Jesus gave 3 of His disciples a preview of His glorious second coming when He was transfigured before them.
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A Preview Of The Coming King
Luke 9:27-36
When we were kids we would occasionally get to go to the movies. We would always try to get there early, because one of the best things about going to the movies was the previews they would show of the upcoming movies. As each preview was shown, we would whisper, “I want to see that one!” In our text this morning, we have a preview. It is a preview of a coming attraction! We have all read the account of the Transfiguration of Christ, but perhaps we have not noticed that this story is given to us as a preview of something to come.
How do I know that? I know it because of verse 27 in which Jesus says, “But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste of death until they see the kingdom of God.” Jesus had been speaking to His disciples and also a large multitude about the cost of discipleship. He told them that if anyone wished to come after Him, they must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him. Then He laid down three reasons why it is important for us to do just that. We must take the hard road of discipleship because it will mean the difference between gaining or losing your life, gaining or losing your soul, and gaining or losing your Savior. And at this point Jesus says, “I say to you truthfully”, to emphasize how important this next statement is, “there are some of those standing here” (of the vast multitude that He was addressing), who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
Now, what in the world was Jesus talking about? If you take this statement at face value it seems as if Jesus is saying that He is going to return to earth before that generation has passed away. Some liberal theologians have taken this verse in that way. However, for the disciple who believes the Bible, that is an absurd and irreverent suggestion. It would imply that Jesus didn’t know what He was talking about, and thus must not be God in the flesh. Others believe that “seeing the kingdom of God” referred to Pentecost and the growth of the kingdom of God in the first century. Others believe it was fulfilled when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
I have a much simpler, and I think a better explanation than those. I believe Jesus was talking about what we go on to read about in the next paragraph – His transfiguration. Now, why do I believe the Transfiguration was the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in verse 27? First of all, notice that in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the Transfiguration immediately follows this prophecy, linking the prophecy with the Transfiguration. Secondly, notice that all of the gospel writers tell us how many days later the Transfiguration took place. In Matthew and Mark, we are told it was six days. Here, in Luke, we are told it was eight days. There is no conflict. Matthew and Mark tell us how many full days were in between Jesus’ prophecy and the Transfiguration, and Luke tells us how many days there were if you count the day Jesus uttered the prophecy and the day of the Transfiguration. But isn’t it interesting that the number of days are counted out for us. Why would the gospel writers do this? This is very unusual. We haven’t seen this in our study of Luke up to this point. Up until this point Luke will say, “Now on one of those days”, or “soon afterwards”, giving us a vague description of time. But here they are very specific. I believe they are doing so to purposefully clue us in to the fact that the Transfiguration is the fulfillment of this prophecy.
Of all that great multitude, Jesus is telling us that only “some” would not die before they saw something very important. Well, who saw Jesus’ Transfiguration? Only, Peter, John, and James. But, why would Jesus refer to His Transfiguration as “seeing the kingdom of God”? In Mark He speaks about “seeing the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” Now, that’s a new little detail. Jesus speaks about the kingdom of God coming, and coming with power. If we look at Matthew 16:28, we find an even more detailed description. There He speaks of “seeing the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Now, there we have it. That’s what Jesus was talking about. Jesus was saying that there were some people in the crowd that day who would not die before they had seen Jesus coming in His kingdom with power.” Of course, none of Jesus’ disciples literally saw the second coming, for it hasn’t even happened yet. However, they did see a preview of His second coming in which the kingdom comes with power.
Notice also the emphasis on “seeing” this event. Every gospel emphasizes that. Now, notice verse 32, “Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.” Notice the conclusion of this story in verse 36, “And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.” In this story, there is an emphasis on what they saw.
And if all that were not enough, Peter wrote these words in 2 Peter 1:16-18, “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased” — and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” Notice several things about Peter’s words here.
1) Peter speaks about being with Jesus in the holy mountain, and hearing God say, “This is My Beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” That can refer to nothing other than the Transfiguration.
2) Peter speaks about the Transfiguration as the “power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”, using the exact words we have from the lips of Jesus in Luke 9:27.
3) Peter emphasizes the fact that they were “eyewitnesses” of His majesty. Now what does an eyewitness do? He sees something, and then bears witness to it, right? This harmonizes completely with Jesus’ words, “there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
That is why I have come to the conclusion that the Transfiguration is the Preview, and the Second Coming of Christ is the movie. The transfiguration is the trailer for the full film!
Now, why would Jesus prophesy that some among them would see His transfiguration? Why tell them ahead of time? For the simple reason that when the Transfiguration happened, just like He said it would, they would then have great reason to believe that what it pointed toward would also happen. Often in the Old Testament a prophet would prophesy of events in the distant future. However, he would also prophesy of things in his own life time. When his near prophecies came to pass, the people would then believe that his distant prophecies would also come to pass. Jesus did that very thing. In Luke 9:26 He prophesied of His second coming, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” However, nobody would even be alive when that happened. Son, in order to prove that He spoke the truth about His second coming, Jesus gives them a prophecy that would be fulfilled within 8 days. When that came to pass, they would have all the evidence they needed to believe His prophecy about coming again, which would not be for thousands of years.
Jesus knew that His Transfiguration would encourage Peter, John, and James, because even though He must suffer and die, and even though they must follow Him in suffering and death, Jesus would experience eternal glory along with all His faithful followers. The Transfiguration gave a Preview of the glory that awaited Him, and all those who faithfully follow Him.
Now, if the Transfiguration is a Preview of the coming of the King, there are some very important lessons we can learn from it.
1. Jesus will be Revealed in Glory: 9:28-29.
That’s exactly what took place in His Transfiguration; He was revealed in glory. “Jesus took along Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.” By this time, Jesus had already designated an inner circle among the 12. On a previous occasion, when Jesus went to raise up the dead twelve year old daughter of Jairus, He only allowed Peter, John, and James into the room with Him. Later, on the night before the cross, He will take those same three disciples with Him into Gethsemane to pray with Him.
Verse 29 says, “And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.” Matthew says, “His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.” Consider for a moment what Matthew is saying. He is telling us that Jesus’ face was shining like the sun! If you stare at the sun for too long, you will go blind. Not only that, but Jesus’ clothes became as white as light. Mark tells us, “His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” Even if you were to bleach a white t-shirt 1,000 times, it wouldn’t be as radiant and white as Jesus’ clothes were. Luke tells us in verse 29, that Jesus’ clothing became white and gleaming.”
Now, what is going on? Why is Jesus’ face and clothes taking on this glow, this effulgent glow? Both Matthew and Mark tell us that Jesus was “transfigured” before His disciples. The Greek word for transfigured is “metamorphoo.” You guessed it. It is directly related to our word “metamorphosis.” What creature do you know that goes through a metamorphosis? We’ve all seen that little caterpillar that eats and eats and eats, until it finally goes into a cocoon. Later, it emerges from that cocoon as a butterfly. Now that caterpillar doesn’t look anything like the butterfly that it becomes. It has gone through a metamorphosis. Jesus, here went through a metamorphosis. He went through a change of appearance that comes from within. There are two different ways that a star or planet or moon can give light. It can either give light because the light is coming from itself, like our sun. Or, it can give light because light is being reflected from it, like our moon. Well, Jesus is not like our moon. Jesus is like our sun. He is being revealed in glory, because He is no longer hiding His glory.
When Jesus became a man, He did not cease to be God. However, He didn’t appear as God. He appeared like any other man. The first time Mary laid eyes on her baby boy, he looked just like any other Jewish baby. When Jesus was growing up in his father’s home, he looked just like any other Jewish boy. He didn’t walk around with a halo over his head. However, He wasn’t like any other person on the earth. He was God. The reason He didn’t look different from others is because His Deity was veiled in flesh. Do you remember Charles Wesley’s famous Christmas hymn, Hark The Herald Angels? In that hymn, he says in one place, “Veiled in flesh the Godhead see.” That’s exactly what’s taking place. Jesus’ Godhead was veiled in human flesh. It would be like Evlis Presley, or Tom Hanks or Barry Bonds decided they wanted to walk into town and buy a burger at the local hamburger stand. Well, they would be mobbed by fans, wherever they went. So, they decide that they will go incognito. They put on a disguise so that their true identity can not be seen. That’s kind of like what Jesus did in the incarnation. If Jesus did not veil His Deity in flesh, He would have gone around blinding people by His glory. No man can see God and live. John says, “The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Now, when do you think John was talking about when He said “we saw His glory”? I believe He was thinking about the Transfiguration!
It should be no surprise to us that Jesus would appear in dazzling glory. When He appeared to Saul of Tarsus, suddenly “a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around him” Him (Acts 22:6). Of course this was a manifestation of the risen Christ. Jesus is the glory of God. In the Old Testament the glory of God was called the “Shekinah.” In the tabernacle, above the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant, God dwelt in light. This uncreated light radiated out and filled the Holy of holies. Well, Jesus is the glory of God in the midst of humanity. And at His Transfiguration, He cuts loose, and allows His disciples to see within the veil to His essential and inherent glory.
