THE TRANSFIGURATION
[PART I]
It is not long since that one of our leading Theological
Magazines* referred to the subject
of the Transfiguration; and in its Notes of Recent
Exposition opened its issue+
with the words:
There is no
outstanding event in the life of our Lord so
disappointing as the Transfiguration. It
seems so great: we get so little out of it.
It is not that we do not fathom it.
We may not fathom the Temptation.
But we get a great deal of meaning out of the Temptation, and we think
we understand the purpose of it. Out of
the Transfiguration we get very little either for science or edification. Even as to its purpose there is no assurance,
though there are many theories.
* The
Expository Times, +Oct., 1903.
The Editor then goes on to discuss two theories. One by Dr. H. A. A. Kennedy, in The Journal of Theological Studies (for Jan., 1903), and the other by the Rev. R. Holmes in the same journal for the following July. The former is the theory that the Transfiguration was chiefly for the sake of the disciples. It was intended to prepare them for the Resurrection, so that they might see what a glorified body was like, and know the Lord again after He had risen from the dead.
The latter of the two theories is that, by the setting of the Transfiguration, the disciples were taught to surrender their expectations of worldly success, and to enter the Kingdom by the way of the Cross. It was given to assure them of the crown.
In Feb., 1904, the Editor of The Expository Times returns to the subject and repeats his opening words (quoted above), explaining that -
The we was neither editorial, nor universal. It covered an ordinary experience only. To most ordinary men the Transfiguration seemed to promise much and yield little.
He goes on to consider a third theory, contained in a volume of sermons by
Professor A. B. Davidson+ in
which is one on the Transfiguration. It is practical. What transfigured
Him? is Dr. Davidsons question; and the answer is : The external change that passed upon Him was but the
reflection of movements in His own mind and heart going on at the moment
... an indescribable tumultuous crowding of emotions
which rushed into His heart. The
great thought was love. The glory was due to the resolution to go to
+ Entitled The Called of God.
All this shows that there is room for another attempt to find a little of what it promises so much; and to find much where it seems to yield so little. There is no reason to doubt or question the conclusions of the editor of The Expository Times; and if so, it is all the more urgent that we, and all who believe that every portion of the Word of God was written for our learning, should seek to learn the great lessons which the Transfiguration was intended to teach us.
However meaningless it may be to the natural man, we are sure that it is full of meaning for the spiritual man.
True, it is super-natural; but though that may be the reason why the natural man may slight, or lightly regard it, it is the very reason why we approach it; being all the more certain that its truth and teaching are also super-natural, and therefore inexhaustible.
Here is a great opportunity for putting our principles, How to Study the Word and the words, into practice.
The great principle which we must first use is to regard the context as absolutely essential to the right understanding of this or any other Scripture.
It is not a question of human wisdom or acumen; it is not a matter of reasoning or theory; it is not what man may think; but what God has said.
To the context, therefore, let us turn.
The first thing we notice is that the Transfiguration is recorded in three out of the four Gospels. This, of itself, is sufficient to invest the event with special significance; and to impress the words upon us as being of special importance.
In 2 Peter 1: 16, Peter says, by Divine inspiration, that, when he made known to them the Transfiguration he had not followed cleverly-imagined myths. And he goes on to tell them that beside these historic facts which he had conveyed to them as being what he had himself seen and heard, we have also the prophetic word [which is] more sure, to which they do well to take heed in their hearts, as unto a light shining in a dark place, until the Day-dawn and the Day-Star arise (verse 19).
This implies that what he had seen in the holy mount, beside being historic, was also prophetic of [the] power, even [the] parousia or coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Or, by the figure Hendiadys, the power, yea, coming power, of the Lord Jesus.
In verse 11 Peter had prayed that an entrance into the eternal Kingdom or sovereignty of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ might be richly supplied to them; hence he goes on to tell them that the coming King [and His Kingdom, will be manifested upon this restored earth (Luke 1: 32. Romans 8: 20, 21. cf. Psalms. 2: 8; 110: 1-3 and Jeremiah 33: 15-18, etc.)] is a reality, and puts them in remembrance of it (verse 12) and stirs them up to have this in remembrance (verse 15). He then goes on to tell them that he had seen what this coming power was able to do in transfiguring this tabernacle of flesh and blood (verse 16), and clothing it with majesty and honour and glory (verse 17).
This is the application that Peter makes of the historical facts. There may be others. But what we are in search of is the Interpretation; and for this we have to go, as we have said, to the immediate context.
We find the historical facts recorded in three out of the four Gospels (Matthew 17: 1-8. Mark 9: 1-10. Luke 9: 28-36). And, remembering importance of accuracy, we note that in each case it is dated as taking place after so many days from some other event. So that this is the first clue we have as to its interpretation. There must be some important reason for thus connecting the Transfiguration some other event.
