Understanding the Mount of Transfiguration

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Understanding the Mount of Transfiguration

(Matthew 17:5)

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)

The Turning Point

    The mount of transfiguration was a turning point in the Lord’s ministry. It changed in this way: His sacrificial death was now before Him, and He must minister to His disciples concerning His departure. He must explain to them both His death and His resurrection, and give to them a prophetic view of the things to come. The words, hear ye him are very important. In the first three gospels these words are repeated in Mark 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. Also in Luke’s gospel 9:35, And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. We are reminded (three times) that after His transfiguration we should listen very closely to His words. It is true that in the gospel according to John we do not have the description of the mount of transfiguration, however, John, being the only gospel writer that was there in person, was moved by the Holy Spirit to declare this in John 1:14, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth. John used the word ‘we’ speaking of himself, and James and Peter, that ‘we’ beheld His glory’. Then John applied this to the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth. There is no other Being with this glory. For it is the glory of God in His beloved Son. Peter also reflected on that glory on the mount of transfiguration. Peter used the word ‘majesty’ to emphasize the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, and referred to the mount as ‘the holy mount.’

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Peter 1:16)

For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (2 Peter 1:17)

And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (2 Peter 1:18)

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2 Peter 1:19)

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (2 Peter 1:20)

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21)

   This was the transition point in the Lord’s ministry. In John’s gospel we are introduced to the One who came out from God in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. In John Chapter 7 the Lord made a full declaration from ‘whence he came.’

Howbeit we know this man whence he is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. (John 7:27)

Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. (John 7:28)

But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me. (John 7:29)

Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come. (John 7:30)

Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto him that sent me. (John 7:33)

Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. (John 7:34)

   The Lord declared that He was sent of the Father and that he had come out of heaven. The Jews understood this for they sought to take Him and to lay their hands upon Him, yet, they were not able to touch Him. He also told them that He was about to return to where He was sent from. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39) Notice that at the end of this verse, the Holy Spirit interjects that Jesus was not yet glorified. This reflected back to what was revealed in the mount of transfiguration. For the glory that Peter, James, and John beheld on the mount was the glorified Man Jesus Christ after His resurrection and His ascension to God. And this is the glory that He now has as the Man in heaven, the Man Christ Jesus.

   In the gospel of John, we have in John Chapter1 John the Baptist the man sent, and John proclaimed the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Man which is preferred before him. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. (John 1:30) And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. (John 1:31)

   In the words of John the Baptist, after me cometh a man that is preferred before me. For John (speaking of Jesus Christ) was before John. Yea, all eternity could not hold Him. In John 3:13 the Lord Jesus said of Himself, the Son of man that he came down from heaven. And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. In John 8:14 the Lord Jesus stated not only His coming out from God, but going back to God, and that man would not be able to conceive this truth. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. In the gospel according to John the word ‘sent’ is used in 56 verses, however, all occasions are not of the Lord, for the first mention was the man that was sent (which was John the Baptist) and he was sent in the Spirit of Elijah. (John 1:6; 1:8) Lets turn to John 3:17, Christ spoke of Himself as being the son of man sent. This would bring in the fullness of time in Galatians 4:4. For it was Christ who came out of heaven’s glory. Compare these verses all using the word ‘sent.’ (John 3:34; 4:34; 5:23; 5:24; 5:30; 5:36; 5:37; 5:38; 6:39; 6:40; 6:44; 6:57; 7:16; 7:28; 7:29; 7:33; 8:16; 8:18; 8:26; 8:29; 8:42; 9:4; 10:36; 11:42; 12:44, 45; 12:49; 13:20; 14:24; 15:21; 16:5; 17:3; 17:18; 17:21; 17:23; 17:25) Remember the words that God the Father spoke on the mount of transfiguration, hear ye him. All these verses describe in different aspects the Man sent, who is Jesus Christ. In fact, in John 17, He mentioned the word ‘sent’ five times, and when we understand the 17th Chapter we see the number of the One who was sent in pure grace. We also see the projection and the fulfillment of His work in 17:25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. In this verse we have the last time that the Lord Jesus used the word ‘sent’ concerning His origin from the Father. So why does the Spirit of God spend so much time on the word ‘sent’? This is the reason: each time that the word ‘sent’ is used it displays His deity as the One sent of the Father. It is a reminder to man that the Son of God came OUT of heaven, and that His position is God the Son, the Holy Spirit in the gospel of John always magnifies the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Matthew, Mark and Luke the word ‘sent’ is very rarely used in relationship to the Lord Jesus. In the gospel of Matthew we only have two references of the word ‘sent’ applied to the Lord Jesus. (Matthew 10:40; 21:37)