And, when He comes again, He will do it again. He has already told us in Luke 9:26 that the Son of Man will come in His glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” He said in Matthew 25, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory.” In 2 Thessalonians 1:7 we are told that “the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire.”
Friends, when Jesus returns, He’s coming in glory – a glory like this world has never seen before. When Jesus’ face shone like the sun, and His clothes became whiter than any launderer on earth can make them, that was just a preview for a much greater display of His glory. Are you ready to see it?
2. Jesus Will Be Revealed With His Saints: 9:30-31.
When Jesus was revealed in glory on the mount of Transfiguration, two other men appeared with Him – Moses and Elijah. Now, the inclusion of those two men is very interesting because both of them departed this world in a most unusual way. When Moses died, Satan and Michael the archangel disputed together over Moses’ body. Finally, God Himself took and buried his body. On the other hand, Elijah didn’t die at all, but was carried to heaven on a chariot of fire. Now, both of these men appear with Christ and are talking with Him. If there were two Old Testament figures that the Jews would trust, it would be Moses and Elijah. Moses was the one who led them out of bondage in Egypt. He received the Law from God, and was instrumental in getting the whole Priesthood, and sacrificial system put in place. Moses was probably the greatest Jewish man who ever lived. Elijah, was equally impressive. Elijah called down fire from heaven, stopped all rain for three years, caused the oil and grain to multiply for the widow, raised her son from the dead, and parted the River Jordan. Pretty good, huh? These guys were used powerfully by God. And here they are, speaking with Jesus on the mountain.
By the way, we don’t find Moses or Elijah appearing as a dog or a butterfly or a cow. They appear as human. There is no Biblical basis for the idea of reincarnation. No, they have made it safe and sound to the other side. And they know Jesus. Moses has been worshipping Jesus in heaven for 1,500 years, and Elijah for 900 years. Now, they just have a little convention together.
Moses represents God’s law, and Elijah represents the prophets. So, Jesus has two others that witness of His glory, the Law and the Prophets. In fact the whole Old Testament can be summed up as the Law and the Prophets. But, more than that, Moses was one who died and was buried, while Elijah never died but was translated into heaven. As such, these men represent both those who die and then enter heaven, and those who remain until the coming of the Lord and are then raptured. They are the living and the dead. Just as Jesus was with both kinds of saints at His Transfiguration, He will be with both kinds of saints when He comes again.
When Jesus returns, He will bring with Him the spirits of those who have fallen asleep in Jesus, and He will catch up to Him, all those saints who are alive on earth when He returns. He will be surrounded by both kinds of saints. If you are a true Christian, you will either die and your spirit will go to be with the Lord, and then return with Him to the earth again. Or, it just might be that He will return during our lifetime. If that is the case, we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Either way, we win! Either way we are with the glorious One. Paul says in Colossians 3:4, “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
3. Jesus will be Revealed as the Pre-eminent One: 9:32-35.
We are told that the disciples were asleep, while this was going on, but when they awoke, Peter came up with a brilliant idea. He told the Lord that what they should do is make three tabernacles or tents: one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Why did he say this? Mark tells us that he said this “for he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified.” Peter always seems to be putting his foot in his mouth. You know, “open mouth insert foot.” He’s always saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
Now, what was wrong with Peter’s idea? Peter was suggesting that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah all be put on the same level, as though they were equals. Peter was glad to build a memorial to all three of them. However, how did God respond to Peter’s idea? He appeared to them in a cloud and said, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” In other words, Peter, shut up and listen to Jesus! And then, when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. Do you get the picture? God is not happy to have Jesus be put on a par even with the greatest men in Jewish history. God doesn’t want us thinking that Jesus was just a great man, even the greatest man who ever lived. Jesus isn’t in the same league with other human beings. Jesus is God! I think that’s why God tells Peter that Jesus is His Chosen One, and he needs to listen to Him. Then Moses and Elijah disappear, and Jesus is there alone. Since God doesn’t want us comparing anyone to Jesus Christ, when Peter starts to do that, God causes Moses and Elijah to disappear. Moses and Elijah are not on a par with Jesus. No one is on a par with Jesus. He is the unique, preeminent one.
