All three synoptic gospels record an account of a vision Jesus supplied a select trio of His disciples, Peter, James, and John. He took them up high on a mountain so He could be alone with them and prayed to His Father until the vision was manifest. As the disciples watched, He was transfigured before their eyes into a glorious gleaming state. And the yet to be resurrected Moses and Elijah appeared at His side. “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.” (Luke 9:29-31). The disciples were filled with fear as a cloud enveloped them out of which came a voice saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Luke 9:35).
Just prior to this occurrence Jesus had told His disciples: “But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:27). Then, after six days had elapsed, Jesus took them up the mountain and gave them a preview of what the kingdom would look like. These three were the ones standing there Jesus said would not die till they see the kingdom. The passing of six days is significant as it is mentioned in all three of the gospels. (Luke states eight days but includes the day of Jesus’s statement and the day of the transfiguration.) I believe the six days are confirmation of the six millennia span from when Jesus spoke the creation into existence till the coming of His millennial kingdom, the seventh millennia. This is further evidence that we are in the season of Jesus return in glory to set up His kingdom as we are closing in on the completion of 6000 years since creation.
Peter recalls this incident in his letter to the gentiles: “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16-18). Interestingly, Peter followed that up later by stating: “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years one day.” (2 Peter 3:8).
The apostles were faithful to share with us the glory to come as they preached and wrote about the kingdom of God, not only what Jesus showed them, but even the timing of when it’s about to arrive. Peter further stated concerning this glorious transfiguration, “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you will do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19).
Maranatha, Jim