Transfiguration
City of Light
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.
The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
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.
The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
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.
Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there),
Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter.
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.”
There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie,
Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.
but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
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.”
He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street.
- May 22, 2023
- | Jim Tallman
Transfiguration: City of Light
- May 22, 2023
- | Jim Tallman
Transfiguration: City of Light
I used the City of Light in another story to show the bible has a hidden structure within its words. The transfiguration scene demonstrates this well and begins to reveal an eternal city. Let’s compare the transfiguration to the City in Revelation 21.
High Place
I believe the “high mountain” of the transfiguration scene, is the Arimathea/high place of the crucifixion scene, which is the City of Light in the book of Revelation.
This is where Jesus is transfigured, his face shines like the sun, and the glory of God illuminates the city whose lamp is the Lamb.
Hidden Entrance
Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appear, talking with Christ. I believe they not only enter the City of Light, but something even more significant is going on. I believe you are witnessing the resurrection of Moses and Elijah.
They are allowed into the eternal city. Here, there is a somewhat hidden entrance. The kings of the earth bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it, the city.
Here and There
As mentioned before, Peter gives testimony saying, “It is good for us to be here,” let’s build. The city of light parallel says there is no night there. Both scenes also reference a light source: the “no night there” and the “bright cloud” which overshadows them.
Main Entrance
A voice comes out of the cloud, the voice of God the Father. This is my beloved Son. Because of Him, you may enter the city.
Nothing Profane
Here is an anti-entrance, which I believe symbolizes death. The disciples fall on their faces, in fear. Nothing profane will enter the city. Death stands as a barrier, at least it used to. Jesus touches them and tells them to rise. He holds the power of death and hades, as well as the gift of eternal life, in his hand.
Jesus Alone
The disciples look up and see Jesus alone. Here is a hidden entrance to the eternal city. Only those whom Jesus writes in his book of life may enter. This mirrors the entrance above, where Moses and Elijah appeared.
Place of Revelation
The scene ends in a place of revelation. Jesus commands, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw,” until I’ve risen from the dead. The revelation shows a river of the water of life, shining like crystal, which flows from the throne. Eternal life.
God-Side View
I strongly believe that Strings and the book of Revelation give us a God-side view of heaven and earth, life and death, resurrection and a new life beyond. We’d never see this without looking at two passages together. We’d never see this without the bible’s underlying design.
This God-side view is every bit as present in the Old Testament as it is in the New. Let’s look at the famous Isaiah prophecy as an example. Click the right arrow, or the “A Son is Given” link below.
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