14. How could Moses and Elijah appear in glory?

Jesus refers to the event on the mount of transfiguration afterward as a “vision” (horama, matthew 17:9). It is the same word used in acts 10:17 for the vision peter received while praying on the rooftop. Peter, James, and John were given a glimpse into the future. Just as later John (revelations 1:10) was transported into the day of the Lord.

Jesus had declared (matthew 16:28) that some of the twelve would not taste death before they had seen the Son of man coming in His Kingdom. And six days later (= on the seventh day!) He took Peter, James, and John with Him up a high mountain. And there He was transformed for them, and His face shone like the sun, and Moses and Elijah appeared in glory (luke 9:31). At that moment, Jesus had not yet been glorified, nor had Moses and Elijah, but through a window into the future, Peter, James, and John were allowed to see this in advance.

At the end of his life, Peter looks back on what he once experienced on the mount of transfiguration. He remarks that he was, on that occasion, an eyewitness of the presence (parousia) of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 peter 1:16). In other words, he already saw what is, even today, still future — thereby confirming the prophetic word (2 peter 1:19). As in a  time travel, he was transported to the seventh day, the day of the Kingdom.

We should understand that if Moses and Elijah had already been glorified at that time, Christ would not be the firstfruit, nor the only One currently possessing immortality (1 corinthians 15:23; 1 timothy 6:16).

Delen: