A taste of glory
Mat 16:28 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.
No, he has not returned yet. When he comes again he will be in a glorified body and he will bring with him the saints of God, those who trusted in him. A sample of this was about to occur.
Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Jesus appeared as he will appear in the glory of his kingdom. He was transfigured or transformed in body. We are now to be transformed in our minds, by studying the word of God.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Jesus was already perfect in mind and Spirit, now he was showing Peter, James and John what his transformed body would look like.
Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
This is very good to hear and for them to see. First it proves that souls do not disappear or go to a dormant state. The two prophets were very much alive and well. The flesh dies, but the soul is alive and aware of things. The prophets were brought from paradise to the mountain to show them the kingdom of God. The King is God and Jesus; the kingdom is God's people, just as the church is the believers in his Son Jesus. Perhaps Jesus did this so that our faith would increase.
Mark 12:26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
Mark 12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
2 Cor 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
When our bodies die, our souls go to Jesus, Those in Christ Jesus have already passed from death unto life.
His disciples saw the son of man come with his kingdom, a taste of what was to come. Because we shall never die, we shall see him also when he returns to establish his kingdom on earth. This will be the millennial reign of Christ. His Kingship is eternal and everlasting. All power and authority shall serve the King.
Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
2 Pet 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2 Pet 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Listen to Jesus
Mat 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Peter observed the kingdom of God beholding two departed men of God. Moses, representing the law, is a type of those who have died and have gone to glory and, Elijah the prophet, who represents the rapture, having been caught up to glory without experiencing death. Moses represents the law, which leads to death and Elijah, the Spirit of God that represents eternal life, without death.
Peter not knowing what to say, offers to build shrines to each of them, including Jesus.
Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
While Peter was speaking, God in heaven spoke from a cloud of glory, rebuking Peter. Hear my beloved son, Jesus. We are not to worship men, God himself has come down in His son Jesus, the living word has come. Hear Jesus, for you must go through him to enter heaven. Jesus is greater than Moses or the prophets, who were only messengers of Gods word. Jesus IS the word of God. We are not to make shrines to man, to Mary, or any other to worship. We are to worship God and His Son, in Spirit and in truth.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Mat 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Mat 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Mat 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
Mat 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
God spoke from heaven, as he did when Jesus was Baptized by John. The disciples trembled in their mortal flesh. Jesus said gently to them, be not afraid, you may reveal this after I have risen from the dead.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
We do not make shrines to saints; God alone is King of Glory. You must come to God through Jesus.
Spirit of Elias
Mat 17:10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
Mal 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
The end time events preceding the day of the Lord would be at the second coming of the Lord. There will be two prophets that will come. Elias or Elijah may be one of them.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Rev 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Mat 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
He agrees with the scriptures.
Mat 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Mat 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Elias has come already; at least his spirit has come in John the Baptist. This may be the fulfillment of the scripture.
Mat 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
The Spirit of Elias is the Holy Spirit of God in a prophet of God. Elias had also come bodily, with Moses on the Mt. of transfiguration. The real Elijah was used to illustrate the superiority of Jesus. God, the father spoke that we are to listen to Jesus now. John the Baptist spoke the message of repentance and preparation for the coming king. When Jesus was revealed, John submitted to his greater authority. Both appearances point to Jesus as Lord. Those who receive Jesus are restored, including family relationships. Family curses are broken by Jesus who took the curses upon himself on the cross.
lunatic
Mat 17:14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
Mat 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is a lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
Mat 17:16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
The disciples were those other then Peter, James and John who were with Jesus. They were given power to cast out devils, yet were unable to help this son. How could they increase their strength to battle, high-ranking demons? Jesus has the answer. First, they should keep close to Jesus and not give up faith.
Mat 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
Faithless, no faith in God's word and promises, and perverse, meaning to distort, turn aside, to oppose, plot against the saving purposes and plans of God. To turn aside from the right path, to pervert, to corrupt . Wow, Jesus knew they were not trusting God to do his work. We cannot fake God's work, nor shall we live double lives.
Mat 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
Mat 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Their faith was weak; their works were not in God's way. How do we become more like Jesus, and have his power? Unending faith in God's word and a life devoted to His will shall make us more like Jesus. To achieve greater power to cast out strong demons, we must trust totally in Jesus and the word of God. Fasting and prayer places our entire attention on the will of God; more of God's Spirit and less of our own power. Faith as a mustard seed grows to where we can move mountains, as we trust God completely.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
More of Jesus, less of me lord.
Death and resurrection
Mat 17:22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
Mat 17:23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
Jesus knew what was ahead; he knew that he was to be betrayed. He would be given over, betrayed, by someone who was close to him, Judas Iscariot. It was no secret to Jesus.
Mark 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.
Jesus did not betray anyone’s trust; he obeyed his Father in heaven. From this I see that the choices we make are very important. Jesus chose to serve his father. Moses chose to serve the LORD, instead of the wealth of the world. Judas had a covetous heart, he betrayed the Lord for 30 pieces of silver.
And they shall kill him (the son of David), and the third day he shall be raised again. Again, Jesus speaks of his death and resurrection. And they were exceeding sorry. Yes, sorry that he was betrayed, sorry that he would die, but sorry that he would rise on the third day? I don't think that they really heard that part. Some do not believe that Jesus has risen on the third day, even now. One church keeps Jesus on the cross, No, he is raised and because he arose on the third day, we have the promise and proof of life after death.
1 Cor 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
1 Cor 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
1 Cor 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
1 Cor 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Let us not overlook the resurrection. Water baptism symbolizes, death, washing and resurrection. The blood washes away our sins; the resurrection gives us new life.
Fish miracle
Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
This was a temple tax, to provide supplies that were not covered by the regular tithes and offerings given in the temple. It was to be given as a show of support and was not forced. Those collecting the tax were using a little pressure; saying doesn't your master support the work of the temple of God? Well, there are many ways to do the work of God. Jesus certainly was doing God's will.
Mat 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Mat 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
His Father was King of the temple. Jesus is the Son of God and Simon, was one of the children of the kingdom, so they were not required to pay a tax.
Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Jesus would not offend another, if it could be avoided. Paul spoke to us about not offending a weaker brother, even if you are not sinning, your actions may be an offense.
1 Cor 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Yet, Jesus did not compromise the truth. The Pharisees were often offended by his words.
Mat 15:12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?
Mat 15:13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.
To not offend those asking for the temple tax, he asks Simon to throw a hook in the water and in the fishes mouth will be a coin to pay the tax. Even in this simple act of giving, another miracle of provision is shown. Simon had to obey, even though he was a skilled net fisherman by trade and this would look foolish to his fisherman friends. We must not worry about looking foolish when we serve Jesus. Obeying God is most important. The things of God, the miracles are foolishness to the natural man and they may question by what trick or power they came from. But, to those who serve God, they are no surprise. I have seen many miracles from God in my obedience to him. Many of you will say amen to this in your own lives.
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