Unsearchable Part 7: The Glory of Christ

Steve Stewart's picture

[Mt 17:1-8; Mk 9:2-8; Lu 9:28-36]

Our journey into the mystery of Christ and His unsearchable riches has brought us to a much more multi-dimensional understanding of Who this King of Glory really is. We have touched on how Jesus eternally lives beyond time and space and how He repeatedly appears throughout the Old Testament. In the Incarnation, God became man and will be forever, in the joyful, self-giving, Other-celebrating, infinite creativity of the Trinity.

In all three synoptic Gospels, we read a vivid account of what is known as The Transfiguration where Jesus took His three closest disciples up a mountain where they first saw a glimpse of Who He really is. A close look at this episode gives us a number of insights regarding the mystery of Christ.

The Transfiguration is known as a theophany, a manifestation of the divinity of Christ; here we see Him in a display of who He really is, in His full glory. It is interesting that this episode begins with Jesus taking the disciples to be with Him when He prays. They are witnessing what happens when God the Son talks with God the Father. We are reminded of how John fell to the ground as though dead when He saw the unveiled Son in Revelation. (Rev 1:12-17)

Scripture states that God is light (1 Jn 1:5). Jesus is clearly revealed as God, His face shining like the sun (Mt 17:2) and His clothes became “dazzling white”, whiter than anything in the natural realm. This passage is shouting the consistent testimony of the NT: Jesus is God. The dazzling light comes from within; it is the Divine energy and purity of God that comes from the Son. This is in contrast to the reflected glory that shone for a time upon Moses’ face, but eventually faded. The Bible often uses the image of a white robe (and this robe is whiter than any) to indicate future glory, the glory that awaits all of His children whose robes are washed by the cleansing of Christ’s blood (Rev 7:14).

Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus. There are several levels of meaning here. Moses represents the Law, Elijah the Prophets. In one sense, Moses reminds us to look back at the faithfulness of God and His promise throughout history; Elijah represents the future promise of total restoration. (In Jesus’ time there was a great anticipation that Elijah would soon return to usher in the Messiah.) In Lu 9:31 we are told that they spoke with Jesus about His departure; the word literally means exodus and is unique in all of the Gospels. They were speaking about Jesus’ soon coming journey to the Cross, but in the context of God’s great plan to bring ultimate freedom––eternal life––to His people. Thus, the Transfiguration shows us the continuity of God’s story and plan for His creation.

Note that it is only Jesus from whom dazzling light emits. Moses and Elijah are with Jesus, but not as equals; He is their Lord. The Transfiguration shouts to us the truth that we understand the Law and the Prophets (the Old Testament) through relationship with Jesus. He is the key to rightly interpreting the truths of the Bible.

There was a time when I was confused by Peter’s outburst. Why suggest putting up three tabernacles? The clue is found in where all three Gospel writers place this event: it is at the end of the weeklong Feast of Tabernacles. For Israel, there were three dimensions to this feast: It celebrated the relationship between the Creator and His creation. It was a formal time of remembering God’s faithful work in history with His people. Finally, the Feast looked forward in hope to the coming of the Messiah. The Gospel writers are recognizing something very important––the Feast of Tabernacles is fulfilled in the Transfiguration. Peter knew that the Feast is the celebration of the coming Kingdom of God. This is why he asks to build the three shelters. There is another interesting parallel: in Exodus, the cloud of God’s glory covered the tabernacle; on the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus is the tabernacle, the place of meeting with God. (Note that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” is more accurately translated, “tabernacled among us”.)

For the second time in the Gospels, the Father’s voice is heard: “This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” The climax, the center of the Transfiguration is this Voice. It is the Father’s declaration of who Jesus really is. This takes us straight back to John’s prologue: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is the word of revelation. Clearly Jesus is the Word Himself. This command to “listen to Him!” calls us to read the Old Testament, to understand and interpret it, in light of the words and deeds of Jesus. The Voice of the Father did not say, “listen to them” or even, “listen to Me”. There is only one Son of God. There will not be three tabernacles built. God the Son is the eternal tabernacle.

Like Jesus’ baptism, in this episode we clearly see the presence of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit descends upon them all; the Father speaks so that they all may hear; and He speaks of the Son, once again reflecting the “given-ness”, the Other-focus of the Trinity.

The Transfiguration is the inauguration of the Messianic Age. That is why, only a week earlier, Jesus said to His friends, “There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Kingdom of God come in power.” Jesus was speaking of Peter, James and John, predicting what they would very soon be seeing.

At this central event of the Gospel narrative, on a mountaintop, the true glory of God the Son breaks through. The complete Word has come. The true and final Tabernacle now dwells among us. The power of God’s Kingdom has been made manifest in the transfigured Jesus. The Age to Come has broken in, and nothing will ever be the same.

The Glory of God has been revealed.

~ Steve

Add new comment

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 281 - 290 of 487

Pages

Prayers That Heal the Heart Video Download Package

Prayers That Heal the Heart Video Download Package - Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition

by Mark Virkler | 2 eBooks | 15 Video Download Sessions

Prayer counseling that breaks every yoke! Everything you need to experience deep healing of your soul and spirit. Did you know that you don’t need to be continually plagued by negative thoughts, feelings, pictures or memories?