In Matthew and Mark it says after six days, and in Luke it says after about eight days. If a question be raised as to this difference, it will be answered by noting that in the former two we have the present Tense, taketh,* marking the commencement of the event; while in the latter we have the past Tense, having taken**: marking the conclusion of the event, and adding the word of indefiniteness, about: implying that the event commenced six days after the preceding event. So that the Transfiguration occupied a part three days (part of the sixth and eighth, and the whole of the seventh day).
*he taketh. (
Next, we have to ask, What is that other event from which it is dated; and with which, therefore, it stands, and must be so closely related?
We have not far to look, and we find it in the immediate context.
Ignoring the chapter divisions, we find the prior mark of time in Matthew 16: 21, Mark 9: 30, and Luke 9: 21, where we have the close of the second part of Christ ministry; and in the next verse (of each Gospel respectively) we have the commencement of the third part of that ministry.*
* In our pamphlet, Christs Prophetic Teaching, we have indicated the four parts of
Christs ministry. (1) His proclamation
of the Kingdom, and of Himself as King. (2) His
Person, as Son of man and Son of God.
(3) His sufferings. (4) His
Second Coming. We have shown that all
His words and works are in harmony (respectively) with these four great
subjects, which occupied and characterised the four great divisions of His
ministry.
The first part had been occupied with His proclamation of
the Kingdom. It commenced in Matthew 4: 17: From that time Jesus
began to preach, and to say Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. It ended in Matthew 7: 28, where we read that Jesus had ended these
sayings.
The second commenced in Matthew 8: 1, with the subject of His Person. It begins with the declaration that He was
the Lord, (verse 2), which is repeated in verses 6, 8, and down to verse 20, where we have the
first occurrence of the title Son of man in the New Testament:
and the statement that he was the Son of God (verse 29). This
second part of His ministry is formally closed in Matthew 16: 16, where we have an emphatic declaration that He was the Son of the living God; and He definitely charged his disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Messiah.
Then, in Matthew 16: 21, we have the commencement of the third part of His ministry. FROM THAT TIME FORTH began Jesus to show unto His disciples how that he must go
unto
The fourth, part commences, therefore, with Matthew 24: 1: and all that was said and done concerned that coming again, and the change of dispensation which was about to take place. All the parables, as well as the two miracles of this period, were prophetic in their character and teaching.
From all this the great lesson stands out before us, that if we desire to know the interpretation of any of the words or works of the Lord Jesus, we must look for, and find the key in, the subject of that part of the ministry in which they were spoken or done.
This being so, and noting the threefold emphasis on the date, we find the first key to the interpretation of the Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus in the fact of its close connection with the first mention of His sufferings.
And here we notice another fact and key: the sufferings are immediately connected with the coming glory. The former are mentioned in Matthew 16: 21, and the future coming in glory in verse 27.
Indeed, this reminds us how often we find these two, the sufferings and the glory, thus closely associated together. (See Luke 24: 26. 1 Peter 1: 11; 3: 18, 22; 4: 13; 5: 1; 5: 10, 11.) And when we think of the Old Testament, we shall find, if we look, that while the glory is frequently mentioned apart from the sufferings, we never find the sufferings, mentioned apart from the glory. (Compare Psalm 22: 1-21 with 22-31; Psalm 102: 1-11 with 12-28. Isaiah 53: 1-10 with 10-12, &c.) If we ask why this is so, the answer is not far to seek. It is a fact, and the fact speaks to those whose understandings are enlightened (Ephesians 1: 18). If we listen, we hear it saying: The glory may well be mentioned apart from the sufferings: for it is independent of them. But the sufferings are the basis of the coming glory. They are the foundation on which it rests. True, the sufferings must take place. It thus behoved Him to suffer (Heb. 2: 10. Luke 24: 46). He must needs have suffered (Acts 17: 3. Luke 24: 26). But it was not going to end in sufferings. These were not to be the end of His work. That work was not merely to end in the Cross and the grave. The [coming] glory is to be the outcome of the sufferings. This is the reason why the sufferings must never be mentioned without the [coming millennial] glory being declared [and manifested (Hab. 2: 14; Isa. 52: 8-10, R.V.)]. Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter unto His glory? This is the great question that their association asks and answers; and this is why we find the first reference to the Lords sufferings in Matthew 16: 21, Mark 8: 31, and Luke 9: 22, immediately followed (1) by the announcement of the glory, in 16: 27, Mark 8: 38, and Luke 9: 26; and (2) by the manifestation of that glory in the Transfiguration which took place exactly six days after it.
It is this coming glory, exhibited in the Transfiguration,
which is thus referred to in the prophetic words: Verily I say unto you, there be some
standing here which shall not taste of death till they shall have seen* the Son of
Man coming in His Kingdom (Matthew 16:
28). It was
this coming glory which Peter made known when he told them how he was an
eye-witness of it (2 Peter 1: 16). Peter, James, and John were the some
who were standing there; and, before they could
taste death, yea, within [or after
the tribulation]* six days they saw the Son of Man coming
in His Kingdom. They saw, as Peter declares, the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and thus the prophetic
word was made more sure. They saw an exhibition
of what that [manifestation of His] glory will be; for,
there was the Lord Himself, transfigured before them, and they were eye-witnesses of His Majesty.
There was Moses who had been raised from the dead (compare Denteronomy 34: 6 with Jude 9): there was Elijah who had been caught up
without dying; together forming a
glorious manifestation of what the fulfilment of the more sure prophetic word (1 Thessalonians 4: 16, 17) will be like. As
Moses was raised before Elijah was caught up, so will the dead in Christ** be first raised; and then, we which are alive,
[that are left unto the coming of the Lord,] shall be caught up together with them to meet the
Lord in the air
- not on a holy mount on earth, but into the air, so to be for ever with the Lord, and to
behold His glory.
* Matthew 16: 28, (idosin), shall have seen. (Aor. 2 subj. See Mark 9:
1. Luke 9: 27. * See Matthew 24: 29,
30, R.V.
** Note what 1 Thessalonians 4:
16b does not say that all the dead in Christ shall rise first, for they will not
all be raised at this time! Only they that are accounted worthy to attain to that age, and the
resurrection from the dead (Luke 20:
35.
Cf. Heb. 11: 35b; Rev. 20: 4-6. Hence the importance of comparing Scripture
with Scripture, to interpret Gods prophetic word correctly.]
The prophetic six days will soon have run their course. The seventh day will come, and the eighth will see all the prophetic word accomplished. Verily it will be true of some who will be then standing here who shall not taste of death till they see the coming of this power and glory. Those who shall have tasted death will have a glorious resurrection.* They will not be left behind.** Those who shall be standing here will not get before them; but both will be caught up TOGETHER+ (1 Thessalonians 4: 17).
[* Rev. 20: 6. cf. Luke
20: 35; Heb.
11: 35b. ** That is, not left behind in Hades
- the place and state of the un-resurrected souls
of the dead. See Acts 2: 31-34, R.V.]
+ (
Thus the prophetic word of the Lord in Matthew 16: 28 will have a glorious fulfilment. Those whose understandings are now
enlightened (Ephesians 1: 18) shall not only see that fulfilment in the future [millennial] day of glory, but they understand His words even now. While those, alas, who have only the folly of
human wisdom have their understanding darkened (Ephesians
4: 18), and see in the Lords
words (Matthew 16: 28) a false promise, and a
statement made, which, they say, was never fulfilled. For, say they, they
did taste of death, and the Son of
man has not yet come: even
so will it be, yea it is so now; for mockers
still deride the more sure prophetic word, and ask Where is the promise of His Coming? (2
Peter 3: 4.)
But there
is more in the Transfiguration than this. This is part of the interpretation of the historic facts and
words so far as it is supplied by the immediate and nearer
context. There still remains the
remoter context to be considered. We have not yet exhausted the former, or
touched the fringe of the latter.
* *
*
[PART II]
THE
SPIRITUAL APPLICATION
We have seen the historical association of the sufferings and the glory of Christ in His Transfiguration. We have now to consider their spiritual association, and the deeper truths to be learned from it.
The first clue to the more spiritual association of the sufferings and the glory is given us in 2 Peter 1: 17, where a circumstance is revealed which is not mentioned in the historic record. We are told:-
(1) What was seen (verses 16, 17).
(2) What was heard (verse 18).
It was on the Holy Mount that the Lord received from God the Father glory and honour.
This is the recorded historical fact. But why should the Lord have received, this glory and honour from the Father at that particular time?
In the prophetic words of Psalm 8: 5, this glory and honour is associated with the first mention of His name as the Son of Man, and with His future dominion in the Earth. This is declared to be in His Incarnation and humiliation; and in His being made a little lower than the angels. But the Psalm does not carry us further.
We have to turn to Hebrews 2: 8, where we have a further revelation, and are told that
something had happened to delay this putting all things under His feet. We see NOT YET all things put under Him.
Why do we not see this? Why do we not yet see the Son of Man
exercising this dominion on the earth, and sitting on the throne of His glory?
Ah! here was the cross to be borne before the crown could be worn. There were the sufferings to be endured before the glory could be displayed. The foundation for the [millennial and] eternal glory of His people must needs be laid. His glory was complete and secure apart from His sufferings; but not so our [millennial] glory. Before our glory can be entered on we must know the fellowship of His sufferings, and be made conformable to Him in His death. All this must needs be before we can know the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3: 10).
Hence it is written, But now we see NOT YET all
things put under Him. But we see Jesus, who was made
a little lower than the angels (for the
suffering of death crowned with glory and honour), that He by the grace of God should taste death for
every man.*
* i.e., without
distinction; not without exception; or all must needs be saved.
That is to say (noting the parenthesis), the
Lord was made a little lower than the angels that He might die (taste of death); but was crowned with
glory and honour on account of *
the suffering of death.
*
(dia) with
the Acc. Case.
Thus, again, we have the glory and honour associated with the sufferings of Christ.
The two Scriptures (Hebrews 2: 8 and 2 Peter 1: 17), supplement each other.
In the former we are not told where or when this crowning took place;
but we are told why. It was for the suffering of death.
