Why Moses and Elijah were at the transfiguration.

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

F2F

Member
Dec 12, 2022
170
7
18
#61
Luke 9:31 is the key to understanding the transfiguration “Decease He would accomplish” – the Grk: is the word “Exodus”.

Although the word is used of death in 2 Peter. 1:15, the idea is of the “departing” (Exodus) of Israel as per Hebrew 11:22

Moses led the first Exodus of Israel coming out of Egypt
Christ led "the" Exodus of mankind being enslaved by the flesh (Ephesians 4:8)
Elijah will lead the final Exodus of God's people (Israel) out of the Wilderness of the Peoples i.e the world.

Those past who Hebrews 11:39-40 speak of those "not yet perfected" and still reliant of the Lords sacrifice to become effectual
Those future who are yet to be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb also reliant on his sin covering sacrifice.

What motivation did Moses and Elijah have to encourage the Master to go to the cross?

More than we can fathom!

F2F
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,080
6,883
113
62
#62
Thank you! I love when everything adds up so rationally. And I also like to fill in the empty spaces in the o's and 4's while I'm waiting for the instructor to get to the point.
I live but to serve.
 

F2F

Member
Dec 12, 2022
170
7
18
#63
True. But again the primary reason was for the sake of the disciples.
Secondary.
You are missing the point of the Transfiguration
It was ALL about what God was going to accomplish in His Son.

Mark 9:4 “Accomplish” - “to fulfill”, “complete” (more than death!!!!).
Moses led the first Exodus read Ps. 77:20.
Elijah will lead the second read Mal. 4:5.
The Lord the greatest Exodus of them all read Eph. 4:8.
Enjoy!
F2F
 

F2F

Member
Dec 12, 2022
170
7
18
#64
Mark 8:12 Jesus sighed deeply in his spirit (breath), and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign?

Have a look at all he had done leading up to this verse....the man was exhausted - totally spent!!

verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

These words are only used once in the entire scriptures. This sigh was no normal groan – it means he sighed from deep within his breast, down into the lower parts of his chest.

Why does this generation seek a sign?

I Can you hear the disappointment in his voice?

What does a sigh from our Lord look like? After this encounter with the Pharisees the Lord warned his disciples sternly about their teachings. Keep away from them their teachings, there dangerous. It is only natural that the Lord was tired, and I don’t mean the usual tiredness that comes from preaching to the crowds hour upon hour, day by day, I believe he was exhausted. I believe the unbelief of the people and the buffetings of the Pharisees had taken taking its toll on our Lord, I also believe the added weight of teaching his disciples, especially as now he was spending more and more time with them; and even they failed to understand his simple teachings “do you not understand”. On top of all of this he had his impending crucifixion.

But you say...

He didn't need encouragement!

If so....you do not know the Master or the agony he was in daily to overcome his nature

I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. Luke 12:50

Dear I say it, it's a shame on any believer to not enter the sufferings of Christ especially when they are so plainly presented.

F2F
 

F2F

Member
Dec 12, 2022
170
7
18
#65
Secondary.
You are missing the point of the Transfiguration
It was ALL about what God was going to accomplish in His Son.

Mark 9:4 “Accomplish” - “to fulfill”, “complete” (more than death!!!!).
Moses led the first Exodus read Ps. 77:20.
Elijah will lead the second read Mal. 4:5.
The Lord the greatest Exodus of them all read Eph. 4:8.
Enjoy!
F2F
Correction on verse Luke 9:31

"They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem"

Hence why Moses & Elijah.
 

F2F

Member
Dec 12, 2022
170
7
18
#66
Look behind the Lord's words and see the depth of despair!

“who do men say that I am”?

How disheartening the disciple’s answer must have been to him.

The answer came not by one disciple (Mark 8:28) “they” replied “Some say you are John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and others a prophet of the ancients.

Matthew mentions Jeremiah.

You see the disciples had all overheard the crowds banter, they mingled continually with the masses, thousand of people were talking about, they over heard all the conjecture, and so they were in a perfect position to understand the question!

Ask yourselves this question...if the masses did not believe he was their Messiah what hope did they have?

Answer: NONE!

How would that affect the Lord?

Need encouraging?

Answer from God his Father = Transfiguration

Here Son....I'll give you are taste of immortality - a taste of what it will be like to be glorified.

The love of a Father!
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,230
2,208
113
#67
Luke 9:31 is the key to understanding the transfiguration “Decease He would accomplish” – the Grk: is the word “Exodus”.

