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Transfiguration: A Conversation Between Jesus, Elijah, and Moses

Transfiguration: A Conversation Between Jesus, Elijah, and Moses

Have you ever wondered what Elijah and Moses said to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration?

Jesus is entering the last year of His earthly ministry. He is aware of what is required of Him, of what is going to happen, of His betrayal, rejection, and crucifixion to come. He is aware of the torment of soul that our sin will require of Him, of the temptations He will face, and of the agony He will suffer when His Father’s presence is withdrawn from Him.

He is also concerned about His disciples, knowing their limited understanding of His mission, realizing how vulnerable they will be to discouragement when they see Him betrayed, arrested, railroaded, sentenced, beaten, and crucified. He prays to His Father for some evidence of His divinity that they can cling to in that moment of darkness to give them hope.

And God responds. The veil shielding Earth from heaven’s glorious light parts, divine radiance shines down to meet the divine light already abiding within our Savior, and Jesus shines brighter than the sun—but He is not alone. As His humanity prepares for His final human struggle against sin and Satan, the Father chooses two messengers to go forth from heaven to encourage His Son. God doesn’t choose angels; no, He chooses two humans, Moses and Elijah. Incredible! What a privilege it was for them to go to Jesus at this critical moment in salvation history.

Have you ever considered why these two individuals, above all the other intelligences in God’s universe, were chosen for this moment? Certainly, their presence held significance for Jesus. Having died and been resurrected, Moses represented all the saved who die in faith and will be resurrected into glory, and Elijah, being translated directly to heaven, represented all the saved who will enter glory without experiencing death. I am sure the significance of these two was not lost on Jesus.

But was that all? Or were they chosen because they had something unique to share with Jesus? What do you think they talked about? Could it be that these two human beings had unique human experiences that would be both a warning and an encouragement to Jesus in His human travails?

Is it possible that both men reminded Jesus how they were overcome with human weakness and allowed emotions of the moment to cause them to falter? Might they have been chosen to share with their Savior their regrets and the lessons they had learned?

Moses may have reminded Jesus that despite decades of faithful service, a moment came when the people he loved—whom he had offered to give his life for, whom he had sacrificed so much for to deliver from slavery and lead in the wilderness—failed to learn, failed to comprehend, failed to see past themselves to the truth of God’s goodness and love and, instead, continued to prefer selfishness. He may have reminded Jesus that the people grumbled, complained, and accused him falsely of not caring, of leading them falsely, and, in a moment of weakness, Moses allowed his feelings to take control and he struck the rock, rather than doing what God had wanted Him to do: simply speak to it.

Might Moses have said to Jesus, “Oh, my dearest friend, be ready. These people we love, they are not going to see You for who You really are. They are not going to accept You. They are going to choose fear and selfishness rather than love and trust, and they are going to reject You, accuse You falsely, abuse You, and crucify You. They will mock You, and You will feel hurt and frustrated and disappointed, and You will be tempted in every way just like I was, but don’t take Your eyes off the Father, don’t give in to your feelings—don’t do like I did and allow frustration to take control. I have faith in You, Jesus. I know you can do better than I did. And when You have won the day, when You have resisted every temptation, overcome every assault, and loved all the way to death and thereby destroyed “death and brought life and immortality to light,” I will be waiting at the gates of heaven for Your return. I love You, my friend. You can do it!”

Might Elijah have said, “Jesus, I am so sorry that our sin requires this of You. I know you are doing this because of who You are, because You love us, because it is the only way to win the war and save us sinful humans. But I hate it for You. I know Your faith in the Father is so much stronger than the faith I had at Mount Carmel, and it is going to need to be. Be ready; Satan is going to hit You with every dirty trick, every underhanded attack, every abuse and hardship that he can. And You will feel completely alone, just like I did. But You reminded me way back then that there were seven thousand who had not bowed to Baal, and I want to remind You that there are many more than that throughout history who have stayed faithful to You. When You feel alone, remember that You are not alone. And when Your soul is weighted down with grief and heartache and You feel like I did, that You just want to die, don’t give in like I did and grumble. Learn from my mistake and trust Your Father, for no matter what Your human feelings tempt You to do, Your Father loves You and is with You and is carrying out His purpose to save humanity through You. I know You can do it, my friend; I love You and trust You.”

I don’t know what Moses and Elijah said to Jesus that fateful day, but I wonder if they shared from their experience to encourage their Savior. I look forward to asking them when we all meet in heaven.

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I borrowed “Healing The Mind” DVDs from a friend and showed them at my home for a small gathering of women friends. Neither of my friends are Adventist, but they both enjoyed and embraced the messages you taught. In fact, one of the ladies prayed out loud in our group and that was the first time she had ever had public prayer.

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We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

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Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

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Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

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[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

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Testimony 46

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Testimony 70

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I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

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Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

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Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

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I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

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Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

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Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

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