The Significance of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ

A Glorious Supernatural Transformation of Jesus Christ on the Mount as Recorded in the Gospels

John Calhoun DD

• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781098049478
• eBook ISBN: 9781098049485
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Commentary

It is puzzling that hardly anyone knows about the kingly transfiguration of Jesus appearing in his divine glory, which was truly a revelation along with Moses, the lawgiver and Elijah, the prophet.The event includes all the essential parts of the future kingdom to be set up by Jesus. This is surely the complete fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. What a joyous event this was!

Chapter 1

Who Was Present at This Historical Event

Jesus, Our Lord

You already know basic information about Jesus since you have most likely studied the Bible and read articles and books about his birth, life, teaching, death, resurrection, and his second coming. Therefore, I have just only included some of his attributes and real nature.

Christ—The Anointed One which is Greek for Messiah. Also known as Lord Jesus, Son of Man, Immanuel, Savior, the Word, the Lamb of God, the Mediator, the Lord our Righteousness, the Lord of All, the Lord of Glory, King of kings, Lord of lords, Prophet, Priest, King, and Alpha and Omega.

He was a man, his life on earth, his work on earth, his teaching, his Sermon on the Mount, and his letters to the seven churches in Asia. The Bible tells of his character, his compassion, his glory, his divine nature, and his human nature. He was the seed of Abraham. He is the head of the church.

As I have given you his highlights, so you, as the reader, will have to complete the study of Jesus as there are thousands of scriptures about him written in the Holy Bible. It is a most enjoyable reading.

Moses, the Law Giver

Moses was an important and prominent spiritual figure in the Old Testament; and he was a reserved, faithful, and modest man. He belonged to the tribe of Levites and was the son of Amram (Num 26:59) by his wife, Joschebed (Ex 6:20). The other members of his family were Aaron and Miriam (Num 26:59), his elder brother and sister.

His life is divided in three equal portions of forty years each, as follows:

Life in Egypt	l520–1480 BC
Exiled in Arabia	l480–1440 BC
Governor of Israel	1440–1400 BC

During the last forty years, the following occurred:

Deliverance (Ex l2:37–38)
Sinai (Ex 19:1–40)
Burning Bush (Acts 7:30)
Journey (Num 14:33)

He is considered the founder and representative of his people, and as a law giver, since he gave laws and ordinances to Israel. It is a deeply-seated belief in the nation that the great leader has given some formal legal constitution to his people.1

Consider the three main points of likeness to Christ:

1. Christ, like Moses, the great prophet of the people, who was the last, as Moses was the first.
2. Christ, like Moses, is a law giver, “Him shall ye hear” (Num 20:10; Jn 5:46; and Heb 3:5–6).
3. Christ, like Moses, was a prophet out of the midst of the nation.2

As a great spiritual leader, his people acquired from God on Mount Sinai the law which has guided them throughout the centuries.

Elijah, the Prophet

In the time of the false god Baal, the Canaanite God of rain, fertility, and flocks, was gaining loyalty throughout the kingdom. Elijah came onto the scene with impetuous teaching, trust, and truth that the God of Israel held all control over the great power of nature. When this was proven, the sons of the prophets cried, “The Lord, he is God; The Lord, he is God (1 Kings 18:39b).

Elijah was the first great prophet of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He earned a victory as seen by the ancient people as one who appeared and vanished like the wind, as though the Spirit of God had in a whirlwind hastily snatched him away into heaven (2 Kings 2:11).3

As the Lord Jesus, the God of Israel lives.

Voice of God the Father

Jesus beseeched, “Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again” (Jn 12:28). And God did. When Jesus was baptized, a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17). And again at the Transfiguration a voice from a bright cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him” (Mt 17:5).4

And further, as Peter exclaims, “We ourselves along with James and John heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Jesus on the Sacred Mountain” (2 Pet 1:18).

Praise be to God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph 1:3). When Elijah heard the voice of God, he pulled his cloak over his face (1 Kings 19:13).

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven’” (Ex 20:22). Moses asks, “Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of the fire, as you have, and...

Table of contents

• Who Was Present at This Historical Event
• The Conversations Prior to the Transfiguration
• The Transfiguration of Jesus
• The Aftermath of the Transfiguration
• The Significance of the Transfiguration
• The Finality of the Transfiguration
• The Doctrine of Grace