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Christians Only: Jesus Transfiguration

ChristineES

ChristineES

Tiggerism
Premium Member
This morning, the pastor of my church (Pastor Jeremiah from Turning Point) was speaking about Mark Chapter 9 about the Transfiguration with 3 of the Apostles with Him. I realized I've never really had a discussion about this with other Christians except rather superficially. I would like to start a discussion about it with other Christians about what it means and what the purpose of it being shared. It is mentioned in 3 of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This is the relating from Mark (ESV):

Mark 9:2-9 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Please, I'd rather have this discussion with Christians only. :)

Any discussion will welcome about the interpretation of this story and the meaning of it.
 
idea

idea

Question Everything
Here's what our topical guide says about it:

(Guide to the Scriptures | T Transfiguration.:Entry - Transfigured beings)

TRANSFIGURATION. See also Jesus Christ; Keys of the Priesthood

The condition of persons who are temporarily changed in appearance and nature—that is, lifted to a higher spiritual level—so that they can endure the presence and glory of heavenly beings.

Transfiguration of Christ: Peter, James, and John saw the Lord glorified and transfigured before them. The Savior had before promised that Peter would receive the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:13–19; 17:1–9; Mark 9:2–10; Luke 9:28–36; 2 Pet. 1:16–18). At this important event, the Savior, Moses, and Elias (Elijah) gave the promised keys of the priesthood to Peter, James, and John. With these priesthood keys, the Apostles had the power to continue the work of the kingdom after the ascension of Jesus.

Joseph Smith taught that on the mount of transfiguration, Peter, James, and John were also transfigured. They saw a vision of the earth as it will appear in its future glorified condition (D&C 63:20–21). They saw Moses and Elijah, two translated beings, and heard the voice of the Father. The Father said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Matt. 17:5).

Transfigured beings: They saw the God of Israel, Ex. 24:9–11. The skin of his face shone while he talked with God, Ex. 34:29 (Mark 9:2–3). Jesus' face did shine, Matt. 17:2 (Mark 9:2–3). Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory, 2 Cor. 3:7. Abinadi's face shown with exceeding luster, Mosiah 13:5–9. They were encircled about as if by fire, Hel. 5:23, 36, 43–45 (3 Ne. 17:24; 19:14). They were as white as the countenance of Jesus, 3 Ne. 19:25. It did seem unto them like a transfiguration, 3 Ne. 28:15. No man has seen God in the flesh, except quickened by the Spirit, D&C 67:10–12. By the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened, D&C 76:12. The glory of God was upon Moses, Moses 1:2. His glory was upon me; and I beheld his face, for I was transfigured, Moses 1:11. I beheld the heavens open, and I was clothed upon with glory, Moses 7:3–4.
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(Topical Guide | T Transfiguration, Transfigured:Entry)

Transfiguration, Transfigured (see also Glory; Translated Beings; BD Transfiguration, Mount of)
Ex. 34:29 skin of his face shone while he talked with him
Matt. 17:2 (Mark 9:2) t. before them: and his face did shine
2 Cor. 3:7 Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory
2 Pet. 1:7 voice to him from the excellent glory
Hel. 5:23 (3 Ne. 17:24; 19:14) encircled about as if by fire
3 Ne. 19:25 they were as white as the countenance ... of Jesus
3 Ne. 28:15 it did seem unto them like a t.
D&C 63:21 When the earth shall be t.
D&C 67:11 no man has seen God ... except quickened by the Spirit
D&C 76:12 by the power of the Spirit our eyes were opened
Moses 1:2 glory of God was upon Moses
Moses 1:11 his glory was upon me ... for I was t.
Moses 7:3 heavens open, and I was clothed upon with glory
See also Dan. 3:22–27; JS-H 1:17.

