The Transfiguration of Jesus Bible Study

u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eIntroductionu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe transfiguration of Jesus is one of the most significant occurrences in scripture, especially for all of us who are of genuine faith.  Yet, at the same time, the transfiguration of Jesus is one of the most overlooked occurrences in the bible.  You see, I feel like we don’t pay it the attention that we ought to as believers.  You see, there is a reason as to why this event is recorded in the synoptic gospels (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+17%3A1-13u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 17:1-13u003c/au003e; u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A2-13u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 9:2-13u003c/au003e; u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+9%3A28-36u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eLuke 9:28-36u003c/au003e) and we are going to take a deep dive into why.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eJesus’ Transfigurationu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPrior to the transfiguration of Jesus, Jesus had ministered and performed several miracles.  Scripture tells us that He came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, north of the sea of Galilee in northern Israel  where He asked the disciples, “Who do men say that I am (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8%3A27u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 8:27u003c/au003e)?”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eWho do people say I amu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAt this time in His ministry, people certainly knew the u003cemu003ename u003c/emu003eof Jesus and they knew that Jesus could perform miracles.  According to scripture, Jesus had recently fed thousands with a few pieces of fish and bread for a u003cemu003esecond time u003c/emu003eaccording to both Matthew and Mark’s gospel (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+14%3A13-21u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 14:13-21u003c/au003e; u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+15%3A32-39u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 15:32-39u003c/au003e; u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+6%3A30-44u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 6:30-44u003c/au003e; u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8%3A1-10u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 8:1-10u003c/au003e).  Jesus had also just healed great multitudes that were lame, blind, mute, maimed along with other afflictions (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+15%3A29-31u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 15:29-31u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJesus was definitely known as a healer and a great teacher at this point during His ministry.  To Jesus’ question, the disciples responded that some of the people said that He was John the Baptist, others were saying that He was Elijah, and some said that He was one of the other prophets (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A28u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 9:28u003c/au003e).  The conclusion from some of  the people was that Jesus was someone sent from God, though the religious leaders would have argued against the people; they believed Jesus did works by Beelzebub (the devil).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, to be clear, the u003cemu003etrue identityu003c/emu003e of Jesus was not recognized by the people.  The true identity being that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God; while being man, He was holy and divine.  With that in mind, Jesus asked His closest followers – the 12 disciples – “who do you say I am (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+16%3A15u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 16:15u003c/au003e)?”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPeter answered, “You are the Christ, the u003cemu003eSon u003c/emu003eof the living God (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+16%3A16u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 16:16u003c/au003e).”  Peter’s answer was an interesting answer because, as Jesus said, it was given to Him by the Father (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+16%3A17u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 16:17u003c/au003e).  In other words, Peter’s answer was not an answer that he came up with by his own knowledge but was relayed to him through the Holy Spirit.  As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor+.12%3A3u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 Cor .12:3u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eEye witnesses of the kingdom of Godu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJesus would then go on to predict His suffering, the rejection of Him by the religious leaders, His death and resurrections to the disciples (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8%3A31u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 8:31u003c/au003e).  Jesus then called the people and His disciples unto Him and said to them, “whoever desires to come after Me, let Him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8%3A34u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 8:34u003c/au003e).”  You can quickly note that this was an u003ca href=u0022https://newfoundfaith.org/the-great-invitation/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022 data-type=u0022postu0022 data-id=u00229972u0022u003einvitation from Jesusu003c/au003e encouraging the people to u003cemu003efollow Him u003c/emu003eso that they can have eternal life (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+8%3A35-38u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 8:35-38u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennAfter Jesus’ invitation to the people, He said, “I say to you that there are some u003cemu003estanding hereu003c/emu003e who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A1u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 9:1u003c/au003e).”  In this statement, Jesus was talking about that present time, not a distant future; some of those standing with Him would not see death till they saw the kingdom of God u003cemu003ecome with poweru003c/emu003e.  What did Jesus mean by this?  Let’s move forward and see.