Although the word is used of death in 2 Peter. 1:15, the idea is of the “departing” (Exodus) of Israel as per Hebrew 11:22

Moses led the first Exodus of Israel coming out of Egypt
Christ led "the" Exodus of mankind being enslaved by the flesh (Ephesians 4:8)
Elijah will lead the final Exodus of God's people (Israel) out of the Wilderness of the Peoples i.e the world.

Those past who Hebrews 11:39-40 speak of those "not yet perfected" and still reliant of the Lords sacrifice to become effectual
Those future who are yet to be redeemed by the blood of the Lamb also reliant on his sin covering sacrifice.

What motivation did Moses and Elijah have to encourage the Master to go to the cross?

More than we can fathom!

F2F
The order seems mixed up, as Christ leads the final Exodus. He Is The Way, after all, the only Way.

Matthew 17:13 states that "Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist." After Jesus revealed to them, "that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands." Indeed, Elijah comes before Christ seeing those verses preceded by, v.10-11,
10The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
11Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things.

So how does John the Baptist turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers? John the Baptist is a voice crying out in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord."

Moses led an exodus into the wilderness, Elijah (John) is a voice crying in the wilderness....
 

F2F

Member
Dec 12, 2022
170
7
18
#68
Christians are mostly ignorant of the Master's sufferings and I don't say this to be confrontational although I know it will be received as such. I know why you can't see the true Master but it's no excuse with the Word of God in hand you all should be able to read yourselves closer to him.

Hebrews 5:7-9 “days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death (save him from the thought of death), and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things (we are considering these things now, not just the cross, his whole life)which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation (the one who wrote your salvation)unto all them that obey him;

Strong crying
Tears
Suffering the ignorance of men who are hopeless to save themselves
Learning obedience until being made perfect through death

There wasn't a day past that he didn't need strengthening in one way or another.

God did what he could to strengthen His Son.
 

F2F

Member
Dec 12, 2022
170
7
18
#69
The order seems mixed up, as Christ leads the final Exodus. He Is The Way, after all, the only Way.

Matthew 17:13 states that "Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist." After Jesus revealed to them, "that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands." Indeed, Elijah comes before Christ seeing those verses preceded by, v.10-11,
10The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
11Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things.

So how does John the Baptist turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers? John the Baptist is a voice crying out in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord."

Moses led an exodus into the wilderness, Elijah (John) is a voice crying in the wilderness....
The Order is given chronologically.

1. Moses
2. Christ
3. Elijah (not John the Baptist who came in his spirit!)

Order is perfect.

Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. Matt 17:11

Correct the voice did not restore all things - that is future - prophetic!

To prepare the way as foretold.

F2F
 

F2F

Member
Dec 12, 2022
170
7
18
#70
And so when move on to Mark 8:31 where are clearly shown the place and time of our Lords mind.

And he began to teach them “that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again”

Didn't need encouragement you say :unsure:

Matthew 16:21 From that time forth (a clear change in his ministering to his disciples needs) began Jesus to shew unto his disciples his sufferings to come.

Not only did Sufferings, Rejection and the thought of being Killed, occupy his mind, but he now must prepare his disciples minds for what would soon take place.

Why would the Lord be praying on the side of the road in distress considering "who the people thought he was?"

In verse 32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

Just what the Lord needed!

One of his own being an adversary (devil) to him.

All of you should study the context to the transfiguration to see how important it was for Christ to be strenghtened and the disciples to learn who the Son of God truly was and what he would suffer to secure their salvation.

F2F
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,957
13,615
113
#71
The transfiguration isn't about law or prophecy or water or blood.

It's about glory.

Peter wants to build tabernacles. There are great men to whom the word of God came communing with Him. There is brightness and a cloud, and the apostles are afraid.

This is the Shekinah, that filled the temple. That Moses entered into and Elijah was taken up in. These two men and these two alone in scripture are witnesses of Who is inside the bright cloud of glory: Christ, who is God.

He is being revealed as that Shekinah glory, the One Who dwells in it.

This is the pillar of fire and cloud parking on the mountain, He is that very One who took up Elijah and who spoke to Moses in the wilderness - and the train of His robe filled the temple.

He took off that robe, humbling Himself and taking on the form of a man, and now these three apostles glimpse it.

He speaks to Moses and Elijah encouraging them, telling them what He will accomplish, things hidden from the foundation of the world

Yes, Exodus
 
Jun 20, 2022
6,460
1,330
113
#72
The transfiguration isn't about law or prophecy or water or blood.