    In the gospel of Mark, and Luke we see the Lord Jesus as a servant, and as the Son of man among men. The word ‘sent’ is used very little concerning the Lord’s origin in heaven. In Matthew, Mark and Luke He is more the Sender then the sent one. All three of these gospels are the ministry of the One who has come to redeem man unto Himself, and to send those redeemed into the world to proclaim His glory. In the gospel of John we go higher than the earth for He is sent by God the Father, and returns to God the Father in heaven to be glorified for what He accomplished on Calvary and His resurrection. The gospel of John reaches into heaven and beyond for the Lord Jesus requested of the Father ‘glorify me with the glory that I had before the foundation of the world.’ (John 17) This is the glory that Peter, James, and John beheld on the holy mount. Based on His glorification on the mount of transfiguration let us view three aspects of the Son of God. 1) He was the Son sent of the Father, the Son of God. 2) He became the Son of man made of a woman, made under the law. (Galatians 4:4) Notice that the word is ‘made’ not ‘born.’ The word ‘made’ here is the fashion or the prepared body that He would partake of He would be prepared and given an image, an image of the invisible God.

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (Hebrews 10:5)

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (Colossians 1:15)

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3) 　

   Thirdly, we have the Man, the Son, and the Savior in heaven for us. He is there with all His heavenly glory and this heavenly glory goes beyond all creation. For the Man in heaven for us has been made higher than the heavens. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26) Each one of these aspects and their relationship to these verses speak of His supernatural work.

Made

   Notice that in these verses the word ‘made’ is very important. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26) This word is used twice in Galatians 4:4, for God was ‘made’ flesh to remove sin. God was ‘made’ under the law to fulfill the whole law. And in Hebrews 7:26, He is ‘made’ higher than the heavens. He was made of a woman to connect Him with Adam. For Adam had to be taken out of the way, and the flesh condemned because of sin. For sin was not part of His divine nature, and then, once again, the word ‘made’ on the cross, He was made sin for us. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Once again, we need to draw the red line through these verses and the word ‘made.’ The predominant use of this word is to show the supernatural element: God Himself becoming the Supernatural Man, the Supernatural Sacrifice, the Supernatural Man in heaven for us. In removing Adam, sin and death the Lord Jesus created a new man in Himself. The Creator did the supernatural. The first Adam gave us sin and death at the tree of good and evil. The second Man, the Man from heaven, gave us life at the tree: life at His cross.

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (Ephesians 2:15)

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (Ephesians 2:16)

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:10)

   In Ephesians 2:15 He has abolished (in His flesh) the enmity, the enmity that Adam had against God. And all men have been taken into that enmity, but Christ in His own body on the tree took away the enmity and the sin that was against us. (Galatians 3:13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Now this gets very personal, for Christ was ‘made’ a curse for you, and for this writer. This goes far deeper than any tears that we could shed for our own iniquities, for any feeling of our own repentance toward God, for becoming a curse for us, He delivered us from the curse that we were already under. In the word ‘curse’ we have the long trail of both sin and death from Adam. But Christ became a ‘curse’ to remove all that was against us. He gave us a new man for once at the end of the world, Christ put away sin by the death and sacrifice of Himself. Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; (Hebrews 9:25) For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26). Therefore now, there is a true and righteous Man in heaven for us who is apart from sin, yesterday, today, and forever. What does this mean? This means all power has been given unto Him in both heaven and in earth. He has the power of an endless life. This is the Man Christ Jesus. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (Hebrews 7:16) And because He lives in the power of an endless life, I live in Him. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:18) Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (John 14:19) 　

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) 　

