In the Orthodox Church, the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated today and at various other dates as great events and holy days in the Church year, the Year of our Lord.

How might our Christian faith be strengthened if we faithfully observed in worship and prayer of this amazing thing that actually happened when the Lord Jesus was glorified right in front of three of His disciples? How might we see through their eyes as it is written in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Christ’s future glory? And how might we then with glad and joyful hearts celebrate this special day with food, drink, dancing and song in honor of our Lord, the Messsiah? And how might we broadcast it far and wide with loud voices to be heard?…this great act that the Lord Jesus did in love before He went to the cross!

And how might we influence and shape the culture today that is on a collision course with destruction and death? Just who are they following?

Tradition says that the Transfiguration took place on Mt. Tabor in Galilee. I rather believe it took place on Mt. Hermon, the highest mountain in the region, and the Bible says in Matthew 17:1, “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves…”  

God does things in sequence of events and chronological order.  That’s how He operates, beginning at Creation in Genesis to the future ‘end times’ to eternity in the Revelation; that’s how He operates!

You will note that in Matthew, chapter 16:13-17, Jesus and His disciples are in Caesarea Philippi which is located at the base of Mt. Hermon.  Here’s what transpired:

“When Jesus came into the region of  Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the son of Man, am?”

“So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

“Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”‘

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”‘

You see, it all follows in sequence; first the location, then the great confession by Peter, then the Transfiguration of the One they believed and followed and now knew to be the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God.

Can you see it in your mind? Can you give thanks in prayer for what Jesus has shown us? Where He showed His radiant glory and the glory just like His we shall one day have when Jesus raptures His believing Church to Him in the air above the clouds and takes us all to Heaven!

What?

Well, let’s pick up the account in Mark 9:2-4…

“…and He was transfigured before them.”

“His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.”

“And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.”

Why Elijah and Moses with Jesus there on the Mount of the Transfiguration?  These two Old Testament prophets; one who died as all men do, and one who did not see death, but was taken up to heaven, raptured; events that occurred hundreds of years before the time of Jesus on earth? Why?

Well, I believe that Moses represents the dead in Christ, who sleep in Christ until the resurrection to a glorious new body, immortal, just like that of Jesus at His resurrection. And that will take place when Jesus calls us from the grave to Him at the Rapture.

And Elijah represents the living believers who will be ‘translated,’ changed in an instant,  immortal and ‘caught up,’ or raptured up to Christ where we shall meet Him in the air, above the clouds…and we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is, and together follow Him to Heaven to the Father, and so shall we ever be with the Lord!

And Jesus showed us His future glory and the glory which is to follow as He gave us a glimpse into the future that awaits us.

I want to burst out in excitement and joy and be with all my family and friends and all who might want to be part of this wonderful celebration and remembrance of what our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ did for us…to know the truth and to proclaim to all who would hear: on this day, almost 2,000 years ago, and before He died on the cross, Jesus was Transfigured!

Glory to God, blessed Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit, with eternal thanksgiving, praise and blessings,

And in Jesus Christ, my Lord and my God, my Lord and Savior, Who, following events to take place on earth as the wrath of God is poured out upon all unbelievers who follow the lie, to my King Messiah, who will then come back and reign on earth for a thousand years as the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, be glory, honor, power, and might…

As it is written in the Word of God, so shall it be; so shall it ‘come to pass,’

Amen and Amen,

Even so, Come Lord Jesus.