It is not part of the "human condition" to feel the constant nagging of doubt, insecurity, or anger. No matter what sin you are trying to overcome, what lie you think you’ll always believe, or what traumas your heart has suffered in the past, you will receive total freedom and restoration by praying these prayers in faith.

Price: $95.85

49 Lies Video Download Package – 49 Religious Lies Jesus Told Me to Stop Believing

2 PDF eBooks & 49 Digital Video Downloads

If you have ever believed any of the following lies, then this book is for you: "Emotions are soulish;" "Money is evil or secular;" "It is wrong to seek vision;" "Don’t trust experiences;" "God gave me a mind and expects me to use it;" "Politics are evil;" God is always beating on me;" or one of 43 more such deceptive lies...

This package includes two PDF ebooks, 49 Lies  (100 pages of God's revelation through two-way journaling) and Release from Religion which contains 100 pages of Bible meditation where we search the Scriptures to see if they confirm that these things are so. 

This download package also includes 49 professionally recorded digital video sessions, each 5-12 minutes long, which is my testimony of breaking free from each lie. I discuss what the lie is, its impact on my life, what Jesus spoke, my prayer of repentance and the new freedom I experienced which allows me to step into a new life in Christ.

Price: $69.95

Counseled by God Digital Video Package

eBook, LEARN eNotebook & Video

Recently Released – 35th Anniversary Edition

The foremost training in the world to help you become emotionally whole by hearing the voice of the Wonderful Counselor! You will receive an impartation as you watch these 13 sessions of Mark Virkler sharing life-transforming principles on how to restore your heart by receiving daily counsel directly from God. Learn by seeing, reading and writing.

Price: $76.85
Fulfill Your Financial Destiny Digital Video Download Package

Fulfill Your Financial Destiny Digital Video Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 1 PDF eBook | 22 Video Sessions

Newly recorded for 2023! Though the economic system (mammon) of this world is under a curse, we have received instructions for how to move out from that dominion and into the blessing of the Kingdom of God. God’s promises to His children have not changed with the whims of government or Wall Street, nor have His directions for how to walk in those promises. We can “choose not to participate” in the economic recession that is around us if we instead choose to obey the logos and rhema of the Lord and enjoy the blessings that result.

Price: $69.90
Hear God Through Your Dreams Video Download Package

Hear God Through Your Dreams Video Download Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 1 eBook | 5 Video Download Sessions | Only $39.92

Do you often wake up feeling there was a significant message in your dream, but you’re just not sure what it is? Like Daniel and Joseph, do you long to be able to help others understand their own dreams and win them to Christ as you explain His night messages to them? Wouldn't it be nice if you could receive mid-course corrections from the Lord while you sleep? Do you wish you could be receiving divine inspiration, creative solutions to problems, and direction from the Lord during that third of your life that you’re “just” sleeping?

Price: $51.90

Hearing God Through Your Dreams Video Download Package

by Mark Virkler and Charity Kayembe | 16 Digital Videos | 1 eBook

Learn How to Hear God’s Voice, Even When You Are Sleeping

Receive divine counsel nightly. Increase emotional health, wisdom and creativity.

Price: $66.94

How Do YOU Know? Digital Video Package

by Mark Virkler | 180-Page eBook | 12 MP4 Sessions | LEARN eWorkbook

How do you know? What is the process you use to discover truth? I did not ask that question during the first 25 years of my life. I used eleven different methods for discovering truth including: if my parents said so, then it was so. If my teacher said it was so, then it was so. If my pastor said it was so, then it was so. If my theology said it was so, then it was so. I have discarded them all and adopted a twelfth method, which is in harmony with what the Bible teaches. We teach you this method in this series. 

This package includes a 180-page ebook, a 12-session digital video series and a 40-page e-workbook.

Price: $79.85

How to Walk by the Spirit Video Download Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 1 eWorkbook | 12 Video Downloads

Are you like many western Christians who have been taught little about how to sense their spirits? Do you have trouble even defining what spirit sensations feel like within you, much less recognizing them? This training was birthed from Mark’s passion to live out of his spirit, and thus release the anointing of God. The problem he faced was lack of clear biblical definition as to what his spirit felt like. So Mark looked up every verse in the Bible on heart and spirit.

Includes Revised & Expanded 15th Anniversary Edition Videos

Price: $73.90
Introduction to the Supernatural Video Download Package

Introduction to the Supernatural Video Download Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 1 ebooklet | 2 video downloads

You don't have to wait 20 years, like I did, to move in the supernatural power of God. Once you know WHAT to do, it is simply a matter of doing it. You take your newfound understanding of how to move in the Spirit and you walk out on the water in faith and discover the anointing of God rests upon you and flows through you. Let us teach you how!

Price: $12.00
Naturally Supernatural Video Download Package

Naturally Supernatural Video Download Package

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 2 Books | 13 Video Sessions

Now with Revised & Expanded 30th Anniversary Edition Videos!

A step-by-step guide on “abiding in Christ” or how to let go and let God live naturally and powerfully out through you. Disarmingly simple. Mind-blowingly powerful.

Price: $84.85

Pages