Eternity Revealed

   The glory on the holy mount was His heavenly glory. This was displayed supernaturally as the resurrected GodMan in heaven. Notice, how the Holy Spirit builds a portrait of eternity out of the scene before us. We see Moses and Elijah. These two men represent both the law and the prophets as Moses being the lawgiver, and Elijah being the fiery prophet. Their conversation with the Lord was about His death, how He would suffer in Jerusalem. They talked with Him on what He would accomplish in Jerusalem, and this takes us to the heavenly Man in heaven itself for us. Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. (Luke 9:31) One thing that is neglected by the viewer of this verse is that both Moses and Elijah appeared in glory. This was heaven come down to earth to reveal the majesty of the Son of God. Both Moses and Elijah were in the appearance of their heavenly glory which all the saints of heaven are partakers of. It is the mirror of the glory of God’s Christ. They were there to discuss what the Lord Jesus would accomplish in Jerusalem. This was the full disclosure of heaven and earth and what was about to be accomplished. That He would be tried, and man would sentence Him to the cross, and He would go to the cross not because of man, but FOR man to redeem man unto Himself. He would be the eternal sacrifice of God’s eternal grace. And He would, after His resurrection, sit down upon the throne of grace in heaven for us. His sufferings would be according to the law, and according to the prophets. He would fulfill the whole law by being judged BY the law for the sin of the whole world. And each and every prophecy (concerning Himself) would be fulfilled for He Himself would bring it to pass being the Spirit of prophecy. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)

   The Spirit of God has given us all these wonderful windows, even though they may be covered with lattice work, and yet, we see them dimly, the Lord Jesus gives us glimpses of Himself. The more our hearts yearn for Him, the more He reveals Himself through the lattice work. My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. (Song of Songs 2:9) So after His transfiguration, His message would be centered on His death and His resurrection. The presence of both Moses and Elijah also represents the two covenants: the law under Moses, and remember (under the law) Moses was not allowed to go into the promised land. However, God in grace, closed the eyes of Moses and it was God Himself who buried His servant in the valley of Moab.　

And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, (Deuteronomy 34:1)

And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea, (Deuteronomy 34:2)

And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. (Deuteronomy 34:3)

And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. (Deuteronomy 34:4)

So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. (Deuteronomy 34:5)

And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. (Deuteronomy 34:6) 　

And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. (Deuteronomy 34:7) 　

And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. (Deuteronomy 34:8) 　

   It was God, Himself, who announced to Joshua, My servant Moses is dead. (Joshua 1:2) Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. We should understand the full aspect of the law that was given to Moses. It was given for man’s accountability to God, but man, being in Adam, rebelled against the law of God. The law became a covenant of death to mankind. But when we behold Moses on the mount of transfiguration, we see a greater power than the law, for we see the power of resurrection in the presence of Moses. This also is a witness of resurrection for all the Old Testament saints. (Hebrews 11:40) God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. We see the promise of resurrection being fulfilled on the mount of transfiguration. In Elijah, we see the voice of prophecy, and in this, we see the wonder of the new birth, and the new covenant in Jesus Christ. In Elijah we also see the promise and the fulfillment of the coming of the Lord for His saints in the great translation of the Church. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:6)

   Elijah also represents new testament prophecy as well, and the fulfillment of the New Testament in Jesus Christ. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. (Hebrews 9:15)

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. (Hebrews 9:16)

For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (Hebrews 9:17) 　

   This was the conversation that they had Christ fulfilling all things contained in the law. This also included the ordinances of sacrifice in the sacrifice of Himself. It also brings in the future prophetic view of the glories of the Church in their ascension to meeting the Lord in the air as Elijah met the Lord in the air in a whirlwind in a fiery chariot. Our going home to be with the Lord will be of such magnitude that the world will be shaken in this great event. And yet, they will not believe. Now as they talked, we have a transition taking place. The Lord is configured in His heavenly glory — what a wonder. He has come out from God, and now He is beginning His path going back to the Father. He would return to the Father as a new Man, the glorified Man, the Son of God.

For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. (John 16:27)

I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. (John 16:28)

Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God. (John 16:30)

For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. (John 17:8)

I Come To Thee

   These verses in John Chapter 16 and 17 establish the message after His transfiguration. He has a distinct message to His disciples concerning His death and resurrection, and His return unto the Father. We also should consider John 17:11, And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.　At this point His ministry is complete to His disciples before the cross. We see His departure to the Father in the words, I come to thee. This has to get our attention for this phrase is only used of the Lord Jesus in the New Testament. Only one time and this is concerning His death, His sacrifice, and His resurrection, and His ascension back to God. From John 17:11 He treaded the wine press alone. He would defeat both sin and death, and the works of the devil.

