Many are confused as to just how Jesus Christ can return WITH His saints (See Zechariah14:5; I Thessalonians 4:14; I Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 14) and also return FOR His saints (I Thessalonians 4:16,17) except there be two phases to His return, Phase One being the “rapture” and Phase Two being the actual Second Coming when He actually comes down to this earth to rule the same. There are a few seemingly unrelated scripture texts that one must read and understand in order to clear up this seeming discrepancy. There is an article I wrote some years ago that clears up this apparent discrepancy. What follows is that article:
THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION
That’s a kind of mystical, “spiritual” word, isn’t it – TRANSFIGURATION! Sounds like the name of a Roman Catholic Church – The Mount of Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church. And there most probably is a Roman Catholic Church somewhere in the world bearing that identity. I would be surprised if there isn’t one.
The dictionary definition of transfiguration is “a complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state.” I guess that definition is as good as any. The account of Jesus Christ’s transfiguration is found in the 17th chapter of Matthew, the 9th chapter of Mark, and the 9th chapter of Luke. It is not recorded, or spoken of, in John’s gospel account. Many point to this narrative as absolute proof that dead believers are already now in heaven. After all, the narrative does say, “And, behold, there appeared unto them (the disciples Peter, James and John) Moses and Elias (Greek spelling of the name Elijah) talking with him (with Jesus Christ as He was transfigured before their very eyes)” (Matthew 17:3). We find this same statement repeated almost word-for-word in Mark 9:4 and Luke 9:30. Doesn’t the Bible say we are to accept the testimony of two or three witnesses as true? (See 2 Corinthians 13:1).
Oh, they were telling the truth alright. They did indeed see Moses and Elijah standing beside Jesus on what has come to be called the mount of transfiguration. But they didn’t see what many have mistakenly thought they saw. They weren’t seeing reality. They were seeing a vision. And the vision they saw was of a future event – the second coming of Jesus Christ when He indeed will appear with Moses and Elijah – and a countless multitude of other redeemed men and women.
If you back up out of the 17th chapter of Matthew and read the last two verses of the 16th chapter of Matthew, you will read these words – and Jesus is speaking here: “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward EVERY MAN (every truly converted human being) according to his works. Verily (truthfully) I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, TILL THEY SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN HIS KINGDOM” (Matthew 16:27-28). Forget your chapter break and keep reading the 17th chapter of Matthew, beginning with verse 1.
“And after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother (that’s the “some” mentioned in chapter 16, verse 28), and brought them up into a high mountain apart (separated from the other disciples), and was transfigured before them, and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you will, let us make here three tabernacles (temporary dwellings), one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'” (verses 1 – 4, Matthew 17).
I have no doubt that much later the disciples had a good laugh in telling and retelling Peter’s suggestion. In all probability, Peter believing Moses and Elijah were in fact standing in front of them, thought, “What a marvelous opportunity to be instructed in all spiritual matters perfectly. Here are Moses and Elijah and Jesus Christ! Let’s make dwellings for them and urge them to hang around for quite some time and guide and instruct us disciples.”
No wonder Peter said, “Hey, fellows, stick around. We will even build you lodging places forthwith,” so that they could remain together and fellowship and undoubtedly benefit from the knowledge and miracle power evidenced by these three men. Don’t forget both Moses and Elijah displayed miraculous power during their earthly life, Moses parting the Red Sea, striking the rock in the wilderness when Israel thirsted and having a torrent of fresh water pour out of the rock, plus many other miracles. Elijah even raised the dead and rightly declared that not a drop of rain, nor a drop of dew would appear in Israel except by Elijah’s own word to allow the same.
Continuing with verse 5 of Matthew 17, we read, “While he (Peter) yet spoke, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold (they heard) a voice out of the cloud, which said, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him,’ (or listen to Him, believe His words. He knows what he is talking about).’ And when the disciples heard it (this voice), they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, ‘Arise, and be not afraid.’ And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man save Jesus only.” Moses and Elijah were gone as quickly as they had appeared. (verses 5 through 8).
But it is the 9th verse that is the all-important verse in this passage. That verse reads, “And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, ‘Tell THIS VISION to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.” Now notice that Jesus said they had seen a vision only. It wasn’t real. Moses and Elijah never were really there. That is why Peter unwittingly was talking nonsense when he suggested building lodgings for Moses, Elijah and Jesus. It would be similar to hiding under your theater seat when seeing a herd of stampeding horses on the movie screen.
But since Peter was one of the disciples who saw this vision, let’s let him explain the vision’s meaning to us. 2 Peter 1, verses 16 through 18 provides us with Peter’s explanation of what he, James and John saw that day so long ago on the mount of transfiguration. Here is his explanation: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables (like the Book of Mormon), when we made known unto you THE POWER AND (SECOND) COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty (or majestic second coming), for he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory (displayed on the mount of transfiguration), ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And this voice which came from heaven we heard when we were with him in the holy mount.”
So Jesus did have it correct when he told his disciples, “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28). Who were the “some” to which Jesus referred? Peter, James and John. Did they live long enough to see the Son of man coming in his kingdom? Yes, IN VISION, because verse one of the very next chapter says it was only six days later that they were shown the vision. To be continued…..
Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley