"JESUS ON THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION"

By Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.

Matthew 17 records that Jesus went upon Mt. Herman with Peter, James, and John. While they were on the mount - Jesus' face lit-up like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light. Then Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus and had conversation.

Some have asked, "How did the disciples recognize these two Old Testament characters? Possibly several answers could be given:

1) Some clothing they were wearing identified them. It could be assumed that for certain they did not wear a name badge.
2) The apostles may have had some special revelation which allowed them to identify the two spiritual giants of the past. Since Kodak had not arrived as of yet, it is for certain that the apostles did not have a photograph of Moses and Elijah. However, there may have been some artist’s drawings of the two.
3) Possibly from the conversation being held between Jesus and the two Old Testament characters, the conclusion was drawn that these two were Moses and Elijah. I contend that this is probably the best interpretation.

This is one of those questions which we will probably never know for certain until we are able to sit down in heaven and personally ask those involved, "Just how did you know these men were Moses and Elijah?".

Peter was quick to want to erect some type of memorial toward all three (Jesus, Moses, and Elijah). It was then that God spoke from heaven and said to hear Jesus above all. Seemingly this could be understood to mean that Moses represented the Law of Moses and Elijah represented the Old Testament Prophets. They had “their day”, now God was wanting man to hear Him who superseded the Law and the Prophets - this was Jesus. The Law nor the Prophets could save mankind, but Jesus could.

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