   What is so remarkable about this phrase I come to thee, is that it is mentioned two times in the Old Testament. The first time that we have this phrase is concerning Samuel, the prophet; the other time it was David, the future king; and these two mentions are most interesting. Samuel, who was both prophet and priest told Saul, the king, I come to thee. This was to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings how appropriate as a shadow of the cross, and the Christ of God on the cross.

   Then with David, he told Goliath, I come to thee, in the name of the Lord. Goliath was a symbol of sin and the great adversary of our soul, the devil. This was the giant whom no one could conquer. Only by death could sin be dethroned, and put to rest. David’s defeat of Goliath is symbolically Christ defeating sin and cutting off its head by His own death upon the cross.

  Three times this phrase I come to thee is mentioned by the Holy Spirit, and each mention represents an different aspect of the work of Christ upon the cross. Let’s take line upon line, and precept upon precept. I come to thee. What glory — what foreknowledge. Let’s look at I come to thee in this order: first, the prophet and priest Samuel. (1 Samuel 10:8) And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do. Samuel was speaking to Saul concerning a future time. The Lord Jesus is speaking to God the Father concerning a future time. Samuel was speaking of burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. In this, we see the Lord Jesus bringing to God the Father both the burnt offering and the peace offering. So making peace by the death of Himself upon the cross, as He told His disciples, My peace I give unto you.

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace; (Ephesians 2:15)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)

  In considering these verses, when He uttered these words I come to thee, He knew exactly that He was presenting Himself to God as the true offering, both as the burnt and the peace offering. The burnt offering was to appease the righteousness of God, and to allow God to have mercy and grace upon man. The peace offering was to make peace for every man so that mankind may approach God for salvation through Jesus Christ. Now let us look at 1 Samuel 17:45, Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. We have the future king, David, facing the giant of sin head on. Goliath represents the devil, sin, and death. Goliath (a descendant of Cain) was energized by the devil. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1st John 3:8) And the Lord Jesus could say of sin itself, and to death, and the works of the devil, I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts. Why is this so important? Goliath represents both sin and death in Adam and Cain, for Goliath was a descendant Cain. And Goliath’s works were of the devil. He had the same hatred for God and for the people of God as Cain when he slew his brother Abel. So the Lord Jesus met Goliath in all three stages: for the Lord Jesus went into death (the death of Himself).

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14)

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (Colossians 2:14) 　

   In these two verses in the New Testament we have our warrior King, the Lord Jesus Christ defeating sin and death, and the works of the devil for us. There is so much more here, and we need to consider in John Chapter 17, the Lord Jesus as the priest of God presenting to God the Father the burnt offering and the peace offering, and bringing the blood of His sacrifice to the eternal mercy seat in heaven making the words I come to thee more profound, For the conclusion of this statement is this: the Lord Jesus is sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)

   In His current position He is the eternal Priest, the eternal Son, the eternal Man upon His throne of grace.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) 　

And upon His throne of grace He is the true jasper stone in all His glory, and He is the foundation of all truth. And in His priesthood He is the high Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; (Hebrews 7:1)

To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; (Hebrews 7:2)　

Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. (Hebrews 7:3)

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26)

   Now this is the thing: in all the translations that I have searched, no other translation ties the phrase I come to thee in these three consecutive thoughts that give us a picture of the whole in the Man Christ Jesus. This is very important. For if the Holy Spirit cannot speak through other translations then that presents them as not being a translation, but the opinions of men. These are three consecutive thoughts that we find in the King James version with this phrase I come to thee.

   The first thought (in Samuel) we have the prophet and the priest. The second thought in David is that we have the future king who will deliver Israel from all its enemies. And thirdly, the Lord Jesus in John Chapter 17 we have the great high Priest after the order of Melchisedec. Now let’s remain on this same theme. In Samuel, we have the burnt offering and the peace offering. In David, we have the defeat of sin and death in the devil’s spokesperson Goliath. And the third point, in John 17 is the high Priest offering Himself as a burnt offering to God, and a peace offering for mankind. This is no chance meeting of the mind of the Spirit of God in this phrase, I come to thee. The Holy Spirit has breathed these words on the very pages of His book. God is not slack. He is able to give His word without error. He is able to breathe out His word by the breath of His mouth. And He is able to keep it with the power of the Holy Spirit of God. One verse that brings the faithful, and assures the faithful concerning God’s Word is Isaiah 55:11. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Now this verse is emphatic, there is no if’s or but’s. First, the Almighty God declared that it is HIS Word (it is my word) secondly it goeth forth out of His mouth, making it the secure Word of God and His thoughts toward mankind. Thirdly, it will not return unto Him void. This means no one can void or change the Word of God. It is beyond the realm of mankind to change God’s Word. For the Holy Spirit is quite capable of keeping God’s EXACT words. And the Spirit of God will present the truth of the word to the mind of faith. For the mind of faith has the mind of Christ in both word and truth. Fourthly, the Word of God will accomplish. There is nothing to detain it, there is nothing to delay it, and there is nothing that can change it. For it will accomplish that which God’s pleases, And this is all according to the determinate counsels of God. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: (Acts 2:23)We should not forget one of the most profound positions that the Lord Jesus holds: He is the Living Word of God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