J. C. Ryle put it like this — “Moses and Elijah were servants, He was the King’s Son. They were but planets, but Jesus is the sun. They were but witnesses, but He is the truth.”
Colossians 1:18 says, “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”
And, not only was Jesus preeminent at His Transfiguration, but He will also be preeminent at His second coming. When He comes, He will have no rival, no equal. He tells us in Matthew 25, that He will come in His glory and sit on His glorious throne. He will separate all mankind into two groups: the saved and the lost. He will assign all men their eternal destinies. In fact He will be called “The King” (Mt.25:34).
Not only will Jesus be the King over all mankind, He will also be the Judge. Listen to Jesus’ words in John 5:21-23, “”For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” Notice His undisputed preeminence. The Father has given all judgment to Christ. Why? So that everyone will honor Him just as they honor the Father! Although no one is on a par with Jesus, Jesus is on a par with God the Father! When Jesus returns, He will be the One all eyes will be on. He will be the One all knees will bow to. He will be the One who will judge and rule and assign eternal destinies to every person.
And how will all of Christ’s faithful followers respond to Him on that day? Well, let’s take a glimpse of what goes on in heaven in Revelation 5:11-14, “Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.” And the four living creatures kept saying, “Amen.” And the elders fell down and worshiped.”
Oh, if we will love, and exalt and worship and adore Jesus then, we should be doing it right now, every day!
4. Jesus will be Revealed as God’s Chosen One: 9:35.
In Luke 9:35, when the glory cloud overshadowed the mountain and the Father spoke, He said, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” God let all of the disciples know with all certainty that Jesus was God’s Chosen One. Now, what does that mean? It simply means that before time, the Father selected the Son to be the One through whom He would restore all things. God foreknew the Fall. He knew that after He created man and woman and put them in a perfect Paradise, they would mess things up. And boy did they?! So, God knowing this, came up with a rescue plan even before He created the world. How do I know this? 1 Peter 1:18-21 says this, “knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” Jesus was foreknown before the foundation of the world to be the spotless Lamb who would shed His blood to save all those who believe. God chose the Son for this role, and the Son accepted it. They covenanted together. The Father came up with the plan to save His people, and the Son agreed to live, suffer, and die, in order to accomplish their salvation.
Notice what Moses and Elijah were talking to Jesus about in Luke 9:31, “who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” The word departure is really “exodus.” Just as Moses led the people of Israel out of bondage in the exodus, so too Jesus is going to lead His people out of bondage to sin, Satan, death and hell by His exodus. Of course, this is referring to His death, resurrection, and ascension. However, the really interesting thing here is that they were speaking about His departure which He was about to accomplish. Now, isn’t that a funny way of speaking about your death? I haven’t heard very many people talk about accomplishing their death, have you? No, death is something that happens to us. It’s not something we accomplish. But, not so with Jesus Christ. He came into the world to redeem God’s chosen ones. That was the single driving purpose for why He came.
When Jesus comes again, the entire world will understand and acknowledge that Jesus is God’s Chosen One, sent into the world to save and rescue fallen sinners. Though they would never acknowledge that during their lifetime, they will be forced to acknowledge it then!
And folks, not only was Jesus chosen to be given for you. You were chosen to be given to Him!
John 6:37 “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”
John 6:39, “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”
John 17:1-2, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.”
Do you see that there is a group of people in this world that the Father has given to the Son? They are His reward for His suffering and obedience unto death. They will be His followers and worshippers throughout eternity. They are His bride. They are a gift from the Father to the Son. In that day, everyone will know of God’s sovereign plan, not only to choose Jesus as the Savior, but to choose a vast multitude and give them to Jesus as the saved.
Conclusion
So, how should the Transfiguration of Jesus impact us? How do we apply what we have learned to our lives? We have learned that Jesus is going to be revealed in glory, with His saints, as the Preeminent One, and as the Chosen One. Jesus has just told His disciples that if they follow Him there will be pain, suffering, and rejection. He has told them they are going to have to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him. They will have to lose their life, forsake the world, and not be ashamed of Him and His words. Here’s the big question we all must answer. How big is your Jesus? Is He big enough to surrender all for? Is He big enough to live for? Is He big enough to inspire you to self-denial and to follow Him no matter what the cost? If you understand what we have studied this morning, you know that He is! What we all need is a greater vision of Jesus Christ. We need to truly see Him for who He is. When we do, nothing will be able to stop us from surrendering all and following Him wherever He leads, because He’s worthy? Amen? Let’s pray.
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