The transfiguration must have had a purpose for those present and for those of all generations following. The fact that it is described in three of the gospels shows that it was there by inspiration and is profitable to us. When we read any one of the accounts and visualize the scene in our minds, it is awe inspiring, and we can imagine the effect on the spectators. Let us recall the accounts and see the purpose and effect on those present.
The account in Mark 9, combined with some other details contained in two other gospels, tells us that Christ first spoke to His disciples, saying: “There be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” The transfiguration was to be the fulfillment of this statement.
About a week later He took three of His followers, Peter, John and James, and went with them to an high mountain to pray. And as He prayed the fashion of His countenance was altered and His raiment became “shining, exceeding white as snow”, and He was transfigured before them. Two men talked to Jesus, Moses and Elijah. They appeared in glory and spoke of His death to be accomplished in Jerusalem. That the disciples recognized these two men is evidenced by Peter’s remarks regarding the three temples. This might bring a difficulty to our minds. How could they recognize men they had never seen, particularly since statues, portraits or other likenesses were prohibited by the Mosaic law? In this entire matter we must take into account the presence and power of the spirit of God which created the manifestation and gave to the onlookers the power to perceive it. They were there to see, to learn, and to understand that Christ must die, and, no doubt, they were given knowledge that these two were Moses and Elijah. When they talked with Christ concerning His demise, the disciples would be given understanding.
Two points were made known by this vision:
- Christ must soon die at Jerusalem (as evidenced by His conversation with the two).
- Afterward He would be glorified in God’s kingdom.
His transfiguration to an appearance of glory for a brief period was a preview of His eternal glorification later on.
It is interesting to note the details of this appearance:
- The fashion of His countenance was changed.
- His face shone as the sun.
- “His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.”
All this brilliance and whiteness typifies extreme righteousness. It presents the Son of Man in the glory of the Father as He will be in the kingdom.
Later on John saw another vision which typified Christ glorified in the kingdom: “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass ,as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (Rev. 1: 12-16).
The same whiteness is here represented. Added is the two-edged sword, representing Him as a Man of War. “His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.” When we try to visualize the scene of the transfiguration we can understand what an effect it would have on the disciples as they actually saw it. Mark tells us that they were “sore afraid.” Apparently John and James said nothing. Peter, in his impetuous manner, spoke of building three tabernacles, because “he wist not what to say.”
Tell no man
As they came down from the mountain, Christ charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen until He was risen from the dead. The account in Mark states that “they kept that saying with themselves.” However, it is evident that they spoke of it afterwards. II Peter 1:16-18 These three all wrote parts of the Scripture: John, the gospel and epistles; Peter, epistles; James, epistle. The three gospels written by those who were not present (Matthew, Mark and Luke) have detailed accounts, including conversation.
Another point of interest is the consideration of the three personages in the transfiguration: Moses, Elijah and Christ. Here we have outstanding representatives of the various phases of God’s entire plan of salvation. Moses represents the Law; Elijah represents the Prophets; Christ is the Redeemer, the acceptable Sacrifice, and the glorified King in the ages to come It is helpful to have these thoughts in mind when, in our meetings, we sing such songs as, “0 Master, it is good to be, high on the mountaintop with thee.” Actually we are on no mountaintop, but on very level ground. It is typically, then, that we are transfigured.
Away from the World
Notice the case of the disciples. Jesus led them up into an high mountain apart by themselves. They were led away from all activities and pursuits of those about, even from the other disciples, and were alone with Jesus. We, too, can be oblivious to all that takes place in the countryside about us. As did the disciples, so can we picture the entire plan of salvation as offered by God through the Law, the Prophets, and, above all, through the sacrifice of Christ, and his later glorification.
The word “transfigure” means to change the form or appearance; to exalt, glorify, illumine in appearance or character. “Transfiguration” means a transfiguring. In the English translation of the Scripture, the word “transfigured” appears twice — in Matthew’s an Mark’s description of the account. The word “transfiguration” is never used The original Greek word is “metamorphoom,” from whence comes our English word “metamorphose”, meaning to trans form or transmute. The Greek word is used in one other place in Scripture where it is translated “transform”. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of you mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).
See what a different idea we get when we apply the word “transfigured” in stead of “transformed”! We are not to be conformed to this world but to be transfigured by the renewing of ow minds. We also have a better idea of what the hymn we have mentioned means. If we are on the mountain, we not only see Christ transfigured but we ourselves can be transfigured. The instruction by Paul in Romans states how this can be accomplished: we renew our minds so that we are not conformed to this world. When we succeed in this we are transfigured or transformed.
It takes effort
We cannot renew our minds without exerting some mental effort. We must concentrate and think hard on these things that direct our attention to the purpose of our meeting together. We all know what these matters are, and they should be uppermost in our minds when we partake of the emblems or Sunday morning. To state this briefly: at that time we should be transfigured from the things of this world and be with Christ on a high mountain apart This is a mental transfiguration which does not stay with us. There is also to be a physical transfiguration which shall not pass away.
When Christ was seen in the vision it was a revelation of His own personal glorification in spirit nature in the kingdom. Further than this, He was the representation of all those who will be granted immortality and glorification at His coming. Paul says in Colossians 3:2-4: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
John wrote in his epistle, 1 John 3:2: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
If we can perfect the mental transfiguration in this life, we will be rewarded with the physical transfiguration in the life to come.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One