(Topical Guide | T Translated Beings:Entry)

Translated Beings (see also Transfiguration)
Gen. 5:24 (Heb. 11:5; D&C 107:49) Enoch walked with God: and ... God took him
Deut. 34:6 no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day
2 Kgs. 2:11 Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven
Matt. 16:28 some standing here, which shall not taste of death
Matt. 17:3 (Mark 9:4) appeared unto them Moses and Elias
John 21:22 (D&C 7:3) If I will that he tarry till I come
Heb. 13:2 some have entertained angels unawares
Alma 45:19 Lord took Moses unto himself ... also received Alma
3 Ne. 28:7 ye shall never taste of death
3 Ne. 28:38 that they might not taste of death there was a change wrought
4 Ne. 1:14 save it were the three who should tarry
Morm. 8:10 (8:11) disciples of Jesus, who did tarry
D&C 38:4 (Moses 7:21, 31, 69) taken the Zion of Enoch into mine own bosom
D&C 45:12 city reserved until a day of righteousness
D&C 110:13 Elijah ... was taken to heaven without tasting death
Moses 7:27 Holy Ghost fell on many, and they were caught up ... into Zion
See also 3 Ne. 1:3; D&C 49:8.
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(Bible Dictionary | T Transfiguration, Mount of:Entry)

Transfiguration, Mount of. This very important event in the N.T. occurred about a week after the promise made to Peter that he would receive the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 16:13–18; 17:1–9). On the mount (probably Mount Hermon) the Savior, Moses, and Elias (Elijah) gave the promised keys of the priesthood to Peter, James, and John (HC 3:387), which enabled these brethren to carry forth the work of the kingdom on the earth after the departure of Jesus. These keys were later given to all of the Twelve.

The transfiguration occurred in about October, some six months before the death of Jesus. The brethren saw the Lord in a glorified and transfigured state. They also saw a vision of the earth as it will appear in its future glorified condition (D&C 63:20–21; HC 1:283); saw and conversed with Moses and Elijah, two translated beings; and heard the voice of the Father bearing witness that Jesus is his beloved Son, in whom the Father is pleased, and commanding the brethren to hear (obey) him. See also Mark 9:2–10; Luke 9:28–36; 2 Pet. 1:16–18.

The event is important in many ways: Necessary priesthood authority was conferred upon Peter, James, and John; the significance of the Savior's work was emphasized; and the unity of various dispensations and the close relationship of Jesus and his prophets was demonstrated. Few events in the Bible equal it in importance. A similar event occurred on April 3, 1836, in the temple at Kirtland, Ohio, where the same heavenly messengers conferred priesthood keys upon the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (D&C 110).
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Pegg

Pegg

Jehovah our God is One
Both Mark and Luke linked Jesus’ comment about the coming Kingdom with the account of the transfiguration. (Mark 9:1-8; Luke 9:27-36)
And Peter verified that the transfiguration was a foregleam of the glory Jesus would receive in the coming kingdom.

2*Peter 1:16*No, it was not by following artfully contrived false stories that we acquainted YOU with the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but it was by having become eyewitnesses of his magnificence. 17*For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when words such as these were borne to him by the magnificent glory: “This is my son, my beloved, whom I myself have approved.” 18*Yes, these words we heard borne from heaven while we were with him in the holy mountain

So the purpose of the transfiguration, according to the apostles, was to provide them with proof that God would install Christ as King in the heavens. They were being given a demonstration, and verbal confirmation, of the power he would receive from God.
 
JayJayDee

JayJayDee

Avid JW Bible Student
It is also interesting that Moses and Elijah were present with Jesus. Why them?
"The law and the prophets" pointed forward to Messiah. Elijah evidently represented the prophets and Moses represented the law.

It wasn't a literal presence of Moses and Elijah because both of these were long dead. Jews did not believe in life after dead, but held to resurrection as the only way to have life restored in the kingdom of God on earth.
The fact that tents were suggest for their accommodation, proves that the disciples did not believe this to be an apparition of spirits.

Jesus said it was a vision.(Matt 17:9)

Seeing the glorified Christ in his future role as king of God's kingdom fulfilled the promise of Jesus that some of his disciples 'would not taste death until they saw him coming in his kingdom.' (Matt 16:28) These ones were privileged to get a foregleam.
 
A

aka[DoW]

Member
Well the OT is very clear about the appearamces of both Moses and Elija, not so much of how they looked, but moreso how they dressed, or objects they carried. Moses wore robes, had a long full beard and was always noted with carrying a staff, while Elija wore little more than an animal hide with a belt, and also had a lot of body hair. Being Jews they were probably pretty fimilar of how these two figures appeared according to scripture.
 
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