The same was in the beginning with God. (John 1:2)

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)　

   As the Lord Jesus spoke with both Moses and Elijah all the verses of Isaiah Chapter 53 were being laid out before Him. His own recollection as the eternal Word of God brought forth to His mind all the Old Testament Scriptures that were given on what was going to be accomplished in Jerusalem. Are you going to doubt what has been fulfilled, and the very proof and viability of the Word of God? It is a supernatural document held in place by a supernatural Man that was given to us by a Supernatural God. The eternal preservation of the Word of God is settled in heaven. (Psalm 119) If man cannot have faith in the Word of God that we have today in the KJV then the book that is settled in heaven has no value. If what is in heaven does not translate to the world below then man in his diabolical schemes has overcome the Word of God. Sorry . . . it isn’t going to happen!

   I  knew a man who had carrier pigeons. He belonged to a club who sent messages back and forth between members. Sometimes the pigeons would have to fly through tremendous storms, or escape hawks or other predators, but at the beginning of their flight to the very end the message that they carried did not change, It stayed the same through all their trials, and was delivered unchanged. This is God’s Word. Settled in heaven, and sent to us so that man might believe. The Word of God (being preserved by the power of the eternal Spirit) is to enrich our faith, and not bring doubts of men, when you depend on the Spirit of God you will find (above all) He is constant in thought, and He is determined in truth. For He presents the Lord Jesus who is both grace and truth. And Christ being revealed by the Spirit of God is the righteousness of God and the Spirit of God loves to present the glorified Man in heaven. It is both the delight of the Father and the Spirit to glorify the Man in heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is why the Spirit of God makes every attempt to connect us with the things above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)

The Door Keeper

   The Spirit of God in Colossians 3 wants to motivate us to take our eyes and our ears away from the earth. And see and hear the ministry of heaven from our Savior Jesus Christ. To the Philadelphian Church in Chapter 3 of the book of the Revelation, the Lord Jesus declared, Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man or group of men or the majority of men can shut it. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8) This is the ministry of the Son of God who was transfigured on the holy mount to show us His eternal power and Godhead. This is the ministry to us now, the eternal Word (Jesus Christ) speaks from heaven to our soul because He is the supernatural Man, and He is doing supernatural things for His own. He gives understanding, and the truth of His own Word, and He maintains it and keeps it as we see in Revelation 3:8. It is the Supernatural Christ in His Supernatural glory (the glory that He had on the holy mount) and He has set before us His supernatural Word, and He has opened a supernatural door, and He is keeping it open by His Supernatural power.

Faith to Faith

   Faith has three great mountains: 1) believe in God’s Christ; 2) believe what He has done; and 3) believe what He can do. The smallest measure of faith can bring supernatural results. There is a reason that the Holy Spirit combines the word faith to faith. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17) Faith to faith brings supernatural results. And this of course, comes from the Supernatural Man on the throne of heaven who is made higher than he heavens. And His glory pales the glory of the sun, the glory of the moon, and the glory of the stars. All these cannot acquire or match the glory that is upon the Lord Jesus Christ which He revealed to man on the holy mount, and began His path to mount Moriah, or Calvary. In His path from the holy mountain to the cross we get a supernatural view of our Lord, and all that would come from the point of His glorification on the mount to the point where He was glorified of the Father in heaven above, doing all in His own supernatural footsteps, and bringing His own with Him. The book is open for us to behold the glory of the Son, the Word of God in heaven itself. Glory to God in the highest. Amen.

© Copyright 2018, Michael Haigh

Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.

All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)