A Short Note on Transfiguration.
Ben (Oct. 2013).
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The apostles had to behold the glories of Christ by spiritual eyes but 2Pet 1:16-18 presents a unique account relating to the glories of Christ. It relates to the glorious transfiguration of Christ-‘when we were with him in the holy mount’. Now, the transfiguration scene unveils to us a glimpse of the coming millennial kingdom. In Matt 16:28, Luke 9:27, Mark 9:1- The Lord says ‘there be some standing…in his kingdom’ which was fulfilled after six days, when the Lord Jesus took Peter, James and John onto a high mountain (Matt17:1).
When Moses and Elijah appeared, the situation wonderfully relates to the
millennial picture. Moses represents the sleeping saints who will be raised and
Elias represents the living saints who will be changed without tasting death.
But Peter, James and John in mortal bodies yet, represent the place of renewed
and restored
Here, it must be remembered that the feast of tabernacles was the last of Jehovah’s feasts, a season of great joy and rejoicing. During this feast, booths made of palm trees and willows of the brook (reminding of the wilderness days) were made.
The antitypes of Passover, Unleavened bread feast of first fruits and Pentecost related to Christ sacrificial death, believer’s life, Christ resurrection and Birth of Church. But the later feasts-blowing of trumpets, Atonement and Feast of tabernacles are yet to be fulfilled and relate to Mat24:31, Zech12:10 and John1:51 respectively.
Now, Peter ‘not what to say’ said ‘three tabernacles’ (Mat 17:4). Here tabernacles or booths relate to booths of the feasts of tabernacles. However, the time for celebration of the antitype to the feast of tabernacles had not come. Therefore they were left with ‘Jesus only’ (Mat 17:8).
Heb 2:5 tells that the coming millennial world will be ruled by Christ and the redeemed but not angels. And in Heb 2:8-‘We see Jesus’ and in Heb2:9 ‘for the suffering of death’. This is what Moses and Elijah were talking in Luke9:31 (this I think will be the theme and the subject of praise in the Millennium). In Heb 2:9-‘crowned with glory and honor’ will be evidently manifested because of which as foreshadow, on the ‘holy mount’ 2Pet1:17, 18 literally took place.
Thus, 2Pet1:16 relates to not just the hidden spiritual glories of Christ but also the palpable glory whose complete fulfillment still awaits.
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