In the latter we are not told why, but we are told when, and where. It was on the Holy Mount, when He was Transfigured in glory.
But we have not yet discovered the reason for this connection of His crowning, and receiving of glory and honour, with the sufferings of Christ.
To find this reason we must go to the still remoter context of Exodus 28., for there we meet once again with these two words (in the Septuagint) rendered glory and beauty. The close connection is by this rendering disguised. Had these two words been rendered honour and glory, as in the Gospels and Epistle, we should have had our attention called to this context.
Now that it is called to it, we notice that Exodus 28 is occupied with the Consecration of the High Priest. We read the instruction given to Moses:-
Thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for honour and for glory. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aarons garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto Me in the Priests office (Exodus 28: 2, 3). These last words are repeated from the first verse in order to impress us with what was the one great object of Aarons consecration as High Priest.
Have we not here the key to the understanding of the object of investing the Lord Jesus on the Holy Mount? not with any earthly or man-made garments of honour and glory, but with honour and glory themselves; His garments made exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them (Mark 9: 3). He received, not from the hands of Moses, the brother; but from God, the Father.
And yet, for the self-same object: that He may minister unto Me in the priests office.
Thus, we at length learn that the Transfiguration was no mere capricious or unmeaning event, to dazzle the eyes of those who witnessed it, but it was the official and formal consecration of the Lord Jesus as High Priest, for His work and ministry which he had just announced in the first mention of His sufferings.
Here was the first mention of His suffering: here also was His inauguration for it.
Here was the announcement of His high Priestly ministry: here also was his consecration for it.
Here was the first prophetic word as to the coming glory: here also was the exhibition, and type, and token of it.
But are there no further evidences as to the truth of our conclusion in the nearer context? Truly there are.
1. Not only before the Transfiguration were those sufferings the subject of revelation, but on coming down from the Holy Mount they are again the recorded subject of conversation (Matthew 17: 12, 22, 23; Mark 9: 30-32; Luke 9: 43-45).
2. The Transfiguration
itself took place as He prayed. Now we
have only two recorded subjects concerning which the Lord Jesus prayed. We often read that He went to pray,
and that He prayed, but only two subjects are recorded during His
ministry: viz., the two that are here associated: the sufferings
in
Either or both of these subjects would accord with all else that is connected with the Transfiguration. If He prayed concerning His sufferings, here was His consecration for them. If He prayed concerning the glory that should follow, here was the pledge and the proof and the power of it all; for here, in the sufferings, was the foundation on which the glory was to rest.
3. Not only before and
after, but also during the Transfiguration, His sufferings and death formed the
sole recorded subject of conversation between Himself and Moses and
Elijah. They appeared in glory, and spake of His decease
which he was about to* accomplish at
* Gk. (mello) to be about to do
anything.
In connection with this there are two important points raised.
(a) The word rendered decease is (exodos). It is a remarkable word to use of his death. Its use is intended to contrast His own wondrous work with that of Moses who led forth the People of Israel (as well as consecrating Aaron). That was an Exodus; but this, in virtue of His precious blood, will be an Exodus worthy of the name. For He will not only lead the Tribes of Israel back to their land of Promise, but He will lead forth a great multitude which no man can number; beside gathering unto Himself the whole Church of God.
We see therefore why the ordinary word for death is not used. It is a pity therefore that it should have been, rendered decease. Wycliffe had going out, which is much better. The R.V. gives decease also, but suggests departure in the margin. But both versions miss the point of the verb, which is (lego) to relate, or narrate: i.e., they did not merely hold converse concerning that Exodus, but they declared it, and related its various steps and events to the three eye-witnesses; as well as made the formal announcement of it all, showing that all was foreseen. His actual decease was, of course, included in it; for that was the first event in that Exodus. But it was only the first. There was not only His death to be revealed; but [His] Resurrection and Ascension, and His coming again were to follow, and be made known. By the use of the word exodus all these events were included in it.*
* There is a further reference to this in 2
Peter 1: 15, where this same word is
used of Peters own decease. But what he
says is: I will endeavour that
ye may be able after my exodus to
have these things always in remembrance. What are these things but the abundant
entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ (verse 11). For that
entrance, the putting off of his earthly Tabernacle which the Lord had
showed him (John 21: 18) was only the first event.
Resurrection and Ascension were to follow [at Christs return]. Hence he goes on immediately (in
the verses which follow) to refer to the glories revealed on the Holy Mount,
when the Lords Exodus was
declared to them; and to
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, when like Moses,
he would [then] be raised from the
dead, and be for ever with the Lord, with whom he loved to be, when he there
desired to make the three Tabernacles, and remain in the glory.
There is an echo of this word in 1 Peter 2: 24, where we are told of Christ bearing our sins in His own body on the tree, that we having been delivered from our sins might live unto righteousness. Here the word (apoginomai) implies separation, and is a beautiful reference to the departure by exodus; no longer living in sin, but living again in newness of life - resurrection life - as risen with Christ.
Thus in 1 Peter 2: 24 and 2 Peter 1: 15,+ we have two references to the Exodos which was related to the three apostles on the Holy Mount.
+ See note above.
(b). Moreover His death (as the first event in that Exodos) was not merely an event that was to happen to Him, but it was part of a work which He was about to accomplish. No man took His life from Him, but He laid it down of Himself. Till He chose to do this it was said again and again, His hour was not yet come. (John 7: 30; 8: 20; 12: 23; 13: 1; Matthew 26: 45). When, therefore, that hour came, we may be sure that it was the right hour, which man had no power either to hasten or delay.
No; He was about to accomplish the work: and, if so, we may be perfectly certain that He did accomplish it, and finish it, so that there was nothing left for Himself or any one else to do. It was so perfect that nothing could be put to it or taken from it that could in the slightest degree affect its infinite perfection and completeness.
But there is more than this in the word. It is (pleroo) to fulfil. Not only did the Lord accomplish and finish the work which was given Him to do; but, in doing it, He would fulfil all that was written of Him in the Scriptures of truth.
Oh, what a glorious Exodos it was which He accomplished. Every counsel of God
was confirmed; every [pre-resurrection] prophecy was fulfilled; and every one of His redeemed was brought out [of the world into Gods
family]
If it could be said of the Exodos from
In the accomplishment of this Exodos there was no haste, no delay, no hesitation, no impatience; but all was done in solemnly ordered and defined exactness from first to last.
How different from an ordinary death. How different from that of John the Baptist that preceded it; and from that of Stephen which followed. Both were precious in Gods sight; but they were not necessary to His counsels or His plans.
John died in secret, the victim of the vile passions of a wicked woman; Stephen died in haste, the victim of the wrath of a misguided rabble.
What a contrast to the Exodos accomplished by our Lord.
They were disposed of by the passions of men but the Lord accomplished the counsels of God.
There was no chance about it; no
contingency. All was ordered and sure.
4. But there is more than this
in the historical record; there is the utterance of the Divine formula of
Consecration, if we may so term it, in the Voice from Heaven.
When He was consecrated at His Baptism for His office
of Prophet, and the proclamation of the Kingdom, there was the same Voice from
Heaven saying:
This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased
(Matthew 3: 17).
When He was consecrated
at His Transfiguration for His office of Priest, and the sufferings of the
Cross, there was a Voice which came from the over-shadowing cloud, saying This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well-pleased. Hear ye Him (Matthew 17:
5. Mark 9: 7. Luke 9: 35. 2 Peter 3: 17, 18).
And when God bringeth again His first-begotten
into the world, and consecrates Him for His office of King, He will say: Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten
Thee ... And let all the Angels of God worship
Him (Psalm 2: 7; Hebrews 1: 5, 6).
In Hebrews 5: 5 it is clearly stated, of the office of Priest,
that No man taketh this HONOUR unto himself, but he that is called of God,
as Aaron was.
So, Christ also GLORIFIED not
Himself to be made an High Priest; but He [glorified Him] who said unto Him Thou art My Son, to-day have I
begotten Thee.
Here we have the same association of honour and glory in connection with the Consecration of Christ; and we have the use of this same Divine formula in the Voice from Heaven, at, and in connection with the Transfiguration.
Resurrection marked the completion of His office
of Priest on Earth, and its transference to Heaven, where He is a Priest for
ever after the order of Melchisedec, until He is brought again into the world. Then He will be a Priest upon His throne.
This change is marked by a double consecration: the one on earth, in Hebrews 5: 5, and the other in Heaven, in Hebrews 5: 6.
Hence, the Holy Spirit connects Christs consecration as King (Psalm 2: 6, 7) with His resurrection (Acts 13: 33); because, resurrection is the pledge of the future glory of the Royal-Priest, Melchisedec, King of Salem, King of righteousness, King of peace.
Thus the historic interpretation of the Transfiguration takes its proper place in Christs mission and ministry on earth: a place as important as any other part of His great work of Redemption.
It was not a mere event which happened, or which could have been dispensed with; but it was absolutely necessary for the completeness of the work which he was to accomplish.
We have seen what its place and object was, as gathered from the nearer and remoter contexts.
It was the Consecration of the Lord Jesus, that He might minister unto God in the Priests office (Exodus 28: 1-3).
Hence it was immediately associated with the
first mention of His sufferings, because those sufferings were themselves at once
the basis and the pledge of the glory that should follow.
Every circumstance, and every word connected with
that wondrous event in the Gospels and the Epistles, confirms this twofold
conclusion, and causes us to feel that we are following no cunningly-devised fable when we thus use it to set forth the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It now remains for us only to gather up a few
practical conclusions,
* *
*
[PART III]
PRACTICAL
CONCLUSIONS
It remains for us now to add a few words by way of Practical Conclusion to the results of our study of the Transfiguration; and very practical they are: for we do not evolve them out of our own imagination, but from the sure words of Holy Scripture.
We gather them from the fact that the verb
rendered transfigure in the historic record
is used twice in our own Church Epistles.
The application,
therefore, is Divine in its origin. Hence
it does not affect the Interpretation of the Transfiguration,
either as to its circumstances or designs; and it is in the fullest possible
harmony with what is specially written for and addressed to all the members of
the
The verb is (metamorphoo) to change the external form, transform, transfigure. It is from this we have our Anglicised word metamorphosis.
The verb occurs in only two other places in the New Testament; in neither of which, unfortunately, is it rendered transfigure, as in the Gospels.
In Romans 12: 2 it is rendered transformed; and in 2 Corinthians 3: 18 it is rendered changed. But, if we bear in mind that in each case it is the same word used of the Transfiguration of our Lord, we have a connecting link between the Historic Interpretation, its Spiritual application, and its Practical Conclusion.
The history in the Gospels is the key to the Interpretation of the Doctrine in the Epistles; and the interpretation of the two passages in the Epistles becomes the spiritual application of the event recorded in the Gospels.
Let us look at the two passages in the order in which they are presented to us.
(1) Romans 12: 2.
The chapter begins I beseech you, therefore, brethren. What is the force of this word therefore? The Structure of the Epistle shows that Romans 12: 1 is the continuation of Romans 8: 39 - the Dispensational chapters, 9. - 11., separating (parenthetically) the practical portion from the doctrinal.
As some take chapter 12 to be the continuation
of chapter 11 and thus are forced to
interpret chapter 11 and the Olive Tree of the
THE STRUCTURE OF ROMANS.
A 1: 1-6. Introduction. The Gospel; always revealed: never hidden.
B 1: 7-15. Epistolary.
a 1:
16 - 8: 39. Doctrinal (
b Chapters 9 - 11. Dispensational (Jew and Gentile).
C
a Chapter 12. Chapter
1. - 15: 7. Practical
(
b Chapter 15: 8-12. Dispensational (Jew and Gentile).
B Chapter 15: 13 - 16: 24. Epistolary.
A Chapter 16: 25-27. Conclusion. The Mystery; always hidden: never before revealed.
From this it will be seen that our passage (Romans 12.) corresponds with, and is the continuation from chapter 8: 39,
of the
subject of the
The member marked b is thus, virtually, a parenthesis between a and a.
The word therefore connects the two, and shows that true practice is the necessary outcome of true doctrine.
Seeing, therefore, your standing in Christ; that
you are complete in Christ; and, that there is no condemnation for those who are in
Christ (Romans 8: 1),
and no separation from the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8: 39) - THEREFORE, I beseech you,
brethren, by the
compassions of God, to present your bodies as a
sacrifice: living, holy, well-pleasing to God,
[which is] your
reasonable* service; and be not fashioned
according to this world (Gr. age), but be ye transfigured
by the renewing of your mind, with the
view to your proving [by a blessed trial] what the will of God is - that good,
and well-pleasing, and
perfect [will].
* Greek, (logikos),
logical, i.e., deduced by reckoning or reasoning. It is the cognate word to that rendered
reckon in Romans 6: 11.
We cannot fail to trace and see the real and close connection of these words with the Transfiguration. For it was there that our Lord Himself presented His body, while yet alive, as a living sacrifice! It was on the holy mount that He proved how good, how well-pleasing it was to do that will of God.
He had said I delight to do Thy
will, O my God. And now that the moment had arrived for doing
it, He proved that it was good and perfect: and he was Transfigured. At once He received the crown of glory and honour in token of the Fathers acceptance of the living Sacrifice; and the Voice from Heaven announced the fact of the Fathers good pleasure. It was indeed an offering of sweet savour. It was the meal
offering aspect of the Lords death; as the whole burnt
offering
was the aspect set forth by the death of the Cross.
How exquisite and beautiful is the transition to ourselves, and the reckoning that, if we are in Christ, the logical outcome is that we also find and prove that good and perfect will of God in the same way: by presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, as He did.
The ground of our being thus exhorted is that we are already in Him. The exhortation is not given that we are to do anything in order to be saved; but that we are to do this because we are saved, and because it is the logical effect and result of our perfection and completeness in Christ.
If this be our standing before God, then we
cannot logically fashion our walk according to the fashions of this age; but,
having the spiritual mind, or New nature (Romans 8: 6), this will lead us to the holy mount. There we shall experience the renewing of our mind, and shall behold His glory, and when we are thus with Him in the holy mount, we shall say with Peter, Master, it is good for us to be here. We shall find no place on earth so good. Our New nature will be happy nowhere else; it
will be constantly reaching forth to, and be set upon the things above. This renewing of our
mind by the heavenly atmosphere, and
the constant breathing this mountain air of the holy mount,
will so
improve our spiritual health and increase our spiritual strength, that we too
shall be so transfigured that others will take knowledge of us
that we have been with Jesus.
If we do
not thus reckon what our logical
service is to be, then we shall be occupied with the things on the earth; and we shall find ourselves walking according
to the fashions of this world. And
while, it may be, we think and talk much of, and pride ourselves on, our non-conformity with a Church,
we are all the time becoming more and more conformed to this
world.
Oh that we might rightly reckon and govern all
by the force of this word therefore: and, seeing we are
eternally safe and secure in Christ, we might be henceforth occupied with Him, and remain with Him in the holy mount.
This application is still
further emphasised in the other passage where the verb occurs.
(2) 2 CORINTHIANS 3: 18.
Here we have the same Moses, but another holy mount, even Horeb, the mount of God.
Moses had been there with God: and he had
already begun to be transfigured, physically, by the power of that glory which
he beheld. When he came down from the
mount his face shone with the reflection of that glory. Even so shall we one day be physically
transfigured, for when He shall appear we shall be like Him. Why? for we shall see Him as He is (1
John 3: 2).
So is it, and so even will it be, psychically, now, in proportion as we are with Him in the holy mount, and behold His glory now, as in a mirror which reflects it on our countenance and makes it shine with a spiritual and heavenly radiance.
Moses, whenever he was in the Mount of God, was there with unveiled face. It was only when before the people that he put on the veil. It is even so now; the world wants us to wear a veil. It cannot endure any of the reflection of the heavenly glory. It would like us to wear a veil, so as to hide our light. It does not find good to be even in our poor reflection of that glory.
But when we are, as Moses was, with Him, then, like Moses with unveiled face beholding the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, we find that glory which shines upon us is reflected by us, and we ARE transfigured into the same image, from the glory [above] to the glory [below], even as from the Lord [Christ who is] spirit, shining upon us here and causing, us to reflect it on others.
Moses could not see the shining of his own face* neither can we see ours. But others can see it and, while some will take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus, others will see it, and hate us.
* Seven times Moses went up unto God and returned again to the people; in
the book of Exodus:-
(1)
Up: Exodus 19: 3.
Down: Exodus 19: 7.
(2)
Up: Exodus 19: 8. Down:
Exodus 19: 14.
(3)
Up: Exodus 19: 20.
Down: Exodus 19: 25.
(4)
Up: Exodus 20: 21.
(5)
Up: Exodus 24: 9.
Down: Exodus 32: 15.
(6)
Up: Exodus 32: 30,
31. Down: Exodus
33: 4.
(7)
Up: Exodus 34: 4.
Down: Exodus 34: 29.
Thus are the two passages so closely related that their teaching intertwines; the one supplements the other.
If, in looking at the former passage (Romans 12: 2), we are overwhelmed by
the solemnity of the exhortation and ask: How am I to be transfigured? What am I to do? What step am I to take? How am I to set about so seemingly impossible
a task? Then the answer comes to us from
the latter passage
(2 Corinthians 3: 18)
and, as
such an exhortation could not be called practical unless it were
practicable, we find that we are to be transfigured by simply beholding - as - in - a Mirror the glory of the
Lord (i.e.,
the LORDS glory).
There is no work to be done to accomplish this change. It is simply, we beholding ... There is no anxious effort; no restless toiling; no rushings hither and thither from convention to convention; no listening to this teacher or that, but merely we, beholding. That is all.
If such a condition of perfection were to be reached only by the observance of rules for daily living, and the following a directory of a devout life, we might well despair. Even if we succeeded for a time, the work would have to be done over and over again. Like the priests of old, we should have to stand daily and continually at this work.
But, thank God, in this heavenly sphere all is rest. Christ is seated and henceforth
expecting.
As He is, so are we in this world (Hebrews
10: 13).
Our hope is set upon Him (1 John 3: 3); our heart is fixed on Him; our minds are set upon the things
above,
and thus, beholding ... BEHOLDING
... BEHOLDING ... we
ARE TRANSFIGURED.
It does not say, as some teach us, that then we
must try and be changed. We ARE changed.
When we behold ourselves in an Eastern mirror of burnished metal we see our face; but, while we do so, there is the reflection of the mirror on our own countenance. If it be a mirror of polished silver, then that reflection will be white, and others will see that white reflection on our face. If it be of burnished copper or gold, then it will be a yellow reflection on our face that will be seen.
Even so while we are beholding Christ with the eye of faith; and are occupied with Him; and have our minds set on the things above; then, while we behold something of the glory of His Person, and of His Work, and of His Word, there will be the blessed reflection of all this not only on our countenance, but in our life, and walk, and conversation.
(3) GOOD
TO BE THERE.
There is just one other point of great practical value. The Lord [Christ] who is the pneuma, or spirit, which animates the written Word, and gives it life in our experience (2 Corinthians 3: 18), will also surely make the prophetic word more sure, and will quicken our hopes and desires for the coming day of Glory, of which the Transfiguration was so grand a pledge.
If in the manifested glory of that day the three disciples were constrained to exclaim, Master, it is good for us to be here, we, too, may truly say - resting on the sure prophetic Word which tells us of the DAY when we shall appear with Him in glory, - Master, it will be good for us to be THERE.
And if that blessed One took the three up into the Holy Mount, in the fulfilment of His promise that they should see His glory before they tasted death, so surely will He make good His own prophetic word (1 Thessalonians 4: 15-17); and whether we taste of death, or are alive and remain, shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we be ever with the Lord.
This is that blessed HOPE of the Church which is His body. The members wait to be united with the Head. We wait to be received up in glory. We WAIT for resurrection (like Moses), or for ascension: (like Elijah); or for both at once, as foretold and promised in 1 Thessalonians 4. We wait for these bodies of humiliation to be raised, and made like Christs own glorious body (Philippians 3: 20, 21).
If the Transfiguration was a sample, or type, of the power and coming (i.e., the coming power) of the Lord Jesus Christ, as it was (2 Peter 1: 16), then we may see in it a representation of the moment of the Transfiguration of His church; when He will come to be glorified in His saints, and admired in all them that believe (2 Thessalonians 1: 10).
This will be the manifestation of His power in fashioning our bodies of glory; that power by which He will subdue all things to Himself (Philippians 3: 21).
It will be the power manifested at His presence with us in the air (for the word is parousia in 2 Peter 1: 16).
It will be before our manifestation or appearing TOGETHER WITH Him in glory (Colossians 3: 4).
It will be before His apocalypse when He shall
come with His mighty angels (the angels of His power) in the flaming fire of
judgment (2 Thessalonians 1: 7). Before that moment arrives
we and the whole
This is the force of the word rendered shall come in 2 Thessalonians 1: 10. It is not the simple Future Tense Indicative, but it is the Second Aorist Subjunctive, and can only mean shall have come.*
* The tense is so translated in A.V., 1 Cor. 15: 24 (shall have
delivered up: shall
have put down), and so it
should have been rendered in the next verse shall have put (not
hath put).
So in Matt. 10: 23 it should be shall have come - and 21: 40; Mark 8: 38; John 4: 25; 16: 13.
Luke 17: 10. Shall have done (and in so rendered).
Rom. 11: 27. When I shall have taken away.
2 Cor. 3: 16. Shall
have turned, &c.
Through not noticing the tense of the verb here, many have been cruelly misled into supposing that the saints rest will not have come until after Christs revelation in judgment; and hence that they will have to pass into or through the great tribulation.*
[* See An Important Text 2
by G. H. Lang.]
No, we have a more Bessed hope than that. We have the hope of a glodous Exodus. An Exodus which, though it may include death, includes also Resurrection, Ascension, Transfiguration, and Manifestation in glory.
For having first been received up in glory BY Christ, we shall shine forth WITH Christ when He is revealed to remove the curse from a groaning creation.
When the three disciples descended from the holy mount they found the devil in possession; but saw the usurper ejected by the power of the Lord.
Even so will it be when we shall appear and shine forth with Him, and shall come with Him in His glory. Not as in the earthly days of the Son of Man, when He came down to suffer: but when He shall come down to sit upon the throne of His glory (Matthew 25: 31). Then, as the lightning shineth out of the one part - under heaven - and shineth unto the other part - under heaven; so also shall the coming of the Son of man in His day (Luke 17: 21-24). Yes! those will be the days of the Son of Man when He shall come to exercise dominion in the earth (Psalm 8: 4-6). Days of glory and honour, not days of humiliation and shame. Days, when on His head shall be a golden crown (Revelation 14: 14), and not a crown of thorns (Mark 15: 17). Days when He shall put in His sharp sickle and reap the harvest of the earth; that earth on which He once had not where to lay His head (Matthew 8: 20). Those will be the days of the Son of Man. But before then we shall have known something of the days of the Son of God. As Son of man, we [who have been watchful and making supplication, to prevail to escape (Luke 21: 36, R.V.)], shall come with Him to the earth: but as Son of God we are to be first caught up to meet him in the air. It may be that some standing here will soon see the power and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. The six days will soon run their course. On the seventh we shall be at rest with Him: but the eighth day will come, and then we shall descend with Him from the holy mount, and Satan will be cast out from a lunatic and sore-vexed world.
The disciples could not cast out the devil from
that lunatic, and they were surprised at their failure. They asked Why could not we cast
him out? (Matthew 17: 14-18). Ah ! it required the Lords own power. None but He could do it then; and none but He
can do it now. The Churches may try, but will try in vain to bring in a Millennium
without Christ. It was then truly
said - Thy disciples could not cure him - so it will be said of
disciples to-day. The
Lord Himself must descend from heaven. He alone can heal this sin-sick world; and
cause the groans of creation to cease.
-------
O, what a bright and blessed world
This groaning earth of ours will be,
When from its throne the tempter hurled,
Shall leave it all, O LORD, to Thee.
O, blessed Lord! with
longing eyes.
That blissful hour we wait to see,
While every worm or leaf that dies
Tells of the curse, and calls for Thee.
Come, Saviour! then oer all below
Shine brightly from Thy throne above
Bid heaven and earth Thy glory know,
And all creation feel Thy love.
EVEN SO; COME, LORD JESUS.