthew 17:5.

H. Realizing that this was God the Father Who had made this statement, the three disciples fell on their faces in great fear, but Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Arise, and be not afraid,” Matthew 17:6-7.

I. When the disciples looked up, they saw no man except Jesus, Matthew 17:8.

Lesson: God the Father validated Christ’s claims to be Messiah and God Incarnate by transfiguring Jesus into His Kingdom glory, by verbally testifying about Jesus being His Son and directing Jesus’ disciples to hear Him and by causing Moses and Elijah to appear and testify of the significance of Christ’s death on the cross in Jerusalem.

Application: (1) May we believe the claims of Jesus to be God’s Messiah and God Incarnate by His transfiguration on the mount, by the appearing and testimony of Moses and Elijah and by the appearing of the bright cloud with God the Father’s testimony and charge to heed Christ. (2) May we long for our participation in Christ’s Kingdom.