May 27, 2022

“Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:28

There are valuable lessons in the event of the transfiguration of Jesus before the eyes of Peter, James, and John. Jesus was facing His soon crucifixion. His personal agony was certainly a part of the picture, but He knew that encouragement in the faith was very much needed among His close followers, which would hopefully translate into encouragement to the entire body of Christ. It is significant that this unique occurrence was to take place after six days (17:1), a not-so-subtle allusion to the Sabbath which followed the six days of Creation. It also alludes to the millennial years that His people will have in the New [heavenly] Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2) with Him following the close of six thousand years of earth’s history.

Beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8 (see also Psalm 90:4)

He was transfigured before them, His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Matthew 17:2

Both Moses and Elijah suffered terribly during their time of service to the LORD upon the earth. The devil’s onslaughts against them as well as the rebellion of the professed people of God ushered bitterness into their earthly tasks. They understood better than most what Jesus was experiencing as He faced the cross. They came to encourage Jesus! They themselves symbolized two types of people who were to become citizens in the heavenly kingdom as a result of His selfless, perfect sacrifice.

Those who have died in Christ will be in Revelation’s first resurrection (20:6)—as contrasted with the second—and given incorruptible bodies. Moses represented these to Christ. Those who are still alive at His return will be translated directly into the kingdom without experiencing death, like Elijah (see 2 Kings 2:11). All of God’s faithful ones will receive their incorruptible bodies in an instant (see 1 Corinthians 15:51-52). This doctrine protects us from many of the devil’s lies regarding death.

Jesus had each one of us on His mind as He went to the cross and while He was upon it. We cannot fathom how He suffered, but He knew ahead of time how terrible it would be. And He had counted the cost (see Luke 14:28) of the kingdom He was building. Beloved, give Him your gratitude for what He did! Trust His guidance for what He is doing now! And, with unshakeable faith, believe He will soon arrive to gather His faithful ones and bring them to the Heavenly City!

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [now] asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18