The Delegates at The Mount of Transfiguration
THE Delegates at The MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION
Sunday, January 26, 2014, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
On the height of one of the mountains of the covenant land, Elijah, the prophet of fire; and the great law giver, Moses, who had both taken their place among the redeemed multitudes of Heaven meet with the three delegates of the redeemed church in the earth.
Out of the glorious cloud of ransomed worshippers from before the throne of God, two appeared as representatives of the Church triumphant.
In perfect keeping with the sudden dramatic changes of an older history, like some blazing meteor, the Prophet of Fire and the great Law Giver appear in transfigured glory by the side of the “Living Jehovah”, before whom they stood. But it was now Jehovah-Jesus ---“God manifest in the flesh!”
Luke 9:28: “It came to pass about eight days after these sayings, Jesus took Peter, John and James; and went up into a mountain to pray. As He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistening. Behold, there talked with Him two men, who were Moses and Elijah; who appeared in glory, and spoke of His decease when He should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they who were with him were heavy with sleep; and when they awoke, they saw Jesus’ glory, and the two men that stood with Him. As they departed from Him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles; one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah; not knowing what he said: While he spoke, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them. They were afraid as they entered into the cloud. There came a voice out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son; hear Him’. When the voice was past, Jesus was found alone…”
I would not presume to preach as to why these two were chosen, but will note how interesting the end of their lives on earth reflects the glory of the Lord’s power over death. Their visitation was surely to strengthen him because “they spoke of his decease”.
- Elijah departed in a chariot of fire and horses of fire. “He was not, for God took Him.” He was carried soul and body to heaven without tasting the pangs of death. One bright spirit, glowing amid the ranks of Seraphim, and still burning is heard, “Here am I, send me!”
- The body of Moses was mysteriously entombed in the solitudes of the Moab Mountains, over against Baal-peor; ---his grave dug by God Himself, (for “God buried him”.) The Hebrew prophet is on the Transfiguration-mount---a visible, living, speaking, recognized representative of the family of the ransomed.
- A mightier than Elijah ascended also to heaven from one of the mountains of Palestine. His triumphant chariot was a cloud---the chariot of God---the emblem of Glory---which bore him majestically from the gaze of the disciples. This is the same cloud from which the voice spoke, “This is My beloved Son; hear Him”. Jesus shall come again with clouds of glory.
The three disciples selected from the apostolic company to be representatives of the church on earth at their Lord’s Transfiguration are Peter and the two sons of thunder:
- Peter “the Rock”
- James, the first of the twelve who was to suffer death for his Master’s sake.
- John, the favored disciple, whose head afterwards leaned on the bosom of incarnate Love.
Whether the disciples were slain in the Spirit or sleeping, the Word reads, “they fell asleep” until a glorious heavenly light awakens them. They wake up; and lo; a spectacle of overpowering glory bursts upon them. The Lord they left praying, is now seen before them, arrayed in garments woven as with sunbeams; ---His raiment emitting light vying in whiteness with the virgin snow; or as St Mark, describes, “So as no fuller on earth can white them”. A bright fleecy cloud surrounds Jesus with a halo of glory; and on either side of the transfigured Savior, there are the glorified and recognizable forms of Elijah and Moses.
The disciples knew who these two Fathers of the Nation were from their childhood. We can imagine their thoughts, “Is this indeed the great shepherd, who led Israel like a flock; who did marvelous things in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt and in the field of Zoan? Is this he whose rod smote the Red Sea, ---whose feet trod the steeps of Sinai, ---who spoke amidst its lightnings and thunders face to face with God?
Is this the great Elijah---the old seer of Gilead---the faithful witness for Jehovah in Israel’s most degenerate age---the mighty wrestler on Carmel---the homicide at the Kishon---the fiery minister of vengeance---the herald of righteousness,---whose earlier life of tempest, earthquake and fire merged at last into the still small voice of love---he who was taken to heaven alive in a whirlwind, and who was prophesied of by Malachi who would return before the great and dreadful day of the Lord?
One surrendered his prospects as heir to the throne of Egypt; the other with fearless devotion to truth, had confronted royalty. No more befitting attendants could have been selected to do homage to Jesus, who made Himself of no reputation;” ---left His throne and crown for a manger and a cross; ---“the faithful and true Witness”, who came “not to do His own will, but the will of the Father who sent him.”
The eyes of the earthly and the heavenly delegates are fixed on the great central figure, the toil-worn Man, who a few hours before had climbed the steep ascent and prayed all night which prayer was the grand prelude to the manifestation of the excellent glory---“Jesus prays”. On that mountain, the Son of Man and Lord of all pours out His soul, as a strong wrestler in the ear of His Father in heaven. The moon and stars listen to their Maker’s voice; and that voice, the voice of Prayer---pleadings for Himself, ---intercessions for the world ---the Church ---for His disciples ---for us!
All the great events and crisis of Jesus’ incarnation-life are hallowed by prayer. He prays at His baptism, and lo! The heavens are opened. He prays in the garden---“Father, if it be possible let his cup pass;” and “being in agony He prayed the more earnestly.” At the cross He prays, “Father forgive”.
We have many diverse human experiences, our crisis hours ---solemn emergencies ---terrible moments of temptation ---suffering ---crushing disappointment –grief, etc. Shall we not learn, from the Prince of sufferers, our true preparation against the dark and cloudy day?
Friday at 3:00 p.m. was one of those days for me. We were told by the Corp of Engineers that we must vacate the property “now”! I had hoped our transition whether to a new building or move the church to another location could be done with a smooth transition without disrupting our services. The church has been given to me if I can find a lot on which to move it. I have rented the upstairs of Willow Fork Country Club for the month of February for our Sunday services. The Club staff were very gracious to receive us. It will cost us $500.00 per Sunday, but in view of the utilities, maintenance and upkeep of this property, it will not be over our present budget. I apologize to this congregation for having to move again. There was expectation that the county would take over the property and we would be given the grace to continue services. Christian services are being held in many of the local schools which are government owned properties. We will be allowed to leave the furnishings in the buildings for the time being. This gives me some grace to escalate the real estate search.
I have heard the voice of the Lord and the voice of his prophets over this ministry. Our work as a church is not done. My work is not done. I confess to you that had to rise from a posture of despondency, to grapple with duty, face this trial and make a renewed consecration of myself to God. After this fiery trial of faith, my faith will be stronger and I will be better. As heirs of God, we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We are enrolled as members of the general assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in heaven! God keep us from any poorer request; --- from bartering, like Esau, our heavenly birthright for any mere mess of earthly pottage.
Our story continues with the disciples eyes fixed on Jesus, who is radiant with Glory, the true Apocalyptic angel “standing in the sun.” Fifteen hundred years before, Moses had been seen resplendent, but it was borrowed luster. He had come forth from the presence of God on Sinai, and the ineffable brightness still lingered by reflection on his countenance. For Jesus, that glory was inherent. The rays of indwelling Deity burst through his flesh. The luster of eternity streamed through the veil of His humanity. Moses only showed the brightness of the Father’s glory.
No wonder Peter, in impulsive joy exclaims, “Lord it is good for us to be here;” then proposed the erection of three tabernacles.
But another Cloud appears even more transcendent in brightness and heavenly splendor on the head of Jesus and his two celestial companions. It is nothing less than the Shekinah Glory, the symbol and emblem of a present Deity; the same cloud which of old preceded in a pillar-form the march through the wilderness; which hovered over the ark in the tabernacle, and over the holy of holies in the Jerusalem temple.
The Word said the disciples were afraid as they entered into the Cloud. They received the baptism of the Cloud. A voice speaks from the cloud. A message comes to them from the midst of the excellent glory --- “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” God the Father attests and installs the Son as sovereign of the kingdom. He consecrates Him as Prophet, Priest and King forevermore.
Moses and Elijah were representatives of two former dispensational eras. Both appear at the Mount of Transfiguration to worship Jesus, confessing their subservience to Him, of whom both the law and the Prophets bore witness. They lay down as it were the seals of office, ---their warrants for their temporary ministries, ---at Jesus’ feet.
The law through its representative declares, “O Lamb of God, all my bleating sacrifices pointed to you.”
Prophecy through its representative declares, “O Prophet of the Highest, all my visions and forth-telling are centered in you.”
The shadow is transformed into the substance. In Christ alone, is the end, meaning and reality of the Passover.
When Peter suggested the erection of three tabernacles---God gave a clear word that both of the other ministers were to give place to “the minister of the sanctuary, and the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man.”
This affirms the gospel as superior to all of the other dispensations.
There is much more to this story, but it will be for another day!
There is no defeat in Jesus! We can’t go under for going over!!!!
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
Scripture from K.J.V. I entered into the labors of John Ross MacDuff, D. D. the Prophet of Fire. Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the writings of those who I entered into their labors.