It's about glory.

Peter wants to build tabernacles. There are great men to whom the word of God came communing with Him. There is brightness and a cloud, and the apostles are afraid.

This is the Shekinah, that filled the temple. That Moses entered into and Elijah was taken up in. These two men and these two alone in scripture are witnesses of Who is inside the bright cloud of glory: Christ, who is God.

He is being revealed as that Shekinah glory, the One Who dwells in it.

This is the pillar of fire and cloud parking on the mountain, He is that very One who took up Elijah and who spoke to Moses in the wilderness - and the train of His robe filled the temple.

He took off that robe, humbling Himself and taking on the form of a man, and now these three apostles glimpse it.

He speaks to Moses and Elijah encouraging them, telling them what He will accomplish, things hidden from the foundation of the world

Yes, Exodus
I love how ancient Hebrew people spoke about the Shekinah and Glory.

When Israel Blessed his sons before his death, while blessing Judah, Israel spoke of the Coming Shekinah, the Shiloh.

The ancient Hebrew knew the Gospel from it will come one day to us who live what they saw.

Transfiguration, indeed!
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,149
30,296
113
#73
Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the Prophets. Both were assumed into heaven ( Moses according
to tradition though scripture is silent) . Both were said to return at the end times (Deut 18:15-19, Mal 4:5).
Jesus said nobody had gone to heaven... John 3:13

"No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man."
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,801
8,618
113
#74
He speaks to Moses and Elijah encouraging them, telling them what He will accomplish, things hidden from the foundation of the world
Thats the way I see it and exactly what you would expect. Yes, an intentional vignette of the SC in glory for the sake of the disciples including us.

Elijah spoke face to face with God just as Moses did lest we forget.
1Ki 19:13
So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
193
43
#75
God using Moses to save his people from Pharaoh.
God tells Moses and Aaron to tell his people to place blood on the door frames of their houses and that night he will spare them and strike down every firstborn.
God instructing Moses to ceremonially clean the Levites.He cleanse them with the water and the blood.(Numbers 8:5)

Elijah preparing the way,making the road straight in the form of John the Baptist.
In your second example, Moses is just as easily associated with water as blood, as the Red Sea's opening does too. You haven't proven your statement yet.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,801
8,618
113
#76
the Red Sea's opening
Actually the Exodus crossing took place at the Gulf of Aqaba. Confirmed beyond a shadow of a doubt if you do your research....:geek:

Exo 14:2
“Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea.
Exo 14:9
So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon.
 

ButterflyJones

Active member
Feb 5, 2023
698
230
43
#77
Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the Prophets. Both were assumed into heaven ( Moses according to tradition though scripture is silent) . Both were said to return at the end times (Deut 18:15-19, Mal 4:5).
Doesn't the Bible tells us, no one has ascended to Heaven save for he who descended from it, Jesus?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,661
5,908
113
#78
And you believe this is speaking of Moses & Elijah?
What does the earth represent in verse 10?
So you have Moses and Elijah being killed literally and having their dead bodies left lying in the street?

Have you really thought this through?
“Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my Lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭4:11, 13-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭11:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The Lord God is revealed with his two annointed ones standing beside him his two witnesses

“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.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17:2-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

elijah in his ministry shut up the heaven so it couldn’t rain for theee and a half years , he also pulled fire from heaven to destroy his enemies

moses turned water to blood and brought disease and plague upon Egypt

The two witnesses

“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, ( 3 and a half years like Elijah ) clothed in sackcloth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: ( Elijah called for the fire with his mouth ) and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: ( Elijah ) and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.”( moses )
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭11:3, 5-6‬

It’s important to know revelation isn’t a literal linear timeline or prophecy of events in tbe future to be taken literally everything is based on what the prophets and law had said before revelation came all of those strange things John saw are written long before he saw them in the law and prophets

a there’s never going to be a literal giant beast from the sea or another from the earth or a giant red dragon falling from the sky …..it’s not that kind of book
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,957
13,615
113
#79
Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the Prophets. Both were assumed into heaven ( Moses according to tradition though scripture is silent) . Both were said to return at the end times (Deut 18:15-19, Mal 4:5).
Scripture isn't silent about Moses. He definitely wasn't 'assumed into heaven' as Elijah went up. He physically died. His body and bones were left on earth. Satan and Michael even argued about his corpse.

And Deuteronomy 18:15-19 does not say Moses will return, not at all. It says "someone like Moses" and it is the go-to passage for the foretelling of Christ, the Messiah.