" And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,
3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.
4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.
7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”
3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.
4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified.
7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”
8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. " Mark 9: 2-10.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. " Mark 9: 2-10.
Peter , James and John were chosen by Jesus out of His many disciples to accompany Him to the mount for a period of separation unto prayer as was Jesus' practice .
Prior to accompanying Jesus to this prayer retreat on the mount , these men had worked and walked with the Lord Jesus for a period of time .They knew Jesus taught and preached with authority and great power like no one else had ever done. and they had come to know , respect and love Jesus as "Rabbi " , also as their friend and their brother.
Many times the disciples had been witnesses to the awesome miracles performed by Jesus .
What they saw Jesus do and heard Him say were not the manifestations from an ordinary human being and they must have been awed by all of them .
"And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? " Mark 4 : 41.
Often , Jesus had told His disciples some "strange" statements about how He was in existence before Abraham John 8: 58; and about His equality to Almighty God
(Matthew 22:42,John 5:17-19 ,10:30) .
Jesus declared that He was the only begotten son of the most High God who came down from heaven to die for the sins of the world and to establish the kingdom of God on earth, John 3: 16 - 18 , John 9: 35:38, John 10: 36-38 ; and about His death and resurrection and a host of other strange stuff .
Saying, "The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again ". Luke 24:7.
Even after they had seen , first hand , the very unusual miracles Jesus performed amongst the people they could not quite get their heads around some of His claims.
Such as : " unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood". John 6 :52-58.
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” John 2: 19.
These were strange statements to them which must have made them wonder what they had gotten themselves into by following Jesus.
But they followed Him all the same . Jesus was their beloved Rabbi and they were content to accept Him the way He was.
You know, there are some people in our families and amongst our close friends whom we suspect are a bit "not there ", if you know what I mean ; but still, we love them all the same.
Before Jesus' disciples Peter , James and John encountered Jesus Christ and He chose them to become His disciples , these men had their own religious beliefs which were based on their Jewish cultural and religious teachings and the religion taught them about Jewish religious leaders whom God had chosen as their recognised leaders .
They were born and bred as Jews , therefore for these disciples, Abraham , Moses and Elijah were renowned icons of Judaism and the recognised Jewish religious leaders .
Therefore before Peter Jesus and John witnessed Christ's Transfiguration on the mount ; they had lived with and followed Jesus Christ but still, they recognised Moses as their ultimate God-ordained leader and law -giver and Elijah as their ultimate fire-brand prophet and prayer warrior who received answer by fire straight from God's throne .
As such, for these disciples, surely no man alive could be greater than Moses and Elijah ? !
The sight of Elijah and Moses , filled the disciples with awe .
Prior to accompanying Jesus to this prayer retreat on the mount , these men had worked and walked with the Lord Jesus for a period of time .They knew Jesus taught and preached with authority and great power like no one else had ever done. and they had come to know , respect and love Jesus as "Rabbi " , also as their friend and their brother.
Many times the disciples had been witnesses to the awesome miracles performed by Jesus .
What they saw Jesus do and heard Him say were not the manifestations from an ordinary human being and they must have been awed by all of them .
"And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? " Mark 4 : 41.
Often , Jesus had told His disciples some "strange" statements about how He was in existence before Abraham John 8: 58; and about His equality to Almighty God
(Matthew 22:42,John 5:17-19 ,10:30) .
Jesus declared that He was the only begotten son of the most High God who came down from heaven to die for the sins of the world and to establish the kingdom of God on earth, John 3: 16 - 18 , John 9: 35:38, John 10: 36-38 ; and about His death and resurrection and a host of other strange stuff .
Saying, "The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again ". Luke 24:7.
Even after they had seen , first hand , the very unusual miracles Jesus performed amongst the people they could not quite get their heads around some of His claims.
Such as : " unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood". John 6 :52-58.
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” John 2: 19.
These were strange statements to them which must have made them wonder what they had gotten themselves into by following Jesus.
But they followed Him all the same . Jesus was their beloved Rabbi and they were content to accept Him the way He was.
You know, there are some people in our families and amongst our close friends whom we suspect are a bit "not there ", if you know what I mean ; but still, we love them all the same.
Before Jesus' disciples Peter , James and John encountered Jesus Christ and He chose them to become His disciples , these men had their own religious beliefs which were based on their Jewish cultural and religious teachings and the religion taught them about Jewish religious leaders whom God had chosen as their recognised leaders .
They were born and bred as Jews , therefore for these disciples, Abraham , Moses and Elijah were renowned icons of Judaism and the recognised Jewish religious leaders .
Therefore before Peter Jesus and John witnessed Christ's Transfiguration on the mount ; they had lived with and followed Jesus Christ but still, they recognised Moses as their ultimate God-ordained leader and law -giver and Elijah as their ultimate fire-brand prophet and prayer warrior who received answer by fire straight from God's throne .
