Transfiguration
Before the Throne
After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and where did they come from?” I told him, “My lord, you know.”
Behold, Moses ( mo’-zez)
Taken out of the water; saved out of the water; saved from the water; drawn out; drawn forth. A son.
Source: EDBN and Elijah ( e-li’-jah)
God-LORD; strength of the LORD. God is Jehovah. My God is Jah.
Source: EDBNappeared to them talking with him.
He said to me, “These are those who came out of the great suffering.
Peter (pe’-tur)
A stone; a rock.
Source: EDBN answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them.
They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb’s blood.
Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Therefore they are before the throne of God,
When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid. Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.”
they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them.
Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.
They will never be hungry or thirsty any more. The sun won’t beat on them, nor any heat;
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”
for the Lamb who is in the middle of the throne shepherds them
- May 24, 2023
- | Jim Tallman
Transfiguration: Before the Throne
- May 24, 2023
- | Jim Tallman
Transfiguration: Before the Throne
I like the “Before the Throne” passage in Revelation 7:12 because it shows the fulfillment of God’s promises. The transfiguration story works hand in hand. The promises, I believe, are spiritual promises. And, therefore have a spiritual fulfillment.
Transformed
Jesus’ garments become as white as the light. The revelation speaks of those in white robes, and asks, “where did these people come from?” They are those whom Jesus brings into his Kingdom. I believe they are us.
Appearing
Moses and Elijah appear. They too have come out of the great tribulation, or the great suffering. They have passed through death and into new life, together with Christ. So have we.
Washed
Peter says, let us build tents, which are perhaps a place for our eternal souls. These robes, these souls, have been washed and made white by Christ. They are made new. That’s us.
Standing
The Father testifies, this is my beloved Son. The souls which Christ makes new stand before his throne. I’ve mentioned in another story, I believe this symbolizes his Throne on earth. We have a part.
Indwelling
The disciples fall in fear, and Jesus touches them. Jesus, the one who sits on the throne, will spread his tabernacle over them. More literally, he will come to dwell “in them.” His words, his Spirit and his promises live within us.
Gift
They look up and see Jesus alone. They, and we, will not fall short. We will not hunger, nor thirst (for righteousness). The sun won’t beat (literally: strike) us, nor any heat. Because of Christ. This is the gift of God.
Revelation
Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead. They, and we, have seen Christ, risen from the dead. He is the one who stands, in the middle of the throne in heaven, shining like the sun. We shine too.
Resurrection Power
These two passages, together, show the power of Jesus’ resurrection. Another passage in Revelation says that it is something we, “have seen,” and which “are,” and which “will be.” To me, the story has been fulfilled, it is being fulfilled now, and it will have a final fulfillment. This is the power of Jesus’ resurrection story.
Let’s end by looking at the resurrection scene, side by side with the transfiguration story. Click on the right arrow, or the “Resurrection” link below.
To explore these passages directly, click this button:
