Just a Thought - 07/10/2020

"Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As he prayed, the appearance of His face was altered and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him that Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" - not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, Hear Him!" - Luke 9: 26 - 35

It was at the town of Caesarea Philippi that Jesus would ask His disciples: "Who do the crowds say that I am?" Peter's response led our Lord to comment that his answer came from heaven. About one week later and perhaps in the late evening, our Lord would invite Peter, James and John to accompany Him to climb a nearby mountain. While there, Jesus spends some time communicating with the Father. (Although many tourists visit the church of the transfiguration on Mount Tabor, I prefer to believe that the actual site of this event happened on Mount Hermon on the Golan). During His prayer time, our Lord's appearance was suddenly and completely changed, with his robe becoming glistening white and His face reflecting the full glory of His deity. Words could not express the awesome and majestic display of the glorious radiance of the creator. His perfect holiness and perfect sinless state as well as His perfectly un-defiled body were on display. Yes, perfect omniscience, perfect omnipresence and perfect omnipotence were on display. CNN's Don Lemon shared his heretical assessment yesterday on the IMPERFECTION of Jesus. Hebrews 4: 15 reminds us that although Jesus was tempted at all points just as we are, He never once succumbed to any sin. Being absolutely sinless is the biblical definition of perfection. Even as a man, Jesus was God, and God is always absolutely perfect. If you accept Lemon's imperfect Jesus, you are accepting that Jesus was not and is not, God! I hope you are all aware that this kind of heresy is only a small part of a much bigger agenda. Lemon could not be more wrong !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Sbaiu89S0

Halfway between sleep and wake, Peter, James and John saw and recognized two men standing with Jesus. Moses and Elijah were having a conversation with the Lord concerning His departure but neither of the two men glowed with blinding beauty as Jesus did.

Of all the Old Testament prophets, why did God choose Moses and Elijah to stand with Jesus during His transfiguration? Why are they the ones chosen to discuss with the Lord, His manner of death? The fact that both Moses and Elijah themselves experienced unique departures (Moses departed by the hand of God on Mount Nebo, Elijah in a chariot of fire) is not sufficient to explain their appearance with Christ.

Please allow me to share my thoughts with you.:

Moses, the Law giver, received the law of God over a forty-day period on Mount Sinai. He recorded his extensive conversations with God in the first five books of the bible. Genesis through Deuteronomy document the Law messages that God gave to the children if Israel through Moses. Moses then, represented the "Law."

Elijah, one of the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, served as the representative of all OT prophets. Of what or whom did these prophets prophecy? They were all called to testify concerning the coming of the God's Messiah of the tribe of Judah!

Here on the mount on which Jesus is transfigured, Moses (representing the Law (TORAH)) and Elijah (representing the prophets (Nevi'im)) stand with our gracious and perfect Lord.

On seeing this marvelous and stupendous sight, Peter is prompted to suggest the making of three tents. One for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah, when suddenly, a thick cloud envelops the men and a voice was heard saying, "This is My beloved Son, Hear Him!" No doubt, this was the voice of God the Father, who previously spoke at the Jordan river baptism of Jesus. It was clear that God was saying to the three human witnesses of the transfiguration that the Law and the Prophets have served their purpose. They are now to be retired and supplanted or superseded by the Person of Jesus Christ. The Law served as a school master to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24) The Prophets spoke of the coming Messiah: when and where He would be born, miracles of His birth and life, His tragic death, burial and glorious resurrection and so much more. But now, the time had come for the Law and the Prophets to be given a 'back seat' as the fulfillment of the prophesies and the fulfillment of the Law is now present among men in the person of Jesus Christ.

And so, our God responds to peter's suggestion of building three tabernacles on the mount with ,

"THIS is My beloved Son, Hear HIM !!!!"

Just a Thought

Unfortunately, the number of new cases of COVID-19 is on a steep rise again. The death rate is also on the increase. While it is not yet the time to reopen FHG, we still need to abide by our lease agreement and pay our monthly rent. Please do not stop giving your tithes and offerings. Either drop them through the 'drop box' in the door at church or mail them to deacon JT, but we do have to meet our financial obligation. I hope and pray that the Lord will soon allow us to reopen our beloved FHG church facility when it becomes safe to do so. I hope and pray also that everyone is doing well and enjoying the online teaching I provide for you. May the good Lord continue to bless us all.

Pastor Chandroo