Go back to Part One HERE
A glorious witness
In Matthew chapter 17, we see the apostles Peter, James and John taken up onto a mountain by Jesus, to witness His transfiguration. While up there they not only witnessed a glorified Jesus Christ, but a glorified Moses and Elijah also. There have been some amazing spiritual lessons and insights taught over the years on this scene and topic, yet I am going to stick to a very literal application of the narrative. It's up to you to decide if you agree with what I believe I have seen.
Question 1? Was the purpose of Jesus' transfiguration merely to show that He truly was the Christ; and to offer these disciples a glimpse of His glory? Or could there be much more to it than this?
Question 2? If indeed the purpose was merely to show Jesus' hidden or future glory, why then out of all of the old testament saints, prophets and patriarchal fathers were Moses and Elijah chosen to appear with him, likewise in glory? These were just two of the questions I had regarding the transfiguration scene. Of course, seeing Moses and Elijah also in glorified bodies led me to understand that I was also seeing evidence of what the apostle John meant when he said:
In Matthew chapter 17, we see the apostles Peter, James and John taken up onto a mountain by Jesus, to witness His transfiguration. While up there they not only witnessed a glorified Jesus Christ, but a glorified Moses and Elijah also. There have been some amazing spiritual lessons and insights taught over the years on this scene and topic, yet I am going to stick to a very literal application of the narrative. It's up to you to decide if you agree with what I believe I have seen.
Question 1? Was the purpose of Jesus' transfiguration merely to show that He truly was the Christ; and to offer these disciples a glimpse of His glory? Or could there be much more to it than this?
Question 2? If indeed the purpose was merely to show Jesus' hidden or future glory, why then out of all of the old testament saints, prophets and patriarchal fathers were Moses and Elijah chosen to appear with him, likewise in glory? These were just two of the questions I had regarding the transfiguration scene. Of course, seeing Moses and Elijah also in glorified bodies led me to understand that I was also seeing evidence of what the apostle John meant when he said:
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2
Yet more than this; as I believe that what I was shown regarding these Two Witnesses answers much more than the questions above and also 'what we will become' in Christ. I also discovered that the transfiguration scene showed something wonderful to me and I'm sure to any other Bible believing Christian too.
The men in white. (Who needs the men in black?)
As I said at the start, I had wrestled long and hard to understand regarding who these Two Witnesses in the book of Revelation were and what their mission was.
In the end I did something I should have spent more time doing from the very start; I asked God if I might be allowed to understand.
* ( It also has to be said at this point, that I do not believe in any prideful way that I alone have seen these things i'm about to share; or that I am the only one God has revealed these things too. I am saying however that I feel blessed that He would allow me to see these things simply at the asking. It is also true to say that this has not been picked up by many for whatever reason. Above all things, I feel it my duty to at least put it out there and share what wonderful things God gives)
So having asked God if He might allow me to understand, amazingly, after a few requests a scripture glanced across my mind:
The men in white. (Who needs the men in black?)
As I said at the start, I had wrestled long and hard to understand regarding who these Two Witnesses in the book of Revelation were and what their mission was.
In the end I did something I should have spent more time doing from the very start; I asked God if I might be allowed to understand.
* ( It also has to be said at this point, that I do not believe in any prideful way that I alone have seen these things i'm about to share; or that I am the only one God has revealed these things too. I am saying however that I feel blessed that He would allow me to see these things simply at the asking. It is also true to say that this has not been picked up by many for whatever reason. Above all things, I feel it my duty to at least put it out there and share what wonderful things God gives)
So having asked God if He might allow me to understand, amazingly, after a few requests a scripture glanced across my mind:
Luke 9: 28-36
Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He (Jesus) 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!” When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone.
So I then read through all three accounts of the transfiguration on the mountain top and something hit me in verse 30 of Luke's account. At first Moses and Elijah are described as being 'two men' who also appeared in glory; ie they too shone, glistened and looked glorified etc.
Secondly my attention was brought to the fact that it says that these two men; Moses and Elijah, discussed with Jesus what will soon be accomplished by Him in Jerusalem. Then a question came to me:
Clearly that was not the case, as Moses and Elijah discussed current realities and situations that soon must be accomplished in Jerusalem. Likewise, God Himself addressed the disciples directly from the very real and present cloud when He instructed them:
In other words, if Moses and Elijah had come to Jesus in a secret place to discuss Jesus' demise and what must soon be accomplished in Jerusalem, then you can believe it had purpose and was important. It seems to me that this was a briefing between all three; right before the main event!
Then another question instantly came to me...
Quickly I thumbed to Luke chapter 24, to where the women who had been with Jesus had gone to anoint Jesus' body with burial oils and spices, only to find that the stone which covered the tomb entrance had already been rolled away and there being no sign of the Roman guard:
Secondly my attention was brought to the fact that it says that these two men; Moses and Elijah, discussed with Jesus what will soon be accomplished by Him in Jerusalem. Then a question came to me:
'Why did both Moses and Elijah meet up with Jesus in a secret place to discuss Jesus' death and resurrection that he would soon accomplish?Was it without any real purpose that they appeared? Was what the apostles saw nothing more than a glimpse into a future glory and resurrection? Was it merely a quick chat with no real purpose?
Clearly that was not the case, as Moses and Elijah discussed current realities and situations that soon must be accomplished in Jerusalem. Likewise, God Himself addressed the disciples directly from the very real and present cloud when He instructed them:
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Matt 17:5
In other words, if Moses and Elijah had come to Jesus in a secret place to discuss Jesus' demise and what must soon be accomplished in Jerusalem, then you can believe it had purpose and was important. It seems to me that this was a briefing between all three; right before the main event!
Then another question instantly came to me...
'Where else had I read concerning two men in white appearing in the New Testament?'
Quickly I thumbed to Luke chapter 24, to where the women who had been with Jesus had gone to anoint Jesus' body with burial oils and spices, only to find that the stone which covered the tomb entrance had already been rolled away and there being no sign of the Roman guard:Luke 24: 1-4 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb...
And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!"
At this point I didn't understand quite what I was seeing, yet knew it seemed similar to the description on the mount of transfiguration, while at the same time left me feeling as if a mystery was here to be understood.
I noticed however that in other accounts, these two men were described as two angels in white. So I did a little study and discovered that it was generally agreed that oftentimes, throughout the Old Testament scriptures, angels were described as men in white. It therefore seemed reasonable to me that similar to this, if we were to see a glorified man, shining and dressed in radiant white, we might describe him as an angel. I know I would!
Either way, we clearly see both descriptions offered within the different accounts of the same event, which to my mind substantiates this view adequately.
I noticed however that in other accounts, these two men were described as two angels in white. So I did a little study and discovered that it was generally agreed that oftentimes, throughout the Old Testament scriptures, angels were described as men in white. It therefore seemed reasonable to me that similar to this, if we were to see a glorified man, shining and dressed in radiant white, we might describe him as an angel. I know I would!
Either way, we clearly see both descriptions offered within the different accounts of the same event, which to my mind substantiates this view adequately.
And again at the ascension
I then pondered where else had these two men in radiant white been seen? Immediately my mind shot to the ascension of Jesus and the account in the book of acts, as I remembered that the disciples were met there by two men in white who appeared just as Jesus ascended, who also spoke to them:
Acts 1: 9-11 Now when He (Jesus) had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”Coincidence? I don't believe so!
Conclusions - So what of all this?
I believe that the very identity of who these Two Witnesses are is right here in plain view for us all to see and understand. Also, I believe that when we accept this, it becomes obvious as to 'WHY' the scriptures in the Revelation calls them 'The Two Witnesses'.
The disciples were God's Witnesses to the life and glory of Jesus
It's very true to say that the disciples were God's Witnesses to the life and glory of Jesus Christ (Yeshua haMashiach), and more importantly to having seen Jesus alive after the resurrection.
It's equally true to say that we also become witnesses of God's goodness in Yeshua, when we share our personal testimonies and our lives are transformed to whatever extent our faith is able. This too bears witness to Jesus being alive.
Yet still, the fact remains that generally speaking, the Jewish nation as a whole still have not believed the disciples report nor our reports in this matter. Is this not so?
The appearance of 'The Two Witnesses' changes everything for Israel
As prophesied earlier by Malachi, the Jewish nation's heart will be turned back to the truth when Elijah returns. 'He will; turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the children back to the fathers'.
The Fathers = Patriarchal Jewish figures, ie the law bringers and prophets from the Bible etc.
The Children = All of the 12 tribes of Israel born to Abraham and Sarah.
In other words, the revelation and witness that both Elijah and Moses will bring, will once again unite the faith of the children of Israel with the true faith of the Jewish Patriarchal fathers; who's faith rested solely on the coming suffering Messiah, Yeshua haMashiach, (Jesus Christ).
Moses and Elijah will witness to the Jewish nation for three and a half years during the end time tribulation period...
But what exactly will they witness?
A greater witness is here
The apostles spoke true when they claimed to have seen Jesus alive and had spoken with Him on a one-to-one basis. Yet they could not claim to have 'literally' seen Him rise from the dead!
Infact NOBODY, 'literally' saw Jesus rise from the dead! NOBODY saw the breath of life re-enter our Saviour's body. NOBODY saw Him sit up alive again for the first time.
The apostles personally experienced the RESULTS of Jesus having been raised from the dead, having met, spoken and eaten with Him; but they themselves had not been present in the tomb to witness His waking from the dead; In fact nobody did... did They?
You better believe someone did!
I believe that in Moses and Elijah, we have an even greater witness to the fact of the resurrection event.
I am convinced that what we are seeing here is something not only truly amazing, but also utterly crucial if the children of Israel are to believe, be saved and grafted back into their own vine in these last days.
Moses and Elijah will indeed be the Two Witnesses who will prophesy and give testimony of Messiah during that prophetic period; and when they do, glory to God, the Jewish nation will see, hear and believe. Their eyes will again be opened to the truth and they will believe in their crucified Messiah at last. At which point they will mourn over having killed Him; weep over the lost years and taste the bitterness at all of the unnecessary past suffering which their unbelief had brought about.
I believe it will be at this time that God will pour out His Spirit on them just as He promised. As the scripture foretells it:
Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
More importantly; I believe Moses and Elijah to once again be the two glorified men in gleaming white who were present, in the tomb at our Lord's resurrection; being quite LITERALLY present when Jesus took His first breath once more and sat upright from the dead.
If we think logically about this; would the Lord God really leave this single most important moment in human history without the biblically required two witnesses He Himself instructed in His Law? Would He really forsake His own biblical principle, having commanded such a requirement from us?But you might rightly ask; "But surely that requirement is for when a charge is being brought against somebody; that there need be two verifiable witnesses to prove or disprove an accusation?" Well said! And isn't it the scriptures that tell us that the whole world will come against the Lamb and against His people? Hasn't the world always denied the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Likewise, I believe Moses and Elijah were the two glorified men in white who stood with the disciples and witnessed Jesus' ascension into heaven, as recorded at the start of the book of Acts.
The Lord will have His two undeniable witnesses to the facts; one witness representing the Law, and the other representing the Prophets.
So:
*Moses and Elijah were there on the mount of transfiguration to prepare for all which must be accomplished.
*They were then fulfilling their duty when seen at our Lords tomb, witnessing the literal moment of His resurrection from the dead.
*Likewise they were fulfilling their watchful duty as Jesus ascended to His Father in Heaven.
I personally believe that the Lord has hidden these things from our eyes until a time such as this; just before these things are due to occur; at a time more relevant and needed.
Considering how the scriptures have been scrutinized, dissected, studied and pondered over for two thousand years, how has something so simple been missed if this were not so? It reminding me of when the angel of the Lord said to the the prophet Daniel: 'Seal up the vision until the time of the end'.
I believe that it will not be long before we see them in Jerusalem. They will validate their claim as to who they are by the miracles they are permitted to perform. Miracles which they had already previously been allowed to perform in their earthly lifetime and former ministries. This validation will be accepted by the Jewish nation.
Just look at their miracles during Old Testament days, ie, Elijah bringing fire down from heaven, shutting up the rain for three and a half years. Moses bringing plagues on the earth at command, and turning waters into blood. Now see the miracles they are given to do in the book of Revelation; the very same.
NOTE: Some have said that it cannot be Moses because he died already, and quote the scripture which says 'It is appointed for man to die once and then the judgement'. Yet I ask those that claim this principle this one question;How many times did Lazarus die? Or the widow of Nain's son? Or the widow's son which Elijah brought back to life? Or the hundreds that Jesus brought back to life during His time of ministering and healing on earth?
Glory to God, the Jews will be saved. Glory to God Messiah has a literal pair of witnesses who saw breath re-enter His lungs; and glory to God our Father who is opening the understanding of these things up to us, right before the appointed time, so that we recognize what is happening and are not confused.
Thank you Father.
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