THE K I NG ' S B U S I N E S S
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did shine as the sun—His raiment white as light” (Matt. 17:2). (See, also, Dan. 10:6; Rev. 1:13-15; Acts 22:6-11). This was the outshining essential glory of our Lord. He veiled His glory in flesh as He did His power. The disci ples testify to the visible glory of our Lord (John 1:17; 1 John 1:1-2; 2 Pet. 1:16-18). - This transfiguration suggests the pos sibility of the saints (Rom. 12:2; ? Cor. 3:18 J. We are to he conformed to His image (Rom. 8 :29). The whiteness is typical of the righteousness of Christ. (3) The Theme. The central figure here, as always, is Jesus. The two wit nesses are Moses and Elijah who talk about His death and resurrection. They are not talking about His wonderful life or His miracles. Neither did they correct Jesus’ account of Jonah, nor His verification of Moses’ Law, the Psalms and the Prophets. Here are two witnesses: “It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true” (John 8:17; Heb. 6:18). Two is also the number of Jesus, the second Man. He had two na tures. There were two tables of stone; two witnesses on the cross to His death; two witnesses in white to His resurrec tion, and two witnesses testifying to His return in the same manner as He went into Heaven. Here also were two Heavenly wit nesses—the voice of the Father and the Spirit of Glory. (4) The Teaching. (1) The setting np of the earthly Kingdom is postponed. He must fulfill all righteousness and be crucified ac cording to the Scriptures. (2) The identity and perpetuity of the soul. There is no soul-sleeping, no annihilation here. Moses was buried by the Lord 1400 years before, and Elias had been translated 900 years be fore. One was the founder of the Jew
ish people, and the other the restorer. Both were chosen to lead Israel out of bondage—one the bondage of Egypt, and the other the bondage of forms and ceremonies. They were both recog nized, so we are established in our be lief in the identity of the departed. We shall see and know them. (3) The verity of the Scriptures Moses was the author of the law, the leader of the Jewish people. Elijah was the leader of the prophets of the old dispensation. They both promulgated prophetic truth. They taught of Jesus. Law and prophecy are both in harmony with Christ. The word and works of Jesus interpret both Law and Prophecy. He threw light upon both. (4) A picture of coming glory. As He took the disciples into the mountain, so He will take the church into the air. Moses types the saints who have fallen asleep, and Elijah, those who are trans lated. The disciples represent the rem nant of Israel. An instantaneous change to glorified bodies. A union of earth and heaven around the Lord Jesus. No need of the sun—glory comes down! (5) The suffering Jesus. The object of God’s devotion. “My beloved, in whom I delight.” Those who live and suffer with Him are objects of the same delight. (6) The authority of Jesus recog nized. “Hear Him”—not the church, not the ecclesiasts—not reason. He spoke through Moses and Elijah, Peter and Paul, all eyes to be centered upon Him. All ears open to His voice. No man, save Jesus only! (7) The limitations of spiritual knowledge. The disciples could not comprehend it all. He had many things to say to them, hut they could not bear them yet. Peter, in his impetuous way, would have put the Lord on a par with Moses and Elijah, but the Father would not permit it. Spiritual natures must
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