As such, for these disciples, surely no man alive could be greater than Moses and Elijah ? !
The sight of Elijah and Moses , filled the disciples with awe .
More so, they were very impressed to see that these two great Jewish leaders were actually "honouring " Jesus and them with their presence and even speaking with Jesus , their humble Rabbi.They saw this visitation on the mount as a "great promotion" for their Rabbi .
So in their excitement , these disciples decided to spring into action by trying to immortalise the honour of this visitation by Moses and Elijah .
" Let us immortalise this great honour by building tents for the three of them !"
" Let us immortalise this great honour by building tents for the three of them !"
But , immediately, Almighty God spoke from Heaven to confirm the supremacy of His son , Jesus Christ , above all men and above every other name in heaven and on earth.
"And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” Mark 9: 7.
After God spoke to reiterate the supremacy of His son Jesus , God shut down that scene which sort of gave the impression of the equality of Moses and Elijah to Jesus , God's son.
Moses and Elijah were removed from the mount immediately. vs.8.
Before the encounter on the mount of Transfiguration , God's voice was heard also confirming His son Jesus when Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist at the river Jordan. Matthew 3: 13-17.
The multitude who went to see and hear John the Baptist preaching prior to the baptism of Jesus Christ at the river Jordan, must have thought John was the promised Christ , the deliverer of Israel. Luke 3:15.
When Jesus arrived on the scene to be baptised by John ; many people did not know who Jesus was . To them Jesus was just another faithful follower of John the Baptist , coming to receive the Baptism of John.
But John knew who Jesus was and he declared the good news to all present there . John 1: 28-36.
"And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? "
Mark 8: 27.
When the Lord Jesus Christ asked His disciples this question , He was not checking out His approval or popularity rating amongst the general public .
He asked them this question to ensure that they got the revelation of who He was right.
In Matthew 16:13-21, we read the response of Peter which revealed that at least he had gotten the revelation of who Christ was, even before the rest of the world knew it.
" He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Mark 8 : 29
This is the accurate revelation of whom Jesus Christ is which sets the believers apart from the doubters and the curious by-standers.
This is the correct revelation of Him , given by the Holy Spirit and this is the rock on which the Church of Jesus Christ was founded.
This revelation of Christ is given by the spirit of God and never by any form of carnal knowledge and neither by human reasoning .
"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it ". Matthew 16 :15- 18.
There was no " first Church " and Peter was never ordained by Christ as the first leader of any "first Church ".
Jesus Christ did not found His Church on Peter or on any the human being ; as is being erroneously taught and believed by millions of people today.
This revelation of whom Jesus is , is the Rock and it is the Truth on which the Christian faith is built.
It is vital to get this revelation RIGHT , before any one would be able to get the empowerment to believe in the salvation of God and receive the blessings which God has promised those who believe in Jesus Christ .
" For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1: 16 , 17 .
All through the ages humans have tried to get the revelation of who Jesus Christ was and is by using all types of man-made studies , researches , doctrines, cultural and traditional beliefs and all forms of religious practices.
" You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
John 5: 39 - 41.
God is displeased whenever humans attempt to equate any other ways and means of deliverance with the Salvation of God through Jesus Christ .
Beside the truth of who Jesus Christ is and the finished work of man's deliverance , no other human being or names found amongst men qualified for establishing God's salvation plan .
It is only the Spirit of God who is the third person of the Holy Trinity of God the Father , Son and Holy Spirit who can give a person the TRUE revelation of who Jesus is ; through the understanding of word of God . John 15: 26.
Now, the Holy Spirit is asking : " Who and what do YOU think or say Jesus Christ is ? "
You have to get this revelation right - for your own good.
What you think and say about Jesus Christ cannot change the truth of who Jesus is.
Jesus Christ is the son of the living God who died and rose again to take away the sins of the world . Jesus Christ is alive. today. He is the same today as He was yesterday and He will remain the same for ever. Your unbeilef changes nothing about this truth
This Truth cannot be altered to fit into your thought patterns or belief systems.
It is YOU who have to change to conform to the Truth , for your own destiny .
Grasping the revelation of Jesus Christ. means you know Him , you accept , you believe and you have confessed the truth about who Jesus is and what He has done.
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved " Acts 4 :12.
Jesus said , "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me ". John 14: 6.
Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour , sometimes in the past ; but you see nothing wrong in "helping heaven and helping yourself " by also adhering to other belief systems ?
Maybe you have never accepted Jesus and have never believed that accepting Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour is the only way to please God and the only way to heaven ? John 3: 14 -21.
Without faith in Jesus Christ , it is impossible to please God.
There is no two-way system about receiving the revelation of Christ.
You cannot receive Christ , believe in Him and also believe in the doctrines of your "ancient masters", your religious beliefs , your communities' deities, traditional and cultural beliefs and even the man-made doctrines of your local church.
Oil and water can never form a well-blended mixture ; however long you cook them and stir them together.
Receive the revelation of Jesus Christ which saves completely.
Only the Truth in the revelation of Jesus Christ , the son of God can set you free indeed. John 8:31-38 .
Believe the truth in the revelation of Jesus Christ and continue in it .
Therein you will find freedom and rest for your soul.
God bless you as you obey the word of God. Amen
"And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” Mark 9: 7.
After God spoke to reiterate the supremacy of His son Jesus , God shut down that scene which sort of gave the impression of the equality of Moses and Elijah to Jesus , God's son.
Moses and Elijah were removed from the mount immediately. vs.8.
Before the encounter on the mount of Transfiguration , God's voice was heard also confirming His son Jesus when Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist at the river Jordan. Matthew 3: 13-17.
The multitude who went to see and hear John the Baptist preaching prior to the baptism of Jesus Christ at the river Jordan, must have thought John was the promised Christ , the deliverer of Israel. Luke 3:15.
When Jesus arrived on the scene to be baptised by John ; many people did not know who Jesus was . To them Jesus was just another faithful follower of John the Baptist , coming to receive the Baptism of John.
But John knew who Jesus was and he declared the good news to all present there . John 1: 28-36.
"And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? "
Mark 8: 27.
When the Lord Jesus Christ asked His disciples this question , He was not checking out His approval or popularity rating amongst the general public .
He asked them this question to ensure that they got the revelation of who He was right.
In Matthew 16:13-21, we read the response of Peter which revealed that at least he had gotten the revelation of who Christ was, even before the rest of the world knew it.
" He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Mark 8 : 29
This is the accurate revelation of whom Jesus Christ is which sets the believers apart from the doubters and the curious by-standers.
This is the correct revelation of Him , given by the Holy Spirit and this is the rock on which the Church of Jesus Christ was founded.
This revelation of Christ is given by the spirit of God and never by any form of carnal knowledge and neither by human reasoning .
"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it ". Matthew 16 :15- 18.
There was no " first Church " and Peter was never ordained by Christ as the first leader of any "first Church ".
Jesus Christ did not found His Church on Peter or on any the human being ; as is being erroneously taught and believed by millions of people today.
This revelation of whom Jesus is , is the Rock and it is the Truth on which the Christian faith is built.
It is vital to get this revelation RIGHT , before any one would be able to get the empowerment to believe in the salvation of God and receive the blessings which God has promised those who believe in Jesus Christ .
" For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1: 16 , 17 .
All through the ages humans have tried to get the revelation of who Jesus Christ was and is by using all types of man-made studies , researches , doctrines, cultural and traditional beliefs and all forms of religious practices.
" You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
John 5: 39 - 41.
God is displeased whenever humans attempt to equate any other ways and means of deliverance with the Salvation of God through Jesus Christ .
Beside the truth of who Jesus Christ is and the finished work of man's deliverance , no other human being or names found amongst men qualified for establishing God's salvation plan .
It is only the Spirit of God who is the third person of the Holy Trinity of God the Father , Son and Holy Spirit who can give a person the TRUE revelation of who Jesus is ; through the understanding of word of God . John 15: 26.
Now, the Holy Spirit is asking : " Who and what do YOU think or say Jesus Christ is ? "
You have to get this revelation right - for your own good.
What you think and say about Jesus Christ cannot change the truth of who Jesus is.
Jesus Christ is the son of the living God who died and rose again to take away the sins of the world . Jesus Christ is alive. today. He is the same today as He was yesterday and He will remain the same for ever. Your unbeilef changes nothing about this truth
This Truth cannot be altered to fit into your thought patterns or belief systems.
It is YOU who have to change to conform to the Truth , for your own destiny .
Grasping the revelation of Jesus Christ. means you know Him , you accept , you believe and you have confessed the truth about who Jesus is and what He has done.
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved " Acts 4 :12.
Jesus said , "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me ". John 14: 6.
Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour , sometimes in the past ; but you see nothing wrong in "helping heaven and helping yourself " by also adhering to other belief systems ?
Maybe you have never accepted Jesus and have never believed that accepting Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour is the only way to please God and the only way to heaven ? John 3: 14 -21.
Without faith in Jesus Christ , it is impossible to please God.
There is no two-way system about receiving the revelation of Christ.
You cannot receive Christ , believe in Him and also believe in the doctrines of your "ancient masters", your religious beliefs , your communities' deities, traditional and cultural beliefs and even the man-made doctrines of your local church.
Oil and water can never form a well-blended mixture ; however long you cook them and stir them together.
Receive the revelation of Jesus Christ which saves completely.
Only the Truth in the revelation of Jesus Christ , the son of God can set you free indeed. John 8:31-38 .
Believe the truth in the revelation of Jesus Christ and continue in it .
Therein you will find freedom and rest for your soul.
God bless you as you obey the word of God. Amen
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