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennScripture tells us that after 6 days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A2u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 9:2u003c/au003e).  Why did Jesus take these three with him?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWell, Peter was the rock that Jesus said He would build His church on (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+16%3A18u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 16:18u003c/au003e).  John was the beloved disciple who would outlive the others (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+21%3A20-25u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 21:20-25u003c/au003e); he and James, his brother, both desired to sit at the right and left hand of Christ (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A35-40u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 10:35-40u003c/au003e).  The other disciples remained at the base of the mountain and would have to deal with a demon possessed boy that they could not heal (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A14-17u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 9:14-17u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennOn the mountain, u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A2u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 9:2u003c/au003e tells us that Jesus was u003cemu003etransfigured u003c/emu003ebefore them.  Transfigure:  a change in form or appearance; a metamorphosis; an exalting, glorifying, or spiritual change.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn Luke’s gospel, we are told that Jesus began to pray on the mountain and as He prayed, His appearance began to change (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+9%3A29u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eLuke 9:29u003c/au003e).  Jesus’ face shone u003cemu003elike the sunu003c/emu003e according to Matthew’s gospel (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+17%3A2u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 17:2u003c/au003e).  All three of the gospels speak to Jesus’ clothes also changing and becoming as white as snow or as white as light; Luke’s gospel says that His clothes were u003cemu003eglistening.u003c/emu003ennu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003cstrongu003eNote:u003c/strongu003e  The description of Jesus’ image during the transfiguration is very similar to the image of the u003cemu003e“certain man” u003c/emu003ein u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+10%3A6u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eDaniel 10:6u003c/au003e, who I believe was Christ.  The description of Jesus’ image during the transfiguration is somewhat similar to Jesus’ resurrected body though He didn’t shine bright.  (I’ll speak more on Jesus’ resurrected body shortly).  Jesus’ image during the transfiguration is also very similar to a description of the Son in (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.+1%3A14-15u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eRev. 1:14-15u003c/au003e).  The transfiguration of Jesus was a picture of the kingdom of God.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eA picture of the kingdom of Godu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennTo further look at this picture of the kingdom of God, as Jesus was transfigured, we are told that both Elijah and Moses appeared and they u003cemu003etalked u003c/emu003ewith Jesus (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+17%3A3%3B+Mark+9%3A4%3B+Luke+9%3A30u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 17:3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30u003c/au003e).  Moses and Elijah, we are told, u003cemu003eappeared in glory u003c/emu003eand they spoke of Jesus’ upcoming death, physically.  As they talked, we are told that “a cloud” came and overshadowed them and a voice came out of the cloud and said, “This is my beloved Son, Hear Him (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9%3A7u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMark 9:7u003c/au003e)!”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe voice, we most certainly know, was the Father.  What the Father says here is essentially identical to what was said u003cemu003eafter u003c/emu003eJesus was baptized (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+3%3A17%3B+Mark+1%3A11%3B+Luke+3%3A22u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22u003c/au003e).  I would even point out that the cloud and the Father speaking out of the cloud should be familiar to you as well if you have studied scripture with me before.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe cloud is the shekinah cloud – the cloud of glory.  We first see this cloud in scripture when the children of Israel left Egypt.  You will recall that when Moses went up Mount Sinai, a cloud covered the mountain (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+24%3A15u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 24:15u003c/au003e).  Scripture specifically states that “the glory of the Lord u003cemu003erested u003c/emu003eon Mount Sinai” (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+24%3A16u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 24:16u003c/au003e).  Moses went into the midst of the cloud and the Lord spoke to him out of the midst (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+24%3A18u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 24:18u003c/au003e).  Sound familiar?nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003cstrongu003eNote:u003c/strongu003e  In this picture of the kingdom of God, we have the Father present along with Moses and Elijah who are representative of a part of the kingdom.  Moses was representative of the law.  Elijah was representative of the prophets. Through scripture, we know that Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets pointed to Christ.  Christ u003cemu003eis u003c/emu003egrace – God’s unmerited love – and as Jesus said, love is the fulfillment of both the law and the prophets (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.+22%3A37-40u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eMatt. 22:37-40u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003cstrongu003eNote continued:u003c/strongu003e  In u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A16u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 10:16u003c/au003e, Christ said that He came to not only save the flock of Israel but also another fold of His – gentiles.  Let us remember, God gave the world His only begotten Son so that u003cemu003ewhosoever u003c/emu003ebelieves in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A16u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 3:16u003c/au003e).  So, the disciples were also here at the transfiguration of Jesus as representatives of the new covenant of living under God’s grace.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, the transfiguration was truly a glorious sight of the kingdom of God.  We have God – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (He was upon Jesus) – present.  Then, in this glorious image, we have two Old Testament saints present.  Though Peter, John, and James were not dead at that time, they represent us and all of us will all come together in the kingdom of God and greatly rejoice.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPeter, John, and James were standing in witness of the kingdom of God just as Jesus said some would do days earlier.  As Peter said about him and the other apostles, “we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were u003cemu003eeyewitnesses of His majestyu003c/emu003e (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Pet.+1%3A16u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e2 Pet. 1:16u003c/au003e).”nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading u002du002du003enu003ch2u003eThe perfect form of humanityu003c/h2u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, Jesus’ majesty at His transfiguration is something that I want to focus on because it is mankind’s past, and most importantly, it is u003cemu003eour u003c/emu003efuture, all of us who genuinely believe in Him.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eMankind’s past gloryu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, when we look at the transfiguration of Jesus, we would see that He was still u003cemu003e‘human’u003c/emu003e.  Jesus, we know, is God in the flesh; He was human but also holy and divine at the same time as well.  At the transfiguration of Jesus, where He is glorified, I want you to understand that we see the u003cemu003eperfect humanity u003c/emu003eof Christ.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhat I mean by this is that we aren’t necessarily taking a look at the u003cemu003etrue form u003c/emu003eof God.  As God said to Moses, should a human take a look at His true form, we would die (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ex.+33%3A20u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eEx. 33:20u003c/au003e).  So, don’t think that at the transfiguration of Jesus that His image was the true image of God.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, because we are looking at the perfect humanity of Christ, we get to see an image of what Adam and Eve were created in as well.  If we go back to God creating mankind, we will remember that the Lord created mankind in His image and likeness (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.+1%3A26u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eGen. 1:26u003c/au003e) — we were perfect.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennYou have probably heard me say before that mankind once had a “glow” about itself and that glow was the glory that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah appeared in at Jesus’ transfiguration.  Adam and Eve, while they were dwelling and “tending” to the garden, did not have to want for anything nor did they grow weary and tired.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhile they were in the garden, Adam and Eve were given the one instruction from God not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.+2%3A15-17u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eGen. 2:15-17u003c/au003e).  Because Adam and Eve were in perfect and glorified bodies, they never grew hungry or thirsty; their bodies didn’t need nourishment as ours.  Honestly, the fact that they ate for leisure and not out of necessity as we do, points out just how bad their sin was.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPeople have often questioned why Adam and Eve could not see that they were naked u003cemu003ebefore u003c/emu003ethey sinned and I have an answer to that question (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.+3%3A6-7u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eGen. 3:6-7u003c/au003e).  You see, it wasn’t that Adam and Eve were without sight because they did have sight.  However, there are a couple of reasons as to why they did not see their nakedness.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThe first reason Adam and Eve did not see their nakedness was because they were clothed u003cemu003ein glory u003c/emu003ein the garden!  Because they were clothed in glory, they were unaware of such.  You see, it was not until they lost their glory (that glow) and became of sin that they u003cemu003erecognizedu003c/emu003e their nakedness.  I like to even add that Adam and Eve were not just naked physically but they were naked spiritually as well.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWe should much rather ourselves be clothed in glory and righteousness than be clothed in anything else.  I don’t believe we realize just how frail we are in our present form; we can dress ourselves up in the finest clothes and we are still completely naked.  Not only are we completely naked in our present form but we are also completely u003cemu003evulnerableu003c/emu003e.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWithout glory, our flesh is corrupted and it decays.  Death was not something that God had in mind for mankind when He created us in His image and likeness.  Not only are we vulnerable physically but we are vulnerable to our emotions, to mental and spiritual stress.  This is why the Lord calls for us to have faith in Him and why we should u003cemu003edesperatelyu003c/emu003e depend on Him, His guidance, providence, shielding and protection.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003cstrongu003eNote:u003c/strongu003e  By looking at our past glory, and at the transfiguration of Jesus, we can see the believer’s future glorified body.  I want to try to make it clear that the transfiguration of Jesus was an u003cemu003eimage u003c/emu003e- like a live painting of future glory.  The reason I say this is because Jesus was still, in a sense, in the flesh rather than being of the spirit.  I will explain this note further in the final section of this study.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:heading {u0022levelu0022:3} u002du002du003enu003ch3u003eMankind’s future gloryu003c/h3u003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:heading u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPaul, in his letters, often spoke about the transformation we will go through when we are resurrected from the dead.  To the Corinthians, Paul wrote about our glorified bodies that I am going to pull some scripture from (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor.+15%3A35-49u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 Cor. 15:35-49u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennPaul wrote to the Corinthians how the resurrected body is u003cemu003edifferent u003c/emu003efrom the earthly body that was made of dust.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:quote u002du002du003enu003cblockquote class=u0022wp-block-quoteu0022u003eu003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003csupu003e42 u003c/supu003eSo also u003cemu003eisu003c/emu003e the resurrection of the dead. u003cemu003eThe bodyu003c/emu003e is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. u003csupu003e43 u003c/supu003eIt is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. u003csupu003e44 u003c/supu003eIt is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003cciteu003e1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NKJVu003c/citeu003eu003c/blockquoteu003enu003c!u002du002d /wp:quote u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennThis u003cemu003espiritual transformationu003c/emu003e, Paul wrote, will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye and the corruptible (the flesh), will be raised incorruptible and immortal (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor.+15%3A51-53u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003e1 Cor. 15:51-53u003c/au003e).  To the Philippians, Paul wrote that our u003cemu003ecitizenship u003c/emu003eis in heaven and that we early wait for Christ who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed (changed) to u003cemu003eJesus’ u003c/emu003eglorious body (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil.+3%3A20-21u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003ePhil. 3:20-21u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennNow, we see Jesus’ true glorified body after His resurrection.  Again, I want to make it very clear that Jesus’ true glorified body is still not the true form of God.  However, Jesus’ resurrected body u003cemu003eis u003c/emu003ea direct representation of our future resurrected and glorified body.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennJesus’ resurrected body was still, in the u003cemu003eoutward appearanceu003c/emu003e, the same body.  This is shown to us when Jesus invited Thomas to look at the places where He had physically been nailed to the cross and punctured in His side (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20%3A27u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 20:27u003c/au003e).  Does this mean that we will carry the same wounds and limitations in our resurrected bodies?  The answer:  absolutely not.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003cstrongu003eNote:u003c/strongu003e  When we take a look at Jesus’ appearances post resurrection, you will see that the perfected and glorified body had u003cemu003eno u003c/emu003elimitations.  Even as we saw Paul just said, the resurrected body is not going to be raised as the same flesh and blood that is of the earth.  Jesus taught this same thing when He plainly said that our earthly bodies cannot inherit the kingdom of God – we must be spiritually transformed (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A5-6u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 3:5-6u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennIn His resurrected body, Jesus’ personality did not change as He clearly had the same wisdom and wit; it really shines through when He prepared and had breakfast with the disciples by the sea of Galilee (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+21%3A1-14u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 21:1-14u003c/au003e).  If you take a look at that passage of scripture, you will see that Jesus in His glorified body was able to still stand and walk around.  Not only could Jesus do all of these things, but when some of His disciples thought He could have been a ghost, Jesus proved He wasn’t by u003cemu003eeating fish u003c/emu003eand a honeycomb (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+24%3A40-43u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eLuke 24:40-43u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennWhy did they think Jesus could have been a ghost post resurrection?  In His glorified body, Jesus could appear and vanish whenever and wherever He wished.  Jesus did this when He walked with some followers on the road to Emmaus (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+24%3A13-27u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eLuke 24:13-27u003c/au003e).  Doors to a room could be closed and Jesus, in His glorified body, could simply appear in the middle of the room (u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+24%3A36-39u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eLuke 24:36-39u003c/au003e; u003ca href=u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20%3A19-23u0026amp;version=NKJVu0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eJohn 20:19-23u003c/au003e).nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennI have a physical disability that will never leave my body, but when I am raised from the grave, that will not be such a thing in my glorified body.  The scar where I had surgery for my transplant may still be there, but that will simply be a sign of my victory over the flesh.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennu003cstrongu003eNote:u003c/strongu003e  In our glorified bodies, we are going to be u003cemu003eincorruptibleu003c/emu003e; we won’t have the same flaws that we have in this physical world.  The transfiguration of Jesus is the image of our future glorified bodies and the resurrection of Christ is u003cemu003elivingu003c/emu003e u003cemu003eproof u003c/emu003e of our future glorified bodies.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ennSo, do you recognize the significance of the transfiguration of Jesus and why we should not overlook it?  The reason why Jesus’ transfiguration is recorded in the gospels is because it gives us a future to look forward to